GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL! (Or not so much)

I'm American, so I don't really care about soccer, but I had the opportunity to go to a real Latin American soccer game on Thursday evening, so I went. By the way, when I emailed Mark to tell him I was going, he suggested that I might get lucky and witness a riot. I think we have different ideas about what equals a good time.

Anyway, the atmosphere was unlike anything I've ever witnessed. The game was just a friendly (apparently the president of FIFA says you can't play real matches above a certain elevation, and Quito is above that elevation) between the champion of Ecuador and the champion of Columbia, but you'd never know it. It's intense. The singing, chanting, cheering, and dancing never really stopped. After a penalty was called on Ecuador, a new chant started that I assumed was pretty rude. Carlos confirmed my suspicion. But this is a family blog, so I won't repeat it here. If you want the uncensored version, you'll just have to email me. (I bet you can't guess what their idea of stadium food is..... What's that? Soup with potatoes, you say? That's right! Soup with potatoes and pork skin to be exact. I'll take my peanuts and cracker jacks, thank you.)

I was told it wasn't a very good game, but I couldn't tell. It all looked like a lot of running back and forth and not scoring to me. (I did, however, realize what a strange and unpleasant sensation it is to be the girl who doesn't have a clue as to what is going on a sporting event. I don't like it.) In the end, Columbia won, 1-0. And, while there was a skirmish on the opposite end of the stadium, there were no riots. Sorry to disappoint you, Larson.

My apologies, for whatever reason, I'm unable to post some of the video I took of the game. If you're dying to see it, email me. Actually, if you're still reading, email me anyway. I'd love to hear from you!