Monday, March 02, 2009
Rain!
Carnaval was WET! It rained in Fortaleza, and up and down the whole coast, for two days straight! The first and last day were reasonably sunny but the rest...ugh! Not a pretty picture.
Needless to say we are in the midst of the rainy season, which generally begins in January and lasts until late May or June, although these parameters can vary.
Here I am sitting at the beach bar right in front of the condo development where we stayed with friends of Thieny's, Mike and Regine.
The rental situation here continues to be pretty tight as far as I can determine so anyone who wishes to find some space in the good areas had better think about making arrangements early. As you know, Fortaleza Adventure was set up to help with these arrangements, in particular for people making their first visit to our city.
One thing I noticed recently has actually happened over time but is still interesting for visitors. When I arrived five years ago, it was difficult, if not impossible to use an international credit card at, for instance, some of the bigger stores in Centro.
Over the Carnaval period, I used my international debit/credit card at a small supermarket in a beach community near Cumbuco called Tabuba, and it works in almost any location now. This makes it much easier to go places and not take a lot of cash.
Many places also have the wireless appliances which are used to swipe the card, particularly gas stations and restaurants.
I don't necessarily recommend using your credit or debit card just anywhere. I have had my card "cloned" more than once, so best to use an actual bank ATM (I use one of the two "international" terminals at the main Banco do Brasil branch in Aldeoda) in their lobby or if you do use a card at a gas station or restaurant, that you get to know the place first.
More later...
Needless to say we are in the midst of the rainy season, which generally begins in January and lasts until late May or June, although these parameters can vary.
Here I am sitting at the beach bar right in front of the condo development where we stayed with friends of Thieny's, Mike and Regine.
The rental situation here continues to be pretty tight as far as I can determine so anyone who wishes to find some space in the good areas had better think about making arrangements early. As you know, Fortaleza Adventure was set up to help with these arrangements, in particular for people making their first visit to our city.
One thing I noticed recently has actually happened over time but is still interesting for visitors. When I arrived five years ago, it was difficult, if not impossible to use an international credit card at, for instance, some of the bigger stores in Centro.
Over the Carnaval period, I used my international debit/credit card at a small supermarket in a beach community near Cumbuco called Tabuba, and it works in almost any location now. This makes it much easier to go places and not take a lot of cash.
Many places also have the wireless appliances which are used to swipe the card, particularly gas stations and restaurants.
I don't necessarily recommend using your credit or debit card just anywhere. I have had my card "cloned" more than once, so best to use an actual bank ATM (I use one of the two "international" terminals at the main Banco do Brasil branch in Aldeoda) in their lobby or if you do use a card at a gas station or restaurant, that you get to know the place first.
More later...
