Anyone know Sao Paulo Brasil?

Eric 951 · 09-23-2008, 09:16 AM

I am heading there Monday for some minor business and will be there for 2 weeks, anybody been there or know anything about the area? I have read up on it and have my yellow fever shot and am awaiting my visa, just looking for some first-hand experiences.

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Try not to look like a wealthy Yankee...

jriera · 09-23-2008, 09:34 AM

Be careful, very careful if walking at night in 'unknown territories' almost 20 million people live there, avoid slums at any cost ... enjoy churrascarias and feijoadas ... watch out with caipirinhas, 3 should be your max.

krichard · krichard's Garage

I've been there once for a couple days. I wouldn't go to far without a local with you.

Also, don't go swimming in the river in the middle of town, its doodoo water

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by krichard

I've been there once for a couple days. I wouldn't go to far without a local with you.

Also, don't go swimming in the river in the middle of town, its doodoo water

I would not go swimming in any body of fresh water in Brasil..they have intestinal parasites there that you are not up for.

In all seriousness, stay with some (a group is a good idea) trusted locals wherever you go. Even the police there are pretty damn corrupt.

dd74 · 09-23-2008, 10:05 AM

Stay near population, and at that, not too close to population.

turbocarrera · 09-23-2008, 10:11 AM

A great co-worker/friend of mine is from Rio. He grew up middle class(dirt fuchin' poor to us) and was scared ****less of the gangs and cops there. He'll never go back - for any reason. Sao Paulo is significantly worse.

Watch "City of God" for a taste of life away from the beach.

Shadetree930 · 10:16 AM

Have traveled to Brazil a lot. No longer. It was bad enough that we used armoured transportation when traveling.

Stay in 1st tier 'Western' hotels and make sure a local goes out with you if you leave the premises. Do not wander on your own.

Sad but kidnapping and 'pocket slashers' are a way of life down there. The locals will know where you can go without having to look over your shoulder all the time.

dd74 · 09-23-2008, 10:15 AM

Yep. Same with our web designer. He'll never go back, either. IIRC, the cops there kidnap then kill street children if they're found too close to the beachfront resorts and other ritzy establishments.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

I had a visa and went for business. I had an armed escort with me the whole time. Like has been mentioned, kidnapping is a huge business there.

Bill

targa911S · 09-23-2008, 12:10 PM

amazing. god bless america.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Don't open your hotel room door for ANYONE without calling the front desk to see if they sent someone, and not even then if you're not sure. I had a couple guys on my team get robbed in a swanky hotel. Robbers went from door to door collecting wallets and cash at gunpoint. They were very polite and "professional". Hotel Mgr. probably got a cut.

Stay with a group, be smart, be very careful and you should enjoy it.

Moses · 09-23-2008, 05:21 PM

Here's what you need to know; Sao Paolo crime rate = CRITICAL

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=62452

Eric 951 · 09-24-2008, 05:02 AM

great....should be "interesting" to say the least, as I will be a lone Yankee meeting a company rep at the airport, who will, in turn, take me to the hotel where the other contractors are staying. The good part is we are working straight through for 10 days, so no real downtime. If it is anything like my trip to Dubai with the same firm, there will be a non-english speaker standing at arrivals with a sign with my name on it. At elast I won't have any valuables with me.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Within Brazil, the expression "go to San Paulo" means "go to hell".