TEFLees in Spain

Just because I come from a place where football is a game where only one out of fifty players actually uses his feet, doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate its European counterpart. Yes, we may call it soccer in that land across the sea, but I still have an avid interest in the sport thanks to my childhood video game hobby. If it weren’t for that, I’d basically know nothing about the game. I’d probably still think that you kick the ball with your toe, that every player runs to the ball no matter where it is on the field like a huddle of little kids, and that a pitch is something that only relates to America’s national pastime of baseball.

Fortunately I’ve been enlightened however, and so it was an awesome moment when I realized that I’d be moving to a city that is home to one of the best futbol teams on the planet. I’ve been here for just over three months though, and the closest I’ve come to entering Santiago Bernabeu Stadium where Real Madrid plays, is standing tip toe at the gate, trying to sneak a peak at the pitch. There’s been a list of excuses as long as my arm for this: I don’t have sufficient funds, I don’t have enough time, I don’t know how to go about buying tickets, etc. But all of these excuses flew out the window today during my noon class.

I started this one to one tutoring session about three weeks ago with this 25 year old guy who, like me, is straight out of college. We hit it off immediately as we quickly identified our common ground in the first minutes of our first class: “So, Antonio. What do you like to do in your free time?”

“Well, I like beer…and football,” he answered without hesitation.

“I think we’re going to get along just fine, amigo.”

I then came to discover that this student also happens to be a season ticket holder for Real Madrid, and goes to nearly all of the games. I didn’t want to pry, but I heard the opportunity knocking, so I offered to take some tickets off his hands in case he was ever in need of some seat occupants. He readily agreed that it was no problem – he’d hook me up as soon as he got the chance. But, this being Spain, I took his consenting with a grain of salt.

Oh yes, me of little faith. Well all of my doubts were put to rest today when Antonio walked in to class. After salutations were exchanged, he asked, “What are you doing next Wednesday?”

“I have no idea,” I answered. “I never think that far ahead.”

“I have four tickets to the Real Madrid game – do you want them?”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, of course,” he replied. “You can take your friends. I’m not going to be able to go to this game.”

“I don’t know what to say, but…thank you!”