Going country for Carnaval

Bom Carnaval para todos!!! For Carnaval I decided to take advantage of my assets (primarily my phat Fiat). On friday I went to Lagoa once again and danced around in the Praçinha (little square) with some friends before taking part in the Bloco dos Sujos Carnaval da Rua in the downtown area of Floripa. Many Brasilians hate Carnaval and use their time off to escape the city for natural areas etc.. I followed suit for the remaining days and went with my friends Tatiane and Diego to the smaller interior town of Urubici. I met the Family, did some hiking in Flip-flops (not recommended duh!!) and swam in a nearby River. There were also some nighttime activities (see above). Overall it was pretty tranquil....in the future maybe Ill return to Brasil to get crazy in Rio or Salvador da Bahia for Carnaval as Im wondering if I left to much to be desired this time....(probably..but whatever..Im not much of an enthusiast)

I have recently decided to stay here in Florianópolis to allow more time to enjoy the area and to better research the remainder of my trip, which most likely will end in late June rather than early may as Im kicking ass on my budget (graças à Crise Financeira!!) so why not?
Abraços

+ Momentum

So as Carnaval approaches things are starting to warm up. My classes look to be more enjoyable this week with the appointment of a better instructor and I have recently rented a car (a clue: Fix It Again Thiago!!). The bus system in Florianópolis is extensive but like anywhere else it is a bit inconvenient. During the week I am in class from 9a-Noon and its a bit of a time crunch afterward if Id like to reach some of the outlying areas on the island. I am looking to be more of a tourist in my off time this week and maybe tone down the nightlife. From the pic above you can see Ive had some fun...and theres only more to come during the 4 day bacchanal that is Carnaval!

Yesterday I partied at Jurerê International. Located on the Continental side of the isle, this is the place where the young Brasilian Have`s go to show their stuff. Not too sure what the hell I was doing there but I had fun pretending to dance to all of the loopy trance music blasting out all around. I guess Id consider this a little recompense to missing my chance to get ELITE in Punta a month ago. Its always nice to bug out on a Sunday afternoon

My plans for Carnaval are not set in stone but there are plenty of interesting prospects. Ill keep yall informed as things develop.

Beijão Pessoal!!

FLN Fun

So...its been a quick 2 weeks in Floripa. These times call for a little redirection as I admit Ive been coming up a little short on some fundamental goals and the time sure is flying by! Ive yet to surf and Ive been speaking way too much english. I am somewhat disappointed with my homestay and immersion school set up so that may call for some improv measures as well. At least the nightlife scene this time of year is good. I have frequented the area of Lagoa da Conceição as there are many clubs and bars there. The best night so far was last week on Wednesday when I went to the trendy Conferia das Artes with my roomate Dominique. He is a funny english dude that has been in Floripa for almost 4 months and has helped me meet some other people and showed me around a bit. At Conferia, they run their promotions by handing out VIP invites at all of the local modeling agencies. If you are some bloke off the street (i.e. ME), all you have to do is pay 50 Brasilian Reais (around $20) to enter! Once inside, its a little pertentious but worth doing at least once. (You can even shop for clothes in there if you want!) I indulged in the novelty of spazzdancing to the song American Boy. All of the ladies are very beautiful and stylish and guys have it easy as all you have to wear is a pressed tee shirt and jeans. Simple enough now all I have to do is start asking all these women, Tudo Bem?

My former portuguese instructor is from this city and I was able to get in touch with her nephew. He has a car and thusly, I was able to go to a more local type beach on the far north of the island called Praia Brava. This time of year, many of the beaches are overrun with Argentines coming up on Summer Vacay. You actually hear more of their crazy Spanish accents than Portuguese in many places. Being a foreigner, I am sometimes taken for an Argentine tourist by the locals but apparently the Argentines think Im local as Ive been asked for directions a few times in Spanish (which I could understand!)




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