BRAZIL - Market Day in Curitiba

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We did a day trip to Curitiba so C&K could pick up some things that aren't available in Matinhos as well as have lunch at a Churrascaria, (more on that later). The first stop was at the city market where Karen was going to pick up some herbs for the dogs. I didn't realize it at the time but the sign above translates to it being a 'cheese store' (see the little mouse and cheese on the sign?), I'll have to ask her about that. Obviously they do sell herbs and that was Karen's objective! My objective - well , I went next door ... Just a different kind of herb with different results depending upon the dosage. ... And depending upon the type or variety ... ... and from what I was told quality also becomes a factor. The stuff on the bottom row is very inexpensive and also tends to last a long, long time, Unless of course you just throw it out after the first taste. Apparently, it's really, really bad. In real estate it's location, location, location - in sales it's presentation, presentation ... A little more basic but still good with a nice selection. Something I've never seen in Vancouver. These are cashew nuts in the raw! The nut is in the green pod on top of the fruit. Haven't tried one yet but definitely will before leaving. Any orders? I've been told they have a short shelf life but don't know how short. And they sold flowers there too. OK, so what kind of fresh fruit did you want? Ryan, eat your heart out, look at those pineapples and bananas. It's amazing how some really ugly species can taste so good! So, not only are there fruits, vegetables, nuts and flowers at the market - you could start breeding your own fur coat with a couple of these little chinchillas! Come to think of it, in Brazil's climate why would you want a fur coat? Ok, so now we come to the aluminum (aluminium, for our foreign friends) department. I didn't realize Brazil was so into this metal. Example two: aluminum beer steins (they're upside down). Not too sure if this would go over at Oktoberfest. Available in quantities of one or a hundred! I don't know why I took the picture, it just seemed strange that those two cans should be in this display. I guess you just had to be there. Palmito Juçara, This is considered to be a delicacy. I have to admit that I've only eaten it on a pizza and in a pastel (a fast food favourite, deep fried and 'good' for you!). Check out the next picture. The last time C&K had machetti wielding intruders on their property the police figured they were after the <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_of_palm' target='_blank'> palmito trees</a>. Check it out by clicking on the picture, it's rather interesting. From pizzas to 'Millionaire's salads'. OK, here we are - October 16, in southern Brazil and who the heck do you see sitting on top of a building? Good lord is there no escape!!! Plus, if that's Ms. Claus standing behind him why the heck isn't he at home with her!!! This is the churrascaria, you go in with normal cholesterol level and come out a cardiac case. The waiter walking towards you, along with 201 others, walk around the restaurant with beef on platters, skewers, etc. and their job is to make sure your plate is never devoid of a slab of meat. It's really good and very tasty as all of the offerings have been prepared differently. It just so happened that this particular lunch had a sushi buffet for appetizers. We still managed to do justice to the beef. What do you think Ry? the R$ is equal to about C$1.20. How many do you want? This is in the Wal-Mart store in Curitiba. This store has been open for about a year but they still appeared to be setting up the shelving, it was weird but modern.