I returned home to the US on June 10. The World Cup started two days later, June 12. Sean, my younger brother and futbol fanatic, told me I was “the stupidest person alive” for leaving Spain two days before the World Cup started (because they were a favorite to win). “No, seriously,” he said, “what the hell is wrong with you?”

sporting my Spanish pride at CMS during the World Cup

About a month later, on July 11 Spain captured the World Cup title with a win over the Netherlands. I watched the game on a big screen in the theater of Cardigan Mountain School where I was teaching ESL for the summer. And I couldn’t help but think that my little bro was right… I talked to a few of my Spanish friends and teachers on facebook and they said you couldn’t imagine the celebrations. People in the streets everywhere, yelling, waving flags, going crazy. I still think it’s awesome that the year I lived in Spain they won the World Cup (for the first time ever) but can’t help but think I could’ve been there to see it…

In any case, VIVA ESPANA!!!!!!!!!!!!