Spent 3 days in Sao Pailo (AKA Sampa). Staying at another journalistīs flat
on the 15th floor. Very hot and surprisingly very little breeze given its
height. Met up with a couple of friends including current FT man for lunch.
Restaurants are the best feature of Sampa given it has few other top rate
attractions.
Great to be getting stuck into the weird Amazonian fruits again - these
look like props from Star Trek. Also easting lots of sushi. Sampa has
the largest overseas Japanese population (they began coming over around 1898
to work on the coffee plantations. The current generation is very big in
academia, agribusiness and IT.
Flew up to Brasilia last Thursday and return to Sampa tomorrow. Quite like
Brasilia on this viewing. Previous times here for work and only saw the naff
Stalinist dominoes in the main drag. Residential areas are well thought out
(for 1960) and are on a human scale. Fruit trees shade the lawned walkways
and the grass is often covered in fallen mangoes and avocados. Humming birds
have dipped into the window plants in the 3rd floor flat I'm staying in.
Lot cooler tonight so should sleep more soundly.