Vamos Ecuatorianos!

Buenos dias! Ecuador vs. Bolivia play-by-play:

We arrived at Estadio Olympico 2 hours early, along with the rest of the crowd. It’s a zoo. There’s jerseys for 3.50, beer for a dollar, dee-licious empanatas, face painting, hot dogs, popcorn, chicken, police on horses, everything.

Everywhere you look there’s yellow– literally, the whole city is wearing a jersey.

Game starts at 4:10. By that time, the entire stadium is full and people are jumping over barriers to get to the open seats. The crowd is just shouting expletives at the other team. All the time, and the WHOLE CROWD is doing it. For instance, after every Bolivian player is announced, people shout “Hijo de una puta!” Hijo is son - I’ll let you figure out the rest. Another cheer is to make a high-pitched whistle – literally sounds like the stadium is full of crickets.

The game itself is hilarious. Anytime the ball is anywhere near the goal, everyone is on their feet. Ecuador won 3-1; every time we score, the entire stadium yells “GOOLLLLL!!” for as long as you possibly can. Another popular way to celebrate was to throw one’s beer in the air, soaking whoever is in front of you. I found this out the hard way....

Afterward, everyone celebrates around town in their jerseys. It was a blast. Apparently I was on TV too! Some of my Ecuadorian friends said they saw me (“you’re famous!”); they claim it’s because of my hair (which is quickly becoming the same color as the jersey, eeeeesh).

I went salsa dancing afterward – I’m learning how to salsa! I can do it if I have someone to dance with who actually knows what they’re doing, but I’m nothing compared to the chicas here. I looove the music. Next up, tango.

Sunday we went to the Mitad del Mundo (Equator)! There’s a whole town there. I took the picture with one foot in each hemisphere. Although, we’re not entirely sure that that was the equator – we’ve heard that they built this huge gorgeous complex and then found out later that it was in the wrong place. Haha, quality, oh well, ignorance is bliss.

My madre also took me to an athletic club on Sunday! After absolutely insisting that I come with her (at 9 in the morning nonetheless, I was real awake and functioning, lol), we went to this huge complex, complete with golf course. It was really nice of her – she knows I like sports, I swam laps while she went for a walk. I also got to take a hot shower WITH water pressure there, I’ve forgotten how wonderful that is.

Okay, this update is quite long enough! Next up, a description of Otavalo, the huge indigenous outdoor market that we’re going to this weekend!

Chao, Lisa