Itaipava Fair :a small shopping enclosure for good deals

by Antonella Kann

I really feel awfully guilty for not posting more while away from Brazil. But as soon as I´ll be back home, there´s a promise that I will sink into the latest good news for you. In the meantime, let me tell you about a little secret which is known only by the locals who spend time in the mountain region of Itaipava, Araras and neighborhood areas. It´s the Feirinha de Itaipava, which packs around 400 stalls of locally made clothes and accessories. And there´s more...

It´s not a tourist-trap and the attraction lies partly in browsing all of the stalls ( it won´t take a day, just a couple of hours) for good offers, besides getting the experience of shopping in a typically clothing fair. From bags to pets´clothes, you may find excellent children´s trousers, sweatshirts, shorts, dresses, socks, overalls and an infinite list of have-to-buy stuff, like underwear and hats...

The fair is partially outdoors, but on a rainy day will be okay as the stalls are protected. By the way, this fair happens only during the weekend, from 10 till 7 pm and is an ideal year-round program if you are on your way to Itaipava, Três Rios, Araras or Bonsucesso.

Of course, do not expect anything fashionable or fancy, or any well know brand, but the clothes have quality : Itaipava is reputed for its jerseys, which come in handy during winter time, when temperatures fall under 10º C in these places - which is considered frosty by the cariocas´standards. So, if you are not after a famous label on your sweat shirt, consider it a child´s play to look around and find yourself something comfy to watch TV in front of a fireplace.

By the way, you are only a couple of hours from busy Rio, so if your way passes along the BR-40, remember very few places pack as many hidden "gems" into such a small space. It´s an outlet for those who are inclined to spare a couple of bucks...Why not?

Charming Paraty under the rain: a reflection of colonial time

by Antonella Kann

There are a few spots in the world which remain unspoilt even when it rains. The bad news is that there aren´t many. But luckily for us, Paraty is one of those places where even when hit by the bad weather ( quite often, I must add) it never looses its charismatic beauty.

This colonial town, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century , is a World Heritage site and all of its buildings remain intact. Paraty is a piece of art framed by the lush vegetation of the Mata Atlantica. Located less than three hours by car from Rio, it´s easily reached on the Rio-Santos highway. But make sure you leave before three in the afternoon or you´ll be stuck for ages in heavy traffic.

For the last couple of years, every time I set foot in this romantic town it was pouring. The last time was at my son´s wedding, who, like many young couples, had chosen Paraty to celebrate D Day. But even under such circumstances, the event was a success.

Photographers never get tired of browsing the labyrinth of streets and alleys which usually lead to a church or a praça (square). You can easily get lost, but not for long. The sea and the port, as well as the Praça da Matriz, are your references and if you are surprised by a sudden shower, you can always retire into a bar, and have a few glasses of cachaça, the speciality of Paraty.

The beauty of its architecture with colourful facades are only one of the many attributes that attract thousands of visitors year-round. Besides strolling on the cobbled-stoned pedestrian-only alleys, you may splurge your time between eating and shopping. The restaurant Banana da Terra is one of the traditional establishments and although the food is simple, think fresh fish and regional condiments. The leading ingredient is, of course, banana. Salty and in sweets, too.

There are a range of excellent restaurants and accommodation from the simple bed & breakfast to top five stars pousadas, like the Casa Turquesa www.casaturquesa.com.br where guests are surprised by the superb suites overlooking a quiet inner garden. Of course, these regal choices don´t come out cheap, but Paraty itself is not only for savvy travellers. Another very hospitable and much more affordable place to stay is Pousada Arte Urquijo www.urquijo.com.br where rooms are cozy and you feel at home.

Suddenly, when Paraty is as wet as it can be, it seems like a ghost town. And even though, it´s beautiful. The Serra da Bocaina, above and around, is stunning. The sea, framing the port and all the fishing boats, is also a magic sight.

Last, but not least: every Saturday there is a very typical puppet theatre, called Contadores de Histórias ( Story Tellers), at the Espaço Cultural Paraty. This is not to be missed. You´ll never see something similar anywhere else. Make a booking beforehand and enjoy your experience. Even if it rains…

there are hundreds of labels for the cachaça, so feel free to browse - and try!

Outlet Premium, Brazil's first upscale outlet mall, opens near São Paulo - by Lea Dorf

Outlet Premium São Paulo, a new outlet shopping mall and the first of its kind in Brazil, has just opened near the city of Itu, about 1 hour away from São Paulo. The mall is part of the Outlet Premium chain, which has about 50 locations worldwide.



It will probably be a big hit: Brazilian love outlet centers and are frequent visitors in locations such as New York, Orlando and Las Vegas. It's a cultural thing: when Brazilians see discounted items, they just can't help it and usually buy furiously (yes, I'm included in this category).

