Florianopolis Market and Chasing Buses

April 15  Wednesday

The first thing we did this morning was to look out our hotel room window to assess the weather.  It was still overcast, but looked like it might be a better day.  Unfortunately (since it turned out to be the only "nice" day), the plans were to head to the Mercado Publico in the center of the island.

We love breakfasts at hotels in Brazil:  sliced meats and cheese, all kinds of rolls and breads, lots of fresh fruit, granola with yogurt milk, scrambled eggs and sliced sausages, a variety of cakes, amazing fresh juices.  We ate breakfast, enjoyed the sound of the waves and smelled the fresh ocean breeze, and then prepared to catch the bus at 10:00 a.m..  This proved to be a bit of a problem - there were several different bus stop signs for different bus lines around the hotel.  We stood at several of the stops, really not knowing which one to take.  Finally, a desk clerk from the hotel (who must have been watching us) came out to see where we wanted to go and got us to the right place.  We took pictures of beautiful flowers in our wanderings this morning.

We finally caught the 11:00 bus that would take us to the central bus station - right across the street from the big Mercado Publico.  The market is a giant maze of stores and shops along walking streets which reminded us of Rome.  Anything and everything could be found.  My favorite area was the open food market with fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and cheeses, food vendors, and our favorite sugar cane and lime juice stand (from our trip two years ago). 




  First on our shopping list was to find a pair of tennis shoes for Merl.  After our trip home for the funeral, he forgot to pack his shoes and only had his black dress shoes - not good for all the walking we do here. We purchased a few other items in the craft stores, including a requested "Brazil" doll for Myrna.  Then we spent a lot of time chasing around the whole complex looking for an illusive purse store that Ann was looking for.  We had fresh pasteis and another sugar cane lime juice for lunch.

Lace maker at next door shop

My purpose in coming to Florianopolis was ocean time; Ann's purpose was to find a "Renda da Bilro" (bobbin lace maker).  The next hour was spent finding and sometimes chasing down buses to go to the other side of the island to find one. After a steep, windy bus ride down to Lagoa do Concepcao (the bairro of lace makers), we found the shop Ann was looking for.  Unfortunately, the lace maker was not there - she was teaching a class at a local school to other lace makers on how to market their products.  Her husband was manning the shop, and Ann purchased a few items.  Merl and I stopped at the little shop next door and purchased a couple of items that were made by an eight-year old learning the craft.

Across the street from the shops was the lake.  We walked along the edge watching paddle surfers and picked up small sea shells and checking out interesting trees with roots that grow down from the branches.  When they reach the ground, they root and provide truck support for the branches above.

Then it started to rain.  We ran to a covered bus stop for protection and waited until a bus came by to take us back up the hill.  At the bus transfer bus station, I was craving something sweet and bought a huge chocolate  candy filled with a rich cream center and fresh strawberries.  It was exquisite - and juicy.  I was kind enough to share it with Merl. 


We then caught another bus back to the Centro station - and the Mercado Publico again.  We crossed through an organized protest of striking bus drivers.  This strike may have had some effect on our crazy bus rides which took all day long back and forth. 

In the market, we had no luck in finding the illusive purses or bobbin lace patterns.  We did get "ditched" by David and Ann as the stepped into a "sanitario."  Merl and I continued on to the bus station looking for them.  Merl sent back to the market twice looking for them while I waited at the road crossing keeping an eye out for them.  We were reunited and caught the bus back to the hotel.

We were exhausted after a long day of walking and riding and decided to have dinner on the outside patio of the hotel restaurant.  The lighting was dim and romantic - but the waiter noticed were having trouble reading the menus and brought us flashlights - old, tired eyes need more light.  We (both couples) ordered different salmon dinners for two - each cooked in exotic sauces with yummy sides.  A little pricey, but so worth it!  Merl and I even splurged with dessert as we enjoyed the evening sounds of the ocean.

We followed up the evening again with a warm swim in the pool and time in the sauna - we had the whole thing to ourselves!