Skater in the cold weather

Another young skater on his way to the Jardim Ambiental skate park. It is very cold in Curitiba and it is not a great time for outdoor activities. Better be at home with a hot chocolate than on the streets.

Traffic agents and street races

The municipality of Curitiba has a variety of street racing through the city of Curitiba, with the support of various associations of street racers. Many occur in the region of Alto da XV and Bacacheri districts. Last Sunday, several traffic agents were prepared at Fagundes Varela and Augusto Stresser street, next to what appeared to be the organizers of the event, waiting for the passage of the runners.

At Beto Batata of Alto da XV District

Yesterday after a failed attempt to access the Cana Benta Bar (totally crowded), we went to Beto Batata, which had its facade remodeled. As always, the atmosphere was very nice, the swiss potatoes were very good, we had a good beer and the two musicians, a pianist and trumpeter, created a special mood to the moment.

Lighting up the skies of Curitiba with the colors of Brazil

The Itau Bank, which sponsors the Brazilian national soccer team for years, developed an action in partnership with the designer Marcello Dantas, resulting in a spectacle of lights in Curitiba can be seen from various points of the city. Dozens of reflectors were installed in the Nações Plaza at Alto da XV district, which throughout the night light up the skies of Curitiba in the colors of the flag of Brazil. Depending on weather conditions, the powerful reflectors can reach up to seven kilometers height. Six other cities of Brazil also received these lights.

Car keeper

The person leaning against the tree, supposedly watches over the cars that are parked at Jardim Ambiental of Alto da XV District, likely to attend bars and restaurants of the region. I made the shot from inside the parking lot of Positivo School.

The blind singers of the Alto da XV Distric's open market

Almost every Saturday morning, I go to the Alto da XV District's open market, in search of fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, egg, pastries and simply walk around the fair, where a variety of people and situations are always present.

Near my favorite tent of pastry, a couple of blind singers sit in their stools, and accompanied by a guitar and tambourine, sing typical redneck songs. The poster they settle down on the ground carefully before starting the singing, contains the following sentence: "The sun shines for everyone, but we can not see it. God bless you." This poster reminded me of a story told by a speaker at some corporate event, that says more or less as follows:

There was a blind man sitting on a sidewalk in Paris with one cap to his feet and one written piece of wood with white chalk, "Please help me, I'm blind." One advertiser that was passing in front of him, stopped and saw a few coins in the hat. Without asking permission, took the sign, turned it over, took the chalk and wrote another announcement. He put the piece of wood back where it was and left. At dusk, the advertiser has moved back in front of the blind man who was begging alms. His cap was now full of money. The blind man recognized the footsteps of the publicist and asked if it was he who had rewritten the poster, especially wondering what he had written. The publicist replied: "Nothing that is not in accordance with your previous sentence, but with other words." And, smiling, went on his way. The new written sentence is: "Today it is springtime in Paris, but I can not see it. " Whenever we change our strategy is good when nothing happens to us.

Pare, Olhe, Escute

We are so rushed in our day-to-day that we do not always have the opportunity to do what suggests the traffic sign: Stop (Pare), Look (Olhe), Listen (Escute). This attitude would allow us to better appreciate the city and to better relate with people around us.

The picture was taken at the intersection of Padre Germano Meyer with the Marechal Deodoro, at Alto da XV District. In the background we see the water tank of Sanepar at Nossa Senhora da Luz Avenue.

The concentration that precedes the show!

I was wandering around the area near the Jardim Ambiental at Itupava Street in the Alto da XV District, awaiting the end of my son's classes and since there was a small group on the skate track of the Ambiental, I decided to take some photos.

I've got the picture of that little boy who from the top of the track seemed to be concentrating and waiting for the right time to start his maneuvers. Who knows but maybe I have recorded the beginning of the career of a great sportsman!

Fernando Amaro Street

I consider the Fernando Amaro Street at Alto da XV district, one of the most beautiful streets of Curitiba because it is almost entirely covered by their high trees. During its bloom, the street gets an impressive yellow carpet made of flowers (which I missed this year).

Fernando Amaro is considered to be one of the first paranaenses poets.

East view of Curitiba from the observatory

In this direction, the districts that are first displayed from the observatory are São Francisco, the Alto da Glória, Alto da XV and Hugo Lange.

At Alto da Gloria is located in the Couto Pereira Soccer Stadium, owned by Coritiba Foot Ball Club, unfortunately relegated to the second division of the Brazilian championship in 2010. The Alto da Glória district is endowed with a good socio-economic indicators and it is mostly residential, although it is well endowed with shopping, leisure and services. It is also located in this district the Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro Church, very traditional and popular in the city for their novenas. The first settlers were the family Leão, who built the first theater of Curitiba and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Glória (which gave rise to the name of the neighborhood).

The Alto da Rua XV district has a wonderful viewpoint: the Plaza of Nations, which commands one of the most beautiful panoramas of the city. The population of the district Alto da Rua XV, mostly, is made up of descendants of European immigrants who, in ancient times, there were established to carry out the crops. A phenomenon more or less recent in this quarter is the concentration of restaurants and bars, giving life to the night life of this district.

The Itupava Road used to links Curitiba to the coast. This road passed through three quarters, among them the one which is now called Hugo Lange district. The name is a tribute to Hugo Lange, one of the oldest and dearest residents of this neighborhood. Until mid-twentieth century, the place was still considered far from "town". Its main street, Augusto Stresser concentrates several trades of high quality furniture.

The São Francisco district is one of the main sights of the city. In this neighborhood is located much of the historic section. Its name is closely linked to the history of the Church of the Third Order of São Francisco das Chagas. Apart from the main buildings and historic churches of Curitiba, in this neighborhood happens every Sunday Crafts Fair of the Largo da Ordem.

Delio's Cantina

Today I had lunch with my son at Delio's Cantina that is located at Alto da XV Disctrict. I had a nice Fiorentina Steak and he had a Garlic Fettuccine. Both perfect!

This is a very casual restaurant, tastefully decorated (with curios objects hanging on the ceiling and walls), the service is above average (they are really concerned with customer's satisfaction), the food is VERY good and the price is fair.

The owner of the Delio's Cantina, also owns the Bella Banoffi confectionery across the street and the Cana Benta Bar (on the same block), they form a triplet that values the Alto da XV disctrict as a good gastronomic choice in Curitiba.

Skate League at Jardim Ambiental

Passing by the Ambiental Garden last Sunday, I noticed a crowd in the skate park and so, I got close to find out what was going on. It was a skate league called "Primeiro Tide Rise Jardim Ambiental de Skate", organized by Paraná Federation of Skate, for beginners, amateurs and open.

The Ambiental Garden Skate Park is public and it has a relaxed atmosphere. You can always find someone over there doing his maneuvers. This track revealed to the professional skate important names such as Carlos de Andrade Piolho, Marcelo Kosaka, Vitor and Mizael Simões, and Danilo Cerezini.

Beto Batata

The Alto da XV Disctrict was not a reference in Curitiba in terms of restaurants, bars or any events related to culture. This reality began to change when Beto Batata settled in May 1999 in a house at Professor Brandão St.

Beto Batata is a reference in Curitiba for its swiss potatoes, super relaxed environment, good service and a vibrant place in terms of culture. From time to time, a different artist promotes a mutation. They change the colors, the tables, the photographs, the books, they change everything (except the menu, which does not need to be changed).