This past weekend created a big stir all over the world for the World Cup final game of Spain vs. Holland, or it is the Netherlands?
Location location location
Living in downtown Miami is well worth the rent money when big events come to town and the city decides to host them a couple blocks down the street from my apartment building. In celebration for the World Cup Final, the city of Miami held a block party in the blistering sunny 95 F degree weather that we call summer in Florida. Being a fan of Spain was the popular route to go. Groups of people walked the streets in red and yellow, many with their faces painted to only have their intricate designs drip off with sweat minutes later.

World Cup Finals Miami block party
In 2008 it was recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau that 62.4% of Miami-Dade residents were of Hispanic or Latino origin. Nearly 65% of Miamians are of Hispanic decent. Of that 65%, 35% are Cuban. Where have all the Spaniards come from?
Non-Spanish fans rooting for the Spanish
Now I know for a fact that not all of the Spain fans on my downtown block are actually of Spanish decent, seeing how I saw some of my college friends (who are not Spanish). In a world sporting event do you support the country you live in? Or the country that most resembles, or is most associated, with your own? My father was born and raised in a small town in Portugal and immigrated here when he was ten years old. My mother was born and raised in Dominican Republic and immigrated here when she was two. She was never too much of a sports fan, but my dad on the other hand rooted all the way for the Americans to win the World Cup. Of course, if Portugal was playing he absolutely could not miss it.
Listen to the octopus, or your gut?
If your motherland isn’t in the World Cup or Olympics, how do you choose who you root for? Some people I asked said they choose whatever country their family supports. Most simply pick who they think is the best and is going to win the tournament (I wonder where all the Brasil fans went). The immense superstition of an octopus deciding on the World Cup winner has created a world following thanks to his eight consecutive pickings, all correct. Apparently, even psychic Paul the octopus has received death threats, having reportedly doomed his own country (sorry, Germany) to the win.
The Spanish impostors roaming the streets surrounding my building took their World Cup fervor as far as shooting off fireworks reaching as high as my 11th floor balcony. Maybe supporting a country that is not your own is more like a fashion trend. Everyone’s doing it, so why not? In the next World Cup, let me know who the trend is going to be. I need to find a fitted jersey.
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Supporting your country in world sporting events… or not.
This past weekend created a big stir all over the world for the World Cup final game of Spain vs. Holland, or it is the Netherlands?
Location location location
Living in downtown Miami is well worth the rent money when big events come to town and the city decides to host them a couple blocks down the street from my apartment building. In celebration for the World Cup Final, the city of Miami held a block party in the blistering sunny 95 F degree weather that we call summer in Florida. Being a fan of Spain was the popular route to go. Groups of people walked the streets in red and yellow, many with their faces painted to only have their intricate designs drip off with sweat minutes later.
World Cup Finals Miami block party
In 2008 it was recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau that 62.4% of Miami-Dade residents were of Hispanic or Latino origin. Nearly 65% of Miamians are of Hispanic decent. Of that 65%, 35% are Cuban. Where have all the Spaniards come from?
Non-Spanish fans rooting for the Spanish
Now I know for a fact that not all of the Spain fans on my downtown block are actually of Spanish decent, seeing how I saw some of my college friends (who are not Spanish). In a world sporting event do you support the country you live in? Or the country that most resembles, or is most associated, with your own? My father was born and raised in a small town in Portugal and immigrated here when he was ten years old. My mother was born and raised in Dominican Republic and immigrated here when she was two. She was never too much of a sports fan, but my dad on the other hand rooted all the way for the Americans to win the World Cup. Of course, if Portugal was playing he absolutely could not miss it.
Listen to the octopus, or your gut?
If your motherland isn’t in the World Cup or Olympics, how do you choose who you root for? Some people I asked said they choose whatever country their family supports. Most simply pick who they think is the best and is going to win the tournament (I wonder where all the Brasil fans went). The immense superstition of an octopus deciding on the World Cup winner has created a world following thanks to his eight consecutive pickings, all correct. Apparently, even psychic Paul the octopus has received death threats, having reportedly doomed his own country (sorry, Germany) to the win.
The Spanish impostors roaming the streets surrounding my building took their World Cup fervor as far as shooting off fireworks reaching as high as my 11th floor balcony. Maybe supporting a country that is not your own is more like a fashion trend. Everyone’s doing it, so why not? In the next World Cup, let me know who the trend is going to be. I need to find a fitted jersey.
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