My earliest memory of FIFA World Cup is the first goal of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in the West.Germany-Chile (4:1) game played during FIFA World Cup Spain on June 20, 1982. Thanks to Google, I was able to win a fight against childhood amnesia and found the details of that moment/memory on the Internet.
I’m in love with Football since my childhood. As all kids, I worshiped Footballers (Garrincha and Maradona were my Idols), read books about Football, collected Football items, and played Football till sunsets. I dreamed of becoming a professional footballer playing World Cup matches in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium, the largest stadium in the world! Unfortunately, Brazil has not been selected as World Cup host country since 1950. So I didn’t have a chance to fulfill my childhood dream… well, there were other reasons too [smile]. However, today I can say My Childhood Dream Came True!
gmeanm3r
Maracana Stadium, FIFA World Cup, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This post opens ‘Dreaming of Rio’, a new series of travel photographs taken during my trip to Rio de Janeiro. I had felt in love with the city and brought home a great number of photos of its amazing sights and beautiful people. As always, people-watching and street portrait photography (‘beach portrait photography‘ would be the right term for Rio) were my top-priority photo projects. The FIFA World Cup host city was a perfect place to capture street portraits of futbol fans from around the globe. You’ll see a lot of those fun shots here soon. Besides snapping pics at Maracana Stadium and FIFA Fan Fest zone, I was taking them at Copacabana beach, Santa Teresa and Lapa districts, Christ the Redeemer statue, Urca Hill and Sugar Loaf mountains, Selaron Steps, Santa Marta favela, and other places around the city. Please stay tuned and don’t hesitate to have your say in the comments below. I hope you’ll enjoy the series. [click here to see all photo posts from Brazil]
Click on image to view full size.
gmeanm3r
Absolutely stunning photos. I certainly am interested in visiting Brazil! :)
Wow! What team are you cheering on?
For me it’s the two countries I consider home: Japan and Germany. Unfortunately Japan has been kicked out by Colombia. :(
I remember the World Cup in Germany in 2006. Back then, I still lived in Germany. It was a big deal and everyone enjoyed it. I imagine there must be a similar atmosphere in Brazil right now. :)
Thank you, Jasmine!
I hope Brazil will win this World Cup. If not Brazil, then Argentina. I love Messi :)
The atmosphere in Brazil is incredible! It’s all about World Cup! So much fun!
Memographer recently posted..FIFA World Cup Brazil. Dreams Do Come True!
Wow! Good for you. I have always thought of Rio as such an exotic destination and your photos make me think I’m right. What an exciting city. Doubt anyonr could get bored there. Have fun!
Michelle recently posted..My Alaska Cruise Ports of Call – Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan
Thank you, Michelle! You’re right, no bored people here :)
Memographer recently posted..FIFA World Cup Brazil. Dreams Do Come True!
I am so glad you could follow your dream! Great photos as always!
Thank you, Masha! Dreams do come true!
World Cup or no World Cup, these photos make me want to visit Brazil.
That may be the best street performer shot I’ve ever seen.
Mike | Earthdrifter recently posted..How to Prep for the CELTA
Thank you, Mike! The street performers were awesome. I’ll publish a few other photos in the future posts.
Amazing photos! Especially of Christ the Redeemer. It’s been photographed so many times but yours do stand out . And good on you for fulfilling a childhood dream! So happy for you! :)
Jean | Holy Smithereens recently posted..Top 10 Coolest Luxury Hotel Room Amenities
Thank you, Jean! That’s what our dreams are for. Right? :)
Nice traffic stop! Yet, you obviously know which one was my fav of course, Alex :) All of them are absolutely beautiful and that was very funny with Google helping you with childhood amnesia! We hope you’re having a great week :)
Mike recently posted..CANCER-FREE CONTEST! Win $100…
Thank you, Mike! I am sure that your fav is also my fav and fav of Phoenix ;)
I couldn’t make it to Brazil this year, but your photos make me feel like I was there for a while :). Lovely! How many days did you stay there? It’s been on my bucket list and I want to go there next year followed by a trip to Peru and Argentina!
Agness recently posted..Bali’s Temple Hopping On The Cheap In 6 Simple Steps
Thank you, Agness! I was in Rio for five days. I’m thinking of going back to Brazil for a longer trip. World Cup is fun and a lot of joy if you love football. However, the number of tourists is the other side of the coin…
Let me know if you need a hostel in Rio. Mine was great and 5 mins walk from Copacabana beach.
Memographer recently posted..FIFA World Cup Brazil. Dreams Do Come True!
Amazing pictures, love how you capture all the aspects of the city from the celebratory to the mundane. Happy that you got to fulfill your childhood dream!
Thank you for stopping by, Jessica! So happy you love these pics.
Memographer recently posted..Turner Field – The “Home of The Braves”
We would have loved to go to Brazil and then explore more of South America this year, but unfortunately we couldn’t make it. These photos make me wants to go even more.. One day!
Franca recently posted..Weekend Photo Theme – The Best Markets We’ve Been To
Thanks, Franca! Yes, there’s always tomorrow.
We were hoping to make to Brazil this year (Rio has been on the top of my list for forever!), but it’s not looking likely! Lovely pics, as always. I especially like your shot of Christ the Redeemer statue and the depth and layers it has. But the others really capture the feeling of being there during the World Cup!
Katie recently posted..Guest Post: The Underwater World of Pemuteran, Bali
Thanks, Katie! I was looking forward to capturing that photo of the Christ the Redeemer statue for a while :) Glad you like it!
Love the photo of the kid playing football, very fitting! Looking forward to seeing more of the series :)
Catherine recently posted..The Photos Might Be Gone, But The Memories Are Still Here
Thanks, Catherine! I have captured a good number of photos of Copacabana beach activities. However, next post will be published on July 1st and will be focused on Belgium-Russia fans portraits. Please stay tuned ;)
Awesome photos! Brazil looking amazing – would love to go there one day!
Jayme recently posted..The Time I Ate a Scorpion in Bangkok
Thanks, Jayme! Rio de Janeiro is definitely a must visit place.
Memographer recently posted..The Angels on The Ponte Sant’Angelo
Great photos! You have no idea how envious we are that you got to go…one day we’ll make it to a World Cup, one day…
Emily recently posted..What to Know About Argentina
Thanks, Emily! Don’t be jealous :) there is always another World Cup ;)
Hi Alex, I’m so happy for you –that you childhood dream has finally came true. It’s amazing being in Brazil but can’t be much more amazing being there during the World Cup! Beautiful photos. You captured the spirit and energy of Rio. You make me want to return soon.
I’m intrigued by the photo of the lady on Selaron Steps. Are those real tattoos on her neck and face?
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted..Beautiful, Romantic Bora Bora
Thanks, Marisol! Being in Brazil during World Cup was awesome!
It is not a tattoo on the lady’s face, neck and shoulder (it’s a sort of makeup or face paint). She is a local singer.
Memographer recently posted..The End of Brazil Mania. Goodbye, World Cup. Thank you, Fans!
We were there too! I honestly can’t believe that it is actually over. It seemed like we waited for 10 years planning that trip and then just like that it was over. Your post, and your amazing photos brings me back to Rio though, especially those crazy Belgians, they were everywhere!
Thanks, Victoria! I know what you feel… World Cup was one of my best travels.
Agree on Belgians, they were everywhere :)
Memographer recently posted..Street Portraits from Streets of Rio