Frei Galvao canonized while Pope Benedict XVI visit Brasil in May.

I was searching for a museum in Sao Paulo and it turns out that it was under construction but on the same site one of many (probably 100s) of celebrations was taking place in honor of Frei (Friar) Galvao. Galvao was canonized on May 11, 2007 in Sao Paulo by Pope Benedict XVI. This was just a little over 10 years after Galvao was beatified on April 8, 1997 in Rome by Pope John Paul II. So when I turned the corner to enter the grounds that housed the museum and the church below I was suprised to find a long line of people lining up (queing for my British friends) to go through the gate. I found out that this was in celebration of Galvao. I guess when your country of over 180 million people has its first saint declared it is a pretty big deal. Saint Galvao also known as Saint Anthony de Saint Anne-Galvao was of the Franciscan order.
The photos below are from the grounds where the church and musuem are located. Also, for more information check out the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frei_Galv%C3%A3o
http://www.saofreigalvao.com.br/

100 Walls Project in Sao Paulo with mosaics on 100 walls.

O Projeto 100 Muros or 100 Walls Project provided me with interesting art to look at and enjoy and also photograph during my time in Sao Paulo. The project is a collaboration between the Projeto Aprendiz (Learning Project), Bank Boston Foundation and Fiat. The objective is to "work during two and a half years with the cities population to discuss the themes of citizenship/being a citizen that are on the mosaic panels covering 100 walls throughout the city." The mosaics were collaborative efforts between citizens and artists who spent time discussing various themes some of which can be seen in photos below and other entries to come. For more info (if you speak or can read Portuguese) go to http://www.museudapessoa.net/hotsites/vmadalena/celia.htm100 Walls Project: Collaboration between the Projeto Aprendiz (Learning Project), Bank Boston Foundation and Fiat.This one reads: "The world is not a TV (See/watch reality)"I can imagine that before the wall was very bare and boring and now has been spruced up by collaborative community work discussing important issues such as education, culture and crime that are prominent issues in the the lives of many citizens in Sao Paulo.

Cemetary photos in Sao Paulo

For many years now I have enjoyed taking pictures at cemeteries that I have come across during my travels. I visited a rather big and old one while in Sao Paulo to take some pictures while trying to respect the dead (and living as in family and staff) but also get a feel for how a Brazilian cemetery looks. This was an overwhelming cemetery in terms of religious icons, large head stones and other pieces made out of marble and ohter materials and it was interesting to see the range from care to disrepair.

The name on the grave above which is very Italian was not a surprise to come across. At times in Sao Paulo I had to remind myself that I wasn't in Italy. The way Portuguese is spoken, the architecture, food and more were really reminiscent of my three weeks in Italy in 2000.

Very pious....almost reminds me of a Mel Gibson movie.

Not as over the top as others in terms of materials used but you can see that this one does not get visited as often as there are no fresh flowers, plants, etc.

A more obvious state of disrepair. Was this person trying to get out or was someone trying to get in?

You know your family is dead and gone, has left the country or doesn't care when your grave turns in to the cemetery trash dump.

At least something is growing but it looks like the family went to Europe on vacation for a few months.

This is more like it, simple marble work, little well pruned hedges, well kept flowers and a vase.

And finally just to make sure you don't do anything bad once your body is dead here is Jesus to watch over you.

Textures of life in Sao Paulo: mosaics, art, architecture, landscapes, people and more.

Sign indicating one of the many entrances to the Metro in Sao Paulo. Mass transport from buses to subways is rather good and really important in one of the largest cities in the world.Someone lose their shoes?Not exactly what I had in mind for dinner. Fish for sell at a local farmer's market.This farmer's market held every Saturday was just around the corner from where I stayed in Sao Paulo and had a pretty good selection, mainly food stuff but also some arts and crafts.I bought hot sauce from this stand to take back to Iracambi as the "hot" sauce we have in my opinion (and the opinion of others) is more adequately called NOT sauce. I am very disappointed at the weak and tasteless sauce we can get from town.

Sao Paulo Graffiti pictures take III

Sao Paulo Graffiti pictures take II

Who said graffiti isn't social commentary? The almight dollar seems to rule , but where did the might old US of A go? (and Canada too)"Parking Prohibited!"

I am not sure if this is graffiti or a sculpture painted by the artist.

Sao Paulo Graffiti pictures take one.

Sao Paulo, like NYC and various other cities big and small around the world, is well known for its street art, graffiti or murals. These pictures are rather self explanatory so I won't make many comments but let you enjoy them. I took most in one neighborhood of Villa Madelena near where I was visiting my friend Sandra. I guess if you want to live in one of these areas and don't want your wall, door, garage or sidewalk to end up like a work of art or vandalized property, then you better move out soon.