On Friday Andrew braved torrential rain and inadequate Spanish to buy us tickets for the soccer Grand Final last night – Cusco (Cienciano) v Lima Alliance. We got there late, as we had been waiting for El Presidente and VP of Peru’s Challenge to call us and arrange where to meet (we had bought them tickets as requested). They never did bother.
We got there to find our gate closed, and joined the rush to the next gate around. For a few minutes we didn’t think we’d get in, and we certainly didn’t think we’d get much of a view. But we found a great spot behind the goal (also behind a row of riot squad police enclosing the more rabid Lima fans), and the game was fantastic. Cusco scored the only goal towards the end of the first half, and the celebrations were incredible. The photo is a blurry mess, but you get the idea. And the kids got Cusco jerseys, so they were happy.
It was a wonderful experience, even the spatter of rain and hail at half time. When the rain came, everyone donned their colourful plastic ponchos, and the stadium looked like it was lined with fairy bread. The rain cleared for the second half, and only started belting down again just as we’d finally got ourselves a cab …
Now I am off to the markets to buy fruit and veg for tomorrow. Later we will go into the Plaza de Armas for the Christmas Fair and we are even planning to go to Mass, like the dedicated Catholics we are ...
5 comments:
i just tried to send an email to tiffany_hutton@indigoink.com.au but it bounced..
BTW above comment was from james
hiya from Lilyfield study!
The soccer game sounded thrilling. Glad that the riot police were not in action. I am surprised to read that you attended church this christmas. I hope Hol or Pheob dont go converting! I look forward to reading your next post.
Have a great new year. love Niq
Now that soccer match seems far more fun than the Warne-fest happening over here. He made 700 or some such wickets the other day and you thought it might have been the second coming. Though more than a few commentators have pointed out he's also a very naughty boy. Be glad when he does finally retire after the next match. As for mass, are you kidding, of course you must go. No one does spectacle-for-the-masses quite like the catholics, especially as they sensibly franchised out worldwide some time ago so there is always a local flavour, periodic tut-tuts from Rome over liberation theology notwithstanding. Enjoy.
X. Sharon
hey guys,
I was in cusco's main square when Cienciano beat River Plate for the South American club championship in 2003. Try to imagine the entire square packed with riotous fans and the rest of town going completely berserk. It was nuts.
Enjoyed reading of your travels. Also enjoying some of my own. Just finished the south coast track with Phil. Brilliant.
Hope you are all well, Que la vaya bien. Humes
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