Amongst smells and flavors

Once in São Paulo, you will certainly hear about the Brazilian gastronomy. The indoor Municipal Food Market, well-known as "Mercadão' by the locals, is the real evidence that food is a relevant issue in the culture of the city.

                               one of several boxes that sells olives, nuts, spices, herbs, olive oil and other products

                             the colourful native fruits like caju, jabuticaba and guava mixed with the exotic ones 

                       The wide range of beans, an ingredient that is present in the daily menu in the southeast of the country

one of the stained glass panels, designed by the German family Sorgenicht specially for the building in the '30s

Music in São Paulo

The Ibirapuera Auditorium, located in Ibirapuera Park, where locals like to listen to high quality Brazilian music.

Main entrance with the flame, designed by the well-known Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer

the hall

 

Sculpture made by the recognized Japanese artist Tomie Ohtake, who lives in São Paulo

Bank of Brazil Cultural Center in São Paulo

Bank of Brasil Cultural Center in São Paulo, old downtown

The facade

Stained glasses in the ceiling

Interior, decorated for Carnival

São Paulo, the second city in number of millionaires in BRICS

Brazil marks presence among the top ten large millionaires cities within BRICS, according to a report issued by WealthInsight, a British consultancy company which researches data about the wealth sector.

The report analyzes and points out the growth of wealth in the emerging markets by covering thirty cities. It considers the high net worth individuals, which means people who have 30 million dollars or more. The ranking is:

1 Beijing - China 1,318
2 São Paulo -  BRAZIL 1,310

3 Shanghai - China 1,028
4 Moscow - Rússia 821
5 Mumbai - Índia 577
6 Hangzhou - China 563
7 Rio de Janeiro - BRAZIL 550
8 Shenzhen - China 377
9 Belo Horizonte - BRAZIL 330
10 Brasília - BRAZIL 321

source: WealthInsight (Dec.2012)

Although China reaches the first place with Beijing and third place with Shanghai, respectively, São Paulo shows up in an expressive second place with 1,310 high net worth individuals, which represents more millionaires than in San Francisco, Washington and Miami together.  

Besides Sao Paulo, the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Brasilia are mentioned among the top ten. In total, Brazil appears with nine cities, surpassing India, with five as well as Russia and South Africa, both with two.   

The forecast is that the millionaire population will grow fast in emerging markets, impacting directly the luxury market globally.

 

The Brazilian diva Gisele Bundchen

Gisele Bundchen for Chanel

Gisele Bundchen - Behind the lens

Farmers market or "Feira livre"

It does not matter where you live in São Paulo city. Certainly there should exist a "Feira livre" close to your neighborhood some day in the week. This kind of farmers market is traditional in Brazil. Some historians considered they were introduced by the Portuguese colonizers.

Composed by several colourful tends, this kind of market is part of the daily life of the locals that love to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, flowers, fresh meat, like chicken and fish, and a wide range of dairy products and sweets.

Close to midday it is quite difficult to resist to the shouting of the traders that strive to to convince you to buy the final bargains with better prices than the groceries.

Carnival in São Paulo



Carnival is coming. In the whole Brazil it is a fantastic 4-day holiday. Since last weekend fans and locals of cities like Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife and São Paulo have been  pré-celebrating on the streets by dancing and singing and following the musical  "blocos" - groups of people that get together in carnival costumes.

Good for entertainment and fun for the fans. Or a good opportunity to rest, relax and recharge the batteries for others.



Carnival shop in the most popular commercial region in São Paulo named Rua 25 de março - March 25th street

Costumes for carnival in one the famous shops in the neighborhood