One of MK’s friends, Amanda, is a family law lawyer in São Paolo, and we
managed to get together for lunch at a nearby sushi place she likes.
Even though I’m not a 3WA’er, I suspect I may be an honorary one and
thus get Amanda’s count of 3WA people she’s met up to two. Hey, we don’t
often get down to Brazil! 
Anyway, Amanda is great. She’s doing well for herself in the Alameda
Lorne district? area? of São Paulo, which is where there are a number of
nicer restaurants and shops and whatnot. We had a lovely conversation
where I learned a lot about life in Brazil and São Paulo, and I think I
scared her a bit by telling her about what I do at Microsoft. However,
the trips to Beijing to meet with MSRA certainly piqued her interest!
Amanda took me to a lovely chocolate shop, which she thinks is the best
in São Paulo. It was great… we had some passionfruit truffles that
were to die for. I picked up a small (heh) gift for MK there — her
name, in 3″ chocolate letters! It should travel well, and I’m sure
she’ll enjoy it over the weeks to come. Sadly, no truffles, as they
wouldn’t travel well without a cooler or something to put them in.
Amanda and I parted company after sipping cafe briefly at a bistro near
her office, and then I headed back to Microsoft Brazil to pack up and
head to the airport. São Paulo, being a small city of only 15 million
people, has very well designed roadways and a wonderful mass
transportation system. That’s why we left for my 10 PM flight at 6 PM,
as it normally takes 2 hours to go 40 km (that’s like 24 miles) — the
distance to the airport. Yeah…. traffic was light that day, and my cab
driver familiar with the area, so we made it in an hour and a half. Hey,
16 miles per hour, not bad!