Opening Game

Eloise is already looking ahead to the next game after the dissatisfying opener! (or a more interesting cartoon that just came on). We were among a cozy crowd (why weren't there more people around at 4 o'clock on a weekday? oh some people work you say?) From the players' passion during the Brazilian national anthem to the improbable Marcelo own goal, Neymar's first (but not last) goal of the tournament delighted all of Manolo's Tapas. The bad call that led to the second goal and the disallowed tying goal were a bit of a let down. Even with goal line technology, the refs still can exert so much control over the outcome!

Reports of protests continue to stream in, though not in every World Cup host city. The most notable strikes and protests happened in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and Natal. In Sao Paulo, organizers claim that the police infiltrated the protest and made it violent in order to justify the police response. Occupy Wall Street protesters say the same thing happened back in 2012 in NYC. The police used rubber bullets, tear gas, stun grenades, and other methods to break up the few hundred protesters and media. The overstated police response to peaceful protests is some evidence that Brazil cannot function as a healthy democracy. Neither Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff nor FIFA President Sepp Blatter made any comments.

Reports of unfinished airports and completions of stadiums-like one where they have yet to install bathroom stalls also seem to continue. We are sure it won't be any of the one's we will be visiting.

On the packing front everything appeared to fit in our bags so much easier and lightly in our imagination  than it actually does. How can one little 24lb person require so much stuff?! Like your average person, you will find some baby pants, dresses, shirts and socks. Ok maybe not baby pants but you get the drift. But then! ...then comes the fun stuff that doesn't really have an easy storage spot or easy access capability. Diapers!...for two weeks in case they are super expensive. Baby food, baby snacks, wipes, medicine, baby bottles, formula all for the same reason and because we are undertaking a 24 hour flight endeavor. Then there are toys. Different toys that she hasn't seen so that she can be enthralled for an entire 5 minutes. Squeaky ones, cellphone looking ones, books, apps on the real cell phone, a squishy ball etc. A stroller! Can't forget the stroller and a carrier. We had the bright idea to use globetrotter backpacks instead of traditional luggage so that we may be hands-free for Eloise and have transportability. And wow is all this stuff heavy! But alas, it is all for the passion of the futbol right? right?