São Paulo Subway
Metrô
21.02.2007
a few weeks ago my sister and i were heading to a gallery via the subway. i obviously didnt prepare myself well enough for the experience because it took me so long after to calm down and get my heart rate back to normal afterwards!
the São Paulo subway carries almost 4 million people every day (just over the population of Melbourne) and my sister and i travelled at about 9am, so it was peak hour. i can honestly say that apart from television i have never seen so many people in one place before. i cant even explain it! everywhere you look there are people running, walking, screaming, shouting, talking, looking, jumping, reading, doing graffiti, ... everything you could possibly imagine goes on in the subway!! so not only were we travelling in peak hour but we choose a day where the weather was 35degrees outside (and when you combine 15 thousand people and a small confined area, you wouldnt beleive how high the temperature climbs!)
so before we wntered the subway, i was given the 'rules'...dont let go of my hand, dont open your bag, dont talk on a cell phone (incase it is stolen), dont talk about money, be careful etc etc.
once we got into the subway my heart started pounding so fast and i was so out of breath, i was sweating and so worked up! it was almost to much to handle! i was scared and excited and amazed and nervous all at the same time, and there is just people everywhere that it is hard to move. on the actual 'train' is the same they cram as many people as can fit inside. although i was totally amazed by the experience all i wanted was to get out of there!! and once i was fially back into daylight i had to sit down for 10 minutes to calm down!
i was so relieved to catch a taxi home!!
