I arrived here at around 5:30 AM and therefore I had nothing to do at this time in the morning. While still at the bus station I went to the newsstand, bought the paper, had a cup of coffee and killed a little time.


Then I took the metro till Santa Cruz station where I was suposed to take another bus to arrive in Moema, the area where my hotel is. The little ride: metro + bus did not take more than 25 minutes and I arrived at the hotel so early that I couldn't do the check in. But I managed to leave my bags there and went for a walk in the Moema area. I had a little map with me, which I had printed it the day before still at home. The map is great, very precise and full of details. I got to know the surroundings very easily.


Then I went to the supermarket to buy some essential things, and well, what a supermarket! Note that I am used to go to the fanciests supermarkets in Rio and I've been to great supermarkets in Europe, but this one I went early this morning is probably the greatest one I've ever seen. A bit expensive, though. But when you are travelling, who cares, right? hehehe The quality of the products, the whole atmosphere, the brasserie... Just perfect!


Got back to the hotel at around 9 AM, did the check in and talked to the reception guy for a few minutes (very nice bloke). Put my things in my room, ate some of the things I had bought at the market and then I went straight to the fitness centre, where I worked out a little bit and swan 400 metres.


Went back to my room and tried to call my great friend Marise. That's when I noticed my mobile wasnt working. And that's probably why mum still hadn't called me to check on the 'how I was doing' sort of thing... Anyway, I called Marise using the room phone. She was a bit busy and we decided to meet a bit later during the day. So I went to one of the best malls in São Paulo, the Ibirapuera Mall, which is a 5 minutes walk from my hotel. At the mall I went to the TIM shop to know why the hell my mobile wasn't working. It wasn't recieving nor making calls, not even collect calls. Acording to the TIM system everything was perfect with my mobile, but I managed to prove to the ladie at the shop that it WASNT working at all. Long story short, I had to buy a local chip, new number and everything. Bummer! Anyway, I gave this new number to a few friends in Rio, my family and my local friends here. At least I can be found anywhere I might be. I ate something at Burguer King (how can we don't have BKs in Rio?), had a sweet from a shop called Doceria Holandesa (Dutch sweets). Well, Actually I had 3 sweets, couldn't resist! sorry... I guess I'll be back in Rio with a few extra pounds. But I can't resist. This city is a gastronomic paradise!


Well, then I went downtown. I really like to know the heart of a city, you know? Stayed there for an hour or so, walking and seeing lots of interesting things.


At around 7 PM I was back at the hotel, called Marise, who had called Alexandre, another mate of ours. 30 minutes later she was at my hotel room. We went down for a walk in the Moema area for pub hunting. We weren't quite sure of what we wanted to drink and eat. Finally we found a very cozy bar. Alexandre arrived a few minutes later and we talked and talked and laughed till around 2 AM. I had a really great time.


We left the pub and I went to this very own lan house, which is across the street from the hotel, and from where I'm writing this first report.


It was an amaizng day!