After we opened stockings, we loaded up the car and headed toward the coast for vacation, stopping in Lajes for the night. We decided to cut the 11-hour trip in two. We walked around Lajes in the evening, but the church was really the only pretty sight in the area. We agreed that the churches here in Brazil are some of the most beautiful buildings we've seen.
The drive to Florianopolis was beautiful. The roads were lined with giant blue and pink hydrandeas and I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures! We found a gas station that had blueberries in the refridgerator next to the water. I bought three packages! Vendors lined the highway selling peaches and plums. We vowed to return to those vendors on our return trip. We also saw onion and potato farms. Massive amounts of potatoes were being pulled up and packaged in giant sacks. On another day, I would have loved to have stopped for a few hours to watch the process.
There were a few other sights that caught our attention. First, the giant cuia and bombilla, or gourd and straw. Every single day, the Brazilians in our state sit with their cuias and drink a type of hot, caffeinated tea. It's an obsession here. Apparently, it's also good advertising!
Speaking of advertisting. . .
After showing this picture to Kevin's boss, I asked him why a motel would have such a suggestive name. He and his wife informed us that motels (with an "m") here are not for sleeping in. The rooms have hourly rates. In other words, get in and get out, if you get the point. I had no idea!! If we ever get into a bind, now I'll know not to go looking for a Motel 6. (I'll bet they'd leave the light on!)
