The City of Swallows

Campinas is a city that feels more local-style than it's larger city counterparts. It's not a typical tourist destination, in contrast to Rio. And compared to its monstrous neighbor São Paulo about an hour drive away, it's much prettier, with rolling hills, not so many high rises, and year-round warm weather. Campinas is still somewhat industrial, but its residents are much more laid-back. Both Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are smog-ridden, but Campinas's pleasant breezes and location on a plateau that borders mountains equates to little pollution.

Luana grew up there, and I was more than happy to tag along with her when she visited home. We were welcomed with bird designs on the sidewalk outside. Campinas is known as the "Cidade das Andorinhas" (City of Swallows). The small birds are a symbol that are scattered around the area, often on signs or gates.

The pride and joy of the city must be the largest shopping center in Latin America, called Parque Dom Pedro. When they built a mall here, they weren’t messing around. Besides the innumerable stores and restaurants, it boasts a recreational car racing track, nightclub, rides for kids, Target-like store and supermarket, and a fitness center.

Here I tried acaí for the first time. In its typical form, this anti-oxidant-rich berry from the Amazon is made into a cool, yogurt-like treat topped with granola and banana. It’s healthy, but sweet enough to seem like ice cream.

Here's Luana and I trying on hats...

And one of her two older sisters modeling the glasses she bought...and returned the next day.

Besides shopping, Luana and I laid out to soak in the glorious sun and visited a local bar called Seo Rosa with her friend. About an hour after we arrived, we were graced with the presence of a real live superhero. It was Spiderman in the flesh. Or rather, Spiderman in the suit.

I've heard there is a Brazilian tv show where some guy dresses up as Spiderman and runs around pulling shenanigans everywhere. I guess this Spidey was imitating that, but I wouldn't know because I avoid the local shows like the plague. (The only good one takes old kung-fu and classic movies and dubs over them with completely different words.)
But what provided us even more comic relief was one of the employees, who honestly thought the credit card machine was a phone. Luana and her friend saw him pick it up in the corner of the bar, hold it to his ear and repeat “hello?” So we kindly asked another employee to pose for a re-enactment.