the city shuts down

On Saturday, the most famous Sao Vicente soccer player died. Today, the city has decided to let everyone off of work to attend his funeral. So, as I type, there are hundreds of people lining the streets in front of our school... Oh yeah, we have a school next to a funeral home if I've never mentioned that! In Sao Vicente, the tradition is that funeral processions must lead through the city and make their way around a statue in front of the funeral home (convenient spot for a funeral home, huh?) before heading off to the cemetery.

So, who's this famous guy you ask? He is named Carzolinho. He played soccer for Benfica (a famous Portuguese team) as well as began a soccer camp here that selects youngsters to go to Portugual to be evaluated for professional training camps. He has a nice, big soccer complex here with astro turf fields. According to friends, he is an important symbol of hope for the people of the city.

So, how did he die? He was in his 50's. He was in Angola at a big hotel. He was on the 6th floor, called for the elevator. When the elevator came up and the doors opened, he stepped into the space where the car should have been and fell to his death. People here are somewhat convinced there was foul play involved.

Folks, it's never a dull moment here in Cape Verde...