The Old Center and All You Can Eat

Yesterday I did a 3h15m walking tour of the Centro Velho, which despite its name has mostly been redeveloped and features some amazing buildings.  On the way to get there, close to my hotel, is this "viaducto:"


. . . which is now a bridge.  There used to be a river running through the center, but they covered it over and now it's a . . . wait for it . . . pedestrianized area.  This is the view from the viaduct:


São Paulo is an architect's wet dream.  Even in the old center there are buildings like this:



Of course, original bits remain, like the Teatro Municipal:


. . . and a park with the "Kilometer Zero" marker, from which all street numbers and distances in São Paulo are measured:



The walking tour guide described this building, now part of the city government, as "fascist architecture."  Do you agree?


Lovely if somewhat foreboding Art Deco entrance:


For dinner I went to the self-service all you can eat restaurant directly across the street from my hotel:




$7.50 with a Coke, not bad!
















 

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