Santiago is wild tonight! Chile played Colombia at 6pm in a fight for a seat in the 2010 World Cup. Chile hasn't been to the World Cup since 1998. Chile historically has not played well so making it this far is a huge deal. All Chile had to do was tie to qualify and they won 4-2. Needless to say, Chileans are ecstatic!! Chile now joins Brasil and Paraguay as part of the five qualifying South American teams that will advance. The win tonight reminds me a bit of our beloved Red Sox who won the World Series the first year I moved to Boston after an 86-year losing streak. I MUST be a token of good luck.
I was dying to watch the game somewhere to share in the excitement with the public. None of my girlfriends like soccer, therefore, I called my new Chilean buddy Jorge who I met on Thursday at my language institute's weekly exchange. He's a fanatic as every Chilean, or South American for that matter, is for soccer. All the local hole-in-the-wall joints were full so we popped into a more established bar since it was easy to find a seat and had a nice big screen TV. The score was 3-2 with 12 minutes left in the game. Everyone sat on pins and needles as the timer ticked...THEN...the TV went out!! Boos proceeded. We got the check and booked it to the street. There was no need to ask who had won because horns sounded and "Viva Chile!" chants resonated on the street.
Jorge and I followed the crowd towards Plaza Italia where Chileans gather to celebrate after every soccer win and riot after every loss. Armed police forces lined the street. Chileans jumped up-and-down singing the national anthem and chanting their fight song. The energy built, mosh pits formed, kids lit fireworks, and I decided to retreat to my warm, safe apartment before the police stepped in. I practically was the only person walking away from the rally. Ha!
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