Checkout time this morning was 9am and our shuttle to the airport is not until 6pm.  We decided to fill the day with sightseeing and hopped into a taxi to Sugarloaf Mountain immediately after breakfast. Unlike my first visit, the atmospheric conditions today are absolutely perfect. With minimal crowds and 20 mile visibility we lingered on top until we had absorbed the amazing panoramic views.

After descending we were fortunate to find the Rio Splash Tour on the verge of departure. We jumped on the amphibious open-sided bus akin to the Boston Duck Boats for a tour of the harbor.  The views were exceptional and offered a very different vantage point from which to enjoy the city.

Our final stop for the day was the Copacabana beach where we enjoyed a late lunch, a visit to the FIFA Fanfest Store (a total waste of time), and a stroll on the beach.  Never have I seen so many people on such an extensive beach in all my life.

The moment I learned I would be visiting Rio, I knew there was one iconic image I wanted to capture, that of Christ the Redeemer looking down over the city and harbor.  This morning, while Nico was sleeping in, I made my way to a local heliport where I boarded a short sightseeing flight.  Only an aerial platform could offer the perspective I was looking for.  I could not be happier with the resulting image or the many others I captured from the air.

When I returned to the hotel, I joined Nico for some beach volleyball which left me nearly paralyzed after an hour of play.  Despite the sore muscles and aggravation to my dilapidated shoulder joints, I was still able to hold my own with the younger players. We then had lunch and enjoyed the Argentina-Belgium quarter-final match in the lounge.  During our stay, Nico befriended Anna, one of the few women his age, who is here with her father Brian.  The four of us decided we would head down to the Copacabana beach and take in the Netherlands-Costa Rica match from the FanFest that is so often featured in media coverage of the World Cup.

Minutes after the kick-off, it became apparent that people come here to party en masse. The fact that there is a soccer game being projected on a huge screen is almost inconsequential.  We wisely chose to return to the hotel 15 minutes into the game as the crowd continued to grow. There we enjoyed the second half, overtime, and exciting penalty kick shoot out.  Another perfect day in paradise.

The big day has arrived. We are headed to Maracana Stadium for the quarter-final World Cup match between Germany and France.  Nico shows off our complimentary tickets before boarding the bus.  The bus for the French National team is also boarding and the security detail to protect them is insane.

The bus ride to the stadium went very quickly as today has been proclaimed a national holiday due to the quarter final match between Brazil and Columbia later this afternoon.  We arrived at the Coca-Cola pavilion for lunch and refreshments before the game.  Nico poses with Andra in front of a nice locker room backdrop provided just for this purpose.

I nearly had to twist his arm off before Nico would agree to pose for this photo with a dancer we met while making our way to the stadium entrance.  I suspect he is now happy I forced him to do so or will be in a couple of years when he revisits the blog.  My rule of thumb: Only good things come from the combination of large feathers and beautiful women.

When Nico first got the call from Powerade some 9 months ago we could not have imagined that his journey with the campaign would land us in Brazil for a World Cup match in the Maracana Stadium.  I am thrilled that he chose me for his +1 (Kyle and Karuna were both in the running) but even more so that the video I shot of his childhood has been woven into such a compelling story of his life in soccer.

Aside from the caliber of play, a World Cup match is defined by the fervor of the fans rooting for their country.  To be among the sea of supporters intent on propelling their team to victory was a truly memorable experience.

The game itself was not as high scoring as some of the matches so far but suffered no lack of intensity by either squad despite the sweltering conditions. Germany’s single goal off a brilliant header was enough to send France home.

After the match we returned to the Sheraton lounge where we all gathered to watch the Brazil-Columbia match on the big screen TVs openly rooting for the home team knowing a win would trigger massive celebration across the nation.  Andra, Nico, and Kevin show off their pro Brazil tattoos during half time.

When Brazil emerged victorious we joined a few newly made friends and some of the Coke folks for a sampling of the local pub scene.

