The World Cup is a celebration of both soccer and the human spirit. People from all over the world, from different countries and continents, are in Rio to support their teams. Matches are held almost every day and people turn up in huge numbers not just for the soccer but also for the infectious atmosphere that only a soccer stadium can provide.
We witness cultural fusion, inspiring instances of sportsman spirit and amazing displays by the fans themselves. The Japanese fans, for instance, cleaned up the stands after their team’s match got over, following their team’s loss to the Ivory Coast. Although we [Indians] don’t have a team representing our country’s aspirations at the current World Cup, at least we don’t have to experience the stress that comes with nail biting finishes. All an Indian needs to do is book a flight to Rio or Brasilia and experience a new place with new people and new cuisines, while being a part of the celebrations.Here are some things you should keep in mind before making a trip to the World Cup nation, regardless of whether you are a soccer fan or not.
What You Should Know Before You Pack Your Soccer Shoes for Brazil
Get Your Visa Well in Time (If You Need One)
It’s best to get your visa at least three weeks in advance because you will have to submit many documents at your local Brazilian consulate. But, if you have World Cup tickets, you are eligible to a free temporary visa. You can check out the Brazilian consulate’s website to know how to go about it. At the most, you may have to produce a confirmation of your purchase.
Don’t Over-Travel
You may think that since you are going to Brazil anyway, you might as well check out Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and the Amazon rainforest all in a matter of days. Remember that Brazil is a huge country and many of its famous locations are thousands of miles apart. This means that you will be spending more than half of your time just traveling. It is a good idea to either plan a longer trip or limit the places that you visit this time.
Photo: Nivia Encounter Football Studs Shoes
Familiarize Yourself with the Public Transportation
Brazil is a country with a hectic traffic situation and in many cities it isn’t good to walk since the roads aren’t very pedestrian friendly either. The best option would be to use public transportation rather than taking a taxi or a private vehicle. If you do need to walk, don’t forget to put on your soccer shoes on as the ground may get swampy due to the frequent heavy rains. You can also ask your hotel or agent for assistance on how to navigate through the city.
Don’t Forget to Change Currency
Get your currency changed beforehand because of the extraordinarily large crowds that will be doing their rounds of the currency conversion centers and banks. If you are using a debit card, use ATMs in town and not the ones at the airport. Keep smaller money bills in hand for ease of use in rural areas.
Photo: Nivia Fb-326 Radar Football Studs Shoes
Learn Brazilian Etiquette
When you go to Brazil, it will be difficult for you to traverse around just speaking in English, especially in the rural parts of the country. Therefore, try to learn basic Portuguese like ‘Hello,’ ‘How are you?’, etc. This will make your life much easier. When you go to a samba club, you will have to at least try your Portuguese skills once.
Get Your Sports On
Don’t forget to wear the jersey, shorts and soccer shoes of your favorite team. This way other fans will instantly know the team you are supporting and you may make some friends in the process!
Cover photo: All Soccer
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