Well after an 12 hour followed by a 7 hour bus ride from Montevideo I made it to Brazil!!! Arrived in Florianopolis at 4 yesterday (having decided not to stay in Porto Alegre) and had booked 1 night in the centre of town in the most depressing hostel yet. I was in a dorm room by myself which for a lone traveller who wants to meet people doesn´t really help all that much!! Went and had a look round town before it got too dark and scary and discovered some nice parts. The portugese army were playing in a big brass band in the main plaza which was very surreal but really good. The centre of Florianopolis is not a bad place but the real action is on the east side of the island with the beaches, which is where I plan to go next if I can find a better hostel! My portugese vocab has now reached about 5 or 6 words so it is slowly improving! Will write more when I have found somewhere nicer to stay xx