BWC2014 - 18th May (Day 4 - Volunteer Orientation FUN Day)

A, B, C or me?!

I woke up at 5:30am but dragged on for 45minutes before I prepare myself. When I was ready to leave the house around 7:10am, I started to panic because the key was not around! I searched high and low around the house but to no avail. I wouldn’t want to wake up Fernanda on a Sunday morning at 7am!  But I have no other choices!  Unfortunately, her phone was off!!  This round, I wasn’t lucky to meet Andre like yesterday.  By 7:30am, I thought I was going to miss the orientation program today!  I almost wanted to walk upstairs to Fernanda's room!!  I’m kidding! =]

media area...

Just when all hopes were lost, I found Andre’s car key and searched the car for any house keys and thanks god I found the gate remote!  The next issue was how to return the remote once I am outside.  Fortunately, one of the gates didn't close well until you give it a push. So I pressed the button to close it, ran to keep the remote exactly where it was in the car, locked it and placed the car key back in the house and rushed out with my bag. It was a very close call indeed!

The president room!!!

Quickly walked to the main road and after just asking for the 3rd bus, I got the right one and hopped on in relief. It was 8am and 20min later, I reached the main station again and walked another 20min to the stadium. Unlike yesterday, there were many staffs guiding and greeting you all the way to the right place. We were all directed to the check-in point. The queue was divided by name. I queued at Y but it was actually sorted by the first name. At the queue, I met Dilson. He saw me wearing the Singapore jersey and we started a chat. He speaks good English. After we got our coupons for drink and meal, we proceeded to get our wristband and moved into the stadium to get a seat. I saw Dilson waving at me to join him. He introduced his friend Dinalva (or Didi as she preferred). Didi was probably the most beautiful grandmother I had ever met. We chatted while waiting for the program to start.  Dilson also had three kids and he works in the Catering operation too.  Then, I met Aldo who was sitting behind me. We chatted more and he moved over to sit next to me. Aldo worked in the States for two years before. His spoken English was definitely better than mine!  

As close as you can get to the pitch!

The Volunteer Team members welcoming us...

The session started with the manager of the Volunteer Team, Almare, greeting everyone and introducing his team to the group.  After which, he showed us a few slides on the formalities and the dos and donts.  Next was the presenter from McDonald and then followed by another from Johnson and Johnson, both major partners of the FIFA World Cup event.  Throughout the event, it was all presented in Portuguese!  I was so grateful to have Aldo next to me, helping to translate almost the whole session!

At least 7 teams will walk through this passage to the field!

Lone Singapore representative at the bench!

Around 12pm, all of us were expecting lunch to be served.  Instead, we were all divided into groups following a leader to tour around the stadium.  Before that, we get to collect our drink using one of the coupons given out in the morning.  However, when it was our turn, we were amazed to find out that all the water bottles had been distributed out and they were sorry that such “exceptional” case had happened.  Many, beside the four of us, were not able to get their drinks too.

the amazing light system for the grass!

view from the VIP seats!

During the tour, we first stopped at the basement where the team buses will arrive and park their vehicle.  We also went to up close to the field, passed by the team dressing room, went through the passage where the players will be coming out to the field, sat on the teams benches, dropped by the press conference room, and visited the VIP and VVIP areas, which include a small room where the Presidents of Brazil and other world leaders will be seated.  This room will also be shielded so that the inside is not visible to the outside.  And the most interesting thing was this special lighting system which provides sunlight to the grass on the field at night to make sure they have it 24 hours a day!!  Oh… how I wish I were the grass here!

lunch lunch lunch!!!

the local drink that taste like Fanta Grapes =]

When the leader of our group made the final announcement, everyone cheered and I guessed it must be the time for lunch!  It was already 1:30pm and I was starving.  We walked to the Volunteer Centre.  All the while, Aldo was besides me introducing the stadium and explaining the process and procedures to me.  He was one of the volunteer for the 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup, and hence very familiar with the place and many of the LOC members too.  I was grateful to have him with me indeed.  We picked our own side dishes and I chose the chicken as main dish.  It was a very filling and nice meal.  Another dish that I noticed often on the Brazilian menu was the baked beans cooked in some black or purplish gravy.

the press conference...did i see Neymar there?!

basement car park!

