Open and shut in Brazil

Football is religion for the Brazilians. I knew that before my trip to this World Cup. But what that means on the ground, is starting to become clear to me only now.

On Tuesday (17.06.2014), the date of the second match of the Selecao, our fridge was empty. Not normally a problem, as the shops in Rio are open around the clock. Unless of course, the national team is playing.

Right on kick off, in the middle of the afternoon, the shops were all boarded up. The bars left and right remained open as fans gathered round small TV screens to watch Brazil versus Mexico. Straight after the final whistle, there was a strange sight. Long lines formed in front of supermarkets as people waited for the shops to re-open.

Today, it will be the same story people warned me, even if Brazil isn't playing. The reason: a match is taking place in Rio's main stadium, the Maracana. That's also a reason to take a short holiday for half a day, I'm told.

Damn it, I initially thought. I have to work this morning and won't be able to go shopping this afternoon or tomorrow. After all, Thursday is another important religious holiday for Catholics, Corpus Christi. No worried, I was told. On normal religious holidays, all shops in Brazil remain open all day.