As it’s such a short visit we decided we would go to MAM and the other MAC because my friend had never been there. So we went back to the park and headed to MAM first. I don’t know if I have mentioned but it was really hot that day and I was wearing a pair of jeans. My feet hurt because the flip flops I was wearing were burning my feet! We did not walk around that much, but if I had know I would go to the three museums I would have chosen a different outfit.
MAM’s building was designed by Lina BoBardi, a famous architect who was also responsible for the design of MASP – a landmark of Sāo Paulo. It’s a one-story building that faces the Sculpture Garden. The side of the museum that faces the garden has no brick walls, but great windows instead. So, while in the museum checking out the pieces of art one can actually see everybody outside skating, taking pictures or having a pic-nic.
MAM – all the way in the back
OCA and the obelisk on the right
the Sculpture Garden
Inside the museum there’s also a café/restaurant, a store and good restrooms. The entrance fee is about US$3.00 but it’s free on Sundays. Luckily, that day and until the Carnaval all days are Sundays – free ride everyone! I don’t know the reason and forgot to ask, but it’s probably because it’s vacation time, or maybe they’ll have different prices after that.
It was great going there first so I could get some water and step away from the heat. The exhibition was cool, they had mobile walls you could play with to see what was on the other side. The pieces are all part of the firs exhibition they held in the museum, which came from their first collection acquisition. Pretty neat, historically speaking, but only a few drawings made me stop and stare. Good part is that some of the texts on the walls were also written in English. The many tourists I saw there were thankful, I bet.
the cafe inside MAM (view from the museum)
MAM’s restaurant – overlooking the Sculpture Garden
Enough with MAM, it was time to go all the way up the Bienal building so B., my friend, could take a look at the old-MAC. I had already been there not even a month ago, so I went up the ramps with him to enjoy the view of the park we have from there. I didn’t get in though, for I thought the day was too good to be indoors. There’s no entrance fee, so it was not like I was being stingy or anything.
from the third floor of the Bienal’s building
the side of the building
B. and the MAC sign
B. had a party to go to, so I took him home, going around the park, and went to the surroundings of Paulista Avenue. I knew about this ice cream place there, a very traditional one that everybody talks about. I had never been there and I also don’t recall having their ice cream in my grandma’s house – even though I’m pretty sure my grandpa used to buy from them. (update: I used to go to this place when I was a kid. I knew it!) I remembered seeing the indication in the guide, so I went there.
all the cute ladies enjoying summer and some ice cream
The name of the place is Alaska, and it’s in the beginning of the avenue, not far from the subway, but there’s also a parking lot in front of the shop – which was important, in my case. The guys from the parking lot were really friendly and I believe they thought I was a tourist. A little because they saw the guides and museum folders in my car, but also because I forgot to remove the sticker I got at MAM, which you have to wear, while in the museum. Well, the thing is the manager, or something like that, attested that Alaska really sells traditional ice cream, but that I should have had lunch at MAM.
I never remember to toss the entrance-sticker from mam
If the parking lot had good service, I can’t say the same about Alaska. People there seemed bored and tired of work. I saw nobody smiling, it was like they were doing me a favor – which was partially true, due to the hot weather. But I have to be honest and say I didn’t expect anything different.
a wall of flavors
happy employees – hehehe (maybe they’re just shy)
waiting in line
The ice cream itself was ok. Nothing special at all! The price for a cone is R$7,00, or US$3.50 and you can have two different flavors. I liked this part! I had pistachio and lime. I know my combination in theory would be good, because the acid lime would cut the fatness of the pistachio BUT it didn’t work. The flavors separately are ok, but I’ve had better ones. There’s this place I want to go that has good ice cream, supposedly, so I’ll be able to compare.
everybody has to have a chip to get an ice cream – pay first, eat later
images of my childhood
pistachio and lime – bad combination!
It was already six something and I had two options: go home and be too lazy to go back downtown OR do something to kill time until I could meet my friends at a bar. Second option, of course. I drove along Paulista with my friend F. to Rua Frei Caneca. I like Unibanco/Itau Cinemas Augusta better, but we had no time until the next screening. At Rua frei Caneca there’s a mall that is not worth a visit, but the movie theatre is good.
We watched The descendants, with George Clooney. The session was completely full. I don’t think going to the movies is something a tourist would do, but anyway, they have good theatres, good sound and a nice selection of movies if you re not into blockbuster only. After the movie it was time for drinks.
O’Malleys was our choice. It’s a pub close to Paulista Avenue with a pool table and darts, apparently –even though until today I don’t know where the target is. There’s a great selection of beer there and on the second floor there’s a stage where bands play rock and pop music. I had only a cider – US$7.00 a pint – and half a pint of beer and was done. Unfortunately I didn’t remember to take many pictures that night, mostly because I was entertained by the drinks and talks. But the important thing is that it’s a nice, convenient bar for foreigners because of its location but it also offers menus in English, as well as tvs with sports from all over the world, not only Brazilian soccer. The bad thing is that they charge an entrance fee and it varies depending on the band and the day of the week. Given the number of foreigners I see there each time I decide to go to O’Malleys, I think most people don’t care about it.
Sao Paulo Project 