Brazil III - Getting to know the city of Ponta Grossa

Ponta Grossa is a city near Curitiba (2h bus drive) located on a plateau at an elevation of 893 metres - its quite cold here in this Brazilian winter! The population and architecture are similar to Curitiba's, also composed of many different ethnicities: russians, Poles, Ukrainians and Germans settled in the city, along with Dutch, Italian, Lebanese and Japanese immigrants. 

Brazil II - lunch & walk in Curitiba

Brazil I - Arrival in Paraná

Yes, we are now in Brazil, in the south of the country. Its winter here now, but a mild one.

On our first day we walked around the city and saw many buildings resembling portuguese architecture from 1920/30. 

We then found a unique shop that sells everything you can imagine for any type of religion or cult.

Huge and packed with all kinds of saints, special potions, and all sorts of things we had never seen before.

On the streets, packed with all sorts of shops, you can also find tons of street vendors selling all kinds of different things to eat.

This region has a huge Dutch comunity and one of its churches is known as the 'Dutch Church'. It has a medium sized room, on the side, were devotees light their candles - there were so many of them lit that the effect was quite impressive (the photos don't do it justice)

We had 2 delicious fruit juices - açaí and coconut - and a vegetable pie for lunch in a small cofeeshop ('lanchonete') overlooking the busy main street.

Remembering... India

Vibrant colours, intense aromas and friendly faces. This is what I remember the most.

Hot humid days and chaotic traffic are the second things that come to my mind....

I certainly will never forget the huge markets, offering a huge mix of products (everything you can imagine and more).

As I recall now (sitting in a confortable couch at home) even the tough nights sleeping in airports, always in excellent company, were... part of the adventure!

The strongest point in India, its uniqueness, is the spirituality present everywhere, everyday. 
This photo was taken in a tiny-tiny sort of coffee shop in a small town called Mapuça. Even there, in that God forsaken place there was an altar on the wall.

It is surely an experience to repeat someday.

Barcelona, day 4 (our last day this time)

1 - "Sevilhana" shoes and dresses, for kids, sold on the Ramblas
2 - Table and chair in our Hostal's pateo
3 - Hot and yummy Paella in a Tapas bar in Barrio Gótico
4 - We went again to the Flea Market... Its really worth going!
5 - Scrumptious arabic sweets ( sold in many tiny shops in the center of town)
6 - Everywhere we sat, J would make a (beautiful) drawing!
7 - This is what I ate for lunch today in a restaurant called UDON: rice noodles sushi
8 - Beautiful Spring/Summer colection at COS (I adore this shop)
9 - "La Pedrera" one of Gaudi's famous buildings.