“La Roja” goes to South Africa
Many astronomers live abroad, away from their family and friends. When living in a country different from your own, it is just normal to adapt parts of the foreign culture or habits.
But it’s even more than that: After several years in another country, you start to understand how these people think, how they feel, and what are the major concerns in their lives. In Chile, it’s not too difficult, since Chile is probably the most “European” country in South America, besides Uruguay. But - as in every south American country - football is a really big thing here, and people go crazy for every match the Chilean team wins.
On page 1 in La Tercera, a Chilean newspaper, today, after Chile qualifies for the World Cup 2010
The last World Cup Chile participated was 1998 in France, they didn’t manage to qualify for Germany 2006, but this time it’s different. Although one match is still missing in the qualification, Chile is third in the current ranking, and is already qualified for South Africa 2010. You should have seen my Chilean colleagues during the match yesterday evening against Colombia. With every Chilean goal, they were dancing in our multipurpose room, where we watched the match on a big screen. They were shouting and jumping across the seats. In simple words: They were completely nuts. Santiago, Chile’s capital, was probably no different, with car convoys and people dancing in the streets.
For me this all means there are two teams I will support during the World Cup next year: Germany and Chile. And I am already looking forward watching all Chilean matches with my colleagues and friends.
Tags: Chile, Football, South Africa, World Cup
October 13th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Way to go Chile!
“My team” (Finland) didn’t qualify - as usual, but I also have two teams to support. I have lived more than 7 years in Germany and my husband is Danish. I have also lived in Spain and I go often to Chile, so maybe I can find even more teams to support.
Heidi