A Little Less Conversation
Yesterday I saw one of my favourite things I've ever seen, better than Christ the redeemer for sure. I wandered into the centre in my shirt to look for work and stumbled across a bowl besides a large building under construction. With many people looking on, the construction workers had decided to take a rather lengthy lunch break in which they were playing scorpion football.
5 photos from this gallery weren’t in the backup.
Joga Bonito
for those of you familiar with the phrase or the adverts from the noughties, its 3 v 3, first to two goals in a winner stays on format. It seems the rules are:
- anyone can play although not if you've been on too recently
- shoes are not required but any shoe is accepted, one gentleman opting for one shoe on, one shoe off.
- go in hard but not too hard, if anyone fell over it was deemed too hard, although there was no diving
- do not get megged or skinned
In the case of the latter you'd become subjected to the crowd whooping and hollering and laughing at you. it better not result in a goal.
The ball stayed on the floor for pretty much the whole time unless a player was trying to flick it over or round you, and the ball control these guys had in work boots was unbelievable. Their movement, quick passing and racy flicks showcased the real Brazilian flair we've come to know. Three players in particularly stood out.
One shoe - who's tactic was clearly thought out as at a moments notice his bare foot toepoke could pwn the ball through the smallest of gaps into the miniature goal
Blake Griffin - a late arrival, sporting ripped overalls, but was nothing short of a magician with the ball at his boots.
And the Monster - a huge guy who was strong, smart and could do anything with the ball at his feet, he controlled and dominated most games and appeared rather frequently. Although I would not be one to tell him no.
I don't know if this a daily, weekly or impromptu occurrence but I could have wasted the whole day there, the football was mesmerising, there were characters apparent and all around everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Businessmen watching on, tourists videoing and taking pictures. Friends and family shouting and cheering, and salesmen selling acai and ice cream nearby (although I seemed to be the only sucker to bite).
Brazil seems to be in economic decline at the moment and it could be due to these lengthy lunch breaks, the fact everyone seems to spend their time in coffee shops or an actual reason that I cant understand, but sat watching the workers in this arena has been my favourite moment so far. And my money is going further every day. So keep up the good work breaks!
This does however mean work and visas are less likely and work may not be legit. I still don't know what I'm doing but that's fine. I could volunteer on a paradise beach for a few months, look for work elsewhere, hell I may even just chill it for a few months and do a ski season. I still don't know but I'm feeling more relaxed about it and know there are many opportunities, ill just see where the wind takes me.
As my mum said to me today quoting Winnie the pooh, who has the best way of life imo,
"doing nothing always leads to the very best something"
Well I feel ya pooh and now I'm moving hostels to go enjoy the weekend. I am in Rio after all.
