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.

Today summer started on southern hemisphere and all people went to the beaches to enjoy the first day of the hot season. The temperature reached 33°C/91°F, the sun was shinning bright, the wind was light and the sky was blue with very few clouds on sight. A perfect summer day.
To make it even better the flying conditions were great. I was in Brava beach with my paraglider just waiting for an opportunity to go soaring the local ridge. I waited till mid afternoon to hike up the hill as the air would be more smooth to fly compared to midday. In the meantime I would swimn in the ocean and sip a cold beer to celebrate the first summer day.
My guess was right and I had a wonderful flight at 4 o’clock, enjoying the refreshing breeze and the magic view from above.
Later on, back home, I read that Canasvieiras beach had a large oil spill and lots of garbage landing on the beach this Sunday. Very sad, but the same garbage they threw away, will get back with more and more.