This weekend an extratropical cyclone hit South Brazil. Strong rainfall and winds (over 100km/h) struck Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina States causing a lot of damage, leaving thousands without eletricity and killing 2 people.
Autumn is when this type of weather event is likely to happen. On the 28th March 2004, the Cyclone Catarina hit the region causing widespread destruction and killing at least 3 people. Many believe it to be the first hurricane ever recorded in that region of the world.
What seems noticeable is that stronger weather events are getting frequent here. Two months ago a waterspout appeared in Florianópolis and a Tornado has been recorded in the city of Tubarão, south of the state. Perhaps global warming is starting to affect even regions considerably free of natural disasters.
James Lovelock has said in a recent interview that it is too late to reverse the impact of Global Warming. We are already experiencing the side effects and the situation will be even worse before the first half of this century. There are too many people in the world now demanding food, fuel, as well as other resources, and mankind is breaking the earth natural regulating temperature system.
I strongly believe on mr Lovelock “Gaia theory” and am I fraid to say that, somehow I agree with his forecast.

The Priest Adelir de Carli has taken National and International attention after disappearing somewhere in the coast off Santa Catarina State.
In an attempt to break the world record flying helium balloons (19 hours is the current record), he launched on the 20th April from the city of Paranaguá with plans to cross country to Mato Grosso do Sul state. Due to bad weather conditions he was taken by strong winds and carried to the ocean, where he made the last contact on the radio.
Rescue teams have been working full time last week to find out where he could have landed but so far only rests of ballons have been found on the sea as far as North coast of Florianopolis. Hopes of finding him alive are dimming.

I am writing this post to honor a man of faith and courage, but also to question why he ignored the most basic factor of flying safety: the weather. According to witness, the conditions weren’t good ( it was raining ) and many advised him to cancel the attempt. I know myself the risks of facing bad weather conditions and I have heard about many fatal accidents.

We don’t hear everyday about a priest taking adventure sports, so everyone is wondering why he made such a crazy decision. Despite all that, he made the challenge for a good cause (the truck drivers community) and maybe he accomplished his mission on earth. I pray for survival and thank for all the goodness he has done before God took him up in the sky.

Hopes for ballooning priest fade
NEWS.com.au - Australia

Balloons found but no sign of missing Rev Adelir Antonio de Carli
Mirror.co.uk - London,UK

Search continues for Brazilian priest strapped to helium balloons
NZ Catholic - Auckland,New Zealand

Little hope for balloon-flying priest gone missing in Brazil
Earthtimes - London,UK

Jurerê is one of the most prestigious suburbs in Florianópolis. Situated in the North of the island, it is divided in Jurerê Tradicional and Jurerê International, being the latter a luxury area filled with expensive houses, mansions, and sometimes a ferrari parked on the streets. I often pass over the streets of Jurerê and feel impressed by some nice constructions and safe atmosphere it has. Last year, the celebrity Paris Hilton had plans to stay during New Years in one of the expensive mansions in Jurerê. The plans have failed or it was just a well planned gossip.
Over the last years, there has been a real state boom in the area due to strong speculation. Nowadays to buy a house there you need to spend a lot of money (probably over R$500.000 ) to buy a good but modest house.
Jurerê has a popular beach during summer and good infrastructure, with restaurants, cafes, drugstores, supermarkets and a shopping mall. Tourists might find plenty of accommodation options, but during Ironman race contest in May, it might be a difficult task.
If you are in Floripa, it is an interesting idea to visit Jurerê at least once. Just try to imagine you are in a local Beverly Hills.

The main street is Avenida dos Búzios.

I live where some people take vacation. Floripa is a dream for many Brazilians for its imenselly beautiful landscape, punctured by lagoons, skirted by surf beaches and swaddled in swamps and dunes, not to forget the nice people and dynamic nightlife. Not surprisingly, it has been recognised as one of the best tourist destinations in Brazil. It is modernizing fast, attracting investiments and also more residents.
Living here has its price. Floripa is an expensive city for Brazil standards and the average salary is lower if compared to other capitals like São Paulo and Rio. Many people arrive here with high hopes but many return after facing hardship. Keeping a life style like one used to have in a big city is not easy. Another common complain is that it lacks a vibrant cultural scene like other capitals do have.
I am not sure what exactly brought me here but I am happy of my decision. Floripa has a good combination of a seaside resort and city life. Some of the best things in life are free, and here you don’t have to look for very hard to find them.

Centro sul is the biggest convention center in Florianópolis and it holds important events like fairs, parties, conventions, counting with 15.000m² and good infraestructure right in the city centre.

This week there was a good fair ( Feincartes ) an expositon of national and international artcrafts so I took a chance to visit the fair and buy some interesting stuff. It was crowded but I have enjoyed it as there were stands from countries like India, Egypt, Marrocos, Russian and many others. National artists from other states were also present with great pieces of decoration art.

Business tourism is growing in Florianópolis and the convention center is part of the plan to make the city a major event capital and also to bring more visitors during low season because during summer there are too many already.