Lingerie capital of the WORLD!

When you drive the last steep hill before getting to the summit on the road to Friburgo, you will start to see huge billboards taunting lingerie and other unmentionables. It is useful to know that Friburgo is considered the lingerie capital – OF THE WORLD!   WHOOA!!

This area of Brazil is a vast reserve of forests, with mountain streams and waterfalls, hiking trails and fishing; many natural wonders and breathtaking vistas, but it is known for its lingerie factory outlet stores.

Tour busses full of anxious women arrive almost every weekday. These women rush from store to store along the kilometer of shopping, (next to the bus station) trying to find the perfect bra, the laciest camisole or the most fluid pajamas and, of course, at the cheapest price.   A couple of times when entering the bus to Rio, we have had women take our bus with black trash bags full of goodies that are destined for the expensive stores in Rio. Two times I have taken friends visiting from Rio to see the merchandise – never again. I prefer to drop them off and go to the bar for a beer or two with the husbands.

      

Every week another little galleria opens along the road between Mury and the central area of Friburgo.   Just about as often there is another store that closes.   I have yet to figure out what the store hours are.   It is usual in the States for the best shopping days to be Saturday, Sunday afternoon and on holidays (when women are off work).  Here these stores seem to be closed most of all the weekend and definitely all the holidays. When do they sell their goods?   Maybe it is on Wednesday and Thursday only – I don’t pay enough attention.   And if these are factory outlets stores, where are the factories?   If you want to come up to Friburgo to buy bargain priced underwear – see if you can verify that the stores are open that day – if they are and you have a lot of energy you will definitely find just the right pair for the right outfit.