Looking for Parties During the World Cup, Tourists Pack Vila Madalena's Streets

06/29/2014 - 02h00

Many languages and little progesterone. At the World Cup seen at Vila, this is the situation. Just walk around the area and you will notice that those venturing into the neighborhood, Brazilian or not, are guys celebrating.

"I have come looking for 'gringas'. But there are only males here!" says producer Alexandre Santos, 25, who lives in Vinhedo.

According to him, he and his brother have enjoyed international soccer matches to flirt with "blondes". "But it's easier to pretend being a gringo to Brazilians. I've even said I was from Thebes'', he said, having fun, that he even makes up names, such as with the Ancient Greece city.

The veterinary students Daniela Marques, 19, and Juliana Hardy, 19, on Wednesday (25) watched a World Cup game for the first time in the neighborhood, and they were witnesses of the other side of this battle.

"These guys are players. [laughs] They think here is only about soccer and wild parties and they are very forward," tells the first girl while waiting for a ride back to Diadema, where she lives, after the Argentina and Nigeria match.

Both plan to return to the neighborhood on Saturday (28) for the Brazil vs Chile game. "It's really cool. Everyone is more welcoming now," concluded Juliana.

A British living in New York, the consultant Alex Jakobson, 42, estimates to be spending about US$ 320 a day -including accommodations in a hotel in Pinheiros (West Zone). He usually goes to bars at the intersection of Aspicuelta and Mourato Coelho's streets.

"Beautiful women, great music and good food. It reminds me of Notting Hill Carnival," he says comparing the area with the London neighborhood.

"On Sunday we saw a car being vandalized. You can't forget that some places are not safe," says his friendSimon Bray, 37. He has been living in Sao Paulo (and says he enjoys it) for three months now. "I thought Carniva lwas good but the World Cup is better."

Although the São Paulo Hostels Association has no official numbers, most people staying in hostels in the regionfor the period are foreign men between 20 and 35 years, according to hostel owners.

Folha visited the following lodgings: Giramondo, Hostel Brasil Boutique, Sampa Hostel and Ô de Casa and talked to the owner of Limetime Hostel in Vila Madalena (formerly Casa Club). The finding was unanimous. "We are looking like a battalion here," jokes Sandro Oliveira, 44, a partner of Giramondo.

But if the "gringoes" tide was expected, the movement fell short of being amazing. Not considering the game days in Sao Paulo, where they have reached maximum occupancy, the average rate of these hostels have been between 60% and 75%.

One of the reasons cited by the owners was a boom in recent inaugurated hostels in the wake of the World Cup-only in Vila Madalena there are now at least 13. "Many people with little experience and a lot of greed have opened a hostel," sighs Alberto Azevedo, 31, owner of Limetime.

"We're averaging 65% [occupation rate]. For the month of June is good, but for July is low," says Deborah Cavalieri, 34, owner of Sampa Hostel.

She says she started accepting reservations for the World Cup at the end of 2013. Since then she calculated a 20% reduction in daily rates - today between US$36 and US$54.

Optimistic, Alessandra Bossi, 39, a partner of Hostel Brasil Boutique, says that at first she did as others andraised prices. "And for the most part we managed to get daily rates from US$90 to US$136," she adds.

With time came a slowdown in demand and the reduction of hotel rates, which meant that hostel prices werereduced. Currently the property owner charges between US$38 (dormitory) and US$136 (Private), and couldnegotiate. "I want to fill out here," says enthusiastically Bossi.

But, for the city, the neighborhood is already "at maximum capacity." The administration plans to attract people to other city points, like the Argentines who should be arriving for the game against Switzerland (Tuesday, 7/1). For these who live in the neighborhood, Vila is more than full.

Translated by SIMONE PALMA