Interview with Mario and John, World Travelers Exploring “One Week São Paulo”
We got to sit down with Mario and John, two friends from Poland who love to travel. They have been to 80 countries together. They just finished spending one week in São Paulo, Brazil. Mario and John like to really get to know new places, meet people, and see how life is there. In this chat, they talk about what they first thought about the city, the best parts of their trip, and some tips for others who want to visit Brazil’s big city. Come with us as we learn about their trip and find out what makes São Paulo, and its people, so special.
Table of Contents
🛒 Exploring Brazilian Life: Grocery Shopping and Local Flavors
☔ Weather and Unexpected Moments
🌎 Introduction to Brazil and São Paulo
What was it like arriving in Brazil for the first time, especially since it was your 80th country together?
Mario: Brazil has always been on our wish list. We have met many friends from Brazil over the years while we traveled and were at university. So, coming here at last felt really special for us. Coming into São Paulo, the biggest city in South America, was a big step for us. We had just come from seeing family in New York, then took an eight-hour flight to São Paulo. Brazil is our 80th country, and that made everything feel very special and good.
John: Yeah, it was unreal. You know that moment when you come out of the airport and notice the way it smells? It’s a new and thrilling thing, being in a place that is not only different but also well-known and strong. People we know talked a lot about Brazil. We had heard a lot from our friends, so we felt like we already knew some things about it. But now we were here to see it with our own eyes.
Why did you choose to start your trip in São Paulo?
John: São Paulo is a huge city, but many people talk more about Rio de Janeiro or the Amazon. São Paulo is where there is the the most money in Brazil, and it is the richest city there. It is the fourth biggest city in the world. We wanted to know what you can find in this place. Being in São Paulo showed us the the busy life and feel of Brazil right away.
🛬 First Impressions and Settling In
How was your arrival and first day in São Paulo?
Mario: We got to Guarulhos Airport after flying all night with little sleep. Everyone was tired, but happy to reach our Airbnb. We wanted to rest for a while. Our Airbnb was nice and didn’t cost too much, just about $45 each night. There was a small terrace, and the view was good and cute. The air in the neighborhood wasn’t great, but that’s just how the city is.
John: After a short nap, we went out to see the city. It was fun just to walk in the streets and feel the city’s energy. São Paulo goes on as far as you can see, and it made me think of Seoul with tall buildings and busy streets. We soon saw that this place is always busy; it feels like it is awake all the time.
What were your first experiences with the local culture and people?
John: One funny thing was the meme I remembered from years ago about Brazilians’ first words being “come to Brazil.” That phrase kept popping in my mind as we got here. It felt special to be here at last.
Mario: We walked through an outdoor art gallery that was full of bright graffiti and street art. One of the first things we saw was a big Batman mural. That made the area feel cool right away. It looked like the city was full of real, creative energy. I found it very inspiring.
🛒 Exploring Brazilian Life: Grocery Shopping and Local Flavors
What was grocery shopping like in São Paulo?
Mario: Grocery shopping may not seem fun, but this is one of the best ways for us to get to know a new place. We went to a Brazilian supermarket and saw lot of different products. There was a big section for plant-based foods. The vegan meatballs there looked just like Brazil’s take on Beyond Meat.
John: We saw acai everywhere. Our Brazilian friends told us that would happen, and they were right. Half the ice cream section had acai in it. We had many options, so we took some time picking what to buy. We chose local snacks like caramelized ginger and Brazil nuts, and we also got granola. For vegan options, we grabbed oat milk and peanut butter. It was the best way for us to get into daily life in Brazil.
Did you try any traditional Brazilian foods during your stay?
John: Yes! We got to eat some great vegan versions of old favorites. For breakfast, we had vegan ricotta ravioli. We also tried a brigadeiro cake that was the best vegan cheesecake I have had. Brigadeiro is a classic dessert from Brazil. It's made with condensed milk, chocolate, and butter. It was so soft and tasty.
Mario: One of my favorites was the paul the geisha. It's a vegan style of the cheesy bread called pão de queijo. It tastes just like the regular kind. That was really cool to me. We also had a vegan burger and fries at AhaAha. The food there was very good and felt very much like Brazil.
🏙️ Discovering São Paulo’s Urban Landscape and History
What did you learn about São Paulo’s history and architecture?
Mario: We joined a tour called “Hidden São Paulo.” This tour took us through the central part of the city. It was interesting to see how São Paulo became important in the late 1800s. This happened because of coffee farming, people moving here, and new building projects. São Paulo is different from other cities in Brazil. It has never been the capital, so you will find that many of its buildings are pretty new.
John: The main cathedral, for example, was finished in 1967. The city brings together many things — new tall buildings are next to old areas and lots of street art. We found that São Paulo has more helicopters per person than any other city in the world. A lot of the buildings have helipads, so rich people can skip the busy roads. It’s a city full of money and energy.
How did you find getting around the city?
John: We used the metro for the first time and I was surprised by how clean it was. The metro looked new and worked well. It made me think about how New York’s subway is not so new and not clean, even though my dad always says it's good. São Paulo metro felt much better and more up-to-date.
Mario: We also used taxis and Ubers. I was surprised that I could talk with drivers using Spanish. I understood about 60 to 70 percent of their Portuguese. This made it a lot easier to get around the city.
☔ Weather and Unexpected Moments
Did the weather affect your plans at all?
Mario: Yes, for sure. One day, it started to rain hard just when we were going to meet a friend. We had to stand under a shop awning until our Uber came. Good thing we had already bought an umbrella, so we were ready this time.
John: There was a day when most shops were closed on Avenida Paulista, which is the city’s most famous street. It was a Monday. This was a bit disappointing. We had planned to see the pedestrian street that weekend. But the weather and the timing did not work for us.
Any memorable unexpected experiences during your stay?
John: A strange thing happened when we had to get a COVID test before leaving São Paulo and going to Paraguay. The place doing the test said they could not test us unless we were sitting in a car. So, we sat in their car to get the swab test. It was odd and made us laugh. The women who were testing us were very nice. They even told us to have a good trip to Canada, which made us feel good.
Mario: One thing I remember is when our Uber driver was not able to take us to the airport at first. But then he called out to a friend who had a car and helped us get a ride with him instead. It made me feel better and showed how people there are really kind.
🤝 Meeting Friends and Local Connections
How important were your Brazilian friends to your experience?
Mario: They were really important! John and I first met Julia at an internship in Nederland back in 2018. Seeing her again in São Paulo was one of the best parts of the trip. She showed us some local places and introduced us to her friends. We also got to be part of her birthday celebration. That helped make the city feel like home for us.
John: It was nice to eat and talk with locals and friends. We got to feel how welcoming people in Brazil are, from homemade food to happy birthday parties. That close bond made our trip feel even more special.
Did you notice any food culture trends during your time there?
John: Yes, we found that many people in our tour group do not eat meat, and some choose only plant foods, including our guide. São Paulo is seeing more people eat meals that do not use animal products. You can get different plant-based food almost everywhere, like at the store or places to eat. It was nice to see classic Brazilian meals made for people who eat these foods.
🌟 Highlights and Favorite Moments from São Paulo
What were some of your standout experiences during your “One Week São Paulo”?
Mario: The street art out in the open was something I will not forget. When you walk around, the city is like one big art space. It has bright murals and graffiti. These show stories of the city's culture and past. Also, I liked the food in the city. You can find vegan brigadeiro cakes, fresh juice, and bread with cheese. All were very good and stood out to me.
John: I loved how lively Avenida Paulista was, even though we went there on a day when there were not many people around. We took the metro and found new places in the city during our tour. This helped us get to know what São Paulo is like. Also, being with friends like Julia made the day feel special.
Would you recommend São Paulo to other travelers?
Mario: For sure. São Paulo is full of different things, many cultures, and a lot of surprises. It’s not like the usual places that people visit, but this makes it feel special. If you like food, art, history, or want to see the city, you will find a lot to do here.
John: This city makes you pay attention, but people here are friendly. If you plan to go to Brazil, you should spend at least a week here. It will help you learn more about the country and see how lively and interesting it is.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About “One Week São Paulo”
How long should you spend in São Paulo to get a good experience?
We suggest spending at least one week in São Paulo. There is a lot to see in all the neighborhoods, try the food, and visit many sites. It is not possible to really get to know the city in just a few days. You will find that one week lets you see more of what makes São Paulo special.
Is São Paulo safe for tourists?
Like any big city, São Paulo has some places where you should be careful. Stay in places that are known to be safe. Don’t show off money or nice things. Be careful at night, and listen to what people who live there and other travelers have to say about staying safe.
What is the best way to get around São Paulo?
The metro system is clean. It works well and does not cost much. This makes it a good way to get around the city. You can also find plenty of taxis and ride-hailing apps like Uber. These are easy to use and work well too.
Are there many vegan and vegetarian options in São Paulo?
Yes! São Paulo is seeing more vegan and vegetarian places. There are many restaurants and shops that have plant-based food. A lot of classic Brazilian meals now come as vegan choices.
What local foods should I try in São Paulo?
Don’t miss trying brigadeiro, which is a sweet chocolate treat. Try pão de queijo too, that is cheese bread. You should check out fresh acai bowls as well. Go to local markets for fruits like maracujá, which is passion fruit. You can also get snacks such as caramelized ginger and Brazil nuts there.
When is the best time to visit São Paulo?
São Paulo has nice weather most of the year. The top months to go there are spring and fall. It is not too hot or cold, and there is less rain.
✈️ Final Thoughts on “One Week São Paulo”
Mario and John travel through São Paulo. They show what life is really like in the city. You get to see how big the city is and feel the energy there. Their trip shows how much culture you find, all the good food you can try, and how friendly the people are. They walk across wide city streets, eat vegan brigadeiro cake, and meet both old and new friends. Their story makes you want to go to São Paulo and feel how lively it is.
If you want to visit Brazil, spending “One Week São Paulo” is a great way to start. You will get to know the center of this amazing country. It will also be something you remember for a long time.
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