GGOOOOAAAAAAAAALLL!!
The 2010 soccer World Cup might be in South Africa this year, but I'm watching it in Peru, and thus have the wonderful opportunity to hear the games being commentated en Español. I may be biased and true I haven't heard games commentated in any other language but English and Spanish, but I stand firm in my opinion that the same fútbol game watched in Spanish is more exciting, more action packed and just plain more interesting than a soccer game watched in English.
Unfortunately, Peru's soccer team wasn't good enough to make it to the world cup, but that hasn't stopped Peru from going World Cup crazy!!
In the Plaza de Armas, Fifa Fan Fest has set up a huge screen TV that plays all the games. Huge groups gather to watch and there is a emcee of sorts. ATV, a peruvian station, plays all the games on the television and since I find myself watching all of them, I always see when they break to the Plaza during commercials. So, naturally, I had to go check it out. This is one of the first games, US v. UK...
Pre-game entertainment in the crowds...
And the game has begun!
Fans intently watching
Casa Rio Grande has also been going fútbol crazy. The most fanatic by far is Carlo, my new Italian roommate. He loves soccer, and even though Italy is out, it hasn't stopped him from rushing home everyday to watch the games. Its really fun to hear him start spouting out Italian when something exciting happens. Luz, one of my Taiwanese roommates recently returned from Buenos Aires, where she watched one of the games on the big screen in the Plaza there. She came home with loads of Messi gear and yesterday when Argentina played Mexico, she was all decked out, cheering away. The same story with Caroline, who just returned from Brasil. Serena is always excited to watch soccer as well.
So then there is me. I've never really been a soccer fan. Its rarely on non-cable television in the states. But I've found myself really really enjoying the World Cup.
A) someone in my house is always downstairs watching the game, cheering or yelling.
B) Its in Spanish, so its automatically got an air of importance and excitement.
C) Andrew loves soccer so its nice to talk to him about the games.
D) Soccer is actually very interesting, and exciting.
E) Soccer players are not bad too shabby looking ;) and finally
F.) Its finals and the World Cup is simply the perfect opportunity to procrastinate
+you know how I love all things international and competitions
But also, just in general, I think I'm really starting to enjoy soccer and I plan to continue watching it after the World Cup is over (I may be jumping on the bandwagon, but I don't plan on jumping off any time soon). I'm slowing learning all the rules and its a really interesting and fun sport to watch. I started being interested in soccer the first time I was really exposed to the "football culture" last summer in Barcelona, when they won Champions League. It was amazing to see the way the streets celebrated and the way the whole city came to life. Soccer is truly a world sport, and although I may be a little late on the uptake, I'm becoming a fan. I'm already starting to prepare for my life as an ex-pat. First step, become a football fan.
P.S. Kn'aan Waving Flags is a badass song. They've created multiple different language versions. My favorite being the Spanish one. Check it out! ( I dare you to tell me it's not a catchy tune...)
(P.P.S. Check out the Coca Cola plug at minute 1:22)
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