First impressions of Sao Paulo

So, the trunk returned in true last minute fashion and frantic packing over, the journey began. I think that I have cried enough over the last few months to not cry for a while so surprisingly the goodbyes came and went and on my way I went. Finding lots of lush sweet treats helped too! I was doing well until on day 2 I found a cute card from my niece. She didn’t even have to draw a picture of me crying to make me shed a tear! The last few days have been so busy there hasn’t been much chance to think which has actually been a good thing. 

Sao Paulo…..first impressions? Hmmm: tall! It really is so built up. There are skyscrapers everywhere. The highways are huge, and the people very friendly. I need to learn Portuguese desperately. But for now, instead of irritation, there are lots of giggles. Buying a sim card was hilarious for all of us involved. I am very appreciative of their patience! I had a lil wander today and saw a lot of cool graffiti.

Excuse the over exposure

This one made me smile

I definitely know that I am not in Africa, but am yet to really feel like I’m really in South America. I am sure it will soon come. Brazilian beer and steak definitely live up to their reputation. I am not at all disappointed, nor tempted to go back to my veggie ways!

I keep being told about how bad the traffic and driving is. I am yet to experience either, though compared  to Nairobi, it better be horrific for all the talk it receives! Beautiful Brazilians is something else I sadly haven’t been bombarded with! A lot of topless men though which was a bit surprising, and loads of dogs! 

My apartment is nice and in a lovely area. I live on the 13^th floor, in an 18 storey building. The views are cool, though we do live on a flight path……I am hoping I will get used to it! Still, I do prefer hearing traffic and planes to cockerels and barking dogs which was the bane of my life sometimes in Nairobi! Thank goodness for ear plugs. The apartment is modern and nicely done. I have started buying frames and things to personalize it, and it is feeling more like mine. 5 other teachers live in the building which is fab. We are all on different floors (I am the highest which I love, as was hoping to be up high) but we see each other a lot which is cool. We have spent rather a lot of time by the pool which is lush.

View from my apartment

Night shot

The school is impressive. It is not yet totally finished, and I think we will all need to be patient over the next few weeks, but it looks great. It is all so modern and swanky. The old campus (2 years old is old here!) has its playground on the roof! It is so random but this is city living in Sao Paulo! 

Today we went for a walk in the park near us. It is beautiful and really big. I was amazed by all we saw. It was a real cross section of Brazilian recreation. Some of the highlights had to be a dog on a skateboard and tight rope walkers! I am so surprised to see so many tattoos too-nearly everyone seems to have one or several!

Over the last few days I have been thinking about what to call this blog, but I have come to the conclusion that for now, I am not ready to end African Adventures. I am hoping to return, maybe it won’t happen, a lot can change, but for now, Sao Paulo and my South American adventures, will stay here!