Sorry Brazil

Well today as many of you may not be aware of was a sad day in the life of many Brazillians. Their desire for a 6th World Cup title failed at the hands of the Netherlands [Yeah for you Alycia :) ]. Even though I am not a Soccer (Futbol) fan much at all I had been watching and cheering for the US and giving a hard time to those cheering for Brazil during they games. It has been an interesting time watching the craze of Soccer fanaticism here. I have never seen a sport grip the daily life of an entire nation as World Cup Soccer has done here. Coming from a Country with an extreme amount of national sports to watch and cheer for on television and in person it is strange to see one single sport hold the attention of a nation as this last couple weeks has done here. In the US even the Super Bowl, March Madness, and MLB Playoffs wrapped up into a single event would compare to the mania that has been exhibited here. People were decorating the streets, painting their cars and houses team colors (and I don't mean just a few of them), Brazilian flags flying from many new windows and most cars. The dress has turned to Green and Yellow with a little blue and white to match national colors. People gather together outside on the sidewalks to watch the games (even the ones Brazil is not playing in) and talk about it every day. I do mean everyone talks about it. It is in every conversation that is going on.
There is nothing else going on in life here except soccer. So today with the dreams of yet another World Cup dashed against the coast of Holland. So my heart goes out to all those in Brazil tonight crying themselves to sleep with the thought of waiting another 4 years to take a chance at adding to there World Cup collection. (And you might think I am joking but there were hundreds of people crying their way home after the loss today).