Day 18: Every day cant be perfect. Today was one of those those. Yet I will always remember it. I searched through my bag, where the hell is it?, I had lost my North Face jacket somewhere between Curitiba, Belo Horizonte and here. Dam!! Of all the days I needed it most. Recife, on the north east coast of Brazil, is humid and a low lying brooding cloud sat gloomily over us and unleashed every droplet of Atlantic water over the city. As we inched our way to the stadium in our shuttle bus, the streets became progressively worse as roads became rivers. It was fascinating watching the locals coping with the floods. Even Noah would have built a boat had he been alive today. I doubt the local council would by the looks of the rotting infrastructure. The contrast between Brazilian cities is so stark. We overheard that Raincife is the nickname given to Recife. As I was snapping away at the passing street life through the raindrops, Greg in his casual self suggested I open the window to get a clearer picture. I hadnt noticed the window had a handle. Good point…duuuh I thought. The minute I opened the window and pointed my camera outside, a car overtook our bus and his spray unleashed a bucket load of disease infested street water in my direction soaking my face and my camera. With a mouthful of water, I tried to remain cool…. Traffic was gridlocked, what else is new in Brazil, but after two hours we eventually got to the stadium. It was still lashing down. We went through security where I was asked to remove the label on my water bottle as it wasnt a Coke branded bottle (no comment!) and hung out in the media centre. An hour before kick off and the place was empty. They were all probably stuck in traffic jams around the city. I went out to check the pitch and saw the referees and a couple of the USA team check the pitch. I was positive the game was going to be called off due to a waterlogged pitch. I was wrong. After a quick bite to eat in the media restaurant I asked one of the kitchen staff for some bin bags. She came out with some lovely yellow ones. I made a couple of holes and one for my head and I had saved myself £5 from having to buy one from the market stalls outside. Before the teams came out for the national anthems, photographers, cameramen and journalists huddled in the media tunnel entrance, just by the corner flag, grunting, groaning and muttering about having to spend the next two hours under the monsoon rain. I could barely see out of my lens, let alone my viewfinder. This rain was relentless. My lens cloth served no purpose, it was like going to war with a plastic sword. The German photographer next to me screaming Scheisser I cant see nussing! Sheiss All I could see was a blur and considering I am filming in 4K, which requires every shot to be sharp and in focus, this was a nightmare. The German team pounded the USA, with some neat passing, great through balls, but they just couldnt finish them off. The USA were valiantly holding on. Their fans who had braved the traffic to finally make it in the nick of time, were here by their thousands, they sang their hearts out (the Germans did as well. Am not biased). It was amazing to see so many US fans. So many dressed in super hero outfits. There goes Superman, Batman and there is Captain America. Oooh look Wonder Woman. (The Germans were dressed as …they normally dress…in black red and yellow, some in bavarian clothes). Unfortunately for the Yanks, the Germans, as they do so well, had decided it was time to spoil the party. Muller with the only goal. It was all hugs and kisses at the end. Despite the loss the US had also scraped through the next round. By the way, I dont have anything against the Germans. They have definitely been the best team I have filmed so far. They look like a team, they have structure and disciplined. My favourites to win this little tournament of sorts. Hope my shoes dry by tomorrow.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 02:44:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015