Sao Paulo - in advance of the World Cup. RPS consultant sends this news

Posted: 28/05/2014

RPS has a consultant in Brazil, working in Sao Paolo, Brasilia and Belo Horizonte. Here are thoughts from the ground in Brazil.

There is a mixed feeling as money is being taken away from schools and health care and the fans look at their home team and see so much wealth.

As one person told RPS last night "there is a massive gap between the rich and poor and the poor are being made to pay for the building of stadiums."

Some people believe the the footballers should pay as their wages are far greater than anyone else in Brazil could ever dream of.

RPS says the people do not understand why and how FIFA can force Brazil to spend so much money on the world cup.  If FIFA wants stadiums built to their rules, then they should build them as people believe there is nothing wrong with the stadiums that are already there.

Some think that the stadiums will now be rushed in order to get them finished on time. When RPS asked would they be safe? The reply was as safe as anything else built in Brazil. So we assumed that was a no?

RPS believes that there will be an increase in street crime as people see an opportunity to put food on the table. Again RPS was told by a smartly dressed man that he would look after his family and put food in their mouths and pretty much do anything to acheive this. 

On a lighter note, RPS says the beer is about the same price as in England and a good bottle of wine is around £15. Meals are also the same. For example a beer, pizza and salad will cost you about £20 but prices will change as the World Cup starts and as people see this as an opportunity to make money.

Night clubs and bars are running a new system. They give you a ticket on entry and they mark down what you have and you pay when you leave. Sounds great in practice, however in many places there is only one way in and out.

Remember the night club that went up in flames last year. Ensure you know how to get out in the event of a fire.

If you need any advice on travel to Brazil for the World Cup or for business, then contact us at [email protected]. Have a look at our gallery to see the latest photos of our training in Oman, Brazil and South Africa: http://www.rpspartnership.com/gallery

Photos: RPS

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