Brasil 2014

The rest of our time in Brasil was spent beach hopping, hanging out with family, and eating. It was Blake first time in Brasil so we took him to all our favorite places around my Dad's home city of Maceio. It was a nice relaxing trip, we were expecting the winter to bring lots of rain, but we were blessed with endless sunny days. 

-Praia do Frances-

One of my favorite beaches for surfing, buying earrings and other randomness from vendors, listening to music, drinking pineapple drinks and relaxing. When in high school there was rarely a weekend I did not spend here with family or friends. 

^^queijo de coalho or fried cheese. I love this stuff and I'm glad Blake did too, because I have been talking it up for years. ^^

-Piscina Natural-

Maceio is a coastal city with many reefs just a few miles off shore. In some places this makes a natural pool or permanent sand bar. There you get to enjoy the calm, warm water, while surrounded by tropical fish with the city as a back drop. 

-Barra Sao Miguel-

A wonderful beach to just relax in the clam water with the reef/rocks just off shore. We swam out to the rocks in the hopes of walking along top, but the tied was already coming in and it was a little dangerous. Both Jari and I got urchin in our feet. Nothing to serious, we were still able to enjoy the rest of our day at the beach. 

-Pratagy-

Our last few days we spent at pratagy. Everyday there was spent on the beach, playing frescobol or volleyball, and reading books. The evening we watching soccer games or playing pool.

-Família-

But really the best part of going to Brasil is seeing family. We were lucky to spend everyday surrounded by the people we love the most. 

World Cup 2014

The World Cup is a big deal in the Santos house. My first memory of World Cup craziness was in 1998, that year Brasil came runners up to France. I was too young to really get into it, all I knew is my family thought it was an ugly game and any topic about France was not a good one in the house for a while. In 2002 I really got into the Cup, partly because my dad would wake me up at 2am or 3am to watch Brasil play (it was held in Japan and South Korea) but mostly because they WON!! From then on I have been hooked, I love the game and the excitement that comes when national teams play against each other. After 2002 we as a family had a goal to one day go and watch a World Cup game live. My dad always said the only other place he rather watch Brasil play other than a stadium would be in Brasil. So when it was announced that Brasil would be hosting, we knew this was the cup to get tickets to. To our amazement we got 8 tickets to our first choice game, and in the first round of ticket sales. Pure luck.

So on the 4th of July we traded in our traditional Red, White, and Blue for Green, Yellow, and Blue. As much as I love the USA, when it comes to soccer there is only one jersey I wear. However I'm supper happy with how the USA did, and look forward to much more soccer success (as long as they are not playing against Brasil that is). 

Being in the stadium and singing the national anthem I only sang in car rides with my dad growing up is something I will never forget. So much pride and love of country was felt. Ask me about the game and I would only have good things to say about my team. It is much different watching a game live than on TV, so I'm sure I would have more critiques had I not seen it in person. Either way I was over joyed that we won, and I'm glad I did not have to be in the stadium when they lost. 

Many people ask what it was like being there during the horrific defeat against Germany. To be honest when I sat there and watching on TV I thought it had to be some kind of mean joke... I mean really did you see the game? But in the end there was still music in the street after the game, even if we were all in shock for a few days. 

Still looking forward to a sixth star being placed on that bright yellow jersey one day.

Eu sou brasileiro, com muito orgulho, com muito amor.