Goallllll

When you watch the World Cup, the announcer shouts, "Goalllll" when they score.  When Priscilla see's a cute futbol player from the local Honduras team, she shouts, "Goalllllll" in her head. 

With my second customs, I was not too excited as this was the "Long Haul to Honduras" trip.  When I walked up and saw a bunch of men dressed in light blue futbol uniforms.  They were tall, tan, with a futbol physique and the exotic Cristian Reynaldo hairstyles. Things became a bit more interesting especially with my summer futbol obsession. 

 I chatted with one of them while casually getting my passport stamped and he said they are a local team of Honduras in their mid 20s. The man at the window was so patient with me as I was filling out my form and staring at the futbol players. I still had World Cup Fever and there were three of them that created a great first sight for entrance into Honduras. The kind man at the window laughed at me as I tried to fill out my form, watch the cute futbol players, and exchange money in Spanish with three different people.

Usually, I do Not exchange my money at a border, but I had no choice.  These guys walk around with huge wads of cash usually giving you a poor exchange rate. I told the other two to go away and stuck with the one who was giving me an excellent rate.  I looked at him like, "Wow how are you giving this rate?" I thanked him for his honesty and gave him a guy handshake.  

My goal was to finish everything in time so I could go talk to the players, but I watched the last one step on the bus. 

It was too late. Sad to see you go, but it was sadder to walk up the road to catch a bus with my backpack and one in front and 2 large water bottles...just saying:) 

Come on Costa Rica

It was pretty unanimous that everyone in Central America wanted Costa Rica to go to the finals of the World Cup. In each and every conversation, people were proud of Costa Rica's hard work and efforts.  People were always rooting for them over Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. They were gems in the eyes of Guatemalans, Hondurans, Belizians, and of course Costa Rica's. When they lost, it was one sad day for mi amigos in Central America. 

As for me,  my eyes were glued to the beach bar TV at the hotel.  I sat there drinking my club soda, literally sitting on the edge of my seat.  A couple Americans were sitting next to me with no expression except the one from their happiness with their margaritas. While I sit making my comments with the guys and eating peanuts, the locals sitting at the bar are laughing at my expressions.

People even laugh at me when I am just watching TV. They probably enjoyed seeing a girl so passionate about the game.  I was rooting for Costa Rica thinking how amazing it would be to follow them country by country to the finals with the amazing energy. I wanted so badly to go to Brazil for the World Cup, but I have all my energy right here in Central America. It's so nice being so passionate about the game. I knew I had a passion for futbol, but with the World Cup it just blew up.  

Anyways, with this Costa Rica game, it came down to the penalty kicks. My friend Mexico had lost to these penalty kicks and I was aware of their unfortunate outcome.  It's a bit painful to watch all their sweat and hard work combined into just a few penalty kicks. Priscilla thinks this is just ridiculous, but this it's the game.

 After closing my eyes on two shots, I watched the last one and that was it- the losing shot for Costa Rica.  I acted like a 10 year old having a tantrum over the loss. I was walking around the pool stomping the feet. The bartender was laughing at me and asking me in Spanish, "If I was going to survive this loss." I told him it's going to take sometime. I may never recover. He laughed at my emotional ties to the game and offered me some peanuts.

World Cup Fever

Everyone is watching the games in bars, restaurants,bodegas, tuk tuks listening by radio- it's World Cup Fever in Central America.  

Everyone around the world are celebrating these amazing games and they are celebrating with just reason.  

While I do not care about American sports, I absolutely love the World Cup as I knew I would. My original plan was to go to Brazil and volunteer for FIFA! Knowing the spirit of South Americans,the passion and excitement, and the beautiful people- I wanted to be there in the middle of all the action.  Unfortunately, that did not work out with visas and expenses so I just made a plan for something close like Central America.  

From their neighbor,Central America, there was also lots of amazing energy produced and people had soul and spirit when watching the games including myself.  People sit on the edge of their seat watching intently each play and they experience a wide range of emotions.  These emotions dramatically changing with the spirit turn into a fever. 

People are angry, excited, sad, annoyed, disappointed, happy, overjoyed, intrigued, etc. all in one. You can tell by people's expression that they are fully experiencing an emotion.  While this sounds basic and people may say, "Well, yes this happens in American sports as well." The level of emotion and passion presented is different and taken to a whole new level, which is why it is one of the most watched Sporting events in the world.  

When you watch it as an observer, you feel like you are a true fan or part of the game.  You experience that full range of emotions if you are a passionate person with real spirit.  Watching the Americans watch the game and the locals, I can clearly tell the difference.  

While people may react differently, it's clearly a game that everyone can watch and enjoy. It brings expats(travelers) together with locals creating a nice cultural exchange. When a game is on, it's fun to stop in different crowds and chime in with people on whose ahead and who is losing. 

As far as team selection, it was unanimous for Costa Rica to win as they came very far. Mexico was my favorite with the crazy passionate coach, but Argentina or Colombia were who I chose for the final win.  Every game provided some excitement and I loved being in Central America!