I was up with the sun for a little photography on the resort grounds. The rock formation below is situated directly in front of the hotel and was one of my favorite subjects. For this image I used a very long exposure time to blur the motion of the water.

Yesterday Nico received an interview request from a producer at CNN who learned about him through his work at Camp Coleman in Atlanta. While he slept in, exhausted from volleyball, I coordinated their request for a live interview with CNN Newsroom anchor, Brooke Baldwin, for later in the afternoon.  I looped in the Powerade PR team who then managed all of the logistics. Arriving just in time to escort us to the CNN “studio” overlooking the Maracana Stadium was Andra London, Senior Global Communications Manager for Coca-Cola. She has really been the point person for Nico’s involvement with the Powerade brand and one of the only people on the campaign who we had yet to meet.

The French National team, under intense security, is also staying at the Sheraton this evening. When Nico noticed Olivier Giroud in the lobby without an entourage, he introduced himself and asked for a picture together.  He is still (justifiably) mad at me for not taking a better photo for this one time only opportunity.

Traffic was horrendous as we travelled by taxi to Maracana.  CNN has rented an apartment that overlooks the stadium and has converted it to a studio. We arrived with only moments to spare for the live to tape segment, Nico’s first remote interview (Brooke was in Atlanta).  We had time for a quick photo with Andra just as the sun was setting. The interview lasted all of five minutes and Nico did a great job.  We celebrated with a  fine dinner and really enjoyed getting to know Andra who is a remarkable woman and the friendliest person you will ever meet.

We arrived back at the hotel just in time for a special presentation of Brazilian carnival music and dance by last year’s champions, Tijuca.  Many of my photos and all of the video I shot are not suitable for posting on this G-rated site but the one below should give you a flavor of the atmosphere.

 

Despite having seemingly endless beaches, the Sheraton Rio is the city’s only resort actually situated on the water. Our home for the next five days could not be a more welcome sight after a sleepless night in the airplane.

The view from our 11th floor window overlooks the resort grounds and Ipanema Beach to the north. Coca-Cola has literally taken over portions of the hotel where it is hosting guests from around the world for the duration of the World Cup. The entire fifth floor has been converted to a Coca-Cola guest exclusive lounge, discotheque, cafe, big screen viewing area and game arcade.  Facades have been built over every wall and decorated with a Brazilian/World Cup/Coca-Cola theme. Meals that would earn praise from Jeanine for their taste, variety and healthfulness are served buffet style in the cafe which easily accommodates the ~300 guests here this week.  These include consumer prize package winners from around the world as well as Coca-Cola employees who won internal prize packages.  Nico and I are special guests by virtue of his involvement with the Powerade World Cup media campaign and we see his commercials running everywhere from the lounge to the TVs on the buses.

Our host for the week is Bachir Zeroual who we meet upon our arrival. He provides us with our photo credentials and orients us to the excitement that lies ahead.

As soon as we are settled in and have had lunch, Nico makes a beeline for the beach and volleyball.  I opt for an afternoon tour to Sugarloaf Mountain.

Situated at the mouth of Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain is a peak rising 1,299 ft above the harbor. Its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. The mountain is only one of several monolithic granite and quartz mountains that rise straight from the water’s edge around Rio de Janeiro. A glass-walled cable car runs between the peaks of Morro da Urca and Pão de Açúcar from which visitors enjoy a spectacular 360 degree, panoramic view of Rio, the harbor, and the ocean. Unfortunately, hazy weather makes for poor photographs and I decide I will return with Nicolai on a clearer day.

The Calabria’s departed Boston in opposite directions today.  Jeanine and Maya are headed to California where they will spend the balance of the week visiting Kyle.  Meanwhile, Nicolai and I are headed to Brazil where we will be the guests of the Coca-Cola company for the next five days enjoying a front-row seat to the World Cup quarterfinals.  We timed our arrival at the airport so that we could watch the USA vs. Belgium match after clearing security and before our red-eye flight to Rio de Janeiro.  Our disappointment over the loss was quickly replaced with excitement when we landed in Rio the following morning and were greeted at the airport by our “lollypop” bearing hosts.

