We all know the South Americans are passionate about football, but my first opportunity to watch a game live on this continent will have to wait.
I went along to a Cuenca-Barcelona (the latter even have the same badge and colours as Spain’s European champions) match. But it was like trying to get into Barcelona-Real Madrid in Spain. These two sides are big rivals and thousands showed up a good hour before kick-off.
It may sound spoiled, but in England I am used to all-seater (for safety reasons) stadiums and roofs (that cover the spectators). Here the stadium, not far from the city centre, was tiered, mostly standing-only and greatly exposed to the elements. And when the heavens opened, like Our Creator had turned on his/her power shower, I was quickly soaked through to the bone and feeling like a rat in a puddle.
Getting a ticket wasn’t so straightforward. There didn’t seem to be a box-office of any kind. Tickets were purchased from touts, which is illegal in Britain, but here conducted openly under the noses of the police – and their horses.
I’d been instructed to pay no more than around $8, but when I was told $15 I figured the price was for westerners. I passed.
Quickly, though, with the weather doing nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the fans, most tickets disappeared except for los ninos – and at 6ft in a land of short people, I didn't feel I was going to pass for a youngster.
I first tried getting in at the home side’s end, but this proved futile. I walked around to where the visitors from Guayaquil had gathered and the lines seemed longer than the Tomebamba river.
So I took shelter from the rain across the road, watching the thousands getting drenched but still singing, and then traipsed off home.
The score, by the way, was 1-1, which didn’t matter to me. But back at our apartment, I could hear the roars when the goals went in.
Ps. I thought I’d really miss following my team, Liverpool, but I have to make do with the internet and sites like goal.com, where I follow the action on a live video printer. It’s a lot less stressful, especially as Liverpool have had a lousy season. It reminds me of when I was much younger and listened to football on the radio. There’s a lot to be said for leaving things to the imagination.
Abrams Family Travel Tip: Bring your waterproofs, arrive early and expect to do a cash deal on the street
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