World Cup

I was 6 when Brazil became a Champion for the fourth time in the World Cup. I have never been a fan of Soccer and I didn`t really understand what was going on. But I went along with my family and friends and dressed up in green and yellow to go to school. On the dates of the games, of course, we went home earlier to watch it live on TV. We stayed in school for about 2 hours and went out to see the stores closing, the bars crowded and people singing the typical Brazilian songs we sing when we cheer. It was all very exciting. We didn`t have to stay in school and we were allowed to yell and jump and party during the day. I decided I loved the world cup.
That happens every four years. It doesn`t matter if you don`t even like Soccer, when the world cup comes, you will watch every game along with the rest of the country, cheer like a fanatic, sing along and swear when necessary. It`s such an energy it`s really hard to avoid it, even if you tried. Try to ignore a game and get going with your life and you`ll bump into closed banks, stores, restaurants (if they don`t have a big screen to watch the game with the costumers) and any other company.
During the 2006 Cup I was working for a 24-hour call center, for a credit card company. We couldn`t leave the phone so we took turns watching the games. Someone brought a big TV over and half of us could take the day off, arrive late, and do anything to be able to watch the game. We would even celebrate with the costumer on the phone, or ask them how the game was. Of course they were watching the game and only called for emergencies or during the breaks. For every score and for every game we won, we could celebrate with strangers, on the bus on the way home or even on the streets.
I can`t think of anywhere in the world where something like this happens. There is the Super Bowl and many major holidays around the world. But nothing is like the World Cup for Brazil. Such an energy, such a union, I can`t compare to anything. I can`t wait for this year`s Cup, I know is going to be exciting, fun and emotional. If you get the chance to come to Brazil to witness that phenomenon, I promise you won`t regret.