Brazilians united by common passion

CNN - Every Brazilian football fan dreams of the day he will see his country playing in the World Cup.

But although only a privileged few will ever get to actually watch the team playing its "beautiful game," back home more then 170 million hearts will beat together when the ball starts rolling.

Famous for its carnival "party spirit," the World Cup is one of the events that best captures the Brazilian way of life.

Proud of having so many of the world's best players gathered together in the same team, the whole country dresses in yellow and green in support of the world champions.

Flags, balls and lights decorate streets, shops and cars while houses, buildings and walls become the canvas for artists who paint themes inspired by the tournament. Even the pavements and roads are painted.

You can see a bit of everything: the Brazilian flag, the players, a Ronaldinho bicycle kick, and the cherished trophy. The most important thing is to express the collective national passion with different colors and shapes.

This practice has become so normal that streets now compete to win the title of "Rua Show de Bola," awarded to the best decorated neighborhood, with local councils providing paint and brushes, flags and posters.

To be in Brazil during the World Cup is a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you are black, white, rich or poor, everyone feels the same excitement when the referee blows the whistle to start the game.

That's why, when Brazil play, the day effectively becomes a national holiday. Friends and families get together, there are no classes at school and businesses allow their employees to go home early.

Rosinha Garotinho, governor for Rio de Janeiro state, recently decreed that public departments must finish their activities by 1 p.m. on June 13 and June 22 -- the dates when Brazil play Croatia and Japan.

Even food and drink is carefully prepared ahead of each match, with barbecued meat, beer and caipirinhas being the menu of choice.

From the moment the ball is kicked off you can shout, cry, curse the referee and even pray to the saint you carry on your necklace. A quick look out the window and the town is dead: no noise, nobody on the streets and no traffic.

But the silence doesn't last too long. After the first goal, the town wakes up, coming to life with shouts of "Goooooooool" from all sides.

Small pieces of papers fly everywhere, while fireworks complete the explosion of happiness. And that's not all. By the end of the game, crowds gather in the squares, the streets are closed to allow a victory celebration with plenty of samba and other Brazilian rhythms.

That's why Brazilians say that every four years they have two carnivals: one in February and the other one in June.

Arriving as favorites once again, Brazilians everywhere hope to confirm their country's sporting supremacy and celebrate the collective joy that football brings.

posted by nscafuro @ 8:05 PM