malls.

The mall culture here is pretty incredible. In Rio, in Brazil, for that matter, they're called "shoppings" which makes no sense whatsoever, but that doesn't mean they don't understand what a mall actually is. They have practically one in every neighborhood in Zona Sul, and quite a few outside of Zona Sul. I have yet to make it to the chic-chic ones in Sao Conrado or Barra, but I'll get there eventually, I'm sure. The biggest and oldest one seems to be Rio Sul, in Botafogo, but there's also Botafogo Praia Shopping, Shopping Leblon, Shopping Gavea, Rio Design.... the list goes on. The malls seem to be a place where people hang out, eat, drink, (maybe) buy a few things, but it's more of a meeting point-- an alternative to the beach when it's raining outside.