VARSITY ATHLETICS

May 20, 2008

Dear Brazil,

Thus far you have been good to us, leaving us with your gem. We departed beautiful Ihla Grande for Rio de Janeiro. After a two and a half hour bus ride we arrived in the city. Food stands with yellow and red umbrellas lined the beach side of the street while sandy white high rise apartments looked out on the ocean from the other side of the street. From the highway we passed the church where a boy was shot in the 1980s as part of the revolutionary movement that has helped shape the current Brazilian government. We also saw the famous Sugarloaf hill that looked in on the city. Although the sky was overcast and threatening rain, we chose to see Cristo Redemtor (Christ the Redeemer) statue.

A train took us to the top of the hill, climbing most of it at a thirty degree angle to level. At the top, clouds wisped across the stairs that lead up to the base of the statue. The city was lost to the gray clouds as was the face of the statue. While leaving much to be desired, the statue still impressed most of us in its size. It remains, however, a site that deserves another visit to fully do it justice.

The next stops were the beaches of Rio. White sand, breaking waves and boardwalks patterned with one inch black and white tiles. Our first stop was the beach at Ipanema. Cloudy skies left the beaches fairly clear, so instead we walked the streets. There were unique shops, like La Cucaracha, that sold very original merchandise. These complemented the more common gift shops, each boasting the lowest prices and best quality for the same products. The food situation was varied, but most seemed to find Brazilian fast food for their meal. My group decided on a corner café called Big Nectar. The backs of our chairs sidled a yellow line that marked the alleyway for cars. The construction site that bordered the restaurant had about ten men sitting and watching one man disassemble a wench. The burger I was served was as greasy as one from McDonalds but more tasty.

After a bit of window shopping we moved to Copa Cabana. The boardwalk here featured the same tiles but a different pattern, a squiggly checkerboard instead of squares. Most of the shops had closed and after we wandered aimlessly for half an hour, the street vendors came to life. Six nights a week, the median of the street along Copa Cabana ignites as steel cages are erected, lights are plugged in to six way sockets, and power cords snake across the paths between the vendors. Artwork hung from the sides of the carts, jewelry sat in boards underneath blue tarps, soccer jerseys, t-shirts, and thong bikinis jutted out from stands on makeshift racks. The most primitive market was the most lively and exciting. Both Portuguese and English could be heard while items were examined, prices were negotiated, and deals were cut. Not one person re-boarded the bus without some discounted merchandise in their hands.

The final bus ride took us to the airport. Long lines and customs mark our final memories of this surreal trip. We said farewell to our guide, Pat, and gathered for one more group photo. Tchau Brazil, you hold a special place in all of our hearts.

Sincerely,
Justin Steggerda and the Case Western Reserve Men’s Soccer team

Epilogue...

Being an American in a foreign country was a new experience for me. I expected sneers and wayward glances. In a country whose poorest parts can be characterized by the reds, greens, and yellows that simultaneously hang on clotheslines and provide a fourth wall, there was little contempt or disgust from anyone. We were greeted with smiles and dismissed with the sexiest “De nada” I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing. The rumors about this country are true: The scenery is beautiful, the women are beautiful, and the people love having a good time. Writing this blog is like shutting the door on something I wish could last forever. I could not have imagined a better experience to share with the most important guys in my life. For the past three years, this team has become my second family with all the time we spend together. From two a days and games to classes and girls, I feel that I know more about them and they know more about me than should be possible. It was an honor and a privilege to share this time with them and I thank them and everyone else who helped to make it happen.

Posted by: Creg Jantz May 20, 2008 03:05 PM | Category: Men's Soccer

Posted by: cnj4 (Creg Jantz) May 20, 2008 03:05 PM | Comments (0) | Trackback