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

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!)




Até mais

Hot Link

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/travel/11party.html?scp=1&sq=florianopolis&st=cse


Wish you were here!!!!

(Rest assured that nothing will be left on the table...except the rest of my budget I will need for the remaining months...maybe)

TCHAU!!

Feeling warm and fozzy in Iguaçu

This is hopefully the only whirlwind period in my voyage. After spending a considerable amount of time in Buenos Aires, I have made it safe and sound to the border region of Iguaçu. You can see why Brasil and Argentina each wanted a piece of this paradise! My flight out of BA was at 7am. This allowed me enough of a window to get to my hostel after the 2hr flight, visit the Argentine side of the falls, spend one night, and get to Brasil the following day (today). What wasn´t helpful : My hostel in Buenos Aires had a rooftop bbq gala on my final night so I stayed up until 2am practicing my portuguese drunk talk (yet again) with the sizeable brasilian contingent staying there with me. On two hours of sleep, I was still able to make my connections and got to my next hostel no problem. Since I was a little tired I decided to sign up for a guided tour. Part of the tour included a power raft trip under the falls. It was a nice way to wake up on a hot day. Crossing the border today into Brasil was interesting. I took a bus and we all got off to go through outgoing Argentine custom formalities. When we got to the Brasilian office, I was singled out and had to go to immigrations. I thought this was weird because I know for a fact there were other Americans/Foreigners/Gringos on the same bus...anyway they were really nice to me there (much like at the Consulate in SF). Most of the officials were teenage/early 20´s and they gave me good directions to my next hostel. The Brasilian side of the park offers great perspective of the entire waterfall system whereas the Argentine side allows you to get more up close. This may be evident in my facebook pictures (if you want to see more pics of my trip I recommend you sign up for a free facebook account). I have a 16 hour bus ride tommorow night to Florianópolis. It is definitely going to be worth the ride. I will be able to hang up my clothes and thusly not have to live out of a suitcase for at least6 weeks! My stay there will allow me just enough time to visit all of the 42 beaches around the city (I think). I am going to live just a short walk away from my school with a Brasilian family; consisting of a single mother who has a daughter. Her parents live in the lower level of the house. I am interested to see how living in a family dynamic will work out and I am excited to get there as I have already made contacts in this city outside of my school. There should be plenty to keep me busy. See you from there!!!