After lunch, we were told that the event has ended and were free to go.  Just as Didi and Aldo like to put it, the “FUN day” event wasn’t really fun at all.  I liked their sense of humour.  It was still ok for me because of the first experience.  We left the stadium around 2:30pm.  Didi was really nice and offered her number to me before I even asked so that I could contact her anytime if I needed any help.  We exchanged contacts and bid farewell to one another. 

VIP lounge area!

Aldo volunteered to walk me to the shopping mall.  We talked a lot.  He told me lunch is the most important meal to Brazilian, and it was common to have lunch for 2 hours even during working days.  I also found out from Aldo, it is in the law that every employee should enjoy 30 days of annual leave at the minimum!  Interestingly, even Aldo asked me if I had hit the lottery in order to be jobless for such a long time!  And every time my friends asked me the same question (sometimes, some friends asked more than 2 to “n” times), I wished it was really true.  Perhaps, I should start buying lottery now!

Aldo’s wife was having lunch with her friends and so he still had time to accompany me.  We continued over a cup of coffee inside the mall.  I always love to share with others about my country and our culture and learned from the others too. Aldo left around 4pm and he insisted to buy me the coffee.  I thanked him very much for the help.  He also gave me his number and told me to get in touch with him anytime.  Before he leaves, Aldo introduced a nearby restaurant at the Brasilia Shopping mall.

Brasilia Shopping Mall!

A great serving for an entree!

I walked over to the shopping mall which was less than 10min away and spent the rest of the evening in the restaurant Coco Bambu which were famous for seafood.  I finally tasted my first draft beer in Brazil!  In fact, I had 3 mugs and ordered a side dish, mussels as dinner.  Beer in a restaurant was relatively cheap here compared to Singapore and Malaysia.  Not to mention the supermarket, where I could get one for only $R1.30!!

Around 7pm, I walked back to the bus station to head home.  Taking the bus here makes me feel like taking the bus at Pudu Raya during those golden old days.  I was getting better and knew how to ask for the right question now.  Spotted a bus taking the EPTG highway, I quickly verified with the driver and hopped on.

When I reached home, Fernanda introduced her mom to me who doesn’t speak any English at all.  She had a very gentle look just like Fernanda.  They really looked alike very much.  After my shower, I could not function anymore and dropped dead at 10pm!!

BWC 2014 - 17th May (Day 3 - visiting Estadio Nacional)

the path just outside Fernanda's house

It was a good sleep. I even dreamt of returning an assist to Neymar to score a goal!! It was pretty cold at night and early in the morning. I woke up around 7:15am before the alarm rang.

Got prepared and met Andre, Fernanda's younger brother on my way out. It was meant to be a 10 to 15min walk as guided by Fernanda last night. I thought it would be easy. When I came to a junction, I wondered if I should continue straight or make a right turn. I turned eventually and then made another turn where I could see the cars running. I was like 20 steps away from the main road when I thought the direction wasn't quite right if there was supposed to be a shortcut from the gym near her house. So I turned back and eventually walked a big circle around to come back to the same place where I was 20 steps away!! My first instinct has always been working, but somehow I chose to doubt it. So the short walk turned out to be an hour morning exercise instead! Actually I really didn't mind the lost time, but coming out without the socks and the wrong shoe was the biggest mistake of all time. I ended up with 4 blisters and an injured leg!

Finally at the bus stop, I waited for some time but none of the bus seems right. Then I asked a lady who came to catch a bus too. She was very kind and I think she waited until I boarded the right bus before she did because we saw many buses passed by. I thanked her very much and hopped on to the right bus which took only 20min to reach the central bus station. After getting off, I grabbed something for breakfast and asked for the direction to the National Stadium. This was the first time, I could guessed all his wording. He asked if I was walking or taking the bus. After showing him the walking finger sign, he pointed the direction and said straight, straight that sounds like "Head", "Head". He even told me the estimated walking time which I could not figure it out at all.

on the way to the National Stadium.

