My Favorite Things I

Lately I’ve been reflecting on my routine here in Porto Alegre and thinking about what things I like most about my life here that I did not used to do back home.

Going to Mercado Publico
I love to go there and spend hours learning about gaucho handicraft and souvenirs. Typical things you will find there are gaucho outfits (look like cowboy outfits), stuff for the kitchen (plastic bag collectors, hand painted towels, all kinds of containers), chimarrão equipment. I've taken a true interest in cuias - the sort of cups where you drink chimarrão (or mate) from.There are no two cuias exactly the same and as I've learned to love the ritual of drinking chimarrão, I've been obsessed with finding the perfect cuia.
Mercado Publico is one of the oldest buildings in Porto Alegre (currently almost 142 years old) and is located in the historical center of Porto Alegre.

(Picture from Coletiva.net)

Sundays at part 'Redenção'
followed by drinking fresh juice at 'Lancheria do Parque'
If it is a sunny Sunday, this park is full of people. There is a handicraft fair happening there every Sunday from morning until late in the afternoon. The place is filled with street musicians, vendedores, and local families walking around. You can try foods from different parts of Brazil and later sit down with friends for a chimarrão. What I love most about this park, compared to for example Parcão, is that Redenção attracts people from all social classes. I am deeply disturbed by such division of people because I had never experienced that before in my life. But on Sunday and in Redenção park they are all there, doing exactly the same things - playing with their kids, walking with their boyfriends/girlfriends/dogs and enjoying chimarrão. Black, white, Indian; poor, rich; gay, straight, confused - everybody!

Sunset at 'Usina do Gasômetro'

Porto Alegre is famous for its nice sunsets. On a clear evening, the sky gets red, orange, pink and purple. I suspect it has something to do with how polluted is the city, but nevertheless, the view over lake ‘Guaiba’ as the sun goes down is priceless. It was used to produce electricity between 1928 and 1974. Nowadays it is an architectural example and an important cultural center that hosts fairs, exhibitions, and other events. The street that takes you from the center to ‘Gasômetro’ is a very nice walk as well.

Porto Alegre is very rich in culture so it is impossible for me to list all my favorite things in one single blog post. Stay tuned for when I describe my favorite places to go at night. Maybe you’ve already heard some rumors about the nightlife in Porto Alegre, maybe not… all will be revealed soon.