Cali hosts two professional soccer teams that share a stadium. We arrived to the stadium a half hour early thinking it would be easy to get a ticket. Unfortunately the 10000 other fans that had been standing in line for an hour already felt no mercy towards two tourists, so it was to the back of the line we went.
The passion of the fans was visible from the get-go. Two guys in front of us broke out in a shouting match about who was first in line. One guy pulled out what appeared to be parole papers and shouted to the other that the paper was proof that he was capable of making poor life choices and would fight.
Queue our exit from the line. A scalper walked buy offering tickets barely above face value. We immediately handed him our loot, he pointed to an alternate gate, and we were in.
Inside the mob was confined to the north end of the field. Police and high fences allowed them the opportunity to go crazy together. In college I thought the student section was crazy at footbal games, I was completely floored to see the mob sing for two straight hours, jump for two hours and waive about like madmen.
The local museum was showcasing works by Rembrandt 69 etchings of a staggering detail graced the walls. We agreed the guy must have been crazy in order to put the effort to create so many 4x4 stamps with thousands of carefully placed channels
We stayed at the Hostal Pajara Pinta located next to the Intercontinental Hotel in the middle of town. The hostel has amenities such as a pool, WIFI and a very courteous staff. Killer breakfast for only 2.50 with coffee, fruit, eggs, juice, and bread.