The outlet will have more than 90 brands, which range from luxury ones such as Armani and Zegna to others like Diesel, Lacoste, Adidas and Nike. Many cool Brazilian brands will also be there: chic Trousseau (bed & bath), Track & Field (best local sportswear brand) and designer brands such as urban Ellus and Iodice, Carlos Miele's M. Officer, trendy and bohemian Isabela Capeto, Ricardo Almeida's suits and Zeferino's fashionable shoes.



The mall, located on the (excelent) Bandeirantes highway, will have open-air ambiance, inspired in the American centers. Discounts will vary between 40 e 80%.
Apart from Brazilian avid shoppers and "sacoleiras" (who buy tons of clothes to resell in their countryside towns), the mall will also attract families, since it's located next to two of Brazil's major theme parks: Hopi Hari e Wet'n Wild. An hotel from the Quality brand and a regular shopping mall, Shopping Serra Azul, are located in the same complex, and a resort is also planned.

OUTLET PREMIUM - RODOVIA DOS BANDEIRANTES, km 72 - SP



Other Fashion/Shopping posts:

• Marc Jacobs rocks the São Paulo fashion world and opens a flagship in town
  
• São Paulo Fashion Week: what is it?
• Rua Oscar Freire, in the Jardins district, has the best shopping
• The best beachwear: Lenny, Rosa Chá, Cia. Marítima
• Is/bella, Pelu, Jo de Mer and other Baixo Jardins finds
• Beach Couture: luxe beachwear in the Jardins district
• Christian Louboutin opens store in the Shopping Iguatemi mall
• Daslu, the Barneys New York of São Paulo: high luxe
• Who is Eliana Tranchesi, the owner of Daslu
• The flagship of Rio brand Farm, in Vila Madalena: a "living" lowrise designed by hyped architecture firm Triptyque
• São Paulo Fashion Week 2009: the official schedule of runway shows

A história da gastronomia brasileira

Trois peuples, une cuisine

   C’est par hasard que l’amiral portugais Pedro Álvares Cabral a découvert le Brésil en 1500. Sa flotte avait mission de chercher des épices en Inde, mais dû à un manque de vents favorables, il avait fallu changer de cap. Soudainement les caravelles se trouvèrent devant une terre inconnue et magnifique. Ils jettèrent l’ancre dans la petite baie de Porto Seguro. La découverte fut ainsi décrite: “Cette terre est de toutes parts forte et belle et tellement généreuse que, quiconque voulant en profiter, en tirerait n’importe quoi”.

    Les premiers colons ont acheté des esclaves noirs de l’Afrique pour planter de la canne à sucre – la première richesse du Brésil. Les patrons prennaient des maîtresses noires ou indiennes, auxquelles ils faisaient de petits métis. Ces enfants grandirent nourris d’une cuisine d’ores et déjà brésilienne. Si un jour ils mangeaient du poisson et des bananes, le lendemain le menu était portugais.

    Notre gastronomie résulte de ce mélange blanc-noir-indien. L’utilisation de l’huile d’olive et du riz, ainsi que les confiseries, sont un héritage des portugais. Sans les noires on n’aurait jamais la fameuse feijoada, ni tant d’autres  plats parfumés à l’huile de dendê, une palme africaine. Et les indiennes furent les premières à pêcher dans les rivières, à cueillir des fruits et des piments dans la forêt et à macérer le manioc.

    Les premiers arrivés ont appris avec les indiens à ajouter la farine de manioc dans presque tout: sur du poisson, du sirop de canne, de la viande sechée, etc. À mesure que des terres plus au Sud étaient explorées, de nouvelles sortes de plantations y ont été introduites, surtout celles du maïs et du café.

     Après l’abolition de l’esclavage, en 1888, une quantité d’immigrants arrivèrent de l’Europe et du Moyen Orient, à la recherche de fortune. Ils apportaient leurs traditions culinaires respectives et se répandirent partout, mais principalement dans le Sud et à São Paulo, le grand melting pot du pays. Au long du XX^e siècle, des restaurants spécialisés en toutes sortes de cuisine s’y multipliaient.

    Et alors, vers les annés 90, la gastronomie brésilienne vit une redécouverte. La pitanga, la goyave et d’autres délices natives, qui avaient longtemps été  éclipsées par tout ce qui venait d’ailleurs, furent rédimés. Des chefs de renom, tel Morena Leite, en utilisant des ingrédients natifs oubliés, les ont remis à leur place d’honneur. Et c’est ainsi que nous revisitons, aujourd’hui, nos origines d’il y a plus de 500 ans.