Tuesday we went to a solar company in Campinas, Sao Paulo called CPFL. When we arrive the difference was clear in regards to our excursion to the historical downtown of Sao Paulo. When we first arrived to the historical downtown, coming out of the subway station, we were immediately greeted by beggars. From the sheer commotion and the beggars constantly interrupting us, we had to move to a different location to begin our tour as we could hear our guides. The guide constantly emphasized that the way this downtown was built was periodically building would be demolished then rebuilt. This gave the city an interest landscape of modern or refurbished buildings next to dilapidated ones. When we went to the top of the tallest building in South America in the 1920s (26 floors) and could see the city, this distinction was even more apparent. Another interesting aspect about the city was its lack of building codes. Some of the tallest buildings were windowless parking garages that tarnished the landscape.

In contrast was the CPFL Energia building. Stepping off of the bus I felt I was in Silicon Valley. CPFL had a huge building, complete was a small museum inside. It had a modern open style with many hallways exposed to the outdoors. The land surrounding the building was large fields. Clearly the socio-economic status of the two areas is apparent.

Furthermore, the difference is also apparent on Paulista Avenue. Walking to the avenue, one would find homeless people sleeping  on the streets. Each building would have a double steel fence around their driveway and fence around their house. Once on the avenue the streets are populated with middle class people shopping at the many store lining its streets. And if one were to look up, they would see the wealthiest class flying overhead. These people commute to work and travel to buildings solely in helicopters to avoid the traffic. Most skyscrapers have helipads to support them. These aspects show the distinct classes Sao Paulo is divided into.