At Home in Ouro Preto

It was such a relief to be surrounded by mountains and nature along with the cobblestone streets, red tile roofs and beautiful churches.  I instantly felt that the pace of life in Ouro Preto was my preference.  In São Paulo I felt like a number, so anonymous and as if everyone is in their own world.  In Ouro Preto, many people made eye contact and looked up as I walked by.  In a lot of ways I felt as if I stood out as a tourist a lot more in Ouro Preto, but at the same time, I had more autonomy and felt more connected to people.

            I felt that Ouro Preto preserved a simpler life.  I was very drawn to all of the small shops.  For example, there was a bakery shop and then right next door was a fruit and vegetable stand.  There were no big supermarkets where one could buy everything.  I think that makes for a more personal environment.  I also noticed that there were a few drugstores in Ouro Preto, two that seemed newer and one that looked very old and had potentially been preserved for centuries.  I found it interesting to see such a historical site functioning as a modern, functional shop.

            I also noticed many people hanging out of their windows as we drove through the narrow streets.  I saw old women and children sitting by their windows to see what was going on in their neighborhoods outside of their home.  To me this showed a sense of community and awareness of their surroundings.

Union College Student, 2001