Welcome to Braswitzerland?! Part I

After our beach trip gave us a taste of life outside the city of São Paulo, we were excited for our next trip.  A trip to Campos do Jordão!

 The Welcome Sign

After 4 hours and 120 miles in the car we arrived at Brazil's "Little Switzerland".   If the Swiss/German architecture in Brazil delightfully confused us,  seeing tropical flowers and trees "up in the mountains" made us feel like we had entered "The Twilight Zone".

In addition to the architecture there were plenty of Swiss/German restaurants.....not to mention the chocolate.....

Having just finished 6 months of winter in Chicago (it snowed the day we left - April 14th) it is almost comical for us to hear the Brazilians talk about the "cold".  Since Campos do Jordão is at elevation (move over Denver, it is at 5,378 feet) the cold is one of the first things they talk about.  Being a mile up in the tropics means that it averages highs of 75 degrees and lows of 55 degrees Fahrenheit.  So what do Brazilians do when they go to Campos?  ...they show up in their sweaters, furs, and boots (no joke!).  

............stay tuned for Braswitzerland Part II "Nice Carr...inho!"