Survived the overnight leg and arrived about 8:30 local time in Sao Paolo (GRU).
The Torcida GRU FIFA lounge was a godsend. Great place to sleep it off and catch the NED-AUS match, unless you are Brazilian, in which case it was the HOL-AUS match.
Ask for Daphne, whose flawless English was a welcome relief from brain strain.
Surprising number of passionate Japanese fans. Not sure why they are flying to Recife as Japan already played there. Maybe it was to get within driving distance of next match?
If you've never seen 35 Japanese soccer fans decked out in blue, then, well, you probably weren't on my flight.
Negotiating the airport wasn't terribly difficult but there were a few surprises...
- No, United doesn't check your bags through to the TAM connecting flight. That's on you.
- Carl's Jr. is apparently the Ruth Chris Steakhouse of Brazil. Hamburgers are bout $75 USD
- People who speak English don't (Daphne excepted).
- People who speak Spanish don't (more likely our Spanish isn't as good as we thought)
- Eu fallo muito poco de portugues. Muito, muito, muito poco.
- World's friendliest customs agent, and a Portuguese tutor to boot.
- Even when the receipt is listed in USD, you still need to pay in Reais.
- "Kilos" charge by the 100g (do the math!)
- Quinoa tastes even worse in Brazil.
- There is no Gate 1F. There is a bus to Gate 1F, but it doesn't go there.
- No, you don't have time to watch the end of NED-AUS game
- Everyone in SP was born in Recife. Everyone in Recife was born in SP.
Kids enjoyed sprinting across the tarmac to board the A-321. A bit retro but did the trick.
Three-hour flight seemed like a light jaunt after past 20 hours.
Note to self (i.e. Michele) - drink wine before overturning cup.
Landed in Recife on time...met wonderful hosts at aeroporto.
Went for a swim without bothering to find a pool.
Highlight of trip so far was meeting Zelia!
WiFi works. Feels like home away from home.
Boa noite!
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