Free concert at Praca de Se in Sao Paulo.

On Sunday (Mother's Day) after church and before heading back via bus to Iracambi I went with Flavio and his cousin (the end of our walking tour) to see a free concert in Praca de Se. The concert was at the steps of the massive Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral) and started around 4PM and went much later than I could stay and still make my bus home. Believe it or not I saw about four different acts amongst walking around, taking pics and people watching and I don't even remember who they were. I will have to find out from Flavio!

We arrived with just enough time for me to take some pictures before it got to dark. If you were wondering I had my nice new digital Nikon SLR with me all this time taking pictures in "one of the most dangerous cities" in the world. I am not showing off or saying that I visited all parts of the city at all hours of the day but saying not to always believe the hype and just be smart while traveling and you too can have a peaceful time.

Yes, prior to seeing these giants I was one of the tallest people in the crowd. This group of stilt walkers and guys with metal springy legs were doing a team cheer before descending upon the crowd to give some added entertainment during the concert. I have been to hundreds of concerts of all sizes in different venues but never seen a crew like this amongst the onlookers before.I wonder what the cops were thinking! White men can't what? This guy had mad hops!!!!

I think drinking and operating these things might not go hand in hand. Seriously though these guys and girls had amazing balance and control.

They really did look like they were having fun!!!!

Sao Paulo behind the scenes with Flavio. Pics of me, just for mom!!!!! And don't forget the Pope.

I'd like to think of this entry as "bookends" as it starts with a picture of me, has one in the middle and ends with one too. In fact an Oreo would be more appropriate but I don't like/eat Oreos, especially as that creamy white part in the middle is made from COW'S feet.

Flavio and I were at Principia together for a year, my last and his only, and hadn't seen each other in almost seven years. As we are both Prinos, photographers, travelers and speak Portuguese we just had to hang out again. This picture was taken outside of First Church of Christ Scientist, Sao Paulo on Sunday the 13th of May.

Later when Flavio and his cousin took me on a tour by car and foot of Sao Paulo they told me that this square and more particularly the white church to the right was where Sao Paulo started. Not surprisingly a missionary was the person to "start" Sao Paulo. Here is the church from a different angle.

Yeah mom that's me!! And you guessed it I am standing just below where Pope Benedict XVI stood a few days before this lovely Sunday afternoon.

I chose not to take my picture with Herr Bush as the can stank just like he does. By the way, the sign reads "Get rid of Bush". I sure am glad I didn't vote for that guy and always remember to tell people that when they talk about "our" president. I sure am glad he ain't my prez.

The building to the left and in the reflection was the first building of its size built in Sao Paulo. I can't remember the actual number of stories or year it was built but I guess it was a real shock back in the day. It may have been the first such building built in South America even. Flavio told me that when it was first built people were afraid to go near or in it for fear that it would come crumbling down. In fact maybe that is where the phrase "crumbling down" came from. Now of course it is towered over by many buildings in the downtown alone.

Just like a story book(end) ending you find me with downtown Sao Paulo providing a nice back drop. Thanks Flavio for the tour and taking this photo. You are great at both.