Elections in Brazil

Today Brazilians are going to elect their next President. The candidates are Dilma Roussef (PT) and José Serra (PSDB). In Brazil the vote is mandatory so around 135 milion people are supposed to make a choice today.
If you want to follow the elections in English, here is a good link from the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.

http://comentarios.folha.com.br/comentarios?comment=107644&site=folhaonline&skin=liveblog

Cidade Limpa

This is a short video showing how the city has changed with the implementation of the law called Cidade Limpa - Clean City. It is not possible anymore to put banners everywhere in the city, so now we can see buildings' facades and streetlamps as they are, not covered by advertising material.

Psychologists of the Traffic

Drivers honk, shout and gesticulate. But it is not stress, it is relaxed and even joy. It seems unlikely, but the scene happened in a São Paulo traffic crossroad. The actors of this "miracle" are the Psychologists of the Traffic, a troupe that decided to humanize the routine of those who drive in the streets of the capital. They are volunteer clowns who make performances bewteen the streets ofTeodoro Sampaio and Henrique Schaumann, in Pinheiros.

People do not smile immediately. When the lights get red and the clowns begin to position themselves in the crossroad, many of the drivers close the windows. At the end of the presentation, which lasts about a minute, drivers' behavior changes. They open the windows, waving and shouting.

According to the group, since performances began on August the 2nd, they were never harassed.

The troupe has created five skatches to distract drivers. At the end of them all, the group raised a banner with the phrase "A day without laughter is a wasted day " Charlie Chaplin.

Inside Sao Paulo is seeking an English native speaker for a proofreading job.

Inside Sao Paulo is seeking an English native speaker for a proofreading job.

Profile:
• English native speaker, with excellent writing skills
• Interest in tourism
• Resident in Sao Paulo
• Good eye for detail
• Ability to assimilate large quantities of information, work independently and deal with strict deadlines

The job is remunerated. Interested and qualified candidates, please send your cv at diego@insidesaopaulo.com by October the 30th and we will get in contact with you.

34 Sao Paulo International Film Festival

The Mostra
From October 22nd to the 4th of November, São Paulo hosts the traditional São Paulo International Film Festival. For two weeks, more then 400 films from several countries will be exhibited at the 34th Mostra, in over 20 spaces among cinemas, museums and cultural centers around the capital city. The selection provides an overview of the world contemporary cinema production and of the tendencies, themes, narratives and aesthetics produced worldwide.
http://en.mostra.org/

Mostra Online

For the second year, São Paulo International Film festival promotes, in partnership with Mubi, the biggest platform of films on the internet, Mostra Online. This year, beyond the regular exhibitions in the theaters, 68 films of the selection of the 34th Mostra will also have free screenings on the internet. This is a great chance for Mostra’s fans all over Brazil, including those who don’t live in São Paulo, to be part of the event. The exhibition of the movies was previously authorized by the producers – and all the foreign language films have subtitles.
 http://mubi.com/festivals/sao-paulo

Free bike

In an unprecedented initiative, the 34th Mostra in partnership with the NGO Parada Virtual and Sabesp, connects with a free bike circuit, 15 of the exhibition halls. The first hour of loan is free and the others cost R$ 10 per hour. To get a bike, you have to register - the registrations can be made presenting a photo ID and proof of residence or visa for foreigners - and provide a credit card with a minimum balance of available R$ 350. Those who have no credit card can purchase the cyclist card at the price of R$ 15 and it will be valid during all the exhibition (from October 22 to November 4). In this case, the registration must be done at the Mostra Center in the Conjunto Nacional or at Unibanco Arteplex, located on the 3rd floor of the Shopping Frei Caneca.
 

Places equipped with bicycles: 

Belas Artes - Avenida Paulista, 2378 

Centro Cultural São Paulo - Rua Vergueiro, 1000 

Cine Cultura - Rua Padre Joao Manuel, 60 

Cine Olido - Avenida São João, 473 

Cinema Sabesp - Rua Fradique Coutinho, 361 

Cinematheque - Largo Senador Raul Cardoso , 207 

Cinesesc - Rua Augusta, 2075

Urban Bike in Sao Paulo

Tourists who stay in Sao Paulo will soon have a new way to experience the city: on two wheels, they will visit museums and go to clubs following professional cyclists.The Urban Bike project, launched this week, will start as a pilot project at the Hotel Unique, and in June 2011, will be expanded to other hotels and open to everyone. The idea is to reach 200 hotels, integrating a network until 2014.

The pilot project will work only abouve invitation until December. At this stage routes, reservation system and the operation of the program will be tested. In the second stage in January, the project will be open to guests of the Unique Hotel. In June it will be expanded to other hotels and anyone interested can participate, even if not a guest of the hotel.

The idea came for the 2014 World Cup. In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, for example, there was full use of bike.The tours will be guided by personal bikers who know the city very well. They are urban cyclists who have experience and a developed cultural repertoire.

Daylight Savings Time starts on October 17th in Brazil

photo: Glauco Araújo/G1

 

It will be necessary to add one hour to the clock on October 17th 2010.

 

The Brazilian Daylight Savings Time (DST) on 2010 will begin on October 17th at 0h01am and ends on February 19th 2011 at 0am. The time is adjusted to achieve longer evening daylight, by setting the clocks an hour ahead of the standard time. Be aware about flight schedules and buses departing time.

The time changes is only applied to the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Parana, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, Goias, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Distrito Federal.

Last year, the period began on October 18th and ended on February 21st 2010. The Daylight Savings Time is current in Brazil since 1932.

Café Martinelli-Midi is a charming place to have a coffee in the city center

Opened in 1993, Café Martinelli-Midi is all set in a style of the 20s, with a furnished at that time. It's decor gets strong influences of French bistros. It is a pleasant environment where you can take an authentic Brazilian coffee, enjoy a pie or even have a "caipirinha".

Although the bistro's specialty is the breakfast and afternoon tea, lunch meals are very good. Be sure to try the traditional French Vol-au-Vent pie pastry stuffed, accompanied by salad or white rice. Among the menu options there are also soups and carpaccio.

According to the owner Carla Vigorito, Café Midi-Martinelli was ranked three times as the best coffee in town. Have a try and let us know if it is true!

Service
Where: Rua Líbero Badaró, 540 - São Paulo
When: From Monday to Friday, from 7h30am to 7h30am

Website: http://www.cafemartinellimidi.com.br/