100 years of relativity
international conference on classical and
quantum aspects of gravity and cosmology
august 22-24
2005
são paulo
brasil
information
Conselho Nacional de
Desenvolvimento Científico
e Tecnológico
Fundação de Amparo à
Pesquisa do Estado
de São Paulo
Fundação de Amparo à
Pesquisa do Estado
do Rio de Janeiro
Financiadora de
Estudos e Projetos
Sociedade Brasileira
de Física
Coordenação de
Aperfeiçoamento de
Pessoal de Nível Superior
International Centre
for Theoretical Physics
Avenida Paulista (see map below) is the "new downtown", and can be easily reached from either airports (Guarulhos and Congonhas). Taxis should cost approximately R$ 80,00 (~ U$ 30,00). The taxi driver should not be expected to speak English (although some do), but he/she undoubtedly is well acquainted with the vicinity of Avenida Paulista.
From Guarulhos there is a very good Airport Bus Service that costs R$ 24,00 and can deliver you very close to your hotel. You should get the "Linha 1" bus ("Circuito dos Hotéis Paulista / Augusta"). Those staying at La Residence should step off the bus at the Hotel Renaissance stop. Those staying at Paulista Life or Royal Life should step off at the Flat Imperial Residence stop.
Below there is a map of the region around the São Paulo Art Museum, MASP - an architectural landmark and the main venue for this Conference.
1. MASP - Av. Paulista, 1578.
2. IFT (venue for some paralell sessions) - R. Pamplona, 145.
3. Hotel La Residence - Al. Jaú, 1606. Tel. 3069 4444.
4. Residence Paulista Life - R. Barata Ribeiro, 360. Tel. (11) 3138-6190.
5. Flat Royal Life - R. Herculano de Freitas, 249. Tel. 3257 8980.
6. "Restaurante à Mineira" - Al. Joaquim Eugênio de Lima, 697. Tel. 3283 2349.
(Venue for the conference dinner on wednesday, the 24th.)
The best way to move around the central part of São Paulo is by Metro, which can be easily identified by the symbol
. MASP is nearest to the "Trianon-MASP"
stop, on the green line. Presently there is still no Metro
service to the Universidade de São Paulo Campus, so if you wish to go there,
you will probably have to take the bus or a taxi.
Eating in São Paulo
São Paulo is very well served in terms of food. Those interested in sophisticated and expensive dinners can go to Massimo (Al. Santos, paralell to Paulista) or Fasano (rua Fasano), where you can spend circa R$ 250 for a dinner with wine. For sophisticated but not extorsive dinners, you can try Figueira (Haddock Lobo, perpendicular to Paulista), Bargaço or Antiquarius (both in Al. Lorena). In the region of Haddock Lobo to the South/West of Av. Paulista, one finds further restaurants that are not so expensive, but still in the style of some sophistication.
At Al. Santos financially prudent visitors can find a good meal for a range from R$ 20 - 50, some even with belly dance included (at Al. Santos every day, or at Bela Cintra on thursday evenings). At Rascal's (still at Al. Santos) one finds the best salad bar in town for vegetarians, including pasta for around R$ 50.
In case you want to poison yourself with fast food there are still plenty of opportunities, as everywhere in this crazy world, but you will have to ask for yourself, for we are not going to be responsible for your ill health, or for supporting world's worst garbage.
Touristic Attractions
São Paulo is not such a touristic city, but there are some places worth visiting. You can visit Terraço Itália, a top floor restaurant with a magnificent view of São Paulo, and the Italian district of Bexiga , now known for its music and still more food. In the "Old Downtown" area, where you can go safely (but carefully) during the daytime you can visit the Cathedral (Sé) and, nearby, the first building constructed in 16th century, Pátio do Colégio. Another interesting site, also near the old center of town, is the Mercado Municipal, which has been recently renewed. Also popular with tourists and locals is the oriental district, Liberdade (very easy to reach by Metro from Av. Paulista).
Some museums are worthwhile: MASP (where the conference is housed), the Modern Art Museum (MAM) located inside the city's main park ( Parque do Ibirapuera), and the Museum of Contemporary Art ( MAC , located in the University of São Paulo Campus). The Pinacoteca and the Museum of Sacred Art are near the recently renewed Estação da Luz. You can also visit the History Museum at Ipiranga, Museu do Ipiranga. In the region around Av. Paulista you will also find many art galleries and expositions, generally held by banks as well as a few old houses that used to belong to the Coffee Barons (who themselves disappeared after 1929.)
A nice Map of the Arts, which lists the main Museums, Concerts, Dance and Theater, can be consulted on the internet at Mapa das Artes.