Or, in this case, I stayed out all night at some Brazilian techno club
where I ran into a couple of U2 roadies I recognized from other shows and
woke up sitting in a chair at the B&B I'm staying at. Close enough. ;-)
U2 is about the only thing this town can talk about. The news at night
starts with 5 minutes of world news then goes on to something like 15
minutes of variety stories about U2. My Portugues isn't that good, but I
speak enough to understand what's going on.
Seems there's quite a battle brewing between U2's management and the
Brazilian organizers. The venue was switched at the last minute by the
organizers, and supposedly without U2's knowledge according to an
interview with Paul McGuinness which they're showing. I guess the band is
starting to learn that not everywhere works like Europe and North America.
Difference places, different rules.
Picked up tickets at the box office yesterday. They're VIP tickets, which
*supposedly* are reserved for an area around the B Stage. Paid something
like R$200 for them...(close to $200 US) so no complaining about ticket
prices in North America! I want to be close to security with a crowd
that's expected to top 100,000 from the rumours I've heard.
Heading out with a few locals I met yesterday for the soundcheck. They
can't seem to comprehend seeing U2 on 3 continents and 6 countries so far
on this tour. Neither can I. But, I wouldn't trade it for anything...
Let the shopping begin...I'll be up with the sun,
Jason, PopMartian
-- Jason Mayfield, Arlington VA, currently Sao Paulo Brazil Persist, Persevere, Deny, Pursue, Pain, Survive, Ignore, Endure, Strive, Laugh, Cry, Live, Prevail, Scream, Sweat, Bleed, Sustain, Learn, Ascend, Give, Get, GO! 212 Days Until Ironman Canada '98