Today I went to a futbol (soccer) game at Camp Nau (their stadium). Overall a good experience, but I don't think I'm going to go again. Once is enough. And we won 3-0! Here's my ticket:
And here's what the stadium looks like:
The first goal was scored within a few minutes. The second was scored from a penalty kick right in front of the goal. I captured the video! (FC Barcelona's colors are red and blue).
The third goal was scored during the second half. Generally, the crowd was fine. My biggest complaint is that there were TONS of smokers. Cigarettes, cigars, you name it. The guy right next to me decided to light a cigarette in the middle of the first half then again in the beginning of the second half. Eugh. My clothes smelled like smoke. Including the one week I've been in Barcelona, this is probably the most smoke I've inhaled in a long time.
A law was passed that became effective in the beginning of January that people cannot smoke inside public places (restaurants, bars, cafes, etc). Of course a lot of people are upset because drinking coffee and smoking in a cafe is part of their culture, but I don't care because this law is better for me! But it also means there are plenty of people on the street smoking. And in a city that has plenty of narrow sidewalks, it's unavoidable. And I guess this law doesn't apply to outdoor venues like soccer stadiums. Oh well.
Besides the whole smoking ordeal, the crowd was great. Here's the whole stadium doing the wave:
And here I am! It got quite cold by the second half... about 32 degrees or so. I wish I had worn a second pair of socks over the thin ones I had on.
Getting back to the residence after the game was insane. There was a very long line outside the subway station. Eventually we got on the train, but of course it was very crowded. At the next two stops, there was no room for anybody to get on! At the third stop, a man and his son got on despite the lack of room, and then two other people-- a man and a woman in their 20's or 30's-- got on too, but then it seemed like they decided it was too crowded so they got off before the doors closed. Then I hear the man (with the son) say (in Spanish) "I just got robbed!" And for the next few stops while I was still on the train he was shaking his head and saying "stupid, stupid, stupid" (in Spanish). I was standing right next to him and I didn't realize anything! Seriously, when they say Barcelona is full of robbers, they're right. And they're darn good robbers too-- most certainly professionals.
I'm glad your team won the futbol (as they used to call it in all of Europe) game. I wish the Bears could have done the same. Thanks for making me feel like I was there with you watching the game and smelling the smoke. Your descriptions are really vivid.
I don't know, but from the looks of that penalty kick, I'd say the game was fixed. The goalie moved to the right, conveniently opening up the whole other side. I used to do the same thing when I was defending Sasha. Fixed! (I hope you bet on the game.)
Spooky business about the train robbers. Forget the bomber jacket--I'd get something that had about 26 pockets--but stylishly in black, of course.
I'm glad your team won the futbol (as they used to call it in all of Europe) game. I wish the Bears could have done the same. Thanks for making me feel like I was there with you watching the game and smelling the smoke. Your descriptions are really vivid.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Linda
From Uncle Bobby:
ReplyDeleteI don't know, but from the looks of that penalty kick, I'd say the game was fixed. The goalie moved to the right, conveniently opening up the whole other side. I used to do the same thing when I was defending Sasha. Fixed! (I hope you bet on the game.)
Spooky business about the train robbers. Forget the bomber jacket--I'd get something that had about 26 pockets--but stylishly in black, of course.