6/10-11/14
Clearly we did not get the memo before boarding our flight that we should be wearing any and all World Cup gear. Even before boarding the plane, we met a large group of Mexicans already decked out in national t-shirts and giant sombreros. Every third or fourth person we saw at the airport was wearing their team jersey, hat, scarf, flag, homemade t-shirt, and tricolor-painted nails. It was quite the event. Sadly, our jerseys were packed away so we did not participate. And I realized that for all the shirts Nick had made us and the official jerseys we bought, our celebratory stash still paled in comparison to the paraphernalia around us. This is going to be one fan-filled crazy trip! [Nick Comment: I didn't realize it was “wear your national team’s jersey day!” At LAX we went through security with a group of about 30 Mexican’s all in Mexico shirts, almost all in the same Mexico shirt, and we talked a for a bit and found out they were taking the same flight. They were rowdy and fun.]
Clearly we did not get the memo before boarding our flight that we should be wearing any and all World Cup gear. Even before boarding the plane, we met a large group of Mexicans already decked out in national t-shirts and giant sombreros. Every third or fourth person we saw at the airport was wearing their team jersey, hat, scarf, flag, homemade t-shirt, and tricolor-painted nails. It was quite the event. Sadly, our jerseys were packed away so we did not participate. And I realized that for all the shirts Nick had made us and the official jerseys we bought, our celebratory stash still paled in comparison to the paraphernalia around us. This is going to be one fan-filled crazy trip! [Nick Comment: I didn't realize it was “wear your national team’s jersey day!” At LAX we went through security with a group of about 30 Mexican’s all in Mexico shirts, almost all in the same Mexico shirt, and we talked a for a bit and found out they were taking the same flight. They were rowdy and fun.]
The flights were easy enough. Overnight to Panama City
(where we picked up a decorated group of Columbians), 3 hours of sleep in the
airport, then our connecting flight to São Paulo, where everyone cheered as the
plane landed and broke into chants of rival soccer nations. Three wheels barely
on the ground and the festivities had begun! [Nick: I wanted to chant for Costa
Rica, but got too embarrassed. Afraid I would be alone.] Customs was another
trip – a veritable United Nations of national colors and flag-draped backpacks. Our friends, Fe and Filipe, who have
graciously allowed us to stay with them in their home near São Paulo and who will be traveling with us for most
of the games, picked us up and several hours later, we ended a near 24 hour
trip with some much needed sleep.
 |
| The smile belies my level of exhaustion. |
No comments:
Post a Comment