Brazil v Colombia, a big night out in Lencois

We left Salvador and headed inland to Lencois on a high after our last World Cup match USA vs Salvador, one of the best matches I've been at. 

I have detailed the Parque National Diamantina HERE but Lencois itself is worth a mention. A seemingly quiet town it is very much on the tourist trail and has a number of hotels, hostels and camoing to suit all budgets and travel styles. The number of tourist doesn't detract from the steep, narrow cobbled streets where restaurants spill out into the street at night. 

The covered market and several squares each form part of the local community social activity with people gathering to meet or passing the time of day. Many of the tour agencies and other businesses only open in the evening once the tourists arrive back from their treks and tours of the park giving the place a pleasant natural feel during the day.

Having witnessed most of the World Cup in the host city Salvador it was great to get a different experience watching Brazil v Colombia quarter final here. TV's were set up outside and together with Flyn, Rachael and Justin from our hostel we found a bar with seats out in one of the main squares next to the covered market, a perfect spot.

The town started filling with yellow as kick off approached with both visitors and locals sporting the Brazil colours.  As the players were warming up the local drum band marched out of the covered marked and gave a full blooded display getting the crowd worked up.

The game itself was tense with nerves all round. An early goal from Thiago Silva sent fire crackers screaming through the town, fireworks bursting from the hillside and significant beer spillage. Colombia had earned a reputation as one of the flair sides of the tournament and even though they looked nervous Brazil knew the danger was still there. A second goal mid way through the second half for a 2-0 lead was enough for another round of firecrackers, fireworks and beer spillage.  A late James (Ham-ez) Rodriguez goal was enough to quieten the crowd and only as full time ticked over did chants of BRAZIL BRAZIL BRAZIL echo through the square, on full time queue more firecrackers, more fireworks, more beer spillage and a return of the drum band on even more full blooded form than before. There was definitely a feeling of relief as much as joy as they had known Colombia were a form team.  

Dancing erupted in the street and the band, pied piper like headed off into the town, returning some minutes later with more people in tow. They took up position and the whole town, and bemused tourists burst into dance, led by one of the band leaders in what looked like a bizarre group aerobics workout.

Later in the covered market a fantastic Capoeira display broke out with the local club ranging from small children to honed experts facing off raising excitement levels further. Capoeira is a dance mixed with martial art with moves involving high kicks and somersaults. It is a staple of the province of Bahia, though I felt this was more genuine than the made for tourist displays in Salvador.

The town was clearly in the mood to party. Open backed Utes drove past with people dancing and playing Saxaphone in the back, youths honked their horns and a good time was had by all.

It was a pleasure to be in such an amzing country for the World Cup and sharing this night with Lencois was one of the craziest nights of all.