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.

Winter is here

We are on the second day of winter and the arrival of cold fronts will be a constant in our lives from now on. Curitiba, although is not the capital of Brazil most to the south, but certainly it is the coldest one. Winter is a very complicated period of the year for those who lives on the streets and need to find a way to keep themselves warm, like the people of the photo, sat under the sun. The picture was taken at the corner of Souza Naves Avenue and Padre Germano Mayer Street.

The Pinhão and the cold weather of Curitiba

How do we know that winter is coming in Curitiba? When the Pinhão (Araucaria angustifolia seeds) began to be sold in the markets of the city. A Curitiba tradition, this seed of Araucaria can be found cooked in many houses, at the June festivals and even on the streets, where vendors on street corners sell portions of cooked pinhões directly from big steaming pots. In early June there should be at Osório Square, another edition of the Pinhão Festival, where the seed can be purchased in-natura, boiled in water and in a variety of recipes (bread, soups, candies, pies, pastries and much more). I can tell you that it tastes really good!

A little science: Pinhão is the generic name of the seed of several species of Pinaceae and Araucariaceae, gymnosperms plants, ie, which seed is not enclosed in a fruit.The pinhão is formed into a cone (Pinha), which in time will be opened to release the pinhões. In the pinha (a sample of Pinus elliottii), the seeds are endowed with a film as a kind of wing, which takes off the cone and allows the mature seed to be dispersed by wind, thus starting the growth process of a new pine tree.

In Brazil, the term Pinhão usually refers to the seeds of Araucaria angustifolia, a tree of outstanding cultural, economic and environmental relevance in the south of Brazil.

Autumn, Cold, Rain and Gloom!

I have noticed the girl inside a bus of the metropolitan region of Curitiba on a cold and rainy evening, with a look so introspective, and I could not resist taking her picture.

Another reason to be cast as one of the 50 Reasons to Love Curitiba is the fame of that unwelcome and cold attitude that the Curitibanos (born here or not) have. Some argue that it is not a matter of an unwelcome attitude, but a matter of seriousness and education.

Who lives in Curitiba know that when someone say "come to visit me at home!" actually means "I like you, but if you want to meet me, please call me first" and if the answer is "You bet I will show up," means "I will call you whenever I get a break". What would be the reason for this alleged unwelcomeness? Is it due to the cold weather? Due to the European colonization? Whatever may be the reason, this respect for self individuality and the individuality of the others, in my opinion is fantastic. Moreover, once a link is established, this friendship is for life and this person will always be there for you.

Cold Spring

How about a hot chocolate on this cold morning in Curitiba?

This year, spring in Curitiba has been atypical. Low temperatures prevent the coats departing for their period of hibernation. Extended life for the flu and the consumption of hot chocolate!