Fruit

The fruit here is so good and so cheap! I had a mango today and it was the best I have every had!

I also saw at the market the other day they have concord grapes here too! Those are about R5.50 per kilo, which is $2.75. So far the food is awesome! There are also restaurants called Kilo restaurants where it's buffet style and you pay for the weight of your food. They are all great (same buffet basically as Rei Di Gado but better) but they can get pricy eating out every day.

Lagoa

First trip to Lagoa!

Yesterday 8 girls from ISA and I went to the apartments in Lagoa on the bus and it was thundering and lightening like crazy! It was awesome the island looks so beautiful when it rains. We were able to see more of the island on the bus ride and also see the lagoon. The apartments are very nice, large, and it a cool spot. They are located near all the bars and beach clubs where people hang out during hot sunny days, unfortunately when we went it was poring rain so all the shops were closed up. It was still a blast there were about 20 people from our ISA group there so we walked around the lagoon and explored. The shops and restaurants there are VERY expensive though, that is a "ritzy" area so everything costs a great deal more, almost double, and all the restaurants are like $20-40 plates! So we ate home made sandwiches from the apartment for dinner :) 

Here is some of the ISA crew.

I can't wait to go back, Jessica and I are getting bus passes on Thursday so we can go to the apartments all the time and also to all the beaches after class and on days we don't have any classes! I am so excited to see more of Florianpolis and meet some locals. Even though we were in a really local spot yesterday we still didn't meet any locals (which I am really excited to meet to learn more about the culture and Brazilian way of life and most importantly practice my Portuguese!) because it was poring rain. But we have only been here for 3 days so I am not in any rush :) just enjoying myself. 

Home Stay

Rua Victor Konder 54 Apartamento, Centro, Santa Catarina Brazil.

I have been staying with my host family for two days now and I love it! My Roommate Jessica and I are having a blast! Out host dad's name is Andrey, he is a local tour guide and out host mom Clausia works at the local Honda dealership. Claudia and her mom make these little cloth dolls (aunt nikki you should try and make them! I am bringing some home for the girls :) )

This is what our room looks like

Local market with all fresh fruits and vegetables ! yummy!

These are all located right near the university and where we live :)

16 days until I leave!

So the day is approaching fast! I feel like every time I turn around another day slips by. I am a crazy combination of nervous, anxious and thrilled. My last day at the Andaz is Feb.13, then I have about a week to prepare for my departure. I have already started to make my packing list (which looks ridiculously long right now) so I will have to do some trimming when I start to actually pack. I just want to make sure I don't forget anything crucial! I am just waiting on my Visa right now (what a night mare that was to get, but that's a whole different story) which I can pick up in two days! Then all I have left to do is exchange about $150 to Brazilian currency to carry with me there in case I need to purchase something. Plus misc things like get my suit case from my moms, tell my bank I am leaving the country, file my FAFSA with my sister before I leave, etc. But for the most part all the big stuff is done!

It still doesn't really feel real. Izzy and Soph keep telling me they are going to miss me <3 which makes it feel more real, but other than that I don't really feel like I am leaving. It will be a huge shock when I get on the plane I think. But I am very very excited to push my comfort zone and see and meet new places and people!!