Esportes

I went to the São Paulo soccer match on Sunday and have attached some pictures below. Great game amidst a real energetic atmosphere. I would say that there were more people at that game than the game I saw of the Brazilian national team in Rio a few weeks back. In fact I was really surprised with the near sellout crowd. Most of the games I see on TV are played in half empty stadiums at best. A Brazilian will tell you that tickets can be expensive for the average folk and that games are better watched in the comfort of home with friends and fam instead of trekking all the way to the stadium. Makes sense. But the national league is winding down with only 5 matches left and there are about 4 teams still in contention to win the championship (there are no playoffs….the team that finishes with the highest point total wins the league). São Paulo is one of them and since they are the reigning champs there’s a lot on the line for them, thus the packed house. I think I officially have a Brazilian soccer team: São Paulo. Last year I went to a game for Fluminense (one of Rio’s teams) and this year a bunch of my roommates are big time Atletico Mineiro fans (a team from the capital of the nearby state Minas Gerais). But I couldn’t connect with any of them. Now, having been to a game of São Paulo, living here, and being really impressed with the quality of play and overall atmosphere…I’m sold.

Earlier in the day there was the final race of the Formula 1 championship series. Most of you who follow my blog are well educated international trekkers who have lived or traveled abroad, particularly in Asia or Europe (Japan, Singapore, Barcelona, Italy, etc.) So you guys I’m sure are aware of the Formula 1 presence all over the world especially since races are held in places that I just named. I knew it was big all over the world but I had no idea of just how big it is all over the world. São Paulo hosted the final race on Sunday and people from all over the world flocked to this otherwise tiny city. Brazilian hero Felipe Massa won the race but lost the overall championship since the British dude who finished 5^th (Lee Hamilton) finished with enough total points to win it all. I had a funny, culturally aware moment when my whole apartment was watching – eyes glued to the TV – with 2 laps to go and everyone started going nuts, bursting out in cheers during what to me seemed as if nothing happened. I had no clue what was going on since I significantly lack an understanding of the sport. Turns out that one of the drivers strategically passed the British dude which set up the Brazilian to win the race and the overall championship. But on the very last turn the British guy pushed into 5^th place which gave him enough points to win the overall championship series. It was an interesting experience for me following the race. I’m a big sports guy and it piqued my interest in something new.

There's about 5,000 people under that flag

Riot police is always a good thing

Santa? Is that you??