Last day in São Paulo. We spent a few hours deciding where to go next and booking tickets and a hotel, then we headed out. I hoped it wouldn’t rain. I hoped there would be places open. I wasn’t sure how Brazilians dealt with the holiest day of the week—was Sunday a “business as usual” day like in North America or would everything shut down like in Europe?

The subway was definitely on Sunday mode and we waited for a long time for the train to show up. We got off at Pinheiros to explore a self-described “hip” area. A few restaurants were open here and there and it did feel similar to parts of downtown Toronto or New York, but we mostly saw the urban art spray-painted on shut doors. We walked uphill, downhill, uphill again, admiring the funky skyline with many tall buildings and none of them looking alike: there was one with bright pink windows, another one tilted on one side, another was a modern glass structure topped with two floors of classical architecture…

Once again, we made our way to Paulista and the avenue was closed to traffic for the entire afternoon. It was lively with people skating, biking or walking and street stalls on the sidewalk. I like when people take over the busiest streets. Walking safety in the middle of the road feels like a treat.

We went to explore the Museu de Arte de São Paulo, another original architectural creation, a concrete and glass structure designed by Lina Bo Bardi. The extensive collection of Western art was impressive and I loved the way the paintings were displayed: instead of hanging on walls, like in most art museums, they were standing in the middle of a large airy room. It gave a different perspective.

Back at the hotel, we packed to make our early departure easier.

“Wow, that’s big!”

“Mark… that’s my butt.”

“Mommy’s butt is biiig!”

This is called forced intimacy, not among strangers like in a hostel but between the three of us. We share small hotel rooms. Mark and I shower together because it’s easier. I take him to the bathroom with me and we all sleep in the same bed if there is no other option available. Mark is a little bit less clingy, now I can leave him in front of the TV while Feng and I use the laptop, book the next leg of the trip of just relax. Yet we are always together and we share everything, the good and the bad.

“Is this yucky?”

“No Mark. This is your penis and it’s not yucky. It’s a part of your body.”

The things you discuss with a three-year-old…!

Tired. Must sleep. Early flight tomorrow.