4th of July + Libertadores

I went out 4th of July to see how the Americans celebrate their most important civic holiday. Just like I thought the day raises all the patriotism in the country.

Washington DC, full of national landmarks, attracts thousands of visitors. The banner's colors  were everywhere.

The big concentration of people was around the Washington Monument. 

Families arrived early and made picnic while waited for the fireworks at night.

Costumes of national symbols - Abraham Lincoln and Hot Dog.

Army cars patrol the area right in front the president's residence.

The White House was opened only for guest – at least one hundred people in the Rose Garden, looking to the Monument.

Die of envy, Stannis Baratheon. This is truly the sword Lightbringer.

Actually is a memorial to soldiers killed during World War II and Korea War.

I decided to ignore the fireworks because there was something much more important happening at the same time: the final game of Copa Libertadores da América - Corinthians (Brazil) cs Boca Juniors (Argentina). 

As usual I went to Lucky Bar DC, at Dupont Circle area. The bar was crowded of Americans celebrating the 4th of July. Soon it become crowded of corinthianos and xeneizes (Boca Juniors' fans). The Brazilian was more effusive, reflecting the offensive behavior of Corinthians in the field.

During the brake I asked an Argentine what impression he had about the first half. “Parejo (even)”, he replied. “Honestly, I think Corinthians was more offensive and had a better structured defensive system", I argued. He did that blasé face only the Argentines can do. He denied that their goalkeeper replacement due to an injury during the first half  was a problem. “Nuestro segundo goleiro es mejor, de verdad (actually, our second goallie is better)”, he said.

Poor Sosa, the second goallie. Right in the beginning of the second half he could not avoid Emerson's goal. The American bar became a little Pacaembu (the stadium in Sao Paulo where the game happened). The fans sang all the Fiel chants: "There is a band of crazy here", "Don't stop, don't stop" and many others. Many Americans stopped to ask what the hell was happening. 

After the second Emerson's goal, the champion feeling was hard to hold. I could not believe that was happening. After 35 years trying, Corinthians conquered the only cup was missing in our hall of trophies. I waked up that Wednesday knowing that I would end the day totally devastated or uncontrollably euphoric. The corintianos at the bar helped me to feel at home.

Raquel and Patricia watched games at the Lucky Bar DC since the semifinals weeks before.

I went out to celebrate. I divided the news with everybody minimally latino, as this mariachi little band, from Honduras.

It took time for the adrenaline to be back to normal levels. Corinthians champion of Libertadores. The party in the USA was for another reason, but the scenario was perfect fo me.

Corintianos in DC

Last Wednesday I watched Santos X Corinthians, one of the Copa Libertadores de America's semifinal games, at Lucky Bar DC. As the name suggests, the place brings me good omens. I started to watch games there when Corinthians faced Vasco da Gama a week earlier.


The bar is famous all over the city because it is known for broadcasting sporting events. There are plenty of televisions, each one showing a different channel. You can follow many games at the same time: South American soccer, European soccer, baseball, basketball and hockey.


I arrived at the bar and was searching for the television showing Copa Libertadores, when I heard someone talking in Portuguese: "It is right here, corintiano". Everybody knows that Corinthians fans are everywhere, but it surprised me to find another fan in a not exactly touristic city like Washington DC.


Corintiano's affliction is the same anywhere, and we shared the table and the beer. His name was Ricardo, and he was in Washington for a professional training, coming from South Korea.


Everything was in perfect order. We both were cursing the referee and nobody else could understand the curses. Suddenly Emerson scored that beautiful goal and our reaction could not be more corintiana. I jumped highter than the table. Ricardo started hitting the chair with his fists. The whole bar stopped to look at us. Three American friends following me stared at us with curiosity. But everybody congratulated us.


During the break another corintiano arrived. His name was Diogo. He was studying in DC. I presented a little briefing on the game for him. He joined our table in no time. Another guy arrived, obviously not Brazilian, and asked about the game. He was Chilean and supported Universidad, the team Corinthians can face if both manage to get to the finals.



Completing the environment, another corintiano arrived. He did not introduce himself, but only left a subtle threat. "If the referee gives Santos a penalty, we break the bar down". When they cut down half of Vila Belmiro's electricity, right at the end of the game, I really wanted to break the place down.



In the end, even with a lot of extra time, everything went well for Corinthians. Both guys were going back to Brazil and have tickets for the next game in Pacaembu stadium. To meet other members of Corinthians nation is like meeting a part of my country again. Without ceremony, we shared the table, the beer and the affliction. 


Full of envy for both, I will return to Lucky Bar DC next Wednesday to keep with my short tradition that can lead my team to the first Libertadores final.


Great Corinthians, always proud, you're from Brazil, the more Brazilian club!