Ecuador Wins!
The entire country of Ecuador shut down this afternoon to watch their first World Cup match. Officially. The government declared the country closed by 2 p.m.
I was traveling today, but the guys who worked at my hotel in Quito said not to worry, there is a TV on the bus. When we lost the signal of the Germany - Costa Rica game going going through the mountains, I thought the passengers were going to revolt, and it was mostly the women complaining.
Instead, of futbol, we watched a DVD of Bad Boys II with Will Smith. It´s part of the experience, I reminded myself while I tried to ignore it and enjoy the scenery. There´s nothing like watching a bunch of car crashes to get you in the mood to take a bus through winding, narrow mountain passes.
Here in Otovalo, where the locals are known for their business savvy, merchants minded their wares in the marketplace, but some managed to watch the game too. People in every shop and restaurant - and I mean every shop - were watching the game. I doubt you could find a TV in most retail outlets in the U.S.
Horns blaring, flags waving, faces painted, babies in Ecuador jerseys, even a dog dressed in a team T-shirt took to the streets. An hour later, the parade continues. Say what you will about futbol/soccer or sports in general, but I can think of no happy occasion that unites my country like this.
