Sao Paulo: The world's second largest city

So arranging a place for me to stay in this city was super stressful. I had no idea where I was going to live until hours before the bus was leaving the conference. Luckily AIESECers are awesome and a girl that I've never met before (Patricia) let me stay with her. Her apartment was super nice! Definitely one of the more expensive ones. There was a pool, hot tub and tennis court on the first level and security everywhere.

Her brother became my hostess because she was busy with school and work and got really sick. Actually, all the AIESECers are sick because of the lack of sleep. I know a lot of you can relate. Anyways, he brought me around his university (Universidade de Sao Paulo). It was quite ghetto. Mold everywhere, but some of the areas were nice, like having plants inside the buildings and also a little pond with fish and turtles. (I took pics for you Lil). We toured a lot of the campus and went into the architecture building that was very artsy inside. The whole building was opened concept. Maybe just some 6 feet walls everywhere.

I was supposed to go out that night but the problem with Brasilians is they aren't very dependable on what they say. We eneded up just eatting cheese and ham sandwiches for dinner.

The next morning I went to GV, where they had a bunch of security just to get into the school because some government official's kids went there and so they had to be protected. There was an event AIESEC GV hosted, a forum discussing social responsiblities and sustainabilities and there were like 60 externals there! It was there first event and it was so well done! They had AMAZING food there too. I was not impressed that I didn't know it was a business formal event and I arrived in running shoes and jeans! AHHHHHH. It was bad. I learned a lot about issues we don't talk enough about in Canada but are important.

Afterwards I waited for my friend, a trainee from AIESEC Melbourne, whom I met at the conference was planning to come visit me so we could tour Sao Paulo together. That took a little while and then we had to wait for another guy who said he would be helpful in our process to get to the Body exhibition (the one that was in toronto, with the nicely dissected muscles?). So it took us longer because we had to take the metro to get to his house and then walk to pick up his car and then drive to go to the place. It was an awful idea. Then he bought us the wrong tickets! omgosh. I was trying not to freak out after everything that went wrong that day. So we saw the exhibition and I think Toronto's was certainly better, but it was only 20 $ reais (about $15 Canadian) to see it. Then we took some fun pictures in the dark on the playground.

We looked all over the place to find a restaurant to have sushi. Then we went to the famous Liberdade area (where all the Japanese things are). The sushi here was soooooo expensive (caro). I couldn't believe it. But it was pretty good even though I paid 27 $ reais for it. In the car after sending my friend off, that's when I discovered my water bottle had spilt all over my camera and Ipod nano! I couldn't believe both of my favorite things were ruined in one night! I was in shock. I think the fact my passport was still ok gave me a little bit of comfort but I was not impressed that night. Finally after taking an hour to get to another friend's apartment, I got changed and at first was supposed to go to an Australian bar but it was closed. It seemed like everything was closed actually. We drove around for 30 mins. At least I got to see all the mansions in Sao Paulo. Then we ended up at an Irish pub. I had strawberry Caprinaha (a really strong vodka drink). It was yummy because they actually put fresh strawberries (morangas) in it. Then to end the night my friend (Gustavo) and I danced role calls till 4am in the morning! hehe It was a fun end to a horrible night.

Some embarrassing moments so far:
1. First morning here, I didn't have toothpaste with me so I just took a tube in the washroom and used it. Hmmm.. definitely a lot more bubbly then I was used to and tasted horrible. It was definitely not toothpaste! I think it said Creme de Barbarar. (I think that means shaving creme.)
2. Tripped about 3 times everywhere and almost cut my foot open.
3. We were looking at rings on the streets and I wanted to try one on. The problem was it wouldn't come off!!! Ahhh.. we spent like 5 minutes staying there, trying to pull it off. Darn fat fingers! I finally got it off and not have to buy it.
4. Tripping over my own suitcase in the elevator face first.
5. While my camera and nano were being dreached in water in my purse, the water leaked all over my pants. Great! Another thing to add to my awesome night.

I think there are more but I'll keep this list updated.