Catalanes are everywhere

The Casal de Catalunya (Catalán Cultural Center) organizes fútbol games against other Casals around Buenos Aires and the surrounding provinces.  Without any plans for the day, I tagged along with my Catalán friends to watch them play fútbol in Capitán Sarmiento, a SMALL town in the province of Buenos Aires about two hours outside of the city.  As we rolled into the town, we were astonished that there could be a Catalán center in such a small community.  We went into the athletic club where they’d be playing and realized that we weren’t the only porristas (chearleaders).  The town had a whole team of cheerleaders with choreography, costumes, pompoms, a captain, and all!  We felt very inadequate and unprepared. :)

the field

the porristas

warm up

 

Unfortunately, their fútbol team had been practicing quite a bit, too, and defeated us in both games.  I guess they had the home advantage and they couldn’t let all of their fans down.  As it turned out, there was a large following to watch the game.  It seemed that the entire town came to watch the “authentic” Catalanes play!

 













even blow up toys for the kids

 

Catalanes and Capitán Sarmientoans

 

















The day was nice, though – the sun was shining and there was a light breeze.  But it did start to get a bit crisp as it progressed, and we went to the Casal for some tostadas (ham and cheese sandwiches without the crust), empanadas and salchichas (sausages).

the Casal

 

















We headed back to the Capital as the sun was setting around 6:30 pm.