Curitiba

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Jardim Botanico

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(5.31.06) I spent a week in Curitiba and only now do I have time to write about it. Renato picked me up from the airport after a 3.5 hour delay. He drove me to his gradparents house where I stayed. What a beautiful home. They were so kind to me. In fact, I met his whole family. On the first day he took me to Barigui Park. The city is filled with them and this one has a great view of the city. Renato goes running there at times. In the evening he took me to Torre Da Telepar, a tall tower with a 360 degree view of the city. That evening his friend was having a going away party for himself as he's going to work at Disney again. We hung out at a place called Jokers where I met many new people, even other cast members.

The next day we went to Jardim Botanico (the Botanical Garden) and some other places around the city including Tingui Park, a Urcranian Memorial. Curitiba has a strong Ucranian and Polish influence. During my week I visited many historical places, markets, and churches including the Basilica of Curitiba. One of the most exciting stops was the Museu Oscar Niemeyer, a beautiful museum with lots of Brazilian art. In the evening Renato's uncle and roommate took me to a pizzaria named Piola. There are a few in the world including one in New York City. Since I was a visitor from the US, they gave me a coupon I could use for a free pizza at the Piola in NY.

Historic District

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My week was non-stop! Street markets, lunches, dinners, and never ending food. The most exciting part of my trip was a train ride on the Serra Verde train to Morretes, a small town east of Curitiba. The train went through the mountains with breathtaking views! It's simply undescribable. In Morretes we had some lunch next to the Nhundiaquara River. We ate Barreado, the typical plate of Paraná, which consists of stewed beef which cooks for 20 hours in a sealed clay pot. There was also shrimp, mussels, seafood, fruit, potato salad, and Brazilian cole slaw. Then it was off to Paranagua by bus, a city further east near the coast. It's the first settlement in Brazil.

If I had written during my week I would have posted more, but that's okay. Pick up any travel guide for Curitiba and chances are I visited every place here!