An innovative city
Then I flew from Rio de Janeiro to Curitiba.This city is the capital of the state Parana and has around 2 million inhabitants.
In the 1850s, waves of European immigrants arrived in Curitiba, mainly Germans, Italians, Poles and Ukrainians, contributing to the city's economic and cultural development. Curitiba's economy is based on industry and services and is the fourth largest in Brazil Within expert groups, the city of Curitiba is known for its efficient transport system with its own bus lanes on the main roads. Double-articulated buses are used, whose stops are raised tubes. Today Curitiba is considered one of the world's best examples of successful urban planning. In June 1996, Curitiba was honored as the "most innovative city in the world. It also is according to an US magazine best "Brazilian Big City" in which to live not only because of its low crime rate.
Many parks and an interesting museum
The city is the coldest capital of Brazil as it is located at an altitude of almost 1000 meters. So it has a rather cool and rainy climate. It has many parks and is therefore the green capital of the country. But I was rather disappointed by the city. I did not notice much of the alleged innovativeness. The many parks are also far away from each other. Without a car they are difficult to reach.
On top of that, once again countless fleas have bitten me in my accommodation, to which my body always reacts allergic. The bites did not look good this time either, but at least they did not get infected. I precautiously had already taken medication after the bites.
However, the Niemeyer-Musem was very nice. There I learned more about the famous Brazilian architect, who got his inspiration from the forms of nature.
Later in my hostel I met a nice Uruguayan who was just about to move her and I had a very interesting conversation with him as he acquired a great knowledge due to his many travels.
I spent only one night here before I flew to Foz do Iguazu. This city is located right on the border with Paraguay, which I was to visit next for just 5 days before returning to Brazil.
