Hope you have a lot of fun and stay safe!
"Don't you go dyin' on me now!"
Yes! I'll be going to the US-Ghana match in Natal (I have extra tickets that I'm selling for face value + shipping if anyone needs them or knows someone who needs them) and then heading back to Rio for Spain-Chile and Russia-Belgium. Should be awesome.
I was pleased at how good we looked against Nigeria, so hoping for good things. Where are you staying?
I've got a TST-7 for Ghana. So, I'll be all over the place. Sadly I won't be getting there in time to catch the US-Ghana match. Had to sell that one back to FIFA.
First stop is Fortaleza on the 20th (Ghana-Germany on the 21st). Then staying in Jeri till the 27th. Down to Brasilia for the Ghana-Portugal match the 28th.
After that, kinda hoping Ghana are out. Then would be Porto Alegre for round of 16, Rio for quarters, Belo Horizonte for semi 1, then to Sao Paulo for semi 2, and then the Final.
No offense, but unless Germany and Portugal both falter, I hope you only see two matches :-). That said, I've never been to a World Cup and I cannot wait to experience all the pageantry and excitement that goes with it. You're going to see some pretty great cities, too - will be quite the adventure.
Hah! The beauty of the TST is I get to follow the group winner if Ghana don't make it. That's why I'm hoping they don't. Then I'd get to follow my Germans!
I have a friend that's going to Brazil for the World Cup and among other other things she had to purchase kidnapping insurance. I never knew there was such a thing as kidnapping insurance.
...insure that you are kidnapped. How much is the policy worth? Just in case anybody out there is trying to think up an appropriate ransom demand for friend of Colonel Angus.
You don't have to purchase kidnapping insurance, that's strictly a voluntary thing, same as basic travel insurance.
Oh, she didn't have to purchase it, but she did to be on the safe side. I was just surprised this was even an option.
It's a crazy world out there.
...as they guys that would hang out outside of old Tiger Stadium and offer to watch your car for $5... you know, so nothing happens to it.
Obrigado!
I was going to go, but then I remembered Brazil has a large population of shemales, and I knew that if I went, I'd never come back.
With all the unrest, protests, and unsuitable stadium conditions, I am more than happy watching from the best seat in the house, my couch. Would be sick to go to the World Cup though!
the 2018 and 2022 Cups will get moved, despite that being incredibly unlikely. It's not like a corrupt organization likely FIFA cares about having the biggset sporting event on the planet anywhere that's even remotely 'decent' in a moral or ethical way.
Is there talk of 2018 being moved? I had heard that about 2022, but not 2018. I don't doubt that the vote for '18 was dubious, but Russia at least seems plausible as a WC host - a big market and emerging soccer culture, with a reasonable summer climate.
With all the gun-toting assholes running around here, "protecting" our freedoms, you're more likely to be gunned down at the Walmart where you buy your Michigan T-shirt, than in Brazil.
Earlier I was just thinking about the unthinkable scenario where Brazil gets shocked by silly defeats to Croatia, Mexico and all hell breaks loose in the country.
Welp, have a great time! :)
I wish. But for a lot of reasons we're staying home. Real bummer is that my kids will be grown by the time the WC is anywhere that I want to go with them (2026). Unless Qatar is a revote - which I really hope it is.
How about going with a shemale?
Very helpful here. I remember Bank of Brazil, but I also remember Santander. Yeah, tourists won't usually go into the favelas (unless they're one of those favela tours) so you SHOULD be safe.
The barbecue is also pretty good too. Where did you go? I ended up in Rio and Manaus. Also went to the city that borders the Iguazu Falls.
Any Natal-specific recommendations? We've all obviously heard that Rio can be very dangerous - is it the same with other smaller cities in the North like Natal and Recife? Any "must dos" in Natal (I've heard dune buggies are a thing). Really appreciate the insight you already shared.
Between Beijing 08, London 12, South Africa 10, and Sochi 14, I feel like I've been either watching every major world sporting event on tape delay or at goofy times for years. It'll be really really nice to have the primetime games actually be on in primetime (esp since it's the World Cup vs the Olympics)
I went about 3 years ago. Manaus is pretty nice if you visit. I went on a trip aboard the Amazon there, hiking the rainforest there and meeting aborignal tribes.
The airport was still under construction then and it's still under construction today.
If you visit Rio it's nice but damn...I've never seen so much glass and security outside a bank. Every one. Turnstiles everywhere, huge security
I'm going to just stay in my apartment that smells of rich Mahogany, with my many leather bound books.
and ten cuidado homeboys. that is a rough varrio in many places. enjoy.
I'm heading there on the 19th for a week. Going back and forth between Brasilia and Belo Horizonte. So excited!
but when work changes sometimes vacation goes away
Yup. Going with AO for the entirety of the group stage. This was my last shot at it before I'm tied down with a family since there is no way in hell I'm doing WC Russia or WC Qatar. Trip of a lifetime and I'm glad I prepared (for years.)
Five fakes out of five.
Porto Alegre...best city in Brazil, yes better than Rio.