The aftermath of Carnival, and my first Fútbol game here
In my last post I hyped up the locals way of celebrating carnival, and I was pretty much on the money except for the fact that this year the government had passed some new laws- Pretty much threatening to imprison people who soaked/powdered/etc anyone who wasn't playing... for up to 4 years. So that stopped the gangs that in the past have roamed the streets wetting everyone, sometimes with coloured water: which had disastrous effects on peoples clothing, and they sometimes used it as a front to rob people in mobs etc. -Especially in Lima (as I've been told many times, crime is a lot more full-on in Lima)So the people were very well behaved during the earlier weeks, but you'd always see people (normally girls) who had been soaked or powdered (With stuff kinda like powder paint or something) which was always a good laugh.
My first time I was targeted was in the centre of town walking around, and some girls were following me with a little spray gun... so not exactly that crazy.
Next would be at the School that the Peruvian "YMCA" or (ACJ (Asociacion Cristiano de Jovenes) in Spanish) has in one of the slum areas (I went there twice last week to help out, it's summer school right now-so I was mainly just hanging around with the kiddies and playing games etc, I hope to go there about once a week for the morning to help out, chill with the kids- it's a great work they do out there). And this was the 16th, two days before the actual carnival day. So the kids were pumped up ready for a water fight, so they had to wait till 12 when we had finished, to make a long story short the boys went full on and soaked the female volunteers (lucky me not getting targeted, the kids call the others 'maricones' (roughly queer in English) if they wet someone of the same sex) so I was safe until I jokingly asked for a water balloon from one of the boys and popped it on his head, so, they soaked me, and then reinforcements came in for the girls side... so, I got drenched and ran off to catch the bus- to the amusement of the other passengers.
But the worst came on the day itself: I went to the fútbol with Julio, Pablo and Juan Carlos (which I’ll cover in depth soon) and all the action in the streets had seemed to have died down (before we saw hoards of guys and people in trucks etc, armed to the teeth with all manner of wetting equipment) so I didn't take the bottles of water in my bag like I did in the morning while I was at church (It pays to be prepared) when I went to Youth Group (we've just started up for the year pretty much) so, I took the bus like I had a few times before- but I accidentally took the wrong one (I thought Bolivar was an abbreviation of Simon Bolivar, the location of the Church) So when the bus took a turn the wrong way I started to get worried... We made our way into this huge market (the principle one of the city) so I got off the bus in this really interesting part, trying to recognize a bus to take, or some familiar street. I seemed to be in a part of the market with a-lot people second hand stuff, ranging from electronics to shoes, first up this guy asked me if I had any valuables to sell, to which I replied "no"... then I asked him and some of the other guys if they knew of a bus to Simon Bolivar- Which weirded them out big time, so they asked me if I wanted to go to the Plaza de Armas (the central square of Arequipa) I guess most 'turistas' don't really want to go to a poor comuna in the city with nothing that exciting.
So I walked off to find a bus or catch a taxi (which can be a problem, as there are so many taxis but a lot of the companies aren't that reputable- even some locals avoid them... but It's not the best to get in a dodgy taxi that can take a 'rich' gringo anywhere (if they knew the truth I could get in any taxi, dream on) and take their stuff. So, I was walking around, trying to look like I knew where I was going, trying to find a taxi or bus. Thankfully I found a principle street that I recognized, so I started walking up that, by all these stalls with everything from pirated music/movies, clothes to food.
So, while I was walking I saw ahead of me a few girls with powder on them, hanging around some people selling powder by some other stalls. I thought I was pretty safe walking there, I wasn't a threat (so according to the rules a non-combatant) but, just as I reached where they were I caught a glimpse of one of their faces, with a mischievous look. Then, next thing you know, I was attacked by them (official estimates vary, from the exaggerated 10 I told the driver of the taxi I eventually went in, the 5 I told the youth group about, and the maybe only three which doesn't sound as exciting. I didn't count as they smeared it in my face) with them throwing powder all over my t-shirt, my bag and my face. In hindsight I realise that I should have turned around and grabbed some powder from the woman there selling it, but rational thought gave way to a mix of the 'survival instinct' and the 'this is really funny so I should laugh instinct’. After the attack the reactions I got were priceless. Best of all was arriving at YG, sneaking in the back because I was late, and seeing the faces of anyone who saw me sneak in. I think it was definitely a great conversation started and it was fun telling the story... I think it has, fairly or not, given me the reputation of being a good laugh, and extra acceptance in the group.
