Kristina Argentina

Club Atlético Boca Junior win the championship!

Whenever something important happens in Buenos Aires, be it an election, or winning a soccer match, people gather at the obelisk. The big event this time was La Boca winning the Argentine championships for soccer (equivalent to the Yankees winning the World Series).

I watched* the game with Luis, a true La Boca fan (*watched = read a magazine and glanced up every once in awhile). As soon as the game ended, we began to hear horns honking. So grabbed sweatshirts and ventured out.

Cars were driving around with people and huge boca flags hanging out of them honking. They were all chanting any number of crazy chants/songs together, and everyone was best friends. We walked to 9 de julio, more than half of which was already blocked off. There were a couple of people walking in the middle of it towards to obelisk, and as we turned around, we could see a large crowd in the distance, who were probably walking from either the game itself, or from watching it in La Boca. 

When we got to the obelisk, it was already mayhem. There were people dancing on streetlights, on small kiosks. People were drinking, chanting and hugging. Some of the chants call for you to jump up and down or you are a gallina - a chicken. That is what they call anyone who is a River Plate fan (their arch rivals). Men were holding their 5 month old babies and jumping up and down without the slightest regard for their baby’s health. Other children were dressed up in Boca colors - Boca fans from birth.

After a little while, we did a lap around the obelisk. Then people started to set fire to River flags and to set off smoke bombs and fireworks. About an hour into it, the soccer hooligans (their most loyal fans) pulled up on a bus. A drum circle started and everyone danced together.

It was very passionate and unlike anything I had ever seen. I was very glad to be there with someone who could explain it to me, and protect me if needed, cause it really felt like it was just on the edge of getting out of control. One guy lit off a loud firecracker right next to us, temporarily deafening me, and that was enough for me!