Since the Leito (Sleeper) bus does not depart from the airport and you wish to explore the town before boarding the leito, why not investigate whether the Central Bus station has lockers for your luggage? pb9997 is based in São Paulo and may be able to answer that question.

If you are partial to quiet tree lined streets with interesting shops and cafés, I would like to put in a plug for visiting the neighborhood of Jardins. It reminds me of Carmel or Palo Alto California. If you are interested in cultural anthropology, there is an informative museum on the history of the Japanese community in Brasil. You may already be aware that the largest Japanese expatriot community is in the state of São Paulo. It is caled Museo da Immigração Japonesa located on Rua São Joaqum in the neighborhood of Liberdade.

There remains little to see in the city from the standpoint of architectural splendor. The old colonial buildings have for the most part been razed in favor of gray concrete. This aspect distinguishes São Paulo from Buenos Aires. However one treasure that remains is the Teatro Municipal located about four blocks from the Praça da República.

Two suggestions for restaurants:
1. La Tambouille on Avenida Nove de Julho in the neighborhood of Jardim Europa. It will provide a memborable dining experience. Serves continental cuisine. No bargain however at $60 US dollars per person not including wine.

2. Bargaço on Rua Oscar Freire in the neighborhood of Jardins. It serves cuisine from the Northeast and its signature dish is mocequa; a fish "bouillabaise" cooked in coconut milk.

Boa viagem
koppelman

[This message has been edited by koppelman (edited Mar 14, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by koppelman (edited Mar 14, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by koppelman (edited Mar 14, 2004).]