BARCELONA, Spain (March 23) - The Seattle University men's soccer team is in Spain this week. Freshmen Noe Meza and Pablo Gonzalez write about the first days of the exciting adventure.
Noe Meza, freshman, Sunnyside, Wash.
March 19
We arrived in Spain after a long flight and we were told to try and stay up since it was noon so we could get used to the time change. We had a light training session at a small field overlooking the beach. It was good to get out and run around after a long flight and it woke us up a bit. We returned back to the hotel and the team was excited because the next stop was the Nou Camp and we saw Barcelona play Valencia. The atmosphere around the stadium was fantastic and it was surreal watching arguably the best team in the world live. Barcelona did not disappoint as they scored 4 goals and played with a great style and tempo. We were all tired and the bus ride back to the hotel was quiet as everyone was asleep.
March 20
Today, we woke up at 8:30 a.m. and ate breakfast at the SB Icaria. It was delicious. The cured bacon and ham was the best part. Our game against U.E. Cornellá went well and we won, 3-1. We didn’t know what to expect from the Cornella but they were a good team which kept possession of the ball well. Connor Noblat scored the first goal and I scored the second goal of the game off a 35-yard free kick. After lunch, we drove to the Montserrat. The Montserrat was unbelievable. It had a spectacular view of Barcelona and the cities around it. We ate dinner late at a very nice restaurant in Born; the food was