As we stood in the middle of Republic Square we learned that Portuguese Jesuits founded the city in the 1600s, building Republic Square based on the European model. The square served as a connection between the old downtown of the city and the new areas constructed. Sampa was a business city then, as it still is now, and we would learn that many high prices and low wages are sometimes overlooked by those who come to the city just for their jobs. Another fact which goes unnoticed can sometimes be the huge Italian influence in this Portuguese-speaking city. The Edificio Italia, or Building of Italy, tried to correct that when it was built in 1965. 41 floors with an exclusive club for Italians inside! We planned to go up to the observation floor after the walking tour which promised for an awesome view.
Republic Square, 2013
Edificio Italia, 2013
Earlier in the morning on the way to the metro to Republic Square Colin and I noticed a clearly homeless, clearly deranged (drugs or mental health), man who kept running out into the street attempting to punch the oncoming cars. When they swerved and missed him, he would then run back onto the sidewalk and try to punch the people walking around him in his madness. Upon seeing this we quickly got ourselves out of his range of sight, taking the long way around to the metro stop. On the walking tour we passed a lot of the homeless and we were reminded of him. This prompted us to ask why homelessness seems to be such a problem in a city that seems to have plenty of buildings. Carlos told us that Sao Paulo, a city of 19 million, had more than 14,000 homeless, a vast majority plagued by mental health or drug problems. Unfortunately, despite high taxes from the government (so THAT’s why the food is outrageously expensive) there don’t seem to be many places for the homeless to obtain assistance. In fact, we would later see that the mayor’s building sits opposite a squatter occupied building which flies flags demanding more aid for its people.
Homelessness in Sao Paulo, 2013
Passing by the Love Story club (popular with ladies of the night), Hilton Hotel (which apparently fights with the Building of Italy in a famous song) and the 1801 gothic Conciliation Church to get to Roosevelt Square. Roosevelt Square was apparently a popular nightclub spot in the 1960’s. However, despite $25 million USD to revamp the place and add green space, well, take a look at the result… people weren’t very happy to say the least! Some express their displeasure by tossing eggs at the young skateboarders who take advantage at the obvious lack of green space at 3 am some evenings. 
Love Story Club, 2013
Angel Inside The Conciliation Church, 2013
Prayer Inside The Conciliation Church, 2013
1970’s, 1990’s, and Now In Roosevelt Square ($25 Million Later)
It looks like the government may have a hard time ensuring funds are used for city clean-up, but private individuals and developers have better luck. For example, the photo taken below was of an area that used to be quite dangerous! Now it is filled with colorful lights, cafes, and funky clothing stores. Even the graffiti, when done in an artistic way, can color and brighten up the city rather than making it look more dirty. Some examples from a graffiti park we walked through are below.
Cleaned-up Streets of Sao Paulo, 2013
Graffiti Park In Sao Paulo With City’s Birthday Graffiti, 2013
Purple Flower Trees In Sao Paulo, 2013
We passed by the 1911 constructed Municipal Theater which we learned had an underground tunnel which connected it to nearby hotels enabling actors to travel to work unseen by the public! After a quick lunch stop where we tried some Brazilian empanadas (can’t go wrong with chicken and cheese) my favorite part was a bell found outside the 1700s Jesuit church. Oh look, it rings on a Sunday morning… hehehe. Priests work on Sundays anyways right? 
Municipal Theater of Sao Paulo, 2013
Meat & Cheese Filled Empanadas, 2013
Waking Up The Priests in Sao Paulo, 2013
Once we finished the walking tour, we waited until 3 pm when the Building of Italy opened its free viewing observatory. Taking the elevator up to the top, we finally understood the city of Sampa is truly massive. Put that panorama feature to good use! (And still couldn’t fit it all in.)
Sao Paulo Panorama, 2013
Dramatic Mode: Sao Paulo Buildings, 2013
Francesca & Sao Paulo, 2013
Francesca & Colin with Sao Paulo, 2013
Our final venture for the day was to the Municipal Market, nearby one of the churches we passed earlier in the day. Immediately upon entering the covered market we were swarmed with fruit vendors offering us samples of deliciously juicy exotic fruit to try. Meats, cheeses, olive oils – you could definitely see the Italian influence in the market. We opted to try a famous Brazilian sandwich (turned out to be a great idea!) called a ‘mortadela.’ Filled with layers of ham, cheese, and tomatoes dripping with sauce – this thing is heavenly. Next we found a tuna and cheese filled bubbly hot empanada at a nearby market stall named ‘Tigrao’ to complete our meal. Although some more things looked tasty, it was quite expensive in this market!Traveler’s tip: We later saw the same delicious mortadela sandwiches just outside the market in street stalls for half the price. Browse the market, buy on the street!
Municipal Market of Sao Paulo, 2013
Delicious Exotic Fruit at the Municipal Market, 2013
Delicious Cheese & Meats at the Municipal Market, 2013
Mortadela at the Municipal Market, 2013
Colin & Empanada at the Municipal Market, 2013
Francesca at the Municipal Market, 2013
We had another full day planned for tomorrow and the weather was still quite rainy, so we decided to head home after the Municipal Market.Tomorrow’s journey starts with the Pinacoteca!
Later everyone!
Francesca
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