¡Viva Chile! If you ever heard that Latin America loves fútbol (soccer), you heard right.
My host dad and brother are wild about the Barcelona team (only because they have a native Chilean) while most others are in favor of Chilean teams or local clubs.
Though I like Barcelona as well, I've come to love the Santiago Wanders of Valparaíso!
Their home stadium is Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander or more simply, Estadio Valparaíso. It's located at the end of the city in Playa Ancha with fans coming from all over the city to enjoy the game.
I've been to two games to date, both being wild, fun adventures full of Chilean culture and profanities. :) But the thing that mesmerized my friends and I the most had to be the fan section!
We got to the stadium quite early both times. Since we all technically live in the city adjacent to Valparaiso, we met at a park and rode together since the bus ride would be a little longer than usually. When we arrived the the stadium, there were already people filling the stands. Security took my friend's plastic water bottles he hoards for cheap water on the go (everyone charges for water here). They security guard told them no one could have plastic bottles or alcohol because things get "loco". Her words, not mind! The fans literally sang from start to finish, songs that my friends and I couldn't even understand or decipher the words for. They packed large, marching band style drums up in the stands, flares, fireworks, and utilized them all at various times.
I'm eager to see if all games are like this or if the fans of the Wanderer's are just particularly "loco". :)
