Arun Gupta, Miles to go ...

Embu das Artes - Sao Paulo spectacle

Embu das Artes is a small and spectacular village in Sao Paulo Metropolitan area. If you want to experience Brazil, this is the place! A perfect blend of arts, crafts, food, clothes, furniture, festivities and lot of fun. Check out some pictures:

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Travel tips for Brazil

1. Brazilians are very warm people. Men will typically shake hands and pat on your shoulder. Women may kiss one (or both) cheeks upon meeting/departing so be ready to reciprocate.
2. Brazil is a paradise for meat lovers. Most restaurants do not offer much (sometimes none) vegetarian choices. But they do offer some exotic fruits and vegetables, so you can certainly stay healthy!
3. Some handy Portugese phrase
   
   

   Hello	Alo / Oi
   Good morning	Bom dia
   Good afternoon	Boa tarde
   Good night	Boa noite
   Thanks	Obrigado for men, Obrigada for women
   No Thanks	Nao Obrigado
   Excuse me	Com licenca
   Please to meet you	prazer
   Goodbye	tchau (pronounced as ciao)
   Please	por favor

   
   Check out English-Portugese phrases or a searchable dictionary.
   
4. For Brazilians who claim to know some English, speak slowly and clearly with simple words.
5. People are very friendly and very much willing to help but language may be a barrier.  Carry your hotel address on a paper as local public mostly speak Portugese. And smile is of course the universal human language.
6. Withdraw money from the bank at airport. The ATM machines in the city are sparse and sometimes may not accept your ATM card.
7. Don't miss 4 things: eating @ Churrascaria, drinking coffee, Caipirinha and Guarana.
8. Hotels have free Internet and breakfast, really cool!
9. If you are visiting a JUG event, make sure to carry freebies.
10. Restaurants are open late (read very late or early morning) nights, even on weekdays. For example, we walked into a restaurant at 11:30pm for dinner on a Tuesday night and were not rushed.
11. Most restaurants in food court offer food by weight.
12. Offices have a 2 hour lunch time (typically 12-2), wow!
13. TAM (local airlines) is Star Alliance member, so don't forget to get credits for United Miles and use benefits accordingly.
14. The seasons in Brazil are completely opposite of those in Northern Hemisphere (which consists of 90% human population).
    
    

    Norther Hemisphere	Brazil
    Summer	Winter
    Fall	Spring
    Winter	Summer
    Spring	Fall

15. VISA is much more popular in Brazil than American Express. And cash works everywhere!
16. Football (futebol) is not only a national sport, it's a complete passion here. Brazilians have won the FIFA world cup 5 times and very proud of it. So be aware of some of the popular players: Rivaldo, Roberto, Ronaldo, Rinaldinho, Kaka, Cafu.

Posted by Arun Gupta in General  |  Comments[5]