[QUOTE=Xpartan;2765741]SP is certainly not a dump. I do prefer RJ to SP but it's a world class city indeed, very green for a huge megapolis with an excellent transportation system, plenty of things to see and fantastic restaurants. Ibirapuera Park is one of the best urban parks in the world, and I was surprised how much I loved walking there (that's coming from NYC with our Central Park). Centro can be depressing on a weekend, but I have never had to use a flashlight to avoid human waste, although I do tend to uber in both Rio and SP at night.[/QUOTE]Well Said! I too enjoy walking around Ibirapuera Park as well as the surrounding neighborhoods and discovering small restaurants that the locals favor. I also find that Paulistanos are friendly yet they tend to leave one alone unless I choose to open up a dialogue.
I remember an old quote from Anthony Bourdain who once said that when he first arrived in SP, "São Paulo felt (to him) like LOS Angeles threw up on New York City" and "it is true that the city is known for its unreliable weather and the size of its helicopter fleet. " LOL. But even Anthony changed his tune by his 2nd visit as he "discovered a fondness for the rich culture that has developed from the mix of rich and poor, young and old <snip a city of the kind of people I like. " Which parallels how I feel IE SP is a city of wonderful women.
