LIGHT AND DARK IN SAO PAULO CATHEDRAL
Gothic architecture is aggressive, dark, tall and at times ominous. That wasn’t by accident, especially in the case of religious architecture. Cathedrals, churches and other religious buildings stood not only as places of worship and business, but as a monument to the religion they served. The spires on the tallest towers reach higher to the kingdom of heaven (if you’re into that sort of thing) and dwarf any worshiper who sets foot inside.
Despite the aggressive appearance and nature of these buildings, they were also designed to let in the light. Amidst the dark recesses of apses, vaulted ceilings and cloisters the stained glass windows let in light, illuminating the space. Huge bursts of color break through the otherwise dark and grim spaces to illuminate the building and in theory, the people inside.
Today we visited the Sao Paulo Cathedral, in the heart of Old Sao Paulo. The timing was perfect and as we exited, the sun began to lower, shooting beams through the stained glass windows—brightening the mosaics, reflecting on the floors and offering a bit of optimism to the many that come to pray. I tried my best to capture a few of the dark spots and present the cathedral in a more illuminated way.
I’m really letting my architecture freak flag fly here in Sao Paulo and I’m totally cool with that.
View high resolution
Sao Paulo by sunset. This place goes on forever on all sides, can’t stop won’t stop.
View high resolution
Neoclassical architecture, never not getting it done. I think the reason it becomes so popular with people is because in every country all over the world, it’s used as a statement by the civic body. It’s intimidating, but welcoming and is meant to impress whomever is exposed to it. Corinthian columns, sweeping archways, huge vaulted ceilings and a careful eye for symmetry can be found in almost every example. Here, the Museu Paulista da Universidade de Sao Paulo had a huge accompanying garden (full of skateboarders) which you often find attached to neoclassical buildings etc., no matter where you are. Creative expression it seems, is far more universal than language…which we’re all finding quickly because none of us can fluently speak Portugese.
30 POINTS OF SAO PAULO, DAY 1
1. We’ve landed, I’m really ready to depart from these Swedish businessmen I’m sitting next to.
2. That was a fast check-in at customs, I like this country.
3. It feels like Jurassic Park here, weather wise, patiently waiting for Velociraptor noise so I can re-enact final scenes of movie.
4. They had really good food in Jurassic Park’s visitor center.
5. Sao Paulo is enormous, it goes on forever on all sides and there are buildings on buildings on buildings.
6. Cabs don’t except cash, hmmm, ATM time.
7. My room is a smoking room, change that up.
8. The water pressure in Sao Paolo is painful. It hurts so good.
9. Enough of this, let’s get out there mang.
10. I stick out in this city like a sore thumb, it’s not a problem, but it’s different.
11. We meet our Sao Paolo guides, Tattoo from VICE and the team from Papo de Homem. They’re chill.
12. I’ve been hungry for hours, the locals are taking us to a local spot.
13. The restaurant, Mercearia São Pedro is small and looks like it has the potential to be “one of those places” but we trust our guides decision. It also sells books and DVD’s…
14. Veronica, style editor at Papo de Homem orders us a round of Caipirinhas, which taste like sugar.
15. We order the mains and fill up on some of the best rice and beans I’ve ever had.
16. Crap, the mains aren’t here and I’m already full.
17. Oh shit, mains are here.
18. Fried bacon, Double fried chicken, rump steaks, eggs, pretty much all proteins under the sun are in front of me.
19. Die of happiness.
20. Am resurrected by fried bacon.
21. Tattoo takes us for a quick walk around the city, there is street art everywhere.
22. Simko wants to go shopping and we find this store called Farm, covered in greens and full of cool kids.
23. Time to peace to Ibirapuerra park to bum around for a while.
24. We mingle a little bit with locals, who label us as tourists within a second, but that’s what we are.
25. They’re balancing on wires between trees with ease, infinitely cooler than the typical Central Park thoroughfare.
26. After some chilling, a walk and a sunset, we head home and rest before more glorious glorious food.
27. Brazilian food leaves little to be wanted—the meat is amazing, the sides are plentiful and if you want it fried it can be. Caipirinhas and beers for all with dinner while a Brazilian band covers Adele. Weird, but welcoming.
28. Nord and Simko are playing with construction equipment.
29. Sao Paulo is full of hills, like San Francisco and as we walk to grab a drink after dinner, time is catching up with us.
30. Back home for the night after a few drinks (I ordered what is apparently a non-alcoholic beer after dinner because I’m real cool).
