In 2011, Chris was offered a job in Brazil. A well-paying, exciting, glamorous (or so I thought) job in the heart of a beautiful country...and we accepted it. We were SO excited. Angeline even came around to the idea and began to get excited, after the initial shock of learning that we'd leave everything we ever knew and loved to start a new life in a foreign country.
She was excited because we'd have a maid and a bigger house. Ha! Kids...
Well, shortly before we were due to start the process of moving, Chris had second thoughts. And then, a change of heart.
We weren't moving.
As you can imagine, I was devastated. Every time I heard the word "Brazil," my heart sank. When I went shopping at Macy's, their Brasilia advertisements for their new line made me want to cry.
Of course I eventually got over it, but I was honestly pretty depressed for most of last year while I grieved over the loss of the opportunity.
Even now, a complete year after we would have moved to Sao Paulo, I still feel a dull ache in my heart when I think of all the adventures we would have had, had we moved there. But life is good - no, LIFE IS GREAT - and I am happy where we are.
Last night, Chris told me that while he was out to lunch with his coworkers, someone told him that in the very city where we would have lived, there was a double murder at a soccer game - I mean, a football game.
As he began telling me the story, I was in shock. And then, for the very first time in the past year and a half, I was HAPPY that Chris changed his mind about taking that job, and I was RELIEVED that we never moved to Brazil.
What happened?
Apparently, an argument broke out between a player and the referee over a call made at the soccer game. During the argument, the referee pulled out a knife and stabbed the player, who was rushed to the hospital.
I was all like OMG WTF?! What referee carries a knife to a soccer game?!
That was just the beginning!
The player died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, and word reached the crowd at the game rather quickly. They rushed the field, and stoned the referee to death.
I repeat: the crowd STONED THE REFEREE TO DEATH.
As in, like biblical stoning. They stoned him.
Ah, but it gets worse.
After they killed the referee, they quartered him.
THEY QUARTERED HIM. Ripped limb from limb.
Seriously, I couldn't even make this shit up.
Then they beheaded him and impaled his head upon a post in the field.
As Chris was telling me this story, I was doubting the likelihood that it was true. I mean, we did A LOT of research on Brazil before making the decision to move there (his decision to not take the job was only because he didn't want to leave all of our friends and family for a new country) and everything we'd read said that it was as safe as the states, it had a strong economy, etc etc. It seemed a modern, civilized country, just as much as the U.S.
I could see riots, I could see the stadium being set afire, I could see someone attacking the referee...all of those things would be understandable - something I wouldn't be too surprised to see happen anywhere in the world, even right here at home.
But stoning? Quartering? Beheading? Impaling?
WHAT THE HELL, BRAZIL? This isn't the Dark Ages!!
If we had made the move to Brazil, I really think I would be so traumatized by the event that I would have to come home to the U.S.
Tiff
Whoa, that's so so crazy. I can't believe that something like that would be allowed without interference from police or something. That would NEVER fly here. Yikes, I would be glad not to live there too after hearing this story.
Tammy
I had heard this on the news a few days ago, it's horrible.
Shana D
I heard about this yesterday and thought for sure someone was playing a mean joke so I researched for myself and to say I was shocked would be an understatement. I'm with you, wtf is wrong with people!
Kelly
That is so shocking and disturbing. I'm glad you didn't move.
Lisa
I heard about this. How crazy!
Mellisa
I heard about this!! I just can't believe something like this would happen but then again some people are CRAZY!!!
Jai
omg. When I started reading I assumed this must be something that happened many years ago. That's just crazy.
Marcie W.
Insane! Apparently some people take their sports very seriously.
Angela
This is just totally insane. Some people just need any excuse to act like complete uncivilized savages.
Shell Feis
I heard about this like a week ago & STILL can't get it out of my mind. How is this even a thing that happens in 2013? That's so, so crazy. I'm glad you don't live there, I'd be scared for you now.
Becca
OMG that is INSANE!!!!
Maryann
This was just too much!
Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie}
This is actually about the 5th horrific story I've heard about Brazil this year. Only a couple months ago there were several cases of women being gang raped on buses, while their partners were beaten & forced to watch.
They have worked very hard to put across a safe modern image to help secure their hosting of the World Cup next next, which is sort of the soccer equivalent of the Olympics.
Theresa
That is insane.
Sheri
I heard about that! I am glad you weren't there!
Rachel
Oh. My. Word.
Just ... WOW!
Lolo
This is awful! There was fights in the crowd at a soccer game here a couple of weeks ago.
Leilani
What?!? That is crazy! I can't believe people act that way. So sad.