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In the São Joaquim National Park, Mr. Hamilton lives at Rancho Pérola, in Bom Jardim da Serra, and shares why he exchanged city life for a life of livestock farming, intense cold, and difficult access.
Mr. Hamilton returned to the mountains and began living isolated at Rancho Pérola, within the São Joaquim National Park, in Bom Jardim da Serra, Santa Catarina, during a visit recorded on video by the channel JJ88, after presenter Jon Morais faced a dirt road that “almost no one can cross.”
In the conversation, he explains what he did, who he is, where he lives, and when he made the decision: after years working in a pharmacy in Florianópolis, he quit his job and returned to the family property, where he has maintained a rural routine for two decades, with little infrastructure and a lot of adaptation.
The road that dictates the rhythm of everything
The journey to the house already sets the tone of the story. Jon Morais describes critical sections and emphasizes that, without experience, many people wouldn’t even attempt to follow.
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Mr. Hamilton confirms that access changes with the weather: if it rains heavily, it may not be possible to arrive or leave, even though it is an intermunicipal road connecting the region of Urubici to Bom Jardim da Serra.
He mentions that he drives a Uno and compensates as best as he can, reducing the gear, carrying weight to “stabilize” the car, and planning each trip to the nearest towns. In his account, São Joaquim appears as one of the support points, but the real distance turns into time due to the terrain.
Who is Mr. Hamilton and why did he “abandon the city”
Mr. Hamilton Vargas was born in the very house where he lives today and spent part of his youth away, studying and then working for years in Florianópolis. He reports that he entered the pharmacy routine, accumulated decades of work, and, at a turning point, asked himself what he was doing there.
The answer became a practical decision: he resigned, and shortly after, he was already moving to the mountains. He summarizes the reason in a phrase that guides the rest of the video: “I got tired of being a slave to a clock” and came to seek quality of life, something he claims to have found in the countryside.
Life without electricity, without a refrigerator, and with improvised solutions
One of the central points of the account is the infrastructure. Seu Hamilton says that the property has never had electricity and that, because it is inside the park, regularization involves bureaucracy and authorizations. He mentions that he has already obtained a release, but reports obstacles due to condominium registration and costs that have stalled progress.
In practice, he lives with the basics: 12V light bulbs, a stationary battery, and an inverter to turn on the television and follow the news. There is no refrigerator, and he explains that this is especially burdensome in the summer when food spoils faster. To store meat, he says he uses a neighbor’s freezer.
Internet also does not enter the routine. He says that there is no connection at home and that contact via messages depends on going to a higher point, where the signal “catches”.
Cold, livestock, and the work that does not show up in the pretty picture
The scenery is impressive, but Seu Hamilton emphasizes that the mountains take their toll. Even in warmer times, he comments that you can feel cold and that in summer, you still sleep with a blanket.
In winter, he reports harsh seasons, with snow and direct impact on the animals. He cites recent losses of cattle after a strong winter and explains that when the pasture disappears, management changes and requires more care.
The routine is demanding and constant: livestock, fences, firewood, small jobs, and “gigs” with neighbors to supplement income. He also describes environmental risks, such as predators that attack the herd, and the need to secure the animals at night.
An old house, family history, and the way of building in the mountains
During the visit, the property becomes almost a living museum. Seu Hamilton says that the house is over 90 years old and was inaugurated with a ball, with a waxed floor and the division of rooms happening later. He talks about his grandfather, the family’s origins, and how the land was purchased and occupied.
Jon Morais highlights details of wood joints and structures that, according to him, were made with care and technique, without the ease of modern tools. Mr. Hamilton even comments on the right time to cut wood and the “rest” period to last longer, reinforcing the contrast between ancient knowledge and modern haste.
Living inside the park and the limitations for those who live there
When the subject turns to rules, Mr. Hamilton makes his discomfort clear: he states that building is prohibited, reports that he couldn’t rebuild structures, and says that the park is monitored by satellite. He comments that he thought about building chalets to rent, but couldn’t move forward.
In his outburst, he states that he feels pressure to sell and criticizes what he considers inequality between what is allowed for tourist projects and what is blocked for residents who were already there. It is the most tense part of the account, where isolation is not only geographical but also bureaucratic.
“Seek quality of life,” the final advice from Mr. Hamilton
In closing, Mr. Hamilton leaves a simple message: seek quality of life and do not become a hostage to routine. He also reveals his age, 61 years, and emphasizes that, despite the difficulties, the place is “a paradise” for those who adapt and value peace, good water, and simpler food.
Could you live like Mr. Hamilton, without electricity and without a refrigerator, in exchange for peace and quality of life in the mountains? Why? Leave your comments.
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