🇧🇷 Brazil | The Serenity of Curitiba

As I write this, my husband and I are sitting in Curitiba’s Wire Opera House (Ópera de Arame - Vale da Música), listening to a floating lakeside concert 🎶 while rain taps gently on the glass roof. ☔ Brazil’s rainy season means mornings start bright, but by noon, clouds gather until they burst—dramatic, refreshing downpours. Today was different: a long, steady rain. Thankfully, the forecast was somewhat right (though "when" and "how much" are always a mystery!). We dodged the weather by visiting the Oscar Niemeyer Museum (MON) before settling here. 🎨 Art + rain = magic. There’s something uniquely peaceful about enjoying creativity while nature hums its own melody. 🌿 Why I love this city: It’s unpretentious and calming—if not for the language barrier, I’d stay longer. Parque Barigui is a highlight, home to the internet’s favorite zen masters: capybaras 🦫🧘. (Fun fact: Their global fanbase baffles me—turns out even people from "chill" countries adore these chill creatures!) 🚌 Urban surprises: Curitiba’s sustainable transport system (a global model!) and futuristic bus stops impressed this public transit nerd. The walkable streets, bike lanes, and active parks feel oddly... Scandinavian? 🏛️ Colonial echoes & reflections: South America’s European-flavored cities (thanks, colonialism) are beautiful but bittersweet. Reading "Open Veins of Latin America" adds a layer of melancholy to the scenery. As an econ grad, I used to compare Latin America’s import-substitution vs. East Asia’s export-led growth. Now, traveling here, I finally grasp the weight of China’s manufacturing rise—and feel a surge of national pride. ☀️ The rain stopped; the sun’s out. Curitiba, you’re the definition of comfort. #CapybaraVibes #CuritibaDiaries #BrazilTravel #OffTheBeatenPath #SlowTravel #CityWalk #Wanderlust