Meeting the blogger in Sao Paulo

I am in Sao Paulo for vacation. I will be here for two weeks, until the 8th of April.

It would be a pleasure to meet some followers of our blog here in Sao Paulo.

Let’s have lunch together ?

I am organizing a meeting with the British blogger Robert Dwek, who writes for Digital Marketing Brasil.

If you would like to personally meet me, drop me a line at my personal email ricaototti@gmail.com

 

My favorite places in Latin America’s New York (Sao Paulo) :

Bookstore : Livraria Cultura

Sometimes it becomes necessary to escape the rush of the monster city. Luckily, the Livaria Cultura offers the perfect hideaway: despite being located in a central shopping area, this bookshop is the perfect place to curl up in for hours, away from the hustle and bustle outside.

A must go ! Probably the place I have gone more times in Sao Paulo after my parents’ house. However, it often gets too crowded.

You may find me there during rush hours  enjoying Machado the Assis rather than traffic jams.

 

Park : Parque da Juventude

In one of the most notorious events in recent Brazilian history, 111 inmates were killed—102 by military police—during a riot at Penitenciária de Carandiru in 1992. The prison was pulled down 10 years later and the São Paulo state government built this park in its place. This tragedy can be seem in the violent movie « Carandiru »

The Parque da Juventude (“Park of Youth”) is divided into three main areas. The sports centre includes 10 courts and tracks for skating, roller-skating and jogging. The leisure centre opens out into a series of small green hills which are often populated by readers, picnickers and sunbathers. The third space is dedicated to culture and education. It offers technical courses and digital inclusion programs, as well as a full schedule of shows and performances. A library and a dance school will soon be added.

Everyday after 19 :00 people meet up to play pick up indoor soccer matches. Very, VERY good players are there daily. You might find me there in a random warm evening.

 

Cinema : Espaco Unibanco

With five cinemas and a consistently good selection of movies ranging from mainstream to arthouse, this is the kind of place where you can drop by without planning what to see – there’s always a good chance that there’ll be something interesting being screened.

Very close to Livraria Cultura.

Eating : Dinho’s

This steakhouse boasts many years of tradition. It is an essential reference to Paulistanos gourmets. The meats here are imported from Argentina. The buffet service offers an abundant array of cold dishes and salads. On Fridays there is an excellent buffet service of seafood, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays the menu includes a high quality traditional Feijoada.

You will find me at Dinho’s on Fridays at lunchtime.  Even though this place is notorious for its meat, on Fridays there is a sensational buffet of seafood. One of my favorites restaurants in the world.

 

Music : Odoborogodo

The best « chorinho » and « samba »of the city.

Small, intimate, this tiny bar has character and soul. From Tuesdays to Thursdays the crowd is very heterogeneous but  on the weekends it is usually young people from 20-25.

 

Bar :Bar Original

This is without a doubt the best bar of the city to sit down, enjoy cold draft beer and eat diet enemy snacks like a portion of mozzarella or salami.

I am a very good friend of one of the owners and I guarantee the quality of the beer and the food is outstanding. However, it is a bit expensive.

Museum : Museu da lingua portugesa

Although the website is very amateur, this is a world class museum. The Museum of the Portuguese Language is everything you’d want in a museum; it’s creative, interesting, interactive, visually fabulous, and fun. You can expect an unforgettable experience ; great place to take kids as there are so many interactive pieces.

The only drawback? No English signage. However, anybody with a basic understanding of Portuguese, or an interest in the language, will enjoy the experience.

Best soccer stadium: Pacaembu

Here you seem to be closer to the field than in any other football stadium in Sao Paulo.

Because of my brother I have attended virtually every football arena in Portugal and Germany. Overthere, going to watch a football match is like an event, people arrive early to eat in restaurants inside of the stadium. Here there is no such idea of service. Even the most expensive tickets only give you a hot dog and they are not so comfortable. Therefore, get to the stadium just a few minutes before the game starts and make sure you park very far away from the stadium if you dont want your car to be robbed or just destroyed by sad vandals if their team loses.

At Pacaembu the magnificent, and quite new Football Museum is located. If you are a big football fan, it is a must see. But I don’t suggesting trying to visit during match days.