From one short month in Brazil, I remember our first days in Sao Paulo, its wide, palm-lined trees, its curious air of gentility despite the grand vistas of a major city (I was stunned to realize 19 million people live in its metropolitan area).
But our neighborhood was quiet, a small posada now closed that we found by searching that most valuable travel planner, the Lonely Planet.
Out for walks past mellow, yellow flowering vines, past the central plaza, we would turn a corner and see a street mural, outrageously vibrant and colorful, art that pleased everyone.
| Street Mural, Sao Paulo (Camp 2009) |
Fresh, flaky croissants for breakfast in a street side cafe. Unforgettable coffee.
| Coffee in Sao Paulo (Camp 2009) |
I remember those first unhurried days before the desire to see everything overtook us.
This was our first stop in a four month trip through South America beginning in January, 2009 -- one month each in Brazil, Argentina, a ten-day cruise around the Horn with friends, and then to Uruguay, Chile and Peru. Somewhere as we crossed the border from Chile into Peru, I lost my notebooks and my laptop, so only those photos and notes that were uploaded into this travel blog remain.
For this September, I shall write about this trip and remember.
How do you keep your travels close?