Brazil in the World Cup

When people think of BRazil, soccer would be one of the first things that come to their mind (maybe also women, samba, carnivals, beaches). And after two years I can say this is not only an steriotype, yes it is true that not all of the 187 million people are as good as Pele or Ronaldo with a ball in their feet, but they all become one soul in times like this when the Brazilian team is going to the world cup!

And I mean it, you only need to take a walk around any street and you will see the brazilian flag all over the place, in t-shirts, caps, bags, in the tie of the waiter, hanging from cars or houses/buildings, everywhere... the last thing I heard is that they have made a special edition of contact lens with the brasilian flag... do you want more proves??

There is no doubt for them that the brazilian team will get the cup for 6th time this year in Germany, and well they have reasons to believe this, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka (what a cutie!), Cafu, Roberto Carlos among other great players have everything needed to bring this gift to Brazilians.


Business and the world cup
Of course economy is impacted with this cup just read this:
* Most of companies have promissed to get big screens to project the game so their employees don't call sick to stay at home to watch the games
* Other companies will let their employees go two hours before the Brazilian games so they can watch it at home, bars or anywhere they want
* banks have already announced the special schedule they will have while Brazil is in the cup.

The Panini Album
This deserves an special place, most of my friends are collecting the stamps of the album this is a big trend in Brazil, people take it soooo seriously
* You normally get the stamps in the kiosks in the street, the other day I went with Gaudhy to 8 different Kiosks and the "figurinhas" were sold out everywhere!!
* Exchanging "figurinhas" is a social activity here, at work you exchange with your boss, your co-workers, the guy who serves coffee, doorman, anyone.. it is actually a way to get to know people
* There are special sites in internet where people offer and ask for figurinhas, all means are valid in order to complete the album.

The brasilian soccer team, more than soccer itself.. it is an adiction here... people love their team, in a country of so many inequities, it is a way to bring people together at least in heart... as of course each one will live this cup in very different ways.

I think Brazil will be the second best place to witness the cup after Germany, it will be like another carnival, but I will miss it unfortunately, as I'm returning next week to Colombia... there is no need to say which will be my team... any guess?? :)