Boca Juniors vs. River Plate

Annemarie, Meg, Camila the Pink Poodle, and Gabby

We made it home in time to catch the Boca vs. River game, a huge rivalry in Argentine futbol. Juan Jo invited us to his parents house (they are out of town, I assume in Miami since his mother is a US citizen and they frequent the southern Florida town) to watch the game. I arrive a bit late (unpacking and catching up, plus I have no clue about Argentine futbol or really soccer in general) to see Gabby and his son, Juan Jo, Silvana, Damian and Annemarie glued to the television. Boca has just scored. Camila flops lazily on the couch in a River Plate dog uniform. He fur still resembles faded cotton candy. Silvana says she won't dye her again; Juan Jo will kill her. Damian has ordered a thin crust pizza with albahaca and tomatoes. During half time Silvana makes us cafe con leche with instant coffee, sugar, and a tiny bit of water well stirred and served with steamed milk. I must learn how to do this when I return to The States. She says it's all in the wrist. We eat facturas (croissants and other pastries) and drink our coffee during the second half. No one else scores. Boca wins. Juan Jo is practically inconsolable.

When I take the subte home some kids ask me which way I am going. Toward Catedral, I tell them. "Where are you trying to go?" They need to catch another subte line. They're going the right way. Then a lady on the bench next to me asks if anyone knows who won the River vs. Boca game. I tell her Boca won. She says she doesn't care either way, but her cousin is for Boca. I tell her I watched it with some friends from River, but since I'm not from here I don't have any real allegiance. She asks me where I am from and talks to me the entire ride home. She says my Castellano is quite good. Chileans might be more friendly, but I like the way Argentines will just talk to you. And it's nice to sort of fit in appearance-wise. I got tired of feeling Chilean eyes on me and Annemarie. It was like Mexico but sneakier; like the minute you felt their eyes on you they turned away...