Alegria
--- In the event you encounter a serious
problem, please e-mail Klaus at the address used in your
pre-arrival communication.
--- If the problem is of an immediate nature, also try
calling the numbers given to you in the pre-arrival
communication.
--- When you are calling
Artur (9629-0482), our trusted taxi driver who speaks
fluently English and is very knowledgeable in an around
Abadiania, tell him that you are in Klaus and Gundi’s
“Alegria Apartment and need help”
--- When calling via the Internet (such as
via Skype) be sure to dial the prefix “+55 62” (whereby
+55 is the country code and 62 is the area code) if you are
calling a local number in Abadiania. (Note:
sometimes when calling a local number not starting with "3343,"
it is necessary to dial a "9" after the "62").
--- We have also posted additional numbers of trusted
Abadiania residents in Alegria which you can choose in case of
an emergency.
--- For non-urgent medical and pharmaceutical advice
call the local pharmacy, 3343-2203, and ask for "Waltin" who
is a pharmacist trained in family medicine and is set up to
make doctor's visits.
--- For
more urgent, yet not life threatening medical assistance,
call or email our local manager or "Horacio" to arrange
for "Waltin" to come out for a doctor's visit (R$50-100
fee).
Safety
The Alegria apartment is built on a sloping grade,
and some features in the “Village” complex have more than 4’ (1
m) drop to grade and are not fitted with child safe railings, as
would be required by building codes in the United States.
Children are often very inquisitive and prone to do the
unexpected -- before you even realize it, they might, climb on
or through the railings and be in SERIOUS danger.
PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILDREN UNDER CONSTANT SUPERVISION.
PLEASE BE GENERALLY AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF DECKS HIGH ABOVE
GRADE AND INSUFFICIENTLY SECURED BY CHILD-SAFE RAILINGS.
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH CAN RESULT FROM FALLING OFF A
DECK. THE OWNERS ARE NOT LIABLE OR RESPONSIBLE FOR
YOUR AND YOUR CHILDREN’S SAFETY.
Drinking Water
Even though tap water in Abadiania is
chlorinated/fluoridated and generally safe to drink, we do
supply a 25-liter drinking water bottle and fountain at Alegria,
which we recommend to use for drinking and cooking. Please
let us know when you need a replacement bottle. You can
also purchase it at the grocery store -- they will deliver and
install it, all for about R$8. The bottle being replaced should
be empty at that time.
Most of all, we recommend that you purchase and drink
plenty of blessed water purchased at the Casa de Dom Inacio
-- it is part of your healing experience.
Safe Box
The Alegria apartment is equipped with a modern
hotel room-type safe, large enough to even fit most laptops,
that can be custom programmed by the renter with a 4-digit code
or opened and closed with the renter’s private credit
card. Please lock your valuables in the safe,* rather than
carrying them with you in town; (... and please leave
the safe in the unlocked position when you depart). **
--------------------------
* To lock with any
4-digit code: close door; enter 4-digit code;
press "A" --> door locks
to open: enter your 4-digit code --> door opens
To lock with your
personal credit card: close door; press "B";
slide your card from right to left --> door locks
to open: press "B"; slide your card from right to left
Note: if you enter
the wrong code or card 3 times, the system automatically
blocks everything for 15 minutes.
** Should you find
the safe box locked upon arrival, this would be
accidental. Have the manager open it with a special
key. To neutralize the code left by the previous
renter, do:
-- with the key inserted in unlocked position, press "B"
-- close the door and use the key to lock it.
-- leaving the key inserted into the door, enter 1-2-3-4 to
open the door.
-- retract the key. The safe is now ready to be coded
with your choice 4-digit code.
Theft
As is common at any destination that attracts
foreigners and non-locals, theft can be an issue. What is most
commonly experienced is the 'disappearance ' of bags that were
left unattended, i.e., on a chair, bike basket, counter.
There is no need to be scared -- just be aware of your
possessions around town. Use your safe box to store your
passport, wallet with excess money and ID cards etc., and take
with you only what you need.
Insects
Abadiania, even though located at 4000 ft (1000 m)
elevation, has a tropical climate, and there are occasionally
annoying flying insects that love to get inside the apartment.
Abadiania has a very active mosquito abatement program to assure
safety with regard to outbreak of tropical diseases, and it is
so effective that we know of no such outbreak having occurred
during the ten years of our travels to this area. But
nevertheless, try to keep the screen doors closed at all
times. People who are sensitive to insects that can be
present especially during the wet season may apply an
electrically powered mild fumigator, which is simply plugged
into an electric outlet and will emit a scent that does "nasty
things" to flying insects. These devices can be purchased
at Ribeiro's grocery store at a cost of about R$10 and
will last for several weeks. One is sufficient for the
apartment. We usually keep one handy for our renters‘ use
as a courtesy. Also, we sometimes turn the terrace lights on in
the evening, so insects will be attracted by those lights rather
than congregate in front of the screen doors, ready to come in
when you go out on the terrace ...
Due to the concrete/brick construction of Alegria
and virtually all buildings in Abadiania, there is NO fire
danger in Abadiania, and fire engines are essentially
unknown. In fact, during the dry season (May - September)
locals sometimes ignite deliberate grass/vegetation fires in the
hills and meadows around Abadiania, such as to re-fertilize the
soil. These fires can look spectacular and can really be
extremely scary for the frame of mind of a US American.
They can reach up to the property walls -- but there they will
stop and burn themselves out. If that happens to you,
"enjoy" the experience and know that you are safe ...