I had the privilege of attending the classic match-up soccer game between Vina del Mar Everton and the Santiago Wanderers, who are based in Valparaiso. I did not take my camera, fortunately, so that I would not be robbed, but unfortunately because I wish I could have had pictures of the craziness.
We walked down to the stadium where we passed one police checkpoint, then continued to be circled by half a dozen motorcycle cops. Upon arrival to the final entrance, we were searched at another police check point. Also waiting at the entrance was one of the armored police trucks loaded with a gas cannon. Should have clued me in to the intensity of the situation, but I didn't hit me until we entered the stadium.
The stadium, which was only half full, because they say had suffered structural damage in the earthquake but really shut half of it down for security reasons, was estatic. We sat on the blue and gold Everton side, of which was surrounded on both sides of the fans by police officers. Noticing as well that to separate the two sides was a high wall of chain-link fence, topped with barbed-wire. The green and white side of Wanderers were also surrounded on either side by police officers. There were also about a dozen fully padded police officers on the ground, plus another half-dozen K-9 police dogs roaming around the field. I didn't know if I was at a soccer game or in prison.
The high spirits and enthusiasm of the two sides reminded me that it was all soccer. Both sides sported their colors proudly with banners, flags, streamers and bags that were turned into balloon-like things to wave around. The chants and yells were rampant to the beat of the massive drums located centrally in both stands. To kick off the match they sprayed colored fire extinguishers for their respective teams. It was quite the emotion and an atmosphere like nothing I have ever experienced.
Things got scary at half-time though when the massive rocks started flying onto our side. I heard that we apparently threw a rock first, but I'm not sure about that. Anyways dodging the propelled matter, we watched in dismay as the un-padded police took off running for their safety, and the fully-padded officers came charging in. The crazy Wanderers continued to throw objects at us, despite them winning at this point, and molesting the police officers to the extent of the officers having to beat them away with the batons.
This sparked an all-out tumble from the top of the stands to the bottom, inlcuding a couple of padded officers and several riled-up Wanderers. It was crazy! Never seen anything like it before. After the Wanderers scored again in the second half, they went nuts trying to jump the fences onto the field. That is where the K-9 dogs come in. My side wasn't totally guilt-free as we had a fight break out and they started running through the stands, nearly knocking us all the way down.
After that it calmed down, Everton sadly lost the game, which meant we booked it out of the stadium while the Wanderers celebrated. Trying to get out was another shock to the system though as we faced another entourage of police on motorcycles and four-wheelers, six police officers on horseback and another armored car. All that is to say, Chileans are crazy about their soccer. Latin Americans in general are crazy about soccer. It was definitely an experience of a lifetime and glad that I survived it. Upon arriving to home, however, my Chilean family informed me that the classic match-up between Vina and Valpo is nothing compared to a Colo-Colo game. Apparently it was Chilean soccer at its mildest.
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