{day 1: welcome to Sampa!}

Sampa, as Sao Paulo is often referred to by locals, reminds me of home (India). As soon as you walk out from the airport, the humid air, the plethora of advertising plastered on everything moving and stationary and of course, the smell. The smell of car fumes mixed in with wet earth and cheap perfume takes me right back to home.

What's different is the energy. India has an energy generated primarily by the number of people existing in a sq. ft. but with Sao Paulo its the energy for life. Just walking outside, breathing the air, watching Paulistanos.... it has been contagious. I feel the music sitting in my hotel room far away from the center of it all.

Before I walk away to start my evening, one last thought. Nowhere (other than Paris, of course) would you see such affection. In my one day here, I have seen just pure adoration and love that Paulistanos have for one another. It is refreshing to see and beautiful to be around.