After almost six months straight of visitors, it's hard to believe that I'm on the final stretch and I will be going back to "normal" life very soon. You have to understand that it's hard to continue doing your day to day routine with a friend (or friends for that matter) in town. You basically throw your routine out the window. You might be able to squeeze in a few errands here and there but essentially you're doing just enough to get by so that your life doesn't fall completely apart. And sleep? Well, that's not really an option. Tuesday night and you want to be mellow? Forget about it. We're going out! Sunday night, movie night? Yeah right! El Divino here we come! I used to live in a city (San Francisco) where I used to have a lot of visitors, but it's so much different here. What I realized several months ago is that people coming down to Brazil are coming here completely blind, and when you throw in the language barrier, you realize just how much guidance guests need. It's a 24-hour job with no breaks. But the thing is is that I want my friends and family that come here to like Floripa as much as I do. A lot of people, especially my family, must have wondered what kind of place would have made me make such a leap of faith. Therefore, it's very important for me to "show off" Floripa as much as I can when I am lucky enough to have my family and friends down here. Now if only I could find a way to get paid for this.....
I never had a chance to write about it after he left, but I think it's safe to say that my Dad REALLY enjoyed Floripa. I can't say that I was worried that my Dad wouldn't like it, but of course you never know. The one thing I was a little concerned about is that Floripa, like the rest of Brazil, runs on a different time schedule, if you will, than we are accostumed to in the United States. My Dad is one of those people that really engages in that promptness. However, my Dad couldn't have been cooler during his time here. He went with the flow in a big way, and we ended up having a great time. There was lots of tennis, lots of beach time, and of course a few parties. I think what my Dad appreciated most about this area is how green, lush, and protected the environment is. My house is literally surrounded by a lush forest, and my Dad loved that. We ended his trip here with an unbelievable night at P12. It was a proper send off, and I think he left here with all smiles. Actually, I take that back. He definitely left here all smiles. Just look at the pictures!
Last week one of my closest friends was in town. It was really great having him in town. It goes without saying that the hardest thing about living down here is being so far away from family and friends. And no matter how many great new friends I have made here, it's impossible to replicate those friendships that have been created over many, many years (and even decades at this point). As usual, we had a great time. We are definitely in the "off-season" of Floripa by now, but my buddy is married with a kid on the way so it was a good combination. Summer time in Floripa might be a little bit of an overload for a married guy, and God knows I don't want to be responsible for that!!!!
As my final days of visitors comes to an end, I look back at the last six months with many incredible memories that were only made better because I shared these moments with the people that I love. It's been one hell of a stretch, and honestly I can't believe that I survived with minimal wreckage (although I'm sure my liver would completely disagree). Floripa has been my Little Big Horn and the parties have been my Sitting Bull. But now it's time to get back to focusing on my life and my work and the new things that are hopefully on the horizon. But for those that know me, you understand that I couldn't go out quietly. Therefore, I will be hosting one more house party tonight. If you're going to go out, you HAVE to go out with a bang! Truer words were never spoken.....
