Big tree

Indeed, the trees here can be ginormous! This is one near the park under which we wait for the bus that takes us to the office. 

Xmas Lights in the park

This was one of the angels they set up in the park near the hotel. 

More Christmas

Another X-mas set-up at Iguatemi Shopping Mall. I think this is Santa. It's still a bit bizarre to see this kind of Christmas decoration in Brazil. 

Batik

This is a batik I picked up at the open-air market. Did not realize untiler afterwards that the 2 I picked up at different times were both parrot and toucan. At least they were both different! :D 

Giovanetti's Campinas

Stun-bunny Ramy and Grant. Grant's keeping an eye on the boy. I think Ramy hasn't gotten over the jetlag yet. This was Wednesday evening. 

Evening at Giovanetti's V

Some of the MU people contemplating their drinks. 

View from the Hotel

Another view from the hotel. Many of the apartments here have these outside shutters to keep the sun out during the day. This helps to keep the place cool. And believe me, it can get quite warm during the day. Not everyone here can afford an airconditioner. 

Views from the hotel

This is from the 12th floor on the backside of the hotel. As you can see there are many highrises here. I guess with cities with a fairly large population it's more common to see highrises than lowrise buildings. 

We were invited by one of the guys for a barbecue at his place. This is a small outdoor kitchen on a covered deck in the back. Quite a nice set up! And the bbq was quite tasty too! 

Christmas in Brazil

We visited the Iguatemi shopping mall on Saturday. It's quite big with 3 levels of shopping! And it seems that they are trying to get people into the holiday shopping spirit by having such a large Christmas display. I still think it's too early for this sort of thing. ;-) 

Campinas Favelas

Fahvelas. The far from ever being rich part of town.

 
Some landscape on the road back to Campinas. 

More vehicles on the highway.

 
Again, zipping along the highway, this was also not an uncommon sight. 

On the road to Campinas

 
Well, after an afternoon at the office, Jose gives us a lift back to the hotel. And this, albeit a little blurry since we were moving at about 100 Km/hr, is a pedestrian on the side of the highway.