I was in Belo Horizonte over one weekend and decided to visit Pampulha – an area planned as a resort for Belo Horizonte’s elites – which is now part of the city. There is a lake with a walking path, several museums, an amusement park, and the main football or soccer stadium. In 2023 it seems to be an area that local or regional tourists visit.
I took an Uber there and Uber sent me to somewhere that was very much not the St Francis of Assisi church and I was able to talk a bit with the driver and he took me where I wanted to go. I was also eventually able to make the app direct us to where he was already driving so he could earn whatever minimal amount the app pays drivers. Hurray for me learning Portuguese, less hurray for capitalism.
I saw two cool things there: the church designed by famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.
I also saw a former home of the Brazilian president Juscelino Kubitschek who was outsted in a coup in 1964. I really enjoyed it for two reasons. First: mid century modern décor. Second: special exhibit of embroidery, primarily of Pampulha – the church I saw, as well as a famous art gallery and casino.
I people watched for a bit by the lake until I just about melted in the sun, and then returned to my airbnb.
Rebecca J 