Day 30; Back to reality!

When you're having fun, time really flies! Right now I understand this phrase more than ever!

It was really hard to say goodbye to Brazil but life goes on. . We're really happy that we got to experience this tournament and were able to explore the country..

We left Porto Alegre at 11:115 am and we arrived in Miami after 15+ hours (2:00am).. We were exhausted when we got to Miami but as soon we got to the apartment we grabbed the car keys and went to pick up Xaby. I think he was more excited than us when we picked him up.. He kept looking at us like "omg it's really you!" lol

Fhara had to work today so she stayed up until it was time to go to work. I spent the day trying to sleep more than 30 minutes.. didn't went very well! We're still extremely exhausted but luckily the weekend is almost here.. And also my birthday! :)

Since we didn't have anything in our fridge we had to go grocery shopping.. It was probably the quickest trip of our lives! We just wanted to get home.. After putting everything away, it was time to put all the souvenirs together and make sure we had something for everyone.. I'm hoping we didn't forget anyone!!

Please, take me back to BRAZIL!!! :(

Love,

Mayte


P.S; I'll be posting pictures and other things about our trip in the next couple of days!!

Day 29; Time to say goodbye. . .

I can't believe I'm writing my last post in Brazilian soil.. I still remember when I was writing my first post when we arrived in Porto Alegre! 

I don't even know how to explain all of our experiences during our trip. We arrived in Brazil not knowing what to expect and we're leaving with lots of great memories, new friends and awesome experiences..

I know I keep saying that I can't believe I was able to be in Brazil for 30 days. It's true, I've never felt this blessed in my life. Yes, I've accomplished most of the things I've wanted in life but I see those as the reward after hard work. This trip was something else.. I'm grateful that I was able to explore this country that I was wanting to meet since I was 6. Brazil was the one that made a 6 yr old fall in love with football, but now I can certainly say Brazil is the only responsible for my endless and forever love for this beautiful sport! 

I can't honestly count all the amazing things we have done or all the people we've met.. I'm extremely gratefull that I was able to meet people I can call my friends now. I will never forget something Gabriel (our Argentinian friend) told us, "I'm poor but I'm extremely happy", honestly that's soo true! I don't care about any material stuff, the only thing that matters to me is that I'm happy where I'm at in my life! And I am.. :)

Today, we had to say goodbye to our friends and Rio de Janeiro. It was extremy hard for me to say goodbye to Rio. I didn't wanted to leave, but I'm hoping I can go back soon! Our day started extremely early, 2am to be more exact! We got to the airport and the only thing we wanted to do was sleep. Our flight was scheduled for 11:10am so we didn't had anything else to do but wait. Eddie camped with us just to wait to check in to his hotel.. 

That was our camp site and even if you can't see him, Eddie was there too! lol 

Since we bought a couple of souvenirs (maybe too many) we had to check in our bags.. I've never seen an airline do this to a bag before in my life! My bag arrived fine so I'm not going to complain.. 

When we arrived in Porto Alegre I couldn't believe all the luggage we have! It wasn't like we were gone for a month or something! oh.. wait, we were! lol :)

It felt really weird arriving in the city where everything started. The airport was empty, the streets were very quiet and it doesn't even look like the vibracious city we first met. 

I can't believe we have to say goodbye to Brazil tomorrow and honestly I'm not ready for it. It might sound silly but it's going to be really hard for me.. This country allowed me to experience my first World Cup. Brazil made a 20 yr old dream a reality and I'm always going to be extremely grateful for it. I only have words of gratitude to all the people we've met during our trip that helped us along the way. I can say I've fallen in love with this country, the food, the people, the language and the beautiful sights.. 

Brazil, you're going to be extremely missed and you're always going to have a special part of my heart.. I hope I can see you again in my lifetime..

Love,

Mayte  

Day 28; Obrigada Rio de Janeiro!

I feel extremely blessed right now.. I still can't believe I was able to visit the city I wanted to meet since I was 6.. 20 years ago I fell in love with football, USA 1994's fault.. Brazil 2014 is the responsible for making me fall even more deeply in love with this beautiful sport! 

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful cities I've been able to visit. I'm grateful that I was able to fullfill my promise to a 6 yr old girl and I took her to meet Rio. As soon as we were minutes away from landing in Rio, I became that girl again.. You can ask Fhara, she even told me to behave and relax! I just couldn't control my excitement and I still can't believe I was able to spend 12 days exploring every corner of the city..

We visited all the typical tourist places but we also went to places the locals recommended us. Everyone in Rio was very friendly, helpful and I was able to meet people from all over the world. 

Today, we went to breakfast to a place named "Confeitaria Colombo". It's 120 years old, the place is beautiful and the food was delicious! I was able to eat the waffles I've been craving for the past 2 weeks! :)

The hot chocolate was one of the best I've drank in my life! 

