Partido del Futbol

Partido del futbol translates to "soccer game" for all you English speaking folks.  This morning we got news that the biggest futbol game in Ecuador known as El Classico was taking place today...and were told that we had to get tickets.  The two club teams from Guayaquil are EMELEC and Barcelona (not to be confused with the team in Spain).  This match up featuring these two teams is a rivalry unlike any other in the United States because futbol is like a religion to the natives here.  Choosing a team for me was going to be tough because Megan from our team likes EMELEC due to the influence from her amigos on her previous two trips and my first amigo upon arrival, Antonio (he works at our hotel as the shuttle driver), is a fan of Barcelona.  We got news at lunch that the tickets were purchased so we had to leave at 5pm for an 8 o' clock game because the crowd would be that wild that early.  We were told not to wear any yellow (the colors of Barcelona) because the game is at EMELEC's stadium so that would not be a smart thing to do.  So EMELEC fan it is, decision made.  We all split up among 5 different taxis, Hannah and I got split up from the group into our own taxi.  Our taxi driver drove like a nascar driver flying through the city streets at 40+ mph.  We almost killed multiple people as they crossed in front of us but nonetheless we reunited with the team and made it there safely.  Upon waiting for entrance, street vendors spotted us in the crowded and kept heckling us to buy their products which mostly consisted of tickets and apparel.  I wanted a jersey so I bargained with a vendor to get a $5 blue and white striped EMELEC jersey.  We got past the ticket collectors and were twice inspected by two different security personnel who gave us aggressive pat downs.  I am going to sum up the next 2 hours prior to game start as CHAOS.  Inflatable freebies and nose makers were being passed left and right until my hands were full....then the chanting began...and it never stopped.... VAMOS! VAMOS AZULES! ESTA NOCHE! TENEMOS QUE GANAR! but of course they mixed the chants up.  I picked out multiple swear words as fighting chants were thrown back and forth between rival fans.  They had the different sets of fans split between two sections.  Every form of security was present at the game, regular security, policia, SWAT, you name it.  All of that security made us feel safe but scared that they would need that much.  The match start and the stadium grew even loader than the pregame.  There was one thing that was for sure....these fans definitely love their futbol.  It was sooo much fun joining along in the crowd and getting in to the game.  The game play unfortunately seemed less organized than my high school playing days as the players would make 2-3 passes before trying to advance the ball (most of the time failing).  It definitely wasn't like the European style of play that I've gotten used to watching on TV and also the playing style was aggressive.  Players were being taken down (many times forcefully) every time they touched the ball with no fouls being called, which I guess was a good thing because it would've slowed the game down a lot.  The futbol match had turned in to football right before our very own eyes.  Barcelona ended up capitalizing on a cross with a header at the start of the second half to take the lead 1-0.  The score never evened out but we had to leave early to beat the crowd and get home safely.  I am never going to forget this day and or experience of the match.  I apologize for all the long posts but I just want to make sure I don't forget any of the good stories and experiences.  After one cranky complaint (cough cough Krista Hougsted cough cough), my posts should start to get shorter.  I am just on an experience high right now so I just want to share everything!  Once things die down posts could become less enthusiastic and detailed but I'll try to stay on top of things.  Buenas Noches!