Floripa has entered 2010 with many celebrations around the island. Beira Mar avenue had the traditional fireworks, and crowds, most of them dressed in traditional white, gathered at the most popular beaches.
I welcomed the New Year at Jurerê beach. The fireworks there were quite impressive and the popular beach clubs Taikô, El Divino beach, P12 and Cafe de La Musique were packed, playing good eletronic music and had among the guests many famous people.
Unfortunately, walking along the beach, I could see bottles, cans and garbage spread all over the sand and also in the sea. Visible drunk people tossed the garbage anywhere without any concern or respect for the beach. The public cleaning started early in the morning but despite the effort it is impossible to collect all trash. The damage on the environment is visible.
I wish for 2010 more concern on the environmental problems we are facing and more action to reduce the impact we are making on earth resources. Everyone hears and see about it but little is done.
I hope for one day to celebrate New Year and see at least the Champagne bottles and beer cans on its right place, the garbage bins.

Santa Catarina state is composed mainly of European descendants and the result is a lively composition of different cultures living within short distances. October is when festivals happen along different cities in the state, keeping the old traditions together and also inviting visitors to participate and learn more about it.
In each festival there are many music and dance events, traditional gastronomy, locals wearing folk dresses and so on.
The list you find bellow ( source Santur ) and the dates you can find in the calendar:

Oktoberfest Itapiranga - Itapiranga - German
Oktoberfest Blumenau - Blumenau - German
Fenarreco - Brusque - German
Marejada - Itajaí - Portuguese
Schützenfest - Jaraguá do Sul - German
Kegelfest - Rio do Sul - German
Festa do Imigrante - Timbó - German
Oberlandfest - Rio Negrinho - German
Tirolerfest - Treze Tílias - Austrian
Fenaostra - Florianópolis - the theme is the oyster
Oktobertanz - São Pedro de Alcântara - German
Bananenfest - Corupá - the theme is the banana
Heimatfest - Forquilhinha - European in general

The Oktoberfest Blumenau is the biggest and most popular one, considered the second to the original one in Germany. A good opportunity to drink lots of good beer - if you really like it - and also see the rich mixture that Brazil is made of and feel how happy they really are.

I could not end this post without mentioning the Rio de Janeiro win to host the 2016 olympic games. Like all Brazilians here and around the world I am very happy and proud. Times have changed and we are not a troubled nation anymore. Our president cried because it was great achievement, certainly an opportunity to call the worlds attention to this part of the Globe.
I have been to Rio and I saw that besides the urban problems, it is a top destination, with a unique beauty that can amaze anyone.

Ironman Brazil 2009 happened this Sunday in Florianópolis gathering 1500 athletes, a record number of participants to previous editions. The race in the city is the only qualifying one in Latin America for the final in Hawaii.
I was again working as support staff in the bike transition area. It was set again in Jurerê Internacional.
There were many people from other countries and I met even Japanese and Korean athletes. The weather on Saturday was rainy and cold when the athletes were checking in their bikes and making final adjustments, however on the race day, the rain stopped and we even had some sunshine.
On the start and along the course there were many spectators seeing the race and also a lot of garbage was produced as the event output. The Ironman race is good for the city but it also bring some questions on environmental responsibility. There is a huge waste of 200ml water cups, that many athletes take to drink less than half and throw it away, power bars and energetic food packages spread all over the place and other special needs left at along the way. Of course there will be a clean up but the wasted water cannot be recovered and not all plastic could be collected.
I believe that the people involved, especially the athletes, should find ways to minimize the impact by creating a social and environmental objective. It is not responsible an organization that contributes with local social projects but in the other hand ignore the damage it is causing to the environment.

Race results
Men’s top 3
* EDUARDO STURLA (ARGENTINA) at 08:13:39
* REINALDO COLUCCI (BRASIL) at 08::28:08
* PETR VABROUSEK ( CZECH REPUBLIC) at 08:37:18

Women’s top 3
* DEDE GRIESBAUER (USA). at 09:10:15
* CHARLOTTE KOLTERS (DENMARK) at 09:18:31
* HEATHER GOLLNICK (USA) at 09:31:42