Am in small village called Barra da Lagoa, which is considered part of Florianopolis, I believe. Island called Ilha de Santa Catarina. Affectionately known as Floripo. Beaches, etc. Got off the bus after about 24 hours of travelling, and took advice/suggestion of first hawker/tout. Helped that he offered a car ride to Barra, when otherwise I would have had to walk to a different bus station in Floripo proper, caught a bus to one town, then caught another to Barra. But – he offered me R$35 per night for 3 nights. Was planning on only staying 2, but too tired to argue. We get there – and my room is actually a fully self-contained apartment. Sweet. Fridge, stove/oven, everything. $R10 for the petrol (pretty happy when he asked me for that. I was thinking for a while that he’d assumed I’d paid for it at the station, while I assumed he had – and that there would be a situation with the policia. In which I’m pretty sure the tourist would come off the worst.)
Anyway – Barra da Lagoa. On a 14km long beach. Walked nearly halfway down it yesterday, and went for swim. Was planning on attempting the whole length today – but stopped for fuel beforehand (X-Salada – salad sandwich which included peas & corn, and cerveja of course), and decided it was far too cold/windy to do such a thing. Instead, returned to my apartment, slung the hammock on my verandah, and listened to music, drank cerveja, and read sarky old Saki.
But, it’s definitely time to leave. Guy on beach for sunset today told me there’s a five-day storm forecast. And the bar owner has started giving me free fish. Also started being invited by locals to go for more drinks at their houses/shops. One-eyed man wanted me to go with him to his house, or friends house, for beers and cigarettes. Another chap signalled to me with the ‘watch him’ symbol. When I got the chance, I went to chat to my guardian instead – and when I told him my favourite brasilian beer (not sold at bar) – he suggested going to his shop in town, as he had a stock. But, I was already quite drunk, and had a whiskey before calling it a night.
Tomorrow – either catch a bus all the way to Montevideo (Uruguay), which would be 22 hours; or try to find a semi-interesting point midway to break up the journey. Wouldn’t mind staying in the border town, although it sounds like it’s got nothing going for it – other than the main street being the border.
And regarding Tiny Dancers – they should not only be put on a pedestal… they should be put on a rotating pedestal accompanied by sweet music. Maybe in one’s closet, so that when one opens the door, they spring into action. Jewellery-box like, you see?