After breakfast we went to the market to buy the last souvenirs we needed. I couldn't ignore the resemblance of the town with San Juan, Puerto Rico.. 

I guess you can say, "you're always thinking about home!"

We enjoyed every single minute of our last day in Rio and I can't believe I have to say goodbye in just a couple of hours..

Rio, I can guarantee you we're going to see each other again!! 

Love,

Mayte

Day 27; Adeus World Cup 2014!

The day everyone was waiting for since South Africa 2010, was finally here! The stage for the World Cup final was set..

We woke up early and decided to walk around Copacabana to visit the official store of the FIFA. The store had no merchandise but I was able to find a book that recaps the 100 years of my Seleção! I haven't read it but I can't wait to start! 

After the shopping spree it was time to find a place to watch the game. Rio de Janeiro was infested with Argentinians but you can easily spot the Germans. We went to the same restaurant we watched Germany vs Brasil and I was hoping for a German win.

Next to us was a table of Argentinians who wanted us to bet to a German win. We didn't but now I wished I had! The game was mostly dominated by the Germans and Gonzalo Higuain missed the chances for Argentina. I love the guy but it makes me extremely mad that the guy is always offside!! 

The guy with the hat didn't believed me when I told him that about Higuain, after the game he came over to tell me I was completely right.. He's my favorite player, you can't argue with me about him! :)

We met a couple from London and she was one of the sweetest/nicest girls we've met during our trip. We're definitely going to keep in touch with them..

Germany made history with the win, they became the first European team to win the World Cup in the Americas. And if you ask me, they totally deserve their 4th Championship. They've been working hard for the past World Cups and they played amazingly.

If you think what Mexicans did after the penalty was called in the round of 16 match was disriapectful, I don't have words to explain Argentinians actions today. After Germany scored, they started to get into fights. When the game ended, they went to the streets and started stoping traffic by sitting in front of cars/busses, and since they didn't wanted to move, the police had to close the street and call reinforcements. Also, they were insulting Brazilians like always.. You shouldn't disrespect the country that gave you a place to stay/food for free and welcomed you with their arms open. Learn how to lose and some sportsmanship and I think people might change the image they have of you.. 

In our way home we met some Germans and we had to take a picture with them.. 

So far, this has been the best experience of my life. I can't wait to experience the ambiance in Russia 2018! 

Tomorrow we're going in the hunt for the last souvenirs we need.. 

Congratulations Germany!

Love,

Mayte

Day 26; Dinner date in Rio!

The weather improved significantly so we decided to go to the beach! If you really know me you know that I don't get in the water at the beach. I made Fhara a "bet/promise" that I was going to finally do it in Rio.. I tried, I really did, but the water was extremely cold and the tide was super high! 

Near the beach we found the present for my brother. Honestly, he's the most difficult person to buy him something! I know he's going to like what I got him! :) In the meantime, Noelia decided to buy a sarong and luckily for us a really good looking German decided to start exercising.. And of course we told her to take her time!! lol 

During our beach excursion we met Argentinians, Germans, Mexicans and Colombians.. See, you don't have to go "hunting" to meet someone! ;)

Brazil was scheduled to play at 5pm and of course I was going to se my Seleção play! I'll always have faith in my team and I'll support them even though they're going through a rough path! I still remember 2006-2010 like it was yesterday and I still belive in them like I did when I was 6! I'm not going to go into detail about the match but the referee had a lot of influence in the score.. Watch out with the Seleção in Russia!!!

After the game, it was date night! (That's what we call it when we go to dinner at a fancy restaurant.) We went to "Churrascaria Palace" and it was extremely amazing! The restaurant is by far one of the best restaurants I've eaten at! Texas de Brasil is nothing compared to it.. We ate until we couldn't even breathe! lol

We walked around a little bit and we met some Germans that hate Argentinians too and invited us to join them for some drinks.. We said we couldn't because we were supposed to spend time with our friends.. We wished him luck for tomorrow and told him that he'll need a new shirt after tomorrow with Germany's 4th star!

Tomorrow is the end of the World Cup and I can't believe I was blessed enough to experience most of it in Brasil. I still can't belive I actually met the country I always wanted to visit. Maybe when I get back to Miami I'll start to believe it! 

It's no secret I can't stand Argentina even though my favorite player is Gonzalo Higuain. Yes, I'll be happy if he finally gets to experience the joy of being a World Cup Champion but I don't want them to win. Germany always is one step short of the trophy and they've been playing amazingly. They play like a team regardless of who's on the pitch and they totally deserve to win their 4th World Cup. I'm rooting for you Germany!

We're planning to watch the game with our Argentinian friend (the one we met in Fortaleza) and we're hoping for a great match! I'll be extremely disappointed if the referee plays a huge part during the game and ends up influencing the score.. 

I expect Rio to be a huge party tomorrow! Go Germany!!

Love,

Mayte