Gramado

  Gramado, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Monday, September 22, 2008

September 21st - Decided to take a break today, from all the damage I probably did to my legs yesterday.  I knew they would be hell-of sore and thus decided to sleep in and rest.  Glad I did.  It rained all night and all morning.  Talk about a good nights sleep.  Such a beautiful thing when it rains in South Brazil.  Itīs always heavy and continious.  Around noon, I finally was up and about.  My legs were stiff and needed to stretch and walk, just not too much.  Decided to take the bus and see Gramado.

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Gramado - Hmmm ... What can I say ...!!!
 
If you think the idea of a Swiss-chic chalet shopping mall turned into a city (Southpoint   Mall meets Switzerland) then you would love this place, especially the shopping part.
 
Yes, it was beautiful if (as Lonely Planet would call it) slightly kitsch.
 
But ... (if you canīt already tell from my tone ...) I didnīt think much of it.  What I would call (Brazil) Brazil is sooo beautiful; so I found this place a bit touristy, a Swiss wannabee and not my cup of tea.  After 2 hours I was pretty much finished, although I got to admit, I really loved the people that work in this city.  They were delightful.  If youīre a nature nut like me, head for Canela (I loved Canela).  Itīs only 10 minutes away, has way more nature, and much cheaper.  As for Gramado, I could have missed it and wouldnīt put it on my would do it again list.

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September 22nd - Was in Gramado today again and decided to give it another look.  Walking around very late last night, in the rain, while looking for the bus station, for the last (midnight) bus back to my Hotel room in Canela ... got me thinking about how beautiful Gramado seemed, all of a sudden.  Was it the rain, was it the night, was it the lovely people I had met, was it because the tourists had left town ... was I wrong?!!!  Fortunately I found the bus station (did you have any doubts) and made it back to my hotel in Canela, but I wondered about the correctness of my earlier text concerning Gramado.

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Today, Iīm in Gramado again, updating this blog and looking at the town with fresh eyes.  Itīs a truly beautiful little city, although very Swiss.  Iīve been to Switzerland and Iīve definately have seen posh (London-Paris) but itīs just strange to see both together in the South of Brazil.  This town reminds me very much of a little city that had I lived in for many years, called Chapel Hill, NC.  And so, I have issue with touristy towns and thus, I have issues with posh ... (Oh, Iīm okay with Switzerland.  Loved Switzerland.)  That being said and put into proper perspective ... Gramado is a gorgous city and definately deserves a look ... (okay, maybe 3 hours instead of 2).