Big Willy Style - Boca vs. Arsenal

Saturday was the big quest for La Boca futbol tickets. Naturally, all the information I was given was not totally correct, the game was "sold out". We met Ruben, who said talk to Willy. Willy said he can hook us up, for a hefty price of course. We agree to do it, just cause it might be my last chance to catch a Boca game. Game on.

The next day we meet Willy who immediately tells Bryan and Elise to remove their jerseys... score. (We were going to walk through the visitor section). We walk forever and ever, even get to see the players pass by on the bus-- with police escort. We pass through multiple security points with Willy's wink of an (lazy) eye, and we were finally in the stadium, yay! I smuggled in some Quilmes and was pumped. The game was really fun-- not filled to maximum capactiy as I hoped, but Boca wins which is awesome. Elise and I sat on a railing hanging above the crazy fan "popular" section, under a giant banner. Boca wins 2-1!

Then for the bonus round, I head to El Alamo to catch the second half of Lakers beating Houston. Double winner! Then I went to every restaurant and food place on the hunt for a baguette. Found one, and got it free. Triple winner!

Deep Thoughts

Dudes, I passed my half way mark last Wednesday. I'm not sure why I didn't make a big deal about it, but it is! The best part is I've done all the things I've wanted to do already. The only one missing is seeing a game at La Boca. That could all go down this coming Sunday.

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I've made it a point to be positive about (almost) everything. BUUUTT, the one thing that is really killing me are my keys. I have 2 keys. 1 for the front main door, the other for my apartment door. When I got these keys, I was like ooh coool! They look so neat. No, not cool. You have to put the key in just so, and turn it like 5 times. And I pretty much NEVER get it right the first time. It's always upside down, or I'm turning it the wrong way, or it's upside down AND being turned the wrong way. How can there be so many options for this thing. And every time this is going on, my bladder is about to burst. Then today I saw a guy at the bank with like 10 of these keys on a key ring... and I'm like, ok, it's not so bad.

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I'm not above eating at McDonald's in a foreign country. Or a Burger King, or a Subway. I don't do it often, but I do it. It's not out of desperation, just jonesing for a little hamburger ok? People that are so culturally above this probably don't watch tv either, and I just don't know what to do about these people. Anyway, as simple as ordering a cheeseburger and fries sounds, it's really not. At Burger King, I wanted a kids meal, and somehow ended up with EXTRA pickles, onions and ketchup (no toy!). Today at McDonald's, I got nothing but cheese. Why can't I just get a regular dang burger? Also, maybe it's a good thing that there aren't stacks of burgers in the heating window ready to be served, but it is a bit maddening when you're starving and all you can think about is how inefficient this all is. Plus, it cost me like $5.

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Did some shopping today (had the day "off", yay). And this all left me in a really good mood. I found everything I was looking for, and even got me some mo' boots! But the best part is that I got so many compliments on my spanish today. I mean, ya, these people were selling me things, but it was still nice of them to say it.

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Had a totally awkward but funny exchange with Raul, the fruit guy, about the size of his cucumbers.

River Plate vs. Jujuy

So as if a great day at the San Telmo fair couldn't get better, or more porteño-ish, I went to the River Plate soccer match. This is one of the must do's on my list of... must do's. I really REALLY want to see a La Boca game, but I'm happy to have gotten a ticket for this one. River Plate is La Boca's rival (See El Superclasico info). Getting to the game was pretty intense. First, I was starving. But luckily found some delish chori-pan (sausage hot dog thing), and was sassified. Then, after a few wrong turns, a few tidal wave mob crushes, a few ass grabs, 4 different security check points, and we were finally in the stadium. Drums were pounding, people were singing, and it never stopped for the whole game. I was like wow, so different from a Laker game. I learned a few parts to a song... something something "la camiseta". To paraphrase, the fans wear the River Plate shirts (camisetas) with the utmost pride and passion, even though their team is not that great.

River Plate finally scored in the 2nd period. Some homemade fireworks went off, and more singing and chanting and harassing. River Plate wins 1-0!

Mas Fútbol Fotos

La Boca ~ El Caminito

Took a little jaunt through La Boca today. New volunteer friend Luca & I cruised through El Caminito first. My first impression was "Wow, Disneyland". It's so colorful, and SO touristy. But once that wore off and we got out of the main area, it was pretty cool. La Boca is one of the more poor areas in Buenos Aires. My book says it's the city's first port, and an African slave colony before Italian immigrants settled in the 1880s. La Boca is also home to La Boca Juniors and the soccer stadium La Bombonera (it means chocolate box? yummy?). This area has all the bright colorful buildings, people doing tango, and awesome cardboard cutouts to stick your face in.

It was fun being a true tourist today! Cameras and guidebooks and all.

More La Boca Pics Here