Saying Goodbye....to Liga!

Last night I bid farewell to my soccer team that I have enjoyed so much as a fill for my "sports void." Former roomates, family: you guys know how I usually spend my Saturdays and Sundays from September until April - watching football or basketball constantly! This year I saw about 4 football games TOTAL and maybe 3 NBA games and some of March Madness. ESPN.com just didn't cut it for me after a while, so I started following pretty regularly the Ecuadorian soccer league, and more specifically LIGA DEPORTIVA UNIVERSITARIA!

I originally picked Liga as my team because that was the team that my host father from 2008, Estaurdo, supported. I went to about 7 or 8 games back then as well, but then this year I live literally a 5 minute walk from the Liga Stadium, La Casa Blanca! Needless to say I can hear all the emotion of these big games right from my house, which of course always gets me in the mood to go. I have gone to games with all different people, including one game alone! (It was the semi-finals of the South American Cup :) ) The Director of Education, Marco Polo, even gave me the Copa Sudamericana FINALS ticket (which were so hard to get) because he knew how much I loved the team. I've traveled a bit with the team...going to Guayaquil and going to games in Athaulpa, the other Quito teams' stadium. I've taken Center families, my own parents, friends and just about every volunteer! Everyone always knew they could count on me to go. Honestly after this year, I cannot tell you how many games I've been to, but probably around 20 or so...basically more than most Ecuadorians, even the big fans!
Well last night was my last game (or at least for a while) and it was a great way to end! It was a big game: Liga v Barcelona. The stadium was packed and the fans (La Muerte Blanca) came strong and with energy. I went with Audrey, and we, of course, went to Sur Baja to be with the best, craziest fans. And beyond that, Liga went out strong with a 2-1 win!

I'll miss the atmosphere and crazy soccer culture, but I cannot wait to get back just in time for football season! Wow, what a great year it would be if I could come home and get to go to a Rose Bowl!!! And hopefully it's an equally good year at Lambeau! Can't wait to bundle up for Camp Randall and the Frozen Tundra and to sit in front of the TV all Saturday and Sunday again.

Saying to goodbye to Liga was probably the lighter note of the past couple weeks...I've also been saying goodbye to almost all of my fellow volunteers and friends. It's been hard, but I've already been keeping in touch and it seems people are doing well. Please keep praying
for all of our transitions!

Much love,
LA LIGUISTA