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Published: June 28th 2010
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The token gringo
YAV friend Joe getting interviewed "GRINGO!!!!!"
That was the first thing Ginna and I heard when we stepped out of the taxi. Clearly, we were in the right place. We had gone to the Plaza de Armas in Lima to watch the USA-Ghana game. We wanted to be at the FIFA Fan Fest event sponsored by Coca-Cola for the very important game. What's better than watching a World Cup game with thousands of strangers in a foreign country? We were planning to meet up with YAV friend Joe. Where could he be? "He's tall," we thought. Surely we would see him. And yep, there he was....
...up on the stage! Joe, the token gringo, was being interviewed. And to the surprise of many, José actually spoke Spanish. Our surprise and excitement led us to yell "Jooooooe!" which caused the man to say, "And are those girls your friends?" He confirmed that and suddenly all cameras were on us. Wow, this game was going to be more interesting than we thought! Minutes later Joe was by our side. As we were all giggling over the things that happen simply because someone says, "Follow me," it happened again. "Come on," I was told by a stranger
Bring it!
The Ghana band was really into it... that I knew wasn't from the US. I knew why he'd been chosen, though. He was blonde, blue-eyed, with a pale complexion. What did we have to lose? So we followed them.
We were led to the front of the crowd, below the giant TV screen, where bands were playing music and flags were being waved! Seems Coca-Cola had divided up the Peruvians that they had hired for the game--half would be the Ghana band, the other half the USA band. And we were the representatives of the USA. Even the Slovakians that had been picked up on the "gringo sweep" through the crowd were dancing around with us like maniacs. Why not? The enthusiasm was contagious, the crowd was ready for a good game.
Now, I won't pretend that I know anything about fútbol. I don't. I have only recently gotten interested in the games because you really can't NOT be interested here. Fútbol is too important to Latin Americans. And so I've rooted for two teams--the USA and México. Obviously, as of today, I have no more favorites in the running, but on Saturday...I had faith that the team from my homeland could beat Ghana. It
Team USA
"Our" band lacked enthusiasm at times was a little surreal being in the heart of historic Lima, surrounded by Peruvians, as we watched it all go down. Throughout the game we had trumpets and drums and annoying noise makers blaring in our ears. Half way through I realized how accustomed I've become to background noise after living in Lima for just a short time. The streets are never quiet. And so as ridiculous as the bands were, it almost didn't phase me. The battle of the bands was just a supporting cast of characters to another interesting cultural event.
It was fun suddenly finding ourselves down front. Oh, the opportunities that pop up just because you stand out. We were able to root for our country with a randomly selected group of new friends. We were given free cokes. We had a special place to stand for the entire game. It was fun dancing to the World cup theme song that I LOVE (c'mon, admit it...you love it, too!!). Coke was clearly giving us the royal treatment.
The whole thing was also a little uncomfortable, I admit. We had been plucked out of a crowd where we had felt really comfortable. We had just
Head bump contest!
At half time two gringos and two Peruvians were selected to compete in a head bump competition. Team USA won! wanted to be with all the other fútbol lovers in Lima, enjoying the madness in solidarity! Never had we thought that we'd get there and then end up in front of the entire crowd!! One man was yelling things at us as we were presented to the crowd. I'm not sure what he said, but a little political vocabulary and his tone told me he wasn't a fan of who we represented. We were getting free bottles of Coke pushed at us, even though none of us wanted more than one, while a woman in the front row of the Peruvians sectioned off from us was desperately hoping to get our empty plastic bottles. A free bottle of Coke for me meant a little extra caffeine and sugar for the day. For her, she just might be able to sell them for something she really needs.
Even with these uncomfortable feelings, it was fun to come together around a sport that is being viewed around the world. Everyone has their favorites and their theories on who will win. Here in Peru, when you ask who they want to win the whole thing, the response is almost the same. They
A plaza full of Peruvians
The view behind us as we watched the game. The main cathedral is in the background name a South American team and then add, "....menos Chile" (except Chile). In some ways, since Peru wasn't in the World Cup, it doesn't matter who wins....as long as it's not Chile. Even my little four-year-old host sister says this. It cracks me up!!!! The rivalry with Chile goes way back, so no one wants them to win. Seeing Brazil beat them today was a happy event on this cold, dreary day in Lima.
The first thing I was told when I walked into church yesterday was, "Liz, I saw you on TV during the game!!" Gotta admit...that's pretty cool! 😊
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Deb White
non-member comment
great job
You do a great job on these entries, Liz. Thanks for taking us to Peru with you!