Copa de Mundial

2014. The first year I paid attention to the World Cup, and I watched four of the games. At least I was in good company.

I saw my first game in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile - a small tourist town in the Atacama desert of northern Chile. A screen was set up in the plaza, and everyone but everyone in the town gathered together to watch the game. Chile played against Australia (I was rooting for Chile and for Australia. Because most of the European travelers were also rooting for Oz, I wasn't worried for my safety when I smiled for an Australian victory...but smiling was as far as I was willing to go). The stray dogs were in heaven with all the food in the garbage bins.

Getting ready to watch game 4 of the world cup

Everyone camped out to watch the game

I saw my second game in the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, in Santiago. Chile played against Spain, and the entire airport stopped in its tracks to watch the game - travelers, employees, security guards - everyone. We spent the last few hours of our four months in Chile camped out on the floor, rooting for "our" country's team, and listening as the chi-chi-chis from one side of the airport were met with le-le-les from the other side of the airport. The spirit of unity and togetherness was almost tangible -- and it felt like a parting gift. Thank you, Chile.

The Santiago Airport during the World Cup

I saw my third game at the Nomad World Pub in Minneapolis, about two weeks after I got home, and experienced one of my first sensations of reverse culture shock. The commentary was in English (whaaaa? ohhhh...right), the beer was delicious, and I felt self-conscious that I didn't know anybody else at the game. Sure I was with Alicia for the first two, but also felt like I/we belonged among the crowd of strangers when we were in Chile. Also, this was the Germany-Brazil game...yeah, that game where Germany scored five goals within minutes of each other and knocked Brazil out of the competition. It was a bizarre afternoon.

The image on the wall behind the screen
reminds me of the hills of Valparaíso.

I saw my fourth game, the final game, at home. It was such a long game (this was the final where Germany won in extra over time), and a different experience altogether to watch it without a crowd. Actually, in Chile, the size of the crowds didn't matter. I watched a local soccer game with two guys in their late 30s and one woman in her mid-70s, and they made more noise than I could imagine any three people making. This one was just a quiet "I"m watching a good soccer game" experience.

But, this was my favorite game-watching experience. I was curled up on the couch with my Dan and my cat, and I loved it.