As I was doom scrolling, I saw an influencer state that even if someone did not enjoy soccer the…read moreWorld Cup only happens 4 times a year, and thus one should experience the noise and loud of a famed soccer game a la LA. I am not a sports fan but I do enjoy experience and raucous, and thus I decided to immerse myself in foreign territory: an octane Watch party. Of course there was no shortage of venues to see the FIFA games. But I went to Mal's bar to participate in two Mexico game viewings. I am not sure how I decided to visit Mal's Bar, but I was glad I did. It was the perfect combination for me: a strong party without the promise of intense desmadre/pandemonium. I saw that on television and although it seemed fun, if I were there I think I would have been scared by the intensity of the wild and unrelenting partying.
This is not a chic place, thus do not expect valet. As soon, as I entered I was part of the crowd, due to lack of space, not my ability to blend in with people effortlessly. But honestly, for me that was part of the fun. I know that most of the time, people do not want to be a sardine in a packed canned. But here we were not sardines in packed cane, we were sardines in a cramped aquarium but we were alive, the oils of our bodies lubricated against each other in the name of a good time. And that filled me with joy, up to my gills! Thus this place is not spacious, and it was less spacious due to the crowd. I am not sure how it would be on a regular Saturday but I imagine less crowded, but still packed.
On my first visit, I had a mango margarita. And I think I shot myself in the mouth when I ordered. I told the bartender I want a margarita but not with well tequila. He named the other tequilas, and I did not really understand their levels of quality so I told him I was looking to spend 25.00 dollars. I wanted taste that I could stomach because well tequilas usually have a back taste that my taste buds interpret as liquid fire. So he named a top shelf tequila and I asked how much is that, and he said 25.00 dollars. This is where the boom came to my mouth, not because of the quality taste of the margarita but because I had upsold myself. Especially, since when I went the second time to Mal's I ordered a well tequlila Mango Margarita and I could not tell the difference between the first and the second.
The first time I went and Mexico scored I experienced the gift of a new experience: Being inside of a scream. When the Mexico team scored the blast of screams, and bullhorns, and other amped up voices swirled all around me. My body buzzed, my skin heard the noise and shivered. I did not expect that. It was off putting in a wonderful way, like feeling a winter's nip on the ears first time--- frosty but it reminds one that they are alive and able to feel! After that I went outside to settle my skin, and I could not come back. I was too shaken, just a little. The second time I went the energy was higher. Mexico advanced and thus its fans were more invested. As I saw the game with other fans, more devoted fans, I braced myself for the yell of a score. But this time, I did not just experience the yell of the score, I heard and felt different emotions: anticipation at near scores, disappointment when these did not come to pass, and the crowd just being present with the game. For instance, when Mexicans were called to make noise, the crowd went wild with national pride. When Ecuador were called to make noise, the boos were present, and not offensive in nature. They were still good sportsmanship just veiled in smack talking.
When Mexico scored the yell I was afraid of came, but this time, I joined in the fun and excitement and the jumping and my own participation in the scream of celebration diffuse the anxiety that I received when I did not jump for a score. Mexico scored twice during the Ecuador game and I was in line for the restroom when it happened. I was able to catch a brief video of the celebration, which meant that I was not inside the scream but viewing it. It was a better way for me to enjoy it, at least for me.
The DJ or promoter did an excellent job. During half time show the Reggeton beats dropped. And people started to dance but not fully, and he came on and he said with street confidence, "this is a party" encourage all of us to treat this as a club situation. Thus, people tried to meet people. There was a girl who was trying to meet a boy. The boy was talking to me. The girl was pulling him to get his attention. I fully expected for him to part from me because a girl was calling, so I was bracing myself for an abrupt end to the conversation. Yet he dislodged his hand from hers and she got the message. I told him how I much I respected his actions and decision. He then told me, "that will always be there," and then he said "watch" and went to hit on another girl. I was flabbergasted! He had a sure thing but continued searching. So both times I saw and experienced something new!