A Top Day in São Paulo

One of the delights of visiting São Paulo is experiencing the many cultures and communities that have immigrated here from all over the globe. Every opportunity I get, I enjoy exploring this fascinating aspect of the city's past and present.

In the morning, I'll start my day at the Immigrant Memorial Museum, a former residence for the newly arrived, which once housed workers from Japan, Italy, Portugal and Lebanon, amongst others. I'll then take the metro downtown where I can see the latest flush of immigrants in Centro, a bairro (district) of both cobbled streets and the hustle-and-bustle of commerce. After joining the people parade on the lively pedestrian streets, I'll have coffee at one of the laid-back cafes near the Praça da República.

From there, it's on to Liberdade, which is the atmospheric neighborhood of Brazil's largest Asian community. If it happens to be Sunday, I'll stop in the Praça da Liberdade, for the colorful street market and tasty bowls of dumplings. If not, I'll go on the search for the best new sushi or ramen place to have opened since I was last here.

After lunch, I'll take a taxi to Jardim Paulista, for a bit of window-shopping in São Paulo's loveliest neighborhood. As the heat arrives, I'll retreat to my favorite record store (FNAC) or a cosy coffee shop along Rua Oscar Freire (Santo Grão is always a good choice).

For dinner it's on to Bela Vista, São Paulo's Italian neighborhood, which is packed with old-fashioned eateries (particularly along Rua 13 de Maio) serving a wide range of traditional fare. Afterwards, I'll end the night at the rooftop bar of the Hotel Unique, enjoying caipirinhas and the marvelous views over the city.

Author: Regis St. Louis

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