Right here stands Praça Edmundo Rego. It could be a square in any small town. But this one is in Grajaú. It is set amidst a truly bucolic environment. Praça Edmundo Rego is a real gem.
Let me paint a picture. The morning sun feels more friendly here. Its rays greet the streets and people. It follows a period of darkness and silence. You can really appreciate this morning camaraderie in Praça Edmundo Rego. After all, Grajaú is naturally blessed. It is nestled in the Atlantic Forest. It also boasts beautiful urban aesthetics. Its streets are like chessboard alleys. Two boulevards intersect here. At their meeting point, a square in a roundabout becomes a meeting spot. It is a hub for local commerce. It is also a place for residents to connect. This is Praça Edmundo Rego.
I once parked my bike at the square’s bike racks. These were recently installed. I parked in front of the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro. I had been here a few days before. It was a Saturday morning. The activity was more intense then. The day off brought more people together. Many children were there too. They rode their little bikes with training wheels. The open space was filling with stalls. They were setting up for the typical June festivals. Blue and white ribbons were everywhere. They were even on the church. This rescue of country tradition fits perfectly. It matches the small town feel that Grajaú offers. During the week, the atmosphere is calmer. Grandparents sunbathe. The playground is less crowded. Greetings between vendors and residents are more noticeable.
Praça Edmundo Rego is surrounded by small local businesses. They cater to domestic and leisure needs. Grajaú is like Urca in the north zone and vice versa. Pico do Papagaio identifies Grajaú. Similarly, Urca has the world famous Pão de Açúcar. Both neighborhoods are isolated. They are surrounded by nature. They have few streets. They have incredible small town vibes. I enjoy watching the people here. I like how they interact and behave. It is different from busier neighborhoods. There, everyone rushes to banks or buses. It differs from touristy areas. Even if they are bucolic, they feel chaotic. There is too much signage. There is too much traffic. There is too much foreign influence. You feel watched. Someone might judge your clothes. Someone might scold you for riding your bike on the sidewalk.
From my experiences, Praça Edmundo Rego has a community feel. It says subconsciously. It invites you to share the space. Respect is a behavioral norm here. It does not need to be announced to be practiced. Exaggerations from individual worries and neuroses do not exist here.
One of the boulevards around it is Avenida Engenheiro Richard. This is short for Antônio Eugênio Richard Júnior. He was the builder of the Grajaú neighborhood. However, its central reservations are no longer landscaped. This might indicate a decline. It is a sign of old bucolic neighborhoods in the north zone. This is especially true after the expansion of highway policies. It happened in the mid twentieth century. Everything can be done on foot or by bike here. Yet, Avenida Engenheiro Richard’s medians serve as parking. They hold dozens of cars. It is a necessary evil. However, it is poorly used. Still, some sections of the median serve a collective purpose. A charming small fruit and vegetable stand sits in front of Praça Edmundo Rego.
The square is more than just a place. It is a feeling. It is a sense of community and belonging. It offers a glimpse into a simpler way of life. It reminds us of the charm of small towns. It also reminds us of the importance of human connection. As you leave Praça Edmundo Rego, carry its spirit. Embrace the sense of community. Seek out moments of connection in your own life.