Los Aguacateros Win!

One cannot name your blog after the Aguacateros and not attend a fútbol game. So we took the first opportunity to go see Antigua G.F.C. Of course blancos need a shaded seat, so we bought tickets for the part of the stadium with a roof. And found a seat that happened to be near a small section of the opposing team fans or maybe family members.

In Guatemala, many measures are taken to ensure fighting and bad behavior among the spectators doesn’t break out. Chain-link fencing with a string of barbed wire separates the stands from the field. There are strict rules about what’s not allowed. (basically anything that can be thrown) – I left my camera at home because I wasn’t sure if it would be allowed. Security officers pat down everyone entering (including gringos). They don’t sell cervezas or other alcoholic drinks. But the main thing is the lack of opposing team fans.

Aficionados don’t really travel with the teaming Guatemala, and the ones that do come don’t wear team colors. In fact, security can even stop them from entering. That’s why the championship match has two games. One at each city. So it was a sea of green everywhere except for a rather sedate pocket near us. Two girls with the visiting team group had to be corrected when they accidentally cheered for Antigua.

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It was an education in Spanish curse words for our family. We kept hearing a woman behind us say “chucho”, which is what Guatemalans call dogs. But it can be a term of endearment, so we were confused. We later found out that “chucho” also roughly translates as “being a pig.” A player hogging the ball and not passing is a “chucho.”

There was also the incident of the ladrón (thief) with maní (peanuts). The vendors walk around and the prices are really low, for example a frozen banana for less than a dollar. The peanut vendor came up and I asked how much. He responded in English and I heard 15 Quetzales. After all, 50Q would be an insane price. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any sencillo (small change). So I gave him a 100 Quetzal bill. After a second I realized I only had 50Q in change. He had actually charged me about $7 for a small bag of peanuts. I guarantee that was the most expensive bag of peanuts ever bought at this stadium. Needless to say, he lost some future business.

The match would determine first place in the professional Guatemala league. Cobán and Antigua came into the game essentially tied. In the end the Aguacateros won 2-1. Sadie was a true Aguacatero and bought a jersey, but Willa felt bad for the other team since they didn’t have any fans. As the consummate peacemaker, she was hoping for a tie.

It was a peaceful affair. As it turned out the riot shields that accompanied the referees off the field were unnecessary. We will be back for the next game.

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UPDATE: We attended our second game. Willa didn’t want to come so she went with a friend. Aguacateros won again, despite one of their players being ejected for saying something to the ref. I guess the ref had really “piel delgado.” (thin skin)

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