São Paulo: Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover

São Paulo, Brazil is not a pretty city. It is a sprawling megalopolis of 22 million people (metro area) that on its face is incredibly intimidating. But with a little help from locals and a little online research we found this City to be one worthy of an extended stay.

Like in many of the more urban areas we have visited in South America we connected with a friend of a friend, who is now very much our friend, which opened up the City to us in ways that otherwise would not have been possible. For example our friend (Rick) led us on a vegan eating tour of São Paulo over the course of about a week, told us about free Sunday morning jazz shows at a beautiful former mansion turned museum, and finally to an incredible samba bar in what seems to be a former mechanic garage. Needless to say, without Rick we would not have found any of these. And we would be remisce not to mention Manu, a doctor/musician, who also took us out for some wonderful jazz, food, and conversation.

But more so than showing us unbelievable restaurants, cultural centers, and bars Rick and Manu shared their friends with us as well. When we went out for beers and vegan street food Rick brought along incredible friends who painted a deeper picture of their City, which made it all the more pleasurable for our exploring.

If we lived in Sao Paulo we would definitely shop at the Mercado Municipal, completed in 1933

Catedral da Sé used over 800 tons of marble in its construction

Galeria do Rock is a mall where every store is a Spencer's

Edifício Itália is a 46 story modern skyscraper with 360 degree views of Sao Paulo

An endless concrete jungle on steroids

This does not do justice to the sinuous Niemeyer designed Edificio Copan

Japan House São Paulo Facade on the City's most famous street, Av. Paulista

Exhibit on senses at the Japan House meant eating odd flavored gummies

Burle Marx plaza spotted in São Paulo

Niemeyer buildings in Parque do Ibirapuera

Not pictured is the very large mommy and me dance class going on

One of the many street art pieces along Beco do Batman in SP's hip Vila Madalena neighborhood

Geometric Ferrari dealer

All you can eat vegan Japanese spot

Vegan sushi

Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo, elevated from the street allows large gathering events to take place on the street below

In the Centro Cultural São Paulo, so many buildings in SP are open to the public

We wanted to go through, but a guard was there solely to stop people from doing just that 

Ó do Borogodó samba bar casually hosting over 10 musicians on a weeknight