We decided to take a weekend trip to Campo Do Jordao. It's about 3 hours out side of Sao Paulo. For about the first 2 1/2 hours of the drive it's relative flat. We drove on one toll road going and one toll road going home. Both roads were nice and well maintained. It was funny because as soon as we got out of town closer to the big International Airport I saw a whole bunch of US companies with factories/headquarters along the road-- Caterpillar, Cummins, Walmart, and Mars. Globalization is a remarkable thing.
We had a little bit of traffic on the way out of town, but luckily it didn't slow us down much.
The last 1/2 of the drive is straight up hill!!! I am pretty sure that the road had to steep of a grade to be built in the US. It was like a racing moving with cars racing up and down the hill. Also there were motorcycles and bikes. As usual driving here is pretty crazy. It also reminded me of how when you drive to Big Bear in California most of the drive is flat until you climb the big hill.
Once up the hill we were supper impressed what a cute town it was and how beautiful the hills are.
We check out the little main square. It was quite a happening place with the race in town. Eric remarked that it looks like the Midway of Sao Paulo with it's Bavarian themed buildings. The town was all ready for Christmas too!
Campo Do Jordao is famous for it's fondue. Due to it's elevation it's much cooler than other places in the area. In the winter they don't get snow, but ice. I also saw more sweaters for sale and cute winter clothes in the windows than I have seen any where else in Brazil.
The tree has a knitted trunk warmer and the bike is all covered in knit too.
Saturday they had a race in town. Sunday it was a bike race. We couldn't figure out how long either races were, but it was a happening scene and most likely the reason it was tough to find a hotel in town.
Then we went and check out Morro Do Elefante which is the ski lift that goes up the hill. It was closed by the time we got there, but it was still fun to see. I would have never let the kids go anyway. I am not sure this would pass safety standards in the US.
Aren't these VW bugs cute! I see way more VW bugs and VW vans still running here than at home.
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