La Copa America 2007

My friend Carrie and I are going to Venezuela for La Copa America 2007. We're going to try to take-in as much group play in the west as is possible. So, we've decided on a more aggressive travel schedule.

Flight delays from Dallas. Carrie arrives at 6:00 a.m. and flys to Maracaibo where I'll meet her after my flight arrives at 11:30 a.m. Hopefully, there's room on the 5:00 p.m. flight on Aeropostale. More later.

We´re set! Carrie connected with some journalists from Columbia, so we anticipate good tickets...perhaps even VIP passes for total access. The adventure continues today... I´ve updated our hotel information on the main page.

So, we're in the press area outside of the stadium thanks to our new found friends. We're about to enter the stadium for our first match Paraguay v. Colombia and then Argentina v. EE.UU. This is the reason we're here, and I'm glad that we finally secured tickets! Mas later...when we determine what we'll do next. XOXOXO

Oh, the games last night were great! Our seats were as good as could be expected, but who cares!? Colombia just got trounced with little Paraguay teaching them a lesson! A lot of Colombians and Argentines in the stadium; few Paraguayans and North Americans. But, what great fun! Highlight: Lionel Messi takes a corner kick about 30 yards away from us! Actually, Carrie had - literally - run into him at another hotel at a press event the day before. The EE.UU. boys played like champs for a young team without the typical stars. Argentina is the best team in the world. So, despite the score we did well. It was a little uncomfortable sitting in the midst of so many Argentines. But, the 12-15 Norteños at the stadium held our own! Such a mix, such fun, and some good anecdotes to tell.

Yesterday was great fun, but a wash. Our friend Hans has broken with his girl, and we supported him by drinking in a casino bar until late in the evening. Then, his driver came around and took us to the biggest mall I have ever seen in my life. I got a picture of the food court, which was PACKED with people at 9:00 p.m. It was amazing. Though the day was a wash, we´ve had a great time here. I'm looking forward to Merida. We fly out later this morning...after I visit the Basilica de Chiquinquira to see the image of the Virgin of Chiquinquira. Can´t pass without seeing at least one cultural site!