Veracruz, Mexico is my new favorite place in the world to catch a football game, drink ice cold beer and eat delicious cheese. This statement may not mean much until I mention one minor detail; I am from Wisconsin. In Wisconsin we bleed green and gold, pour PBR or Milwaukee’s Best in our cereal and eat cheese curds for every meal. Therefore, I have given myself exponential credibility on good football, beer and cheese.
The Stadium where the games are held is Estadio Luis de la Fuente, located in Boca Del Rio, Veracruz. The stadium is fully equipped with 30,000 seats and armored police guards. The football team is the Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz; arrive wearing your red and if you forget your large foam finger, you can purchase one before you enter the stadium. The stadium itself is very different than any located in America – not just in reference to the armored police guards on the field but the restrooms. The restrooms are not for the faint of heart; what I would recommend – unless you can handle it – hold it.
I felt I was immersed in the local culture; cheering from the front row and wearing my red shirt. Of course, I only know a handful of Spanish so the logistics of the game were lost upon me, but that didn’t matter; I was so happy.
Attending an event of this nature when you are not a local is always a bit intimidating, especially for me as I stick out like a sore thumb. However, an incident that happened while I was in the restroom, took my love for Latin America to the next level.
An elderly woman, who barely spoke English, approached me and asked, “Are you from the United States?” I replied “Yes” with a concerned and puzzled look because usually this answer does not get the best response, but she concluded the conversation with “Welcome to Mexico.” With this response my heart fell into my stomach. So many thoughts were running through my mind; first, that no one in America would go up to a foreigner and say that, instead say the opposite. Second, that Mexico may not be as dangerous as the media makes it out to be.
Being a travel agent located in Southern California, I get calls everyday in regards to the safety level of traveling within Mexico. Of course, there are many factors that can get you into trouble, but I believe if you don’t go looking for trouble, trouble is not going to find you. As a gringa, do I think Mexico is dangerous? Yes, Mexico is dangerous, dangerous in the fact that you might trip and fall in love with one of the handsome, polite and generous gentlemen who live in Mexico.
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