So, next Carnival I'm not gonna be caught out!
The fútbol was good fun, and a lot cheaper than when I went in Chile (and a lot less important a match). It only cost $4 NZ to get in, which made sense as we were sitting in the cheapest seating area. The whole stadium (except for the small covered stand for the people with money ($12 NZ) was old-school embankment style concrete seating.
We arrived about 10-15 minutes before kick off, with the two Melgar mad fanatics sectiones starting to chant etc. (Melgar is a suburb in Arequipa, and the most popular team, the new team, Arequipa total- now that’s a cool name...) Melgar's colours are red and black and the other team wore pink- The aptly named "Sports Boys" from Lima. I so need to get one of their jerseys!
The game was Sunday afternoon (carnival as I mentioned before) which may have affected the crowd... the crowd didn't get into the songs like they did at the Colo Colo game I went to in Chile, But I guess who wants to sing in a 1/3 full stadium, unless your in a huge group of fans (next game I should go in team colours and join in on the fun. The game was played in generally sunny conditions, and I always love a free flowing rugby game in the afternoon, so I had high hopes for a high scoring match.
The match started terribly for Melgar, with a free kick badly defended. Melgar didn't seem to have much get up and go in the first half, but they had the majority of possession (this is starting to sound like the match report or something, anyway, I'll continue) The second half started well for Melgar, with far more positive play with the ball, still with the majority of possession. Finally they scored of a nice kick that finished of a great cross to make it a draw. I felt as if the game was going Melgars way; But the manly men from Sports Boys still had some fuel left in the tank, and they subsequently scored three easy goals (thanks to some lame defence from Melgar) and almost made Juan Carlos cry (ok, I made the last bit up, Melgar fans have tasted enough defeat in their recent history to be able to cope- and it's a long season... but it was surprising considering the start they have had to the season- most markedly their 2-0 whitewash of the reigning champions, Alianza Lima, last week. But it's still early days in the competition).
In other related Fútbol news I'm still making up my mind as to which team I will support. I made the decision far to fast in Chile, and had to eventually back two teams (much to the amusement of my friends) but I don't want to be in that situation again. Melgar is the early favourites, with Sporting Cristal (Pablo's favourite team, which got knocked out of the Copa Libertadores very early on, and in a disastrous manner) Arequipa Total (what a name, but I haven't had a chance to have a good look at their jersey) with an outside chance amongst others. I will keep you all posted on developments in this regard.
I’m slowly regaining my Samson like powers after my haircut, but it's slow going...So here are the promised photos, and a bonus one: this is of a sign on the way to Mollendo (another beach I have visited, this time for a day trip with some from the Youth Group that Pablo goes to (and I go to as well)) It pretty much says "our city is clean, keep it this way" which is all well and good... but the accompanying diagrams of someone.... I think you can make it out in the photo.
If the city councils here actually wanted to solve this problem, they could make public toilets, and free ones, or really really cheap. I'm sure people don't get a kick out of defecating/urinating in public... (That was an interesting sentence). That (the lack of public toilets) would have to be one of my pet hates. Thankfully I haven't encountered a 'no 2' on my travels yet (only doggie doo, or what I hope is!!!)
Before:
After:Anyway, that was a really really long post- You could say that I’m doing penance for my slackness during carnival- so now it's time to be serious during lent (I’m not really an expert on such things on some churches calendars, so to find out that 40 days (not including Sundays) before ash Wednesday- or good Friday, or something).
Look after yourselves, and God bless,
Nathan
posted by Nathan Sinclair @ 12:51 PM
5 comments