It wasn't difficult to find the stadium but the walk was also another 20min. At this time, my left knee was still going fine except the blisters were killing. The entrance I was supposed to go was locked. The guard directed me to the other end for entry. Another 8min walk or so, I found a temporary counter tent. The guy in charge spoke some English. I tried to explain my purpose but he didn't seem to know anything about the volunteer program. Nevertheless, he handed me the access wristband. I walked to the entrance and tried to “talk” to the policeman. Obviously, they don't know anything about volunteer program too. 

An elegant goal post!

So, I just went into the stadium and try to the look for block number where we were supposed to meet on orientation day, the next day, hoping to find someone from the Volunteer Team. No one was around too. I walked around the stadium, took some pictures and had a long sit before deciding to leave. Just then, I saw some helpers picking up trashes, and thought perhaps they were the volunteers! I asked the leader in the group but he doesn't speak English and directed me to move in front for help. I walked further and asked someone with a staff wristband. He barely speaks English too but helped me to look for another guy. This other guy talked on his walkie-talkie for a while and pointed me to look for a different guy in blue down on the field. 

Mow mow mow your lawn, gently down the field

He said “blue”, “blue”!  I thanked them and went down to hunt the Blue Guy. He seemed busy and always on the walkie-talkie. Managed to catch him shortly and explained my situation. He was very patience trying to understand my needs although his English was limited. Finally he found a manager from the security department, Andrey who speaks fluent English to attend to me. He told me there were no LOC members around that day. I didn't place much hope either but since I was in the stadium I might as well try to get some help. He then offered me to drop by for a match later at 4pm between Luziania and Brasilia from Serie D.  I thanked him and the rest of the guys and left around 1 to grab my lunch.

Estadio Nacional de Brasilia!

It was a long painful way back to the shopping mall, which was next to the terminal bus station. I tried to get a prepaid SIM card and bumped into a random shop asking for one recommended by girlfriend under the company Vivo. The shop attendant, who speaks some English, brought me to the Vivo Centre instead. I had a long chat using the translator with a kind and patience staff. Finally she understood me and pressed me a ticket number. However, the counter lady wasn't able to help me. She tried to talk to her but eventually it didn't work out. She then found the security guard who speaks some English to convey the message to me. In the end, she wrote a message on a paper for me to get the prepaid card from another shop instead. I thanked them very much and was relieved and happy that I got my card after all even though it took an hour or so!!

Brazilian shrimps meal...

The jetlag seemed to hit me now. My eyes were super dry. My legs were not mine. I was a little frustrated trying to find the male toilet which was at a different location than the female at this shopping mall!  Starving by now, I walked around the food court and eventually ordered something I would considered local. It was pretty good, mixing the shrimps in tomato sauce together with rice and crunchy chips again. (The Brazilian seems to use this a lot in their meals here. Had this in my hotdog during my supper on the first night)

I could hardly walk further and sat on a bench resting while checking out the internet. Saw the cleaner in the mall with inline skate and find them pretty cool. Wanted to take a picture but was blocked by patrons unfortunately.

Match steward at work!

Brasilia vs Luziania

Around 3pm, I was struggling whether to watch the match and I was really glad I did. The stadium was getting crowded when I reached the spectator entrance. I reckon I couldn't enter from here and walked further to get in from the same entrance I went in this morning. The policeman already recognized me. I found a seat closest to the pitch. The first time I was so close to a professional player. The game already started. I watched a while and moved away from the goal post to the corner kick area. 

The match is getting intense!

Luziania the eventual champion.

After half time, I decided to finish the game and moved closer to the center of the field. After a while longer, I moved to the top center together with most of the other supporters. Brasilia finally scored in the dying minutes from set piece and the match ended 1-0 but Luziania won the championship of Serie D.

