Sunday. We have been here a week. It is obvious that time will pass very quickly and it will be October before we know it.Florianopolis is still a very beautiful place - although it is no longer the primitive paradise that it was in the 1970s.

There has been massive development and in some areas - principally in Lagoa de Conceicao - where we used to live - and it is a pity that development has not been planned and regulated. There has been too much haphazard building. However, in Jurere - where we now have an apartment - they have been more careful. More of this later.

First impressions are:

• Brazilians always were and still are extremely kind, helpful and friendly.
  
• The beaches are amazing - miles of white sand
  
• Driving is scary
  
• Food is amazingly healthy - fresh fruit and vegetables of every conceivable description in abundance and cheap
  
• Brazilians remain football fanatics. On the night of a match, if the home team scores a goal - there are fireworks in all directions and people out in their cars with their hands on the horn - very noisy!
  
• The bureaucracy has improved. Did not have to spend quite as much time with the police having our fingerprints taken. The police were also more friendly this time.
  
• Renting/buying a car is more expensive than renting an apartment!
  
• Anything imported/technology is expensive
  
• Technology is more advanced than expected. Internet connection is easy. We will have wireless next week. We have spoken to the family through Skype with no problems.

That's it for now.

posted by Jenny Mackness @ 4:03 PM 0 comments