This morning I made my debut on The National's weekly "Extra Time" podcast. Speaking from São Paulo, I (hopefully) provided some insight into the feeling in Brazil ahead of the World Cup, as well as stadium delays, humidity issues and how the mood compares to South Africa. I tried to tone down the Scottish accent, but failed. I also tried out some Portuguese on the host, to much bemusement. If you want to listen to the Pod, click here. If (like me) you would rather stick needles in your ears, click here. ISWAS |
0 Comments
On April 9, 2014, at around 12.30pm local time, I left my apartment in the Bela Vista neighbourhood of Sao Paulo with the intention of making my first pilgrimage to the Arena Corinthians in Itaquera. The "Itaquerao" stadium is due to host the opening match of the Fifa World Cup in less than 65 days, and as I hope to be at the match, I was keen to discover how long I should expect the journey to take. Of course, there is a big difference between a normal Tuesday afternoon and the day of the first World Cup match on Brazilian soil since 1950 and so I did not plan to read too much into the timing. That said, Google Maps estimated it would take me one hour 12 mins (if I used public transport) to travel the 14 miles. As a new arrival in Sao Paulo, I have yet to get to grips with the metro system, but it seems to work well. Following two changes and a switch from metro to actual train, I arrived at "Itaquera/Arena Corinthians" in 41 minutes. A pleasant surprise. What awaited me was not such a surprise. I have followed the development of Brazil's stadiums closely over the past couple of years and so knew the Arena Corinthians was far from completion - despite Fifa's latest deadline passing nine days ago. It continues to look like a building site, complete with cranes and diggers and peppered with construction workers dressed in either yellow or blue jumpsuits.
|
Gary MeenaghanSports scribbler. Pedant with prose. Alliteration addict. Omnivore. Archives
July 2016
Categories
All
|