The Chalets

The main highway from Poços de Caldas to Campinas runs through Águas da Prata. On Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays this same strip of highway becomes a fair with one way traffic.

There are many Chalets here selling all kinds of foods, doces (sweets) crafts and knickknacks. Following is a series of pics of all the Chalets, the traffic and the people. Enjoy the travelogue!


The sign says Chalets of Food and Artesans local and from the region.




Here is the Chalet of Flavio Carvalho, our artist friend. He sells his Mel (Honey) and Propolis here.




This Chalet sells Orchids and is located beside Flavio's Chale. All the other Chales are across the street.




This is one of the many food Chalets. He specializes in products made fromn corm. They are very popular here in Brasil.




This Chalet is serving more corn products to a small group of patrons early on Saturday before the crowd arrives. They serve Pasteis.




This Sergio's Chalet. I have never seen Sergio but he serves my favourite food. BBQ Chicken on a stick (Shishkabob style).




Here you can get more variety including cheese.




This Chalet specializes in making you a Pastel (pasteis plural). Is is something like a Jamaican patty. It is stuffed with meat or cheese then deep fried. This is an extremely popular snack all over Brasil.




What would food be without desert? Here is one of two ice cream chalets. Most of this series of pics were taken Saturday morning before the tourists arrived so that is why you don't see many customers.




Bolo de Milho (Corn Cakes), Suco do Milho Gelado (Cold Corn Juice). Pure heaven for corn lovers.




Now here is my favourite. I never met Sergio but he sells terrific BBQ Chicken on a stick (Shishkabob Style). This is also a favourite all over Brasil. It is sold with Chicken, Beef or Cheese.




This Chalet sells Roupas (clothes) handmade by local artisans.




Knickknacks and souvenirs.




Another Roupas Chalet.




Toys, trinkets and decorations.




Doces (sweets) Queijos (Cheeses) Mel (Honey) Bebidas (Drinks). Now this is what you must call a Sweet Chalet.




Crocheted and knitted items such as table cloths, blouses and scarves.




More little souvenirs. Trinkets and stuff.




Beads, broaches, bird houses and toys.




A leather shop seeling only things made of leather.




Another sweet place selling juices and puddings. Notice the sign saying Caldo do Cana Gelado. That is Cold Cane Juice. They squeeze the cane right there!




T-Shirts! All kinds and all sizes! A favourite with the kids!




Another Snack Bar (Lanches) with refrigerantes (pop) y cervejas (beers).




Pastels and water bottles. Now that is a combination that is different.




More Lanches (snacks). See the sign Xtudo? That means all dressed or everything included. When they say everything they mean EVERYTHING you can think of.




More Snacks and beer.




Even more Snacks and beer.




Many Delicious Flavours of Swiss Crepes!




A real sweet place. Chocolates! Chocolates and more Chocolates!




The second Ice Cream Chalet.




This Chalet sells Sunglasses and cases for them.




The bus brings many tourists to Águas da Prata to this fair.




Hundreds of motos show up (Brasilian for Motorcycle). Look at the outfits on these two guys.




The weekend is always big business for this horse and buggie.




This is what the street looks like just before sundown on Saturday. By the way, that is our car driving along in the foreground.




This is the same street on Sunday afternoon. Lots more cars and people and motos.




There are hundreds of motos parked everywhere. Riders of all ages come on motos.




This is the crowd on Sunday afternoon.




Many folks check out the Chalest.




Sometimes they fill the sidewalks.




They line up for ice cream. My favourite flavour is Coconut.




Look at all the traffic on the street! Remember, Águas da Prata is a very small town.




Everyone loves to eat and drink here, even little kids!




No Parking at this spot. It is a bus stop! Here you can see the long row of Chales.




Lots of people!




Here is a view of the bus depot across the park. You can see the Cometa buses coming and going.




Photos by Urso Branco