Priority Status

A Great Cup for the Cafeteros

Maracana at 90% Colombian

Before leaving Brazil we caught one last game between Colombia and Uruguay in fabled Maracana. Like all the games, the Wave (invented in the 1982 World Cup) was actually scary and intense. Tensions were running high and "Los Cafeteros" won the game advancing to the quarterfinals. Since then we have returned to New York and a few more teams including "Los Cafeteros" along with "Los Ticos" have sadly and excitingly bit the dust leaving a few teams still standing (Brazil, Argentina, Holland & Germany).

Outside Maracana

Trying the Marfrig mystery meat while representing most of South America

View from Rio's Botanical Gardens

As we continue to partake in World Cup fever, I wanted to share some final thoughts on our Brazil trip. It certainly was the trip of a lifetime. We felt pretty fortunate to take trip to this amazing and diverse country, during one of the most exciting sports events, and share this experience with our mothers and our baby. It was a first time to Brazil for me and the moms, and Eloise's first foreign travel. 

Fabian Marcaccio's Amazing Exhibit at Casa Daros

We took in amazing sights and sites and met wonderful people. Not all was smooth though. The mothers sometimes did get tired of touring and walking around the cities, and spending all day outdoors with now 15-month Eloise also required a lot from her and preparation from us (food on the go-check; snacks-check; change of clothes-check; my little seat-check; sunscreen-check; insect repellent,diapers, wipes, toys, hand sanitizer...). Also, keeping dietary restrictions under balance is tough with all the rodizios and buffets abounding, and at times homecooked meals. Oh! and all the beer...the ice cold beer.

Beautiful street art

One aspect that made this trip manageable was that we experienced most everything under priority status. Pretty much everywhere we went, we had priority status (Cue Chamillionaire's  "they see me rollin, they hatin").  But this status wasn't due to our travelling in the lap of luxury.  Rather, it was because Brazil, unlike many countries I have experienced, seems to actually care about the needs of the elderly, women with babies, pregnant women, and those with disabilities. I mean, most companies and governments claim to care about this part of the population, but how many actually show you (Cue Extreme's "More than Words")?  Pretty much everywhere we went, we were able to bypass an insane line of patrons by strolling through the priority line. From the airports to museums, to landmark sites, and World Cup events like Fifa Fan Fest where we bypassed lines 150+ long and 15 people wide. Even the concession stands in the stadium had priority lines... but we were without Elo!

Separating color from form and Eloise from the carrier

I also often noticed small parks and recreation areas throughout the city and often these had senior activity spaces in Rio with swings and bar stuff for older folks. Not a shabby place to consider retiring.

Culture outside of futebol?

Some soccer games feel like this...

Wonder of my World

Lovely

Polish-French-Brazilian Production

More than a photo op

Looking down on Ipanema and Leblon

I failed my tryout as the samba group's tambourine man....

Samba Party in Santa Teresa

While folks in Salvador were especially into babies, the sidewalks in the city did not help much and pushing a stroller was like being in a motocross competition. Thank goodness for the carrier and a strong back.

While we were able to spend some quality time getting to know both cities, we did spend a lot of time coordinating around the futebol games on screen and in the stadiums. We may have missed some good sites in both cities, but it was nearly impossible to miss any matches pretty much every tv and every establishment broadcasted the games. Pretty much every taxi had a tv with a match going on. Yes we are pretty lucky we survived Brazilian driving in Brazilian traffic while a game was on (the driver is not looking at the road but no one is on the road, so it kinda balances out!).

Elo Learning o Jeito Brasileiro (how to be Brazilian)

Praia Vermelha

Music for the beachgoers

It has now been a week since we have been back in New York and can't believe that all the planning, and the two week journey into a Brazilian World Cup is over. The thrill and relaxation are slowly thawing away and settling back into New York on-the-go routine. It helps that New York is home to an increasing futbol fan base from all over the world where the "passion" can be felt in the streets of Jackson Heights much like it was in Brazil. But alas, the saudade for Brazilian ways of life has kicked in as much as it has for the teams that have now returned home.

Eloise flexing her new cheering skills in JFK