Swissaire

Actually, my 1971 visit was a planned stop enroute to Salvador / Bahia.

Back then the entire taxi "tour" came to R$100. The driver stayed with me the entire time, so I walked quite fast at each stop to visit the church, congressional congress, etc. taking photos along the way. Arriving early in the morning, the tour took much of the day, so I tipped the driver R$ 50. He then went out of his way to escort me back into the then small airport, and up to the TransBrasil desk. Everything was wonderful, up to this point.

I had one carry-on with me and when searched, out came a highly-suspicious item for a young Swiss to be caught with. I had been given a gift at a New Year's party in Rio. An authentic, well worn Santos FC Nr. 10 shirt, worn by the great one himself, Pele. His size, and obviously not mine.

This was pulled out and shown around, stains and all, drawing staff and even other passengers into a lively discussion that I could not keep up with. One diplomat from Danemark awaiting his flight said " They are saying you should not be taking this out of the country, as it belongs here. They say you do not know it's importance " and other such statements. I had to explain how it came by it, and the fact Switzerland did know what the game of Futebol was, and that I had also played the position of wing. It did not look like I was getting my shirt ( but a Brasilian National treasure ) back. Despite my new tan, I was turning very red, and wanted to hide somewhere, fast.

When I got my treasured gift back, I kept my mouth sewn-shut, boarded the plane, thinking I might be pulled at any moment. I took the shirt, rolled it up tight, and hid it in one of my packed shoes. When I caught up with my checked case, it went into the bottom recess, inside my dress shoe.

I've been back since, the story still amuses in Brasil, and I still have Santos FC Nr. 10 hidden away in a picture frame. The icon that it is, it only comes out for display during the World Cup.