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| Rio Part II | |||||||||||||||||||
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27th-30th June (Thurs-Sun): The atmosphere is starting to become electric prior to the world cup. Continuous fireworks are usual. Both myself and the other english guy, Steve, are approached by locals wondering if we are Germans. The only reason hooliganism is prolific here is because of the lack of opposition!!
By the time Sunday morning came around the stage was set.. unfortunatly it was about this time that my camera batteries failed.. merde. I watched the game in the Pousada at 8 am with about 12 others - friends of Ana and Fabiano and other guests.. The first half was slower than the second, but there was still a lot of kissing of the TV, horn blowing and kneeling going on: the women in the room going crazy for Ronaldo when he scored.. Around the corner at the local bar, people sat in chairs in the street with beers in worship. During half time, about 3% of Cariocans (Rio people) amused themselves by filling extra long, thin garbage bags with air, tying them together and letting the heat take them up into the atmosphere. Floating turds. I found many of them during Tuesday's surf lesson... After bathing in the glory of being the best in the world, most people headed down to the esplanade, where cars packed full of fans honked their way through the throngs of humanity. I even saw my first convertible with girls standing on the seats of course. The hatchbacks with nothing but a big speaker in the boot were out in force, creating instant dance floors here and there, and the big Dodge 4WD status symbols were in their element packed with fans. About 3 pm, I finally heard my last firework... until Tuesday night. During the last world cup, 90% of TVs were switched on during the brasilian final, and 80% were tuned to the game. I spent the afternoon happily playing beach volleyball and met Stephan, the son of a volleyball instructor. I reckon I can't escape the obvious forever Darren- beach vball is not good for the knees. I had previously met Samuel at my first surf lesson, an instuctor at another club, and Samuel, mates and Stephan arranged to go out to Nuth bar, the trendiest bar in Rio, but Sam changed the plan as Nuth was too crowded and we head to Scoregoal (appropriately named) and a funky party in the least dangerous favela in Rio, Rio dos Pedras afterwards.. The stadium-like feel of the club is spoilt by the entire wall of speakers and bouncers (called Leon from the farm here!! - and I thought that the french name - emptiers - was funny!!) stood on tables bulging animosity and muscles. I finally took my shirt off in a club (gasp from friends at home) as the shirt I had on was a little too smart. The place was full of Bombies - steroid users covered in muscles and pimples - must be really cheap here. I saw one fight and I thought another was going to start between an overzealous sleaze and the over-protective (&drunk) girlfriend of the target. I spent the night following Samuel from one area of the dance room to another like a puppy (although I tried to look tough), trying to avoid spills and wondering why we weren't dancing. I didn't realise until the day afterwards that I had contracted another of Rios warmweather colds.. On the way to the funky party, we pass what is known is a Blitz : police cars on both sides of the road (sometimes with another stationed 100m behind the first to catch real bad guys) while policemen armed with fully automatic Colts and bullet proof vests stand ready. We just switched the interior light on in the car and they waved us through (even though Marceau had no shirt on and looks pretty mean). They donīt bother breathalysing.. In fact, most clubs here have a $20 entry and you have to drink the total inside the club... so whos the designated driver?? It makes me rethink my attitude towards materialism when money so clearly represents life or death here. So policemen take bribes. They also get shot, for example when an off-duty cop was robbed on the bus, the thief saw his ID and shot him. A fast life. Apparently there arenīt many decent jobs for those who donīt make it to university (no major manufacturing in Rio) so most apply for the policeforce - a case of nothing better to do. Did I mention that they have another word for 6 than that taught in textbooks? It's meia for half a dozen... takes a while to get your head around. Cousin Nicky would be pleased to know that I have been sporting the full DireStraitesque pointy sideburns for the last few weeks, but the conservative Barra da Tijuca suberb is not ready for it so they came off yesterday. Straight 90210 back and sides here.
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6th July Photos Back to Rio page Pousada Barra do Sol The Gym Back to Home | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Name: | Craig | ||||||||||||||||||
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