Bandeirantes

Sao Paulo's history only makes sense once you realize it's role in the inevitable gold rush that was precipitated by bandeirantes... What are bandeirantes?

From v-Brazil.com, which has more:
Bandeirantes were the organizers of bandeiras (bandeira is the Portuguese for "flag"; the bandeiras used to carry a flag to identify them), private expeditions which explored the interior lands of Brazil during the century 17 and in the early years of century 18.

Portugal had a limited interested in exploring the vast lands of Brazil; for decades after the discovering, all that Portugual did was to establish some trading points along the coast, barely enough to store the goods (mostly wood, minerals and stones) which would be sent to the metropolis. Besides, Portugal was restrained by the Treaty of Tordesillas, which determined the boundaries between Portuguese and Spanish domains; the bandeirantes had no limits to respect.

The bandeirantes were, above all, greedy men. They wanted the wealthiness that the Portuguese didn't bother to explore. Their goal was not to conquer land (as it was happening in the US), but to find gold, stones, and to imprison indians which would be sold as slaves.

A typical bandeira would consist of 2-3 hundred men, who would stay for months or years exploring the wild forests and fields. Each bandeira had to be organized and paid for by someone who had to be rich and bold; on return, these men would become richer and more respected by the community.

A Brief History of Sao Paulo

The history of this city is fascinating...

Shipwrecked sailors & Jesuit priests
explorers seeking out jewels & gold leaf
Bandeirantes hoarding slaves & treasures
coffee & sugarcane in equal measure...

from aboutsaopaulo.com:
Today, São Paulo is the richest and most important State of Brazil, and São Paulo (besides being one of the oldest) is the largest city in Brazil.

However, until the early 18th century, São Paulo was not that important. São Paulo didn't have the same privileged position of Bahia, which was in the middle of the shortest path between Portugal and the Eastern Indians and became the first administrative center of Brazil. Likewise, the culture of sugar cane which flourished for a while in the 16th century in São Paulo could not compete with the producers of Pernambuco, in the Northeast of Brazil, much closer to markets in Europe.
In the 17th century, thanks to the persistence of the bandeirantes, the gold mines in Brazil were found; the mines were originally situated in São Paulo, but the King of Portugal decided to create a new province, Minas Gerais, with jurisdiction over the mines, and a new capital, Rio de Janeiro, through which the gold should be exported to Europe.
It was only in the 19th century that São Paulo started to gain relevance. Coffee had first been introduced in Rio de Janeiro, but soon the lands of São Paulo proved to be much more propicious for the new culture.
Coffee became the major Brazilian product. With the movement to abolish slavery, farmers from São Paulo realized that it would be better to hire European salary-men rather than slaves. The Europeans brought their culture and a huge willing to work and succeed. When the coffee importance declined, the Europeans moved to the cities and started businesses. In the 20th century, after Brazil became a Republic, São Paulo took also the political power.
The mixture of money, power and hard work led São Paulo to become the largest and most important State in Brazil today.

Sounds from Sao Paulo (Vol.1) - DJ Marky

Here's a lovely jungle track from a Sao Paulo Drum n' Bass producer I've long revered, the inimitable DJ Marky. I've been dropping this cut into DJ mixes whenever I stray into Drum n Bass bpms...which alas, is becoming quite rare.... I love this cut...and seeing as how I just spent a few days on the beach in southern Thailand, I'm definitely feeling this vocalist's refrain.... "smooth like honey...sunshine touch me...." The rinse around 3:30 into the song is pretty sweet...

Chegada

Said goodbye to my wife in Bangkok, and after 30+ hours I landed in Sao Paulo after an interminable journey through multiple planes and airports. You know you've been on a long trip when you've managed to watch 8 feature length movies along the way. Sleep deprived and unshaven, I breezed through immigration and customs and found my ride waiting to drive me back to the Hilton Morumbi Hotel. Got into the front seat and spent the better part of a half hour talking to my new friend Marco, who kept me entertained on the long ride through the city. Marco clued me into the common perception that "people in Sao Paulo work, while in the rest of Brazil people are more relaxed." Driving through clogged city highways, this distinction made sense to my jet lagged mind, and I tried to ward off my secret desire for a sun drenched beachfront Brazilian adventure with the admonition that I am here to work, and only that. A week in a conference room lies ahead... But still...this place is magic, and Brazil still fascinates me to no end. Any way I look at it, it is a privilege to grace these shores again, and I look forward to the rhythms of this metropolis weaving their way into my week here. Brazil is a feast, and its many flavors await anyone who cares to listen...