A week in São Paulo

Traveling between Bitcoin conferences is an adventure in itself, and this trip from São Paulo to El Salvador—SatsConf to Adopting Bitcoin—was no exception. Here I am, finally airborne on a 3:40 a.m. flight, 24 hours behind schedule, reflecting on a whirlwind week in São Paulo. There’s something about the stillness of a long-haul flight that stirs creativity. Airports, trains, and especially planes seem to ignite my thoughts, even when my mood is less than stellar. Is that a writer thing?

A rough start

It all began with a booking mishap—I accidentally reserved the wrong flight from São Paulo to Bogotá. After rebooking (and becoming €250 lighter), I joined my core travel team, ready to embrace the journey ahead. Or so I thought.

The São Paulo-to-Bogotá leg turned out to be a six-hour endurance test—cramped seats and no legroom whatsoever. By the time we landed at 5:45 a.m., every muscle ached, and sleep was a distant memory. Business class dreams, anyone? (Haha, someday.)

Then we got the news: our flight to El Salvador was canceled. Three hours of counter-hopping later, we were handed hotel vouchers. But with check-in hours away, we arrived hot, tired, and greeted by an empty breakfast buffet. The lobby was a chaotic sea of travelers, and the mood of my travel squad wasn’t exactly cheerful.

Still, fruit, coffee, and patience got us through until we finally snagged our rooms. A hot shower and a slice of privacy felt like a small victory. At 1:30 a.m., alarms blared for our rebooked flight, leaving us to rally on fumes and sheer determination. But let’s start from the beginning:

São Paulo and the spirit of SatsConf

This trip marked my first time back in Brazil in five years, and São Paulo felt as lively and intense as ever. There’s a lot to love here—the vibrant city, the warmth of the people—but also a certain roughness that you have to navigate carefully.

I stayed in a quirky house with three roommates, which came with its own charms (and occasional messes). Sure, there was no hot water, minimal water pressure, and the usual wear-and-tear, but I kind of loved it. It reminded me of my London days, chaotic yet charming. Living with three guys was both entertaining and endearing—picture me as the house mom trying to juggle camaraderie and cleanliness. But despite the occasional mess, I felt looked after.

São Paulo itself is sprawling, with security measures everywhere. Waiting behind gates for Ubers and strict entry protocols were the norm. Yet the people made up for any unease. They’re warm, kind, and stunning—inside and out. Despite language barriers, their kindness always shone through. What stood out most was how much Brazilians value self-care. People here genuinely treat their bodies like temples. It’s refreshing and miles apart from the Berlin vibe.

Conference highlights

SatsConf was a highlight of my week. Organized by Lucas and his team, this Bitcoin-only event was intimate, focused, and refreshingly manageable compared to larger, more chaotic conferences.

Held at Audio, a venue off the beaten path, the event showcased many admirable efforts, though some logistics could have been more polished. While the HRF-sponsored kickoff party and two days of engaging panels and relaxed networking created a dynamic atmosphere, not everything felt cautiously planned. When rain flooded parts of the conference, the team impressively adapted by relocating our booth to a prime spot with natural light—a quick and effective solution.

That being said, there were areas for improvement. The food court’s limited offerings of burgers, hot dogs, and pizza fell short of expectations, and the intense blue lighting in the halls was less than inviting (blue light glasses, anyone?). A proper coffee bike and healthier food options would have elevated the experience significantly. On the bright side, our neighboring booth came to the rescue with a coffee machine where I could get my daily caffeine fix. Even better, it integrated Lightning payments, turning my coffee run into a fun and practical Bitcoin demo.

NOSTR day

One of the standout features of SatsConf was the NOSTR day event, hosted in a dedicated Bitcoin house on the outskirts of São Paulo. This unique space had it all—areas for brainstorming, networking, and even sleepovers. A hub like this is such a brilliant concept, fostering collaboration in a relaxed and creative environment. Despite many attendees being worn out from the official afterparty, the turnout was incredible, and the enthusiasm for spending an entire morning discussing Nostr was nothing short of amazing.

The conference wrapped up with a day party that was unforgettable—made even more special as Bitcoin hit a new all-time high. It was my first time experiencing something like that, and the energy was electric. The community went wild, dancing and celebrating in pure joy. For me, though, it ended on a quieter note. Overwhelmed, tired, grateful, and utterly exhausted, I opted for a calm dinner and a much-needed catch-up session to reflect on it all.

Exploring São Paulo: a perfect day

My last day in São Paulo was by far the most relaxing one. With no agenda or schedules to follow, I finally had a chance to slow down and catch my breath. The morning started with a refreshing coconut, followed by a gym session, and then a shopping trip with a friend. Shopping in São Paulo is truly an adventure. At one point, I found myself surrounded by five enthusiastic saleswomen, each suggesting outfits—it felt like a mini fashion show! Amid all the fun, we even managed to onboard a few of them onto Nostr, slipping in some Bitcoin basics as we shopped. It was a proud moment for us—people here seem to grasp it so quickly.

The day wrapped up with warm pão de queijo (cheese bread) and a cup of rich Brazilian coffee—a perfect farewell to São Paulo before heading off to El Salvador.

Ready for the final stop: Adopting Bitcoin in El Salvador

As we gear up for the next conference, Adopting Bitcoin, I’m leaving Brazil with renewed appreciation for the Bitcoin community’s resilience and ingenuity. SatsConf captured that spirit perfectly—intimate, innovative, and community-driven, even amidst the rain and occasional hiccups. Now it’s on to El Salvador, where I’m looking forward to more Bitcoin insights, connections, and the next chapter in this adventure.