with fireworks, beers, and a late night with friends and family.  Sound like a typical American 4th of July?  Think again.  It was all in honor of one of the biggest soccer teams in São Paulo, the Corinthians, winning the Copa Libertadores (the biggest South American club competition).  It’s the first time in the history of the team that they have won and it was a BIG deal.  Literally the entire city was watching, and it was at 10 o’clock at night, mind you.  The culture around soccer is amazing here.  I mean, would anyone in the US watch even the Superbowl if it was on a Wed night at 10pm?  Fireworks have been going off since yesterday morning and they still haven’t stopped.  When we walked home after the game last night there were literally things on fire in the street.  No.  Joke.

Here is a little clip of the bar going craaazy when the Corinthians scored their second goal of the game, essentially sealing their win.

PS – Michael has a coworker who went to the game, afterward headed to the stadium where the team returned after the game, then went out RIOTING in the streets.  He went home at 6:30am, showered, and headed off for work.  Brazilians take their soccer SERIOUSLY.