Fast times and Dog sitting in Floripa

You may have noticed a downward trend in my blog frequency over the past....well really since I began this thing!! Apologies, but honestly I was actually hoping not to spend too much time in front of the computer screen. Anyhoo...I'm still in Florianopolis. Obviously I'm finding it hard to leave the city with one of the highest quality of life ratings in Latin America...and I've met some really great people (& Pugs) here!

The #1 highlight since my last entry was my day trip to the Island of Campeche (see my Facebook). The entire island is a national reserve and is considered unique as it was the sole offshore isle that supported a prehistoric population. I would have been interested in seeing some of the ancient inscriptions but my friends Minda & Deborah were a bit distracted by the white, sandy, and squeeky clean beach on which we arrived. We had missed the earlier boat due to some bad information from the ticket sellers (typical) so it was probably for the best that we stay there and take a dip in the crystalline, natural bath water (located opposite the open sea of course). I swear I had dreamt about this type of experience in my drawn out anticipation of this trip!

I'll really have to make some more memories here quick as the time continues to fly by..and it turns out I have less of it than I thought! Originally, my intent was to spend 130 days abroad. The maximum amount that a foriegner may spend within the Federal Republic of Brasil (in a 365 day period) is 180 days. Early on in my trip I realized that my budget was substantial enough to support an itinerary of the maximum time limit. What I didn't anticipate was some jerkoff border agent arbitrarily shortening my length of stay!!

Apparently, when I submitted my entry documentation upon re-entry into Brasil @ Iguaçu (2 months ago) someone with bad handwriting made a 9 look too much like a 4. If this seems confusing...well....thats Brasil for you! Anyway doing the math...180 days after my original entry on 12/27/08 would give me until around 06/25/09 to stay (+/-). Due to the 'whatever the hell went down" during my re-entry, I have recently been informed by the Brasilian Federales that I must leave on or before the 2nd of June. 3 weeks difference may not seem like a lot of time at first...but when you're moving at a snails pace...sipping caipirinhas and subsequently drunk dancing samba along the way (rsrsrs)...that end date is going to sneak up before you know it. I am pretty sure I am going to the next point on the map (Curitiba) at the end of next week....but I have been saying that for the past month so we'll see.

One element that made time fly was a wonderful 10 day stretch with my 'querida' Deborah, while she dog sat for her friend. It sucks that (apparently) we're just friends. At least I can practice the P-geese?

Before I get out of here I would like to hit up one good trail to a secluded beach in the south of the Island. I am giving up on the surfing thing btw...I am not committed enough to be able to catch a wave and ride for more than 5 seconds...and I broke a board too! So yeah...big dreams die hard...

Boas Ondas Duuuuuude

Endless summer

Hey its been a minute. Apologies for the long interval. I´ve become quite accustomed to Florianópolis and at the same time I am somewhat wary of the travel routine which awaits me in about 10 days. Before then, I have to apply for my Visa extension with the Federal Police. Doing this here in Florianópolis is ideal as the city is much smaller than other Brasilian state capitals such as São Paulo or Rio, and thusly shouldn´t be as much of a hassle (plus I´m still whippin´the Fiat for Xtra convenience). I´m also taking the time to really buckle down on the P-guese. Taking private classes for 3 hours every weekday has worked wonders for my conversation skills but it is difficult for me to retain all of the new information which is constantly coming in! I also recently had the school move me to a much better homestay setting. The place I was at originally was owned by a single mom who lived alone. She had me stay in her teenage daughter´s room while the she was doing a student exchange in Santa Barbara (uh..). I had trouble sleeping due to the humidity and the threat of being eaten alive by mosquitos (her house was near a small stream which intensified the pest situation). The tipping point for me was that my Brasilian Mom was also having a casual fling w/ the owner of my language school. So he was always around....this seemed kind of like a conflict of interests to me...and I got sick of seeing him everywhere.

A typical element to any self respecting middle class Brasilian neighboorhood is: GAURD DOGS Almost everyone has one. This made for interestning walks to school as many of them would lye in wait and try to surprise me by scrambling up to the gate and snarling. Also when one starts barking at night...of course the whole lot gets going...to the point where they dont know what they are barking at anymore (15mins in)...except at eachother I guess and possibly with the motive of keeping everyone awake. In the mornings during the work week one is serendaded by the ambient synthesized horn music played by....the GAS MAN TRUCK. Many Brasilian homes still rely on external gas supply for their ovens etc.. so every once in awhile..when you are awoken by the soothing sounds of what seems like a Brian Eno song...and you need some Petroleum...you´d better get your ass out of bed right quick before they drive away!

I dont mean to be too critical..these are just some unique observations about the neighboorhood and as I said where I live now is a lot better. They have a pool even! I guess its a matter of taking the good with the not so good..

After over 2 months away I notice that Im a bit more relaxed and I hope to gain a greater perspective before I return to the US. It seems that its still winter in the 206?!..man am I glad to have gotten the hell out of there! My current plan has me working my way north to the ultra-megapolis of São Paulo (by way of the modern Curitiba) before flying to the Northeast region (most likely beginning in Recife). I eventually have to work my way south again to Rio before I fly home....when that is Im not sure exactly...sometime in June most likely...just enough time to broaden horizons that much more!

Tchauzers
Mike