The City Who Never Sleeps

I know New York is the city who never sleeps, so if that nickname's already reserved São Paulo is the city that doesn't even rest her eyes for a little while.

I haven't been sleeping properly the past couple nights, and I think it's because I'm so pumped up on whatever drives this city twenty-four hours a day seven days a week (probably a combination of Brigederios, strange fruits, and various high sugar beverages)

Today, or yesterday since I suppose it's after midnight, I got pretty lost trying to get home from the subway. I generally know how to get home from various locations around the city, but because most streets aren't flat or straight, one wrong turn means I'm somewhere else entirely. I asked about 12 different people for directions to find the "parque de aclimaçāo" before finally finding my way home.

This random sample of benevolent Brazilians has further confirmed my theory that the people of this fine city can be divided into three flexible groups :

• The first is those who speak a reasonable amount of English: They talk slowly and apologize a lot. You can spot them from a mile away because they use their hands enough to skip the elliptical at the gym.

• The second is those who speak english as well as most American adults: You won't miss them because the first thing they will say to you is reminiscent of, " I apologize for my English."  without the slightest hint of an accent.  Thankfully of course,  this is the vast majority of Brazilians I've met.

• The third is those who speak literally no English, which is certainly a minority but when I find them I get so excited because I have to try to speak Portuguese, which is when I learn the most. 

A couple days ago I found myself hanging out with a resident of the third group,  a little girl no more than six years young. I was forced to get creative, and  We played about 20 games of tick-tack-toe . As we moved along with her knocking it out of the park,  I learned how to tell her " Você Ganha !" or " You Win,"

But  I really I needed to learn how to say " Eu ganho," because I really did win. I live in the most beautiful city  filled with kind people happy to help me navigate it's impractical, yet exciting layout.

And I look forward to getting a little lost again in this awake and alive city.

 

One of the exciting things I discovered trying to find my way home - an instrument on the run !