By now, I was basically limping to the bus station.  Many other

Closest you can get to the players!

supporters were going the same way too. The roads here were wide, but jay walking was just as common.  Trying to find my bus around the station but couldn't seems to locate it. So, I asked the station staff and was pointed to the C11 bus stand to wait. It was almost 20min when a bus finally came that looks like a possible candidate. I got the confirmation from the same staff who was the driver himself. He even guided me to alighting at the right bus stop! I could understand why Fernanda said it was difficult to move around in Brazil without your own car.  Just ask any Malaysian and they would agree too.

I was already a walking zombie. It was almost 8pm. I went to the supermarket to get some bread, cheese and butter for breakfast tomorrow. Thought of finding a place for dinner but it started to drizzle. Decided to go home straight instead. Had my shower and was so tired that I didn't even had my dinner (except the delicious dessert that Fernanda made herself!) and slept at 11pm.

BWC 2014 - 16th May (Day 2 - Welcome to Brasilia)

selfie at Amsterdam!

The sleep was not too bad. I was awake around 8 plus but my eyes were still like a kid unwilling to get up for school. Around 9, I freshen up myself and stretched my muscles around the lavatory area. Went back to my seat to enjoy the breakfast which was served to my seat around 10am. Had too much tomato juice and opted for a cup of coffee instead. The bread with butter "shake" me awake. (Please refer to my previous day post for explanation on "shake")

boring at Schiphol Airport...

At 11:30am, they announced for landing. When we touched down at Amsterdam, the local time was 6am. Found my gate to board the next flight to Sao Paolo, which was the same gate I arrived. Still have two hours to kill, I did some window shopping at the gadget stall, bearing fat hope to get some cheap deals. Only then I realized Schiphol airport just offered 2 sets of half an hour free WIFI access. Nevertheless, glad I found the internet area which allowed me to charge my phone without an adapter! Happily spent my 2nd set of free WIFI while charging the phone. When my access time was over, I did my 2nd big business that morning and then continued to charge while enjoying my Dutch cheese and biscuits I saved from the in-flight meal.

waiting at Sao Paolo...

say "cheese"

Boarding starts at 8:15am. I walked over to the gate and waited boringly till they start boarding at 9:30am. I looked around and guessed I must be the only crazy Asian guy around.

It was going to be another 12 hours flight! I was already hungry and longing for my in-flight meal. Caught "Wreck-It Ralph" and "The Wolf of Wall Street". Personally I enjoyed the animation more because I think the storyline was good, although Leonardo Di Caprio acting is really commendable in the latter movie.

I still have 5.5 hours to go. How I wished I got the aisle seat at that time. Both my neighbours were sleeping. Head a little heavy. Tried to go for one more movie, a Swedish comedy. The name "The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared " is already catchy. Storyline looks interesting but after 30min, I suddenly felt so tired and fell asleep for almost 4 hours until they started to serve food again. Couldn't finish the movie, I just watched a TV program on Brazil World Cup while having my meal. I continued to sleep until we landed around 5pm local time.

I tried to talk to a staff to see if I could cut the queue since my next connecting flight was at 6:40pm. However, she had a glance at my FIFA accreditation letter but pointed me to the same visitor queue. I looked at my watch which showed 5:30pm. I looked at the queue which was in a zigzag manner. After a little longer, I asked another staff but he was so sure that I would be able to make it

on my way to Brasilia!!

for the flight. Although I was doubtful of his confidence, I remained calm and only thought of how I would be explaining later in the blog what a relief  I would be going through. Things got worse when the PA announced that all passengers must retrieve their baggage for custom clearance including connecting flight passengers!! Suddenly the queue moved on much faster because the counters had served all the locals. At 5:55pm, it was my turn. There was a guy who seemed to be a translator at the counter but he told me he was new and just started learning English! I would love to explain that I was actually a volunteer if I have the luxury of time.  Fortunately, the immigration clearance was quick. At 6pm, I still had to wait for my baggage!! Some how, it just appeared when it was most needed. At 6:05pm, I pushed the cart quickly to the custom clearance. And third time lucky, I didn't have any trouble and passed through smoothly. After the exit, I had to find the connecting flight counter to dump my baggage back to the airline. It was 6:15pm. Then, I ran to the departure hall and went through security screening again!! Bingo!! I made it at 6:20pm!! I looked at the screen for my gate and found out my flight was actually delayed!! (Perhaps, that was why the custom officer was so confident earlier). Kind of a relief anyway, since I just managed to made it at the nick of time because the boarding pass said gate closes 15min before departure.

