Expat Super Bowl Memories
Much like most everybody else on the Planet, I spent most all of yesterday mingling with fellow expat friends (along with a few Cuencanos) here in Ecuador, celebrating the (arguably most world-wide witnessed) annual iconic “juego” of my native land: The U.S. Super Bowl.
Kathmandu sardine-fest with 20,000 soccer fans! Nepal 0 – Afghanistan 1 ;(
The truth is, I’ve never been much of a spectator sports fan (since moving abroad 6 years ago however, I must say, I have developed a somewhat acute affection for “fútbol”). So as of yesterday morning, I didn’t have a clue as to which teams were playing in this year’s little pigskin tussle.
Go FALCONS!
The “Patriots” you say? And the “Falcons”? Still nary a clue as to what corners of the country they represent. Oh, turns out the former are New England, and the latter, Atlanta. Um, so?
O.k. so if I must choose a team to root for, then… turns out those (nasty) Patriots chewed up my hometown Seahawks 2 years ago, so… I guess it’s the Falcons for me. Besides, the Canadian chum I celebrated the day with told me she “once owned a Falcon car”, so fine – the Falcons it would be. Our team of rooting choice.
The rest is now history of course. A fine game (and for we momentary “Falcon” fans at least the first half had us perpetually on our feet). And I ate/drank myself silly on $1.50 margaritas and yummers barbecued kebabs, “hamburguesas” and REAL.AMERICAN.POTATO.SALAD!
This was my 3rd Super Bowl here in Ecuador, but it reminds me of my most memorable 1st back in 2015. That year (Super Bowl XLIX) Ecuador was the FIRST.COUNTRY.EVER. to create a Super Bowl tourism commercial. And oh my, such a wondrous ad it was.
Glorious scenes from all corners of this beautiful and diverse country (believe me, there’s LOTS more here than just those famous Galapagos isles), the ad was ingeniously set to the legendary Beatles tune of “All You Need is Love”. At more than $125,000 per SECOND, the 30 second ad cost Ecuador nearly $4 MILLION. But apparently it easily paid for itself in luring north Americans down here to my adopted home.
This is the full Director’s cut – note those luscious blue domes at 1:13 – just a few blocks from my apartment, they still take my breath away every time I walk beneath them. But it is the message that most moves me. The values of this caring and welcoming country. My favorite line (at 2:14):
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About the Author
Dyanne Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion,and I’ve always lived life “like-a-kid-in-a-candy-store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been: This ain’t a dress rehearsal, folks!
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Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion, and I’ve always lived life “like a kid in a candy store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been:
I caught up on the Super Bowl commercials last night (I never watch the game) and found them to be more thought provoking (and political) than usual but, as always, greatly entertaining too. Thanks for sharing this beautiful commercial of Ecuador. I can see why you’re proud to call it your adopted country!
Yeah, Anita – I too caught up on this year’s array of Super Bowl ads on the day after (while the pub I was at streamed the game on a HUGE screen, the commercials were ordinary Spanish ads).
And yes, I’m proud of the delicate balance here in EC – of progressive government (the current Pres majored in economics at the University of Illinois!) and state-of-the-art technology, paired with a culture that fully embraces the simple values of my youth (i.e. the “Leave It to Beaver” values of family, simple pleasures and ever “tranquilo”).