Basking in Brasilla
I am in the capital city of BrasÃlia to meet up with my friends from Canada to watch the conciliation game (third place) between Brasil and Netherlands. Thankfully, they have brought some sarachi sauce (Vietnamese chilli) and peanut butter. My palate thanks them.
Modern, new and expensive, BrasÃlia was a "created" capital city from the 1960's by then president / dictator Jucelino Kubitschek and his architect and urban planner. The is dotted with post modern and minimalist / communists like architectural buildings and long stretches of empty fields and boulevards. The president had moved the capital city from Rio De Janeiro to here in the hopes of bringing more development in the interior. Create an artificial lake and insert city in the desert-like landscape. The city was definitely not built for pedestrians as walking involves long stretches of uncovered sidewalks or roadways, crossing over highways perilously and no metro. This is a city built for cars and although it could have bike lanes, there are none and very few riders. Most people here work or are connected with the government and therefore the city is more affluent and no favelas (shanty towns) as the city has no industry to attract poor migrants. Shaped like a big airplane, the points of interest are in the fuselage. However, most Brazilians consider Brasilia to be boring and without much character. Give it a day or two at most as I find the city doesn't have much soul or history and expensive. However, the beautiful blue stain glass Dom Bosco church and brightly coloures stain glass National Cathedral are truly impressive and what I would consider, a "must see" if come to this city.
Modern, new and expensive, BrasÃlia was a "created" capital city from the 1960's by then president / dictator Jucelino Kubitschek and his architect and urban planner. The is dotted with post modern and minimalist / communists like architectural buildings and long stretches of empty fields and boulevards. The president had moved the capital city from Rio De Janeiro to here in the hopes of bringing more development in the interior. Create an artificial lake and insert city in the desert-like landscape. The city was definitely not built for pedestrians as walking involves long stretches of uncovered sidewalks or roadways, crossing over highways perilously and no metro. This is a city built for cars and although it could have bike lanes, there are none and very few riders. Most people here work or are connected with the government and therefore the city is more affluent and no favelas (shanty towns) as the city has no industry to attract poor migrants. Shaped like a big airplane, the points of interest are in the fuselage. However, most Brazilians consider Brasilia to be boring and without much character. Give it a day or two at most as I find the city doesn't have much soul or history and expensive. However, the beautiful blue stain glass Dom Bosco church and brightly coloures stain glass National Cathedral are truly impressive and what I would consider, a "must see" if come to this city.
posted by Louis at 1:14 PM
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