Luckily the flight was not delayed for long. Managed to get WIFI access to inform my host, Fernanda, that I would be late.  Around 7pm, we started to board and flight took off about one hour later than scheduled.

For the rest of the flight, I was sleeping and sleeping. I must be the different time zone effect. Around 9pm, we landed. Waited for half an hour for my baggage and finally met up with Fernanda. She was really a nice girl, coming all the way to pick me up after her work.

my comfy room!

We had a lot to talk in the car, although her place wasn't too far away from the airport. Found out that Brazilian uses a lot of the application Waze for exactly the same reason as the Malaysian does!! We stopped for a short while outside her house to get supper.

first meal in Brazil!

When we reached, she showed me around her huge house with a big BBQ pit area, a swimming pool and her lovely dog. It was already 11 plus. Fernanda excused herself.

I took my long waited shower.  It was pretty cool at night and the hot shower was really relaxing to finish off my crazy day of 32 hours journey! I had my first meal in Brazil, which was some sausage bun with crunchy chips! Settled down my stuffs in the room and thought of writing my blog but was so tired that I went to bed at 12:30am.

BWC 2014 - 15th May (Day 1 - on the plane)

It has a long while since the last time I write about my travel!! Ever since the tragic incident, I guess I've lost some steam to update my blog. Maybe I wasn't crazy enough... But Brazil World Cup 2014 brought out the craziness in me again!! Never did I expect I am one of the lucky 20 thousand plus they picked as a volunteer for this year World Cup at Brazil, among the 150 thousands applicants.

Though the offer came a little late, I considered myself very fortunate to get some cheap accommodation online, minus the air ticket! After some fair share of worry about the visa, I finally got everything settled about a week before my flight, which was tonight.

I missed it 12 years ago, never did I expect to make it 12 years later!

I am still pretty convinced that I am the only Singaporean crazy enough to pay hefty airfares and accommodation with two long months of free time to spare. Many of my same breed might not be able to fully comprehend. Sometimes I don't myself. Perhaps, I just do it to keep my craziness part of me alive.

And so here I am by 9pm at the KLIA all checked in and ready to board. By the look at my flight time of 11:20pm, it surely looked like I am a little overly cautious. But after a few usual new-generation-can't-live-without social network messaging, the TV screen showed the gate is already opened for boarding at 9:50pm. I walked to my gate. The queue was long. The flight was probably full. I looked for a seat trying to find a socket, like a curious kid looking for surprises under the benches.

I gave up very shortly and continued my messaging. When the queue gets shorter, I did the security screening only to be stopped for my filled water bottle. Sometimes, I just couldn't understand why I had to empty my bottle when I could immediately fill it up in the waiting area, right after the security check! Not slipping any opportunity to fulfill my social messaging responsibility, the announcement finally called for my seat row to start boarding.

I wished I boarded a Korean airline instead of KLM and you probably knew the obvious reason. Still trying to send one last message, but my Whatsapp seemed to be pretty lagged today. I could not get the connection and obediently set my phone to airplane mode, although I was a little jealous that my neighbour on my left was still facebook-ing.

Now you see, now you don't!

Stupidly flipped through the magazine, I was bored and tired. We took off on time and soon snack was served. As always, I had my usual favourite tomato juice. I hang my inflight entertainment system and left with updating this blog to kill more time while waiting for supper to be served. It was close to 1am. My eyes could hardly opened. Probably because of the dry contact lenses. But, I could not bare to skip my in-flight meals. Many would not fancy it, but I always look forward to in-flight meals! The bread with butter was just amazing. One of the food that makes me "shake" (in Cantonese, we say 「爽到震」 if we love something so much). The beef with rice was great too. Feeling all satisfied, the next thing left to do was... falling asleep. It was 2am KL time.