Florianopolis commerce can start to commemorate the good results of this summer season. It is evident the large number of tourists that invaded the island since beginning of January, filling hotels, pousadas, restaurants, bars, night clubs, shopping centers and supermarkets, especially our neighbors Argentineans. Spanish is certainly the second language of summer.
I went to Brava beach for a beach day and was surprised by the crowd. Space was short like I have seen few times. The weather was ok, partly cloud with few sun appearances.
Lots of tourists might benefit the city’s economy but there is an impact on environment. Garbage is largely produced and left in the streets, beaches, ocean and lagoons. Unfortunately many people simply don’t care about it and leave behind all trash. They use our local resource and go home, where they probably would never do it. In the other hand, the city administration should provide more garbage bins on the beaches and educate tourists to leave it clean, for residents and for a next visit.
FloripaTem, a good summer event promoted by RBS, has led people today to participate of a beach clean up and also a group of divers has cleaned the bottom of Conceição Lagoon. A good initiative that reduces impact on nature and make people aware of bad habits.
People who live here know that is important that tourists keep coming because that would move the economy and would make the city more lively. However it is important that residents and visitors keep in mind that our planet is suffering and we all must work together to reduce as much garbage as possible.

I love bikes. I have done long bike trips and it is a fantastic experience to travel with it. The benefits are widely known but I don’t see it popular here in Floripa, beside few cyclists training. What disappoints me is the lack of bicycle lanes, what makes the cyclists life a lot more dangerous. Instead, public administration focus on better roads for cars.
I can see so many oportunities on giving incentives for cyclists that would improve quality of life, health and make less pollution. It is a shame that accidents involving drivers and bikers do happen and recently the two first ghost bikes were installed in Floripa to remember a tragedy.
In Jurerê international, a nice cycling path has been built and I like to go there with my wife. Although it is short, it is a great leasure area with ponds filled with carps and outdoor exercise facilites. It is a safe place to ride for anyone, including the kids. Leisure areas like this one are not widespread in Floripa and not surprisingly bike culture is not developed.
Instead of riding a bike or walk, many people prefer to drive a car to go just around the block, that could explain obesity as a rising problem. The other day I was running and met a guy driving a car on the beach. When I argued why the idiot was driving there, risking other people, the idiot ( smoking a cigarette ) justified that he had years living on the beach and was right on his behaviour. Hopeless.
The problem is that bikes are somehow associated with transportation for the poor. Many people need to show off, and a car does the job well.
As the traffic in the cities gets worse there might be a chance that more cycle lanes could be on the way. Meanwhile I explore the island with my bike hoping not to get hit by a drunk driver.