I do most of my interviews downtown, in a space limited by just a few blocks, right around the place where Nila Peçanha, São Jose and Rio Branco come together. A block away from this intersection along São Jose there is a little “lanchonete” (snack bar) called “Cafe Gaucho.” Gaucho refers to the state of Rio Grande do Sul, populated largely with German immigrants, and quite appropriately Cafe Gaucho offers sausages. They call it “cachorro quente” (hot dog), but they really are being very modest. Rather than a single frankfurter, the “hotdog” comes with three bona fide sausages, which taste pretty good too. Getting bread and sausages for lunch and washing it down with a beer reminded me of good times in Vienna last year. The ambiance of the place is very Brazilian, though: very animated, people drinking beer, talking. Very laid back. Just don’t ask them for espresso, though – last time I made this mistake I got a rather nasty look from the waiter and felt that such “elitism” wasn’t welcome there.