Beijing football game. The Workers Stadium. Guoan!

my temporary substitution for American football.

The Workers Stadium.

(Sunday, 25 Aug 2013) After a quick dinner in Sanlitun, Josie and I took a bicycle taxi up to The Workers Stadium to see the Beijing Guoan vs. Dalian Aerbin football (aka, soccer) game.  The taxi cyclist was happy as we conceded to a no-haggle ride for 20 RMB.  

Upon arrival at the stadium: mayhem.  Among a sea of green/yellow jerseys, I quickly felt out of place in my American garb...a daily feeling to which I've grown accustomed.  Vendors lined the sidewalk in front of the stadium gates, and I haggled for a 50 RMB jersey.  Josie felt a bit irritated as she had purchased one days before at a local mall for over 100 RMB.  My impromptu purchase paid off for once.  Slipping the jersey over my head, I felt a bit like a Beijinger.

The next challenge: purchasing tickets.  We unsuccessfully searched for a ticket booth.  After a messy, translated conversation with a local policewoman, we had a verdict: no more tickets.  We practiced our haggling skills with a scalper, and ended up forking over 300 RMB for both tickets.  Not the best price.  But we were in.

armed Chinese guards.  at ease, men.

  

Nearly four security checks and various fleets of armed guards marching around and standing at attention were disconcerting and definitely intimidating.  But after picking up a few (odd-looking, pale-colored, long and skinny) hot dogs, we made it up into our seats.  Looking out over a sea of 30,000 chanting, green/yellow-dressed fans, Josie and I quickly blew up our inflatable noise clappers that were on our seats.  The fun began.  Goosebumps emerged.  

And I felt like a teenager...recalling my first FSU football game at Doak in Tallahassee with my Dad.

The man next to me looked into my eyes and smiled proudly, stomping his feet in rhythm as the crowd roared.  I was hooked.  Guoan!  

Josie.  my partner in crime.

                 

  

    

            a quick video of the stadium atmosphere.