Nicole+cultural+experiences

=**__Positive and Negative Cultural Experiences in Brazil__**=

**__Positive:__**
Sao Paulo is a major cultural centre. The city is an ethnically diverse area. The people of Brazil are unlike any other. They make you feel very welcome and are extrememly friendly. An experience I had in Sao Paulo, which i thought expressed the true warm heartedness of the people of brazilian is when the locals will come up and try to tie a little ribbon on your wrist. It is a local folktale that if you make 3 wishes, one for each knot they tie and wait for it to fall off your wrist, your wishes will come true. I thought this was a beautiful tradition and such a nice gesture to give to somebody that you don't know at all.

São Paulo is the world’s second largest city with over 14 million residents. There are shortages of houses and jobs, sanitation is poor, and extreme poverty is widespread. Therefore crime is a big issue in this city. As we travelled to Sao Paulo we were fully aware of the risks. Immediately upon leaving the safety of the tram with its accompanying policeman, we attracted a lot of attention, despite only wearing casual clothes as we had been told as it makes you appear like less of a tourist and it is usually tourists who fall victim to these types of crimes in Brazil. The whole area felt very unsafe. We were mugged within 10 minutes of leaving the tram. Two young men drove past me on a moped, stopped around the corner and then came back. I immediately handed over the money i had and we were not harmed. On the way to the police station, I noticed more young men riding in pairs on mopeds looking at us to see if we had anything worth stealing. I think this is a common tactic on the streets of Sao Paulo. Brazil is a beatutiful place, however the street crime makes it a little scary, especially at night. I suggest always staying with a group of people, not travelling alone.
 * __Negative:__**

References:
- http://www.lonelyplanet.com/letters/sam/bra_pc.htm#Scam - http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1172.html - http://www.43places.com/visit/Brazil/102902