Curitiba, Brazil: Humidity, Street Art, and a Whole Lotta Pão de Queijo
okay, so. curitiba. i didn't really plan to be here, you know? touring with the band, we had a gig fall through in São Paulo, and our drummer (not me, obviously, i’m just filling in - long story involving a rogue parrot and a very expensive cymbal) suggested this place. said it was “chill.” chill is… a word.
I just checked and the air feels like a warm hug that’s slightly too clingy. twenty-seven point six, they say, but the feels like is creeping up to thirty. the humidity is a solid seventy-two percent. i’m pretty sure my hair has achieved sentience. it’s… an experience.
first thing i did? pão de queijo. obviously. found this little bakery, Dona Deia, on Yelp - https://www.yelp.com/biz/dona-deia-curitiba - and seriously, don’t even think about leaving without trying at least a dozen. they’re warm, cheesy, and basically the reason i’m still functioning.
spent the afternoon wandering around the Jardim Botânico. it’s… surprisingly green. like, really green. a welcome change from the concrete jungle i’m used to. there’s this weird, almost fairytale vibe to it. i overheard someone - looked like a student, probably from UFPR - saying it was designed by a landscape architect who was obsessed with English gardens. apparently, he imported all sorts of plants and trees. wild.
and the street art! oh my god, the street art. it’s everywhere. especially in the Santa Felicidade neighborhood. I’m trying to get some decent shots for my portfolio, but the light is being a total jerk.
I heard that the local police aren’t exactly fans of the murals, though. something about “vandalism” and “public order.” but honestly, it adds to the vibe, right? a little bit of rebellion.
“Don’t go near Rua XV de Novembro after dark. Trust me.” - a very serious-looking man selling empanadas.
that was… concerning. i checked TripAdvisor [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g303345-Activities-Curitiba_Parana_Brazil.html] and it seems like the general consensus is that Curitiba is pretty safe, but you still gotta be aware of your surroundings. especially at night.
if you get bored, Londrina and Ponta Grossa are just a short drive away. i’m thinking of checking out Londrina tomorrow, see if they have any decent record stores.
okay, quick pro-tip for anyone visiting: learn a few basic Portuguese phrases. seriously. it goes a long way. and download a translation app. i’m relying heavily on Google Translate right now.
“The best coffee is at Café Barista. Don’t argue.” - a very grumpy barista.
and another thing: the bus system here is insane. like, incredibly efficient. apparently, it’s one of the best in Brazil. i’m still trying to figure it out, but so far, it’s been pretty painless. check out the local forums for bus routes [https://www.curitiba.pr.gov.br/noticias/transito/horarios-e-rotas-de-todos-os-onibus-de-curitiba-estao-disponiveis-no-app-transito-curitiba/].
overall? curitiba is… surprisingly charming. it’s not flashy or glamorous, but it has this quiet, understated vibe that i’m kind of digging. plus, the pão de queijo. seriously, the pão de queijo. i’m going to miss that when i leave.
and one last thing - someone told me that the Museu Oscar Niemeyer is a must-see. apparently, it’s designed to look like a giant eye. i’ll have to check it out before i go.
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