Carnavalinho

In downtown Salvador basking in the moment. Picked up Austin, Casey, and two of Austin's coworkers at the airport yesterday and made our way downtown. Everyone was abuzz, and as the opening ceremony in São Paulo was drawing to a close we headed over to the FIFA Fanfest at the very tip of Salvador's peninsula, in front of the lighthouse. A sea of yellow and green. Chants and cheap beer. We all got our faces and arms painted. And two massive TV screens, one on the hillside and one on the promenade, where we watched Brazil go down 0-1 against Croatia to start out and then finish the game 3-1. Disappointment and despair to sheer euphoria and chaos. The game ended and a spontaneous Carnaval-like parade commenced through the streets of Salvador. Incredible drumming, beautiful costumed women, synchronized dancing, and an electric samba beat on a float at the end which we trailed and danced with until the parade ended. Anna and Lauren got pulled into the drum circle for one final frenetic cadence before everyone dispersed into the night. What a day. And now today, Spain vs. Netherlands at the stadium, five rows from the field. WHAT A RUSH... HERE WE GO!!!