5 -Star Reading November 2012

BelgradeExplore the exciting contrasts

of the Serbian capital with

flights commencing this month.

نوفمبر 2012بلغراد

اكتشفوا تناقضات العاصمة الصربية المدهشة، مع بدء تسيير

رحالتنا إلى بلغراد هذا الشهر.

مابوتو أصبحت موزمبيق وجهة الخطوط

الجوية القطرية التاسعة عشرة في إفريقيا.

MaputoMozambique’s coastal capital

city becomes Qatar Airways’

19th African destination.

Rua Aspicuelta

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Connect são Paulo, Brazil ✈ Distance: 11,874 km ✈ flight time: 14 hours, 45 minutes ✈ frequency: Daily

Rua Aspicuelta,São Paulo

In São Paulo, a city with no natural views, there is a lot to see, with life more defined by internal space than in other Brazilian cities. Here, it often it takes an artist to help reconnect with humanity.

“Walking down Aspicuelta Street is a similar experience to walking around the Lower East Side in New York City. You can feel a creative energy in the air,” says Suzanna. “Both have that same kind of commerce: small stores and cafés, independent designers, unique items. It feels very... intimate. You enter a store and talk to the owner, who usually is the person actually creating the pieces for sale.”

For culture, Suzanna heads to 1 pássaro achado, “a perfect

mix of artful fashion and fabulous

paintings”, she says. And for literature, 2 “livraria da vila is one of the best bookstores in São Paulo.”

The street life is buzzing with activity in the heart of the neighbourhood. “I always come to Vila Madalena during the day, usually on Saturdays. At night, the place is quite lively, but I prefer it during daytime since what I find most attractive there are the shops and cafés, and not the bars and restaurants,” she says.

The whole day can be whiled away here just eating! Breakfast would be at 3 le pain Quotidien: “I love the open two-storey wooden space with magnificent fresh breads,” she says. For lunch, lá da venda, “simultaneously a restaurant and

free inspiraTionPainter Suzanna Schlemm

is a recent São Paulo

transplant, originally from

rio de janeiro by way of

the esteemed new york

studio school. “When

I escape to a place like

vila madalena, I feel very

relaxed, surrounded by

other people’s creations.

It is always very refreshing

and inspiring. Of course,

I also feel tempted to buy

a few amazing things I find

along the way, but most

important is what I get

for free: a fresh blast of

inspiration that makes

me want to go right

back to the studio.”

www.suzannaschlemm.com

The inspiring painTer living and working in são paulo, Suzanna Schlemm takes us along Rua Aspicuelta in the renowned bohemian area of Vila Madalena.

Words by Matthias Brendler Illustration by Marion Vitus

a home store that sells super-charming handmade items”. Afternoon tea at 4 le jardin secret, “a French café with amazing pastry”, and for dinner, “madeleine, an inviting, bohemian café”.

For gifts, Suzanna can’t resist the quirky objects in 5 japonique, “an infinite assortment of Japanese pop design objects – a dangerous place as once I get in it’s too late, I’m trapped!” If it’s gifts for the kids, she recommends 6 fabrica, “a toy store with real toys that also offers activities for kids. Wooden toys, cool games, the real thing”, she says.

“The place that most surprised me and one of the main reasons why I love the area so much is a store called pássaro achado (Found Bird). When I entered that store, I immediately identified with the place: the beautiful clothes and accessories, the music, the chic and relaxed way the store is put together, very much like a friend’s house.”

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Rua Girassol

Rua Harmonia

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Oryx November 12

my favourite street