What do the people carrying metal containers sell on Rio beaches?
On the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, you can see vendors walking across the sand carrying cold mate in large metal galões, the metal canisters used by beach vendors. They move between umbrellas and folding beach chairs, stop beside a customer, and pour mate into a cup from the small spout on the galão.
In 2012, the city of Rio recognized the beach vending of mate, limonada, and biscoito de polvilho as cultural heritage. After handing over the cup, the vendor sets the metal galão upright again and walks between the umbrellas and chairs toward the next customer.