Day 61 - São Paulo

Monday, 13 October 2014

At some point in the morning, there were 2 armed personnel who entered the bus and questioned all on board, and checked their bags. I was groggy and drowsy with the medicines that I had taken, and one of them had to shake me awake when it was my turn. And I told him, in English, that I do not speak Portuguese, only English. And he left me alone after that. I don't know what kind of security check is that, I could have been carrying a bomb or drugs for all he knew! 

No one that I have met thus far in Brazil speaks any English. This is a real problem for me because I don't speak any Portuguese at all! After 2 months in South America, I have learnt a few Spanish words, at least enough to communicate and to survive. But Brazil is going to be a challenge. I decided then and there that I was not going to go sight seeing today, I will rest in my hotel for the day, hopefully I feel better tomorrow and then I will go out.

The bus journey took longer than expected (I discovered that this is normal in South America), and when I arrived at the bus station I went to the tourist information centre, obtained a map of São Paulo and some information about the more important things to see here. Because I was still drowsy, I didn't ask all my usual questions with the result that I had less information than I would have liked, and this from probably the only person who could speak English in São Paulo! 

Anyway, I took a cab to the hotel, checked in, and no surprise, no one at reception could speak English either. I went out near the hotel to eat (luckily I knew what to order thanks to Mr. Isa) and buy some water. I ordered chicken, and it came with French fries, rice and beans. The rice and beans dish is known as 'feijao' which is a traditional dish here that you find find almost everywhere. I tried looking for a bank to withdraw money but there appeared to be none. Maybe I should've walked more but I felt drained of all energy today. Then I came back to the hotel and devoured the map and researched some interesting places. I also irritated the guys at the hotel by now asking all my usual questions (we had to use google translate) and hopefully tomorrow I will set out to explore São Paulo.

Then more medication and early to bed.