I spent the better part of the evening post processing photos from the family reunion and uploading them to the web.  This one, of the older cousins, is among my favorites.  Nico and I leave for Brazil tomorrow where we will be the guests of the Coca-Cola company who have invited us to attend the World Cup quarter-finals in Rio de Janeiro.  I will likely not post again until we return next Monday.

Levitation photos have become derigueur for family gatherings of Calabria cousins. Pictured above is my nephew Rory, demonstrating the speed and strength that won him this year’s Minnesota State Tennis Doubles Championship. None of these photos have been edited.

Activities today included an ad hoc breakfast at the lodge, swimming and sliding at the massive waterpark contained within, World Cup viewing at a Lake Geneva bar, a continuation of the multi-year croquet tournament between the older cousins, and dinner at the Grand Geneva Resort, formerly the Playboy Club of Lake Geneva.  I have been taking photographs throughout the weekend which can be viewed by following the link to Reunion Photos. To the great amusement of those gathered, I ruined this attempt at a full family portrait when I assumed I arrived too late for the delayed shutter release. Subsequent attempts proved more fruitful and included what will likely be our Christmas card image for 2014.

Jeanine, Nicolai, Maya, and I flew to Chicago’s Midway Airport this afternoon.  We rented a car and then collected Kyle from O’Hare Airport en route to Lake Geneva Wisconsin where my side of the family will be celebrating a family reunion this weekend at the Timber Ridge Lodge. In total 34 out of a possible 36 of my relatives traveled from California, North Carolina, New York, Minnesota, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland for the event which kicked off this evening with dinner in town.

This weekend the Calabria side of the family is gathering for a family reunion in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  We are all very excited about seeing the extended family and especially about seeing Kyle who is working as an intern at Palo Alto Networks this summer. Our little boy is all grown up and we miss him.

Nicolai slept in the Atlanta airport after his flight was cancelled last night. He caught the first flight out this morning so he could join his friends at the house for the USA-Germany soccer match up.

Maya looked entirely relaxed after completing her last set of finals. She has a busy summer planned with ballet camp in Montreal, Apogee biking in Montana, a trip to California to visit with Kyle, and a local soccer camp.

Nicolai was scheduled to return from Atlanta this evening after completing a full-day speaking engagement at Camp Coleman, an hour outside of the city. Inclement weather on the eastern seaboard forced the cancelation of his flight and he will not return until tomorrow. To his great disappointment, he will not be able to watch the US World Cup match with his friends.  On a positive note, the Camp Director was very pleased with the event and shared the following comment with me. “Totally amazing. Many veteran staff and campers told me that it was the most inspirational day of their camp life.  He related incredibly well with the campers and staff. He has a wonderful message and he is sharp and insightful beyond his years.”

This afternoon iRobot employees were treated to ice cream from a pair of trucks that pulled up to our courtyard. Beautiful weather, ice cream in the middle of the afternoon, a very nice treat indeed.

On the home front we were visited by a Japanese video production company that is interested in doing a segment about Nicolai for their show called “Unbelievable.”  The preliminary interview is to gauge interest back in Japan.  We will have to see if this leads anywhere.

Moments after his interview, Nico was picked up by a car service to Logan airport for his flight to Atlanta. He has an all day speaking engagement tomorrow at a Jewish summer camp with some 400 campers and 150 counselors. Hopefully he will return with a few photos for the blog.

As another soccer season has come to an end, I reflected back on the first team I ever played for.  I was a “walk-on” at Union College. I had never played in high school but impressed the coach during tryouts.  My field skills were not on par with the seasoned players but he liked my tenacity and gave me a turn in goal.  It turns out that quick reflexes and a total lack of regard for injury to one’s body are all that is required to play the position. I was the starting JV goalie for three years giving up an average of 0.76 goals per game. I would never have imagined then that I would still be playing competitively some 35 years later.  With any luck, I think I can manage another 10.