Well of course we weren\’t too sad. This is Rio. One of the world\’s great cities. As a traveller, it would be impossible to be sad here. After the tension of Fortaleza, and the party of Manaus, Rio de Janeiro, with it\’s bustling big city amenities gives another aspect to this great country.
Naturally, and particularly with the Cup in town, we gravitated to Copacabana. Sitting in a typical beach cafe, we watched countless football games on the beach before us.
We bought our own ball, just to say we\’d played on the beach in Brazil. Soon we learned that the man with the ball is popular as we got sucked into keepie uppie with visiting fans or impromptu kickabouts with the local kids. We also learned that footie is a far different prospect played on sand. Our exertions didn\’t last long at our age! We moved the game to the pavement and there was more than a hint of boyish satisfaction when, shortly, a policeman wagged his finger telling us to stop. It\’s forty years since a \”bobby\” last told me off for playing footie in the street!
Talking of police. Where are all the armed security police so visible in Fortaleza and even patrolling Manaus. We were told that Rio was the most dangerous of the places we\’re visiting but tonight, at least on Copa, no sign of them. Safety in numbers or safety with the herd perhaps. (writing this next morning, I just saw the first squad of armed security. Although no where near as many as you\’d expect)
Anticipation best describes the atmosphere. Today\’s a rest day but tomorrow we\’ll see Brazil play Chile on the massive TV screens here on Copacabana. And as if that wasn\’t enough, Uruguay, without the bite of God, plays Colombia at the Maracana stadium here in Rio.
Sadly the signs to the stadium are the closest we\’ll get. We\’ve tried for months to get tickets. But even now, the day before the match, there\’s not a sniff of one. No one is giving up that ticket. No sir; not at any price!
As the sun went down, the fans gathered to party and dance, encouraged by a constant procession of outstanding street musicians.
(typical Colombians!)
Although, given the teams playing tomorrow, we\’re kinda confused by the prominence of the Argentinians. I guess, Ariel and Cecelia, they just like a party
Sometime, Ariel, you\’ll have to explain the Argentine cows head!
Tomorrow, they expect half a million people to gather at the Copacabana Fan Zone to watch Brazil. Rested and happy, we\’ll be amongst them. This will make the party in Manaus look like a backyard cookout!
What! Scotland Qualified!!! 