Flat Stanley Visits Sao Paulo, Brasil (For Sami)

Hello everyone.  Just so you guys know, this is not a crafty post.  I am doing a few posts for my cousin Sami who sent her friend Flat Stanley to visit me.  He got to know São Paulo, another city in the south called Porto Alegre, and interesting things in Brasil.  

So...Flat arrived.  Safe and sound.  With a lot of luggage.  The first thing we made him do was to send a note to Sami letting her know that he arrived safe and sound!

Before we took him into São Paulo city, we wanted him to learn a few things about Brasil.  According to The Brazil Guide -

1.  São Paulo city is located in São Paulo state (like New York City is in New York State).  São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and South America with a population of more than 12 Million people in 2016.  São Paulo State has almost 40 million people.  The population in Florida is about 20 million people so just the State of São Paulo has double the amount of people in the whole state of Florida.  (It's really really crowded here).  LOL

2.  São Paulo has the largest number of Japanese people outside of Japan!  

3.  São Paulo was founded on January 25, 1554.  The USA was founded on July 4, 1776.   São Paulo is really really old!!

4.  São Paulo has the 3rd largest amount of skyscrapers in the WORLD after New York City and Hong Kong.  That is a lot of skyscrapers!!!

5.  The São Paulo Aquarium has over 3,000 species of animals and fish and is one of the biggest in all of South America.  That is a lot of animals to feed every day!!

The first place we took Flat to was the Theatro Municipal (Theatre). Construction started in 1903 and São Paulo gained one of the best venues in the world for the presentation of theatre productions, mainly operas.  (Make sure you tell your mom about this one).

Flat Stanley in front of the Theatro Municipal in São Paulo, Brasil.

Now, I have been coming here since 2002 and never had the chance to see the inside of the Theatro.  But I think Flat was good luck because we finally got to go on a tour and see the inside.  Flat was too much in awe and did not want to take any photos inside.  But here are a few for you (and your mom) to see. 

You can read more about the Theatro HERE, if you want.

The inside foyer of the Theatro Municipal, São Paulo, Brasil.

Curtain and stage.

One of the Meeting Halls.

The whole Theatro Municipal from outside on the street.

After the tour we walked around São Paulo a bit.  Flat loved all the street art and the colors around the buildings and the street.  In some countries street art is illegal.  But here in São Paulo some of the best street art artists are allowed to paint beautiful and interesting art on the buildings.  Here are some of his favorite photos.

And this is a photo of a stand selling ONLY laces for sneakers!  How crazy is that???  I had to buy Flat about 10 sets for his feet.   

Here are some more photos of Flat around São Paulo.  Here is Flat in front of the São Paulo City Hall.  It used to be a bank - many many many years ago - and has a huge garden on the roof.  We wanted to go up to see it but it is being repaired.

Here is Flat at the Shopping Light.  This building, originally known as The Alexandre Mackenzie Building, was the headquarters of the company that used to distribute electricity in São Paulo.  The building was completed in 1929. Since 1999, after careful restoration, it became a shopping center called Shopping Light.   

The Shopping Light mall is located across the street from the Theatro Municipal. And right next to the Theatro is a big park with lots of tall palm trees and places to sit and read a book and watch a concert.  The park is called Praça Ramos de Azevedo.  The word "praça" means "park" and Ramos de Azevedo was the Brazilian architect who designed the Teatro Municipal.

Flat showing the Theatro Municipal in the background and
the Praça Ramos de Azevedo.

Flat in front of the Praça Ramos de Azevedo.

And finally, here is a photo of Flat with the São Paulo skyline behind him.  Can you see the big flag of Brasil flying behind him?  Brasilians love their flag!

I hope you liked this post and some history and photos of São Paulo.  Flat misses you!!!!!!  If you or your friends have any questions about São Paulo or Brasil ask your mom to email them to me and we will answer them for you.  

Love you!!!  

Cousin Mike!