So Floripa….It reminds me alot of Mombasa mixed with a bit of Australia. Mdafu (coconut water), beautiful people, surfers everywhere EVERYWHERE and amazing music. It’s a girls heaven because all surfers in brazil both gringos and locals come to floripa to catch the waves at one of the 42 ( yes 42) beaches they have.

 

When they say the world is small, it really is. It’s my first day in florianopolis and I’ve been given a little tour on where everything is. As I go up the stairs towards the food section (I had been travelling for so long on a hungry stomach) I see a familiar face sleeping in the hammock. It happens to be one of my friends from Rio! It was brilliant. It’s was a pitty that he was only there for one night but it was great to see him. He gave me so many tips on what to do, where to go and also introduced me to the friends that he had already made their (who one happened to be an awesome Norwegian girl – Katelin). That evening we all went up to the bar for caipirinhas and dance a bit of samba. I got lessons from a gay couple who could samba their socks off!!!!…. Ah she is already a brazileria!!! I love it!!!! 

The people.

As usual I met such interesting people who I learnt so much from. The important lesson learnt was, ‘If you can’t explain anything, the answer is the moon, it’s the moon and the beauty of the moon and just look at the moon’ boy was that person right, the moon did solve alot of unanswered questions. Starring at the moon and listening to the waves crash was pure bliss. I spent lot of my time in Floripa doing this. Barra da Lagoa is going to hold such a special place in my heart. Do you ever get those moments where when people tell you stuff and you just listen, you felt it but you don’t read into it? and more people tell you the same exact stuff and again your listening and then ONE person tells you the same thing and the lightbulb goes on and it actually makes sense. You completely get it and it feels good to understand it feels good that that person understands you or said something that you can totally relate to. For instance, the song ‘Somebody I used to know’ played. (Don’t judge haha just read) iv heard that song a million times and when it was playing that night in florianopolis, someone said, have you ever fallen in love or lost someone close to you or had a childhood friend that you were super close to, that you don’t speak to anymore? That was someone that you USED to know. You spent years with them and now you just don’t know them… Someone you used to know. It made complete sense at the time it still does. I’m not sure if it has the same impact, probably not, but i had so many moments like that. I’m telling you, it’s the moon that made it make sense.

The power of kindness goes along way.  Be kind be good be childish and don’t grow up. I know iv blogged about the people that iv met before, but honestly, floripa has beautiful people with beautiful personalities to match them and they were so much fun to hang out with, smart, deep, funny, and honest.

A bit on the island. It is huuuggeeeeee. I only had the chance to explore the east but I managed to cover natural pools, 4 beaches and a few really good nights out. Sand boarding was on the agenda before I got there and boy that killed us. I got tired of attempting to sand board whilst standing so I tried sitting, sleeping and rolling, so much more fun!!!! I think I ate a handful of sand by the time I was done but it was so worth it!!! I also noticed how clumsy I was as everyday I had either fallen, slipped, bumped my head into a pole or scraped my knees.. It was entertaining for my friends especially when I slipped on some Algae in the natural pools.

It was the perfect way to end my trip in Brazil. Taking it mellow, soaking up the sun, experiencing the now and understanding gratitude better. I am going to miss it completely but I know I will be back and I have seen so much, done so much and learnt so much from the people and the country.

I have packed my havaiannas  and traded them for a pair of Sneakers as Buenos aires has so much to offer in terms of sightseeing, dancing, walking around and exploring the Europe of Sul America.

 

Have a good day