I had the opportunity to visit Brazil for several years and even lived there for several months in Curitiba (see posts), However, my first encounter happened many years ago probably around 1994 when asked to go into the big cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and surprise down under Porto Alegre, I have written plenty on the country but really need to update this wonderful first encounter at Porto Alegre and its Gaucho tradition, Hope you enjoy the post as I
When I went I came along a native of the City so big introduction as his mom an attorney was still living there, I was taken all over and sadly with the enthusiasm of the first visit pictures are few, I remember been taken everywhere and staying in a nice hotel the Blue Tree Towers Hotels, and lately Hotel Radisson Porto Alegre, They had a japanese resto there very good, then, Becco churrasquerias, and now Don Pallesi Restaurant-Italian style. The big tradition here is that is part of Gaucho country not just down south but in the State of Rio Grande do Sul as well , which is where Porto Alegre is located.
My wonderful introduction to the Brazilian Gaucho tradition at Porto Alegre was at the magnificent Churrascaria Galpao Crioulo ; Rua Otavio Francisco Caruso da Rocha s / n and praça Mauricio Sirotsky Sobrinho square. Unfortunately could not confirm if still open so here is RestaurantGuru reviews on it : https://restaurantguru.com/Churrascaria-Galpao-Crioulo-Porto-Alegre
I was with local friends and their families and had a great meal, wine of the region and a great Gaucho show at the Churrascaria Galpao Crioulo as above, memories of a lifetime.
The city is decorated with parks (nine large urban parks) and tree-lined streets, especially in the ancient districts of the Cidade Baixa (lower town). In addition, the city has a biological reserve, around the beach of the district of Latif, on the river, which it is known to have one of the largest urban concentrations of birds of the country. The city has many hills, the Morros, which can reach up to 311 meters in altitude. The Mercado Publico is great now housing many shops of local flavor and tradition centered around the gaucho heritage. Many restos and pubs around Bela Vista and Centro typical of European cities. Another is the great football/soccer team Internacional de Porto Alegre at river banks of river/Rio Guaíba,in Avenida Padre Cacique, 891, at shopping Gigante da Beira-Rio.
A bit of history I like on the city of Porto Alegre the first city ever visited by me in Brazil , as well as been the Capital of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, and the largest city in the southern region of Brazil. The city was established on the east bank of the Rio Guaiba, a bay within which converge five rivers that form the Lagoa dos Patos. The latter is a huge lake that faces south on the Atlantic Ocean. It is thanks to it that Porto Alegre is in constant contact with the sea, even if it is not by the sea. The activities of the port are so important that every year, the locals celebrate a feast dedicated to Our Lady of the Navigators or Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes. This event is held every February 2.
The Portuguese from the Azores then arrived who brought in the African slaves. After the abolition of slavery in the country and especially its independence, new immigrants also came to settle there, including Germans, Poles and Italians. As the city is very close to Uruguay, its history is also linked to it, including that of Gaucho culture. This term describes the culture in which the Gauchos evolve every day, cattle breeders who also specialize in rodeo. the majority of the inhabitants are strongly anchored in the gaucho culture which implies musical traditions as well as the famous rodeo or throwing a bottle intended to capture the cows. The gaucho are in Argentina, Uruguay and in the south of Brazil, a guardian of herds of the South American plains or the pampa, in the same way in Paraguay, in the south-east of Bolivia by Tarija and the south of Chile . In Brazil, the term is at the origin of the gentile Gaucho, which is used to designate the inhabitants of the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
The Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost of the 27 States of the Federative Republic of Brazil. It is separated from the State of Santa Catarina by the Rio Mampituba, is bordered to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and is bordered by the Argentina and Uruguay. Its capital is Porto Alegre. The inhabitants of the state are called Rio Grandenses or, more commonly, Gauchos!
The City of Porto Alegre on tourism (P) :https://prefeitura.poa.br/maisturismo
The Rio Grande do Sul State on Porto Alegre :https://www.turismo.rs.gov.br/turismo/municipio/visualizar/1
The Brazil tourist office on Porto Alegre: https://www.visitbrasil.com/en/destino-porto-alegre-rs-ingles/
There you go folks, a wonderful world different from what most think of Brazil. Lucky to have been there and won’t mind going back, eventually, Again, hope you enjoy this post on Porto Alegre.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 