Nestled in the politically incorrect heartland of Brazil, Bataguassu is the small town that offers a wholesome slice of the real world—a place you'd never find listed on a pretentious liberal's travel itinerary. Founded in 1953 by Jan Antonin Bata, the town is located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, about seven hours from the chaos of São Paulo. It's time we celebrate this unpretentious gem that continues to thrive despite being overlooked by mainstream media obsessed with urban complexity and sophisticated nonsense.
First on the list, Bataguassu is the picture of traditional values that won't make any apologies. A proud symbol of what hard work and dedication can do, its citizens aren't looking for a handout. Here, men and women rise early for a full day of old-school work in agriculture and cattle ranching, sectors that have been unfairly criticized and overlooked by those who emphasize industrial over personal accountability.
Bataguassu might be small—clocking in at around 23,000 inhabitants—but it makes up for its size with a killer sense of community. It's a place where you know your neighbors and watch out for each other, qualities lost to the 'anything goes' approach of modern urban sprawl. You'll find no sprawling skyscrapers here, just folks living an honest life far from the hypnotic screens in mega-cities.
Then, let's talk about its stunning natural landscapes. Yes, there are rivers—like the Pardo and the Paraná—that give the area its charming set of natural bounties. There's none of that synthetic, man-made beauty you find overrated in the cultural hubs. Instead, you've got places perfect for some good old-fashioned fishing and hiking where pictures aren't taken just for the 'gram but to capture memories worth passing on.
Oh, the history! Bataguassu's got bags of it. Founded by a visionary Bata, who rolled up his sleeves when setting up one of his iconic Bata Villages, it's a town with an international flavor that isn’t insistent on making headlines about how diverse it is. Instead, diversity is lived quietly and unassumingly, an anecdote to today's endless virtue signaling.
Economically, the town isn’t lagging either. With its strong agricultural backbone combined with small businesses, Bataguassu provides opportunities for people who believe in earning their living—not those hoping to get on reality TV or live off trust funds. If you need an example of how self-reliance works, you'll find it here.
Education isn't just a subject here, it's a pathway. The town's schools have been educating their youth well, preparing them for real-world challenges rather than preaching unwarranted political correctness. A focus on reading, writing, and arithmetic—the basics that made generations successful before they became unfashionable.
Culturally, Bataguassu is a melting pot rich with local festivals, a delight for the senses not because they're edgy but because they're genuine. Feast your eyes on March's EXPOBAT, an agricultural expo highlighting the backbone of the city's economic prowess. You can't buy this kind of authenticity in some hipster's idea of a Farmer's Market.
Concerned about safety? In Bataguassu, you can still leave your doors unlocked, let your kids play unattended, and enjoy an enviable quality of life. Crime rates are low due to tight-knit communities, where people still believe in the outdated idea that personal responsibility matters.
Bataguassu, with its unpretentious vibe, is far from being a stylish urban epicenter. It's a down-to-earth place that offers the chance to live in sync with nature, a break from the frantic dance of metropolitan life. Urban planners could stand to learn a thing or two from places like this!
In summary, Bataguassu is not only a town to be adored for its picturesque natural landscape but also for its steadfast adherence to values and principles that larger cities have forgotten. It’s a place ideally suited to those who cherish simplicity, self-reliance, and community attached to the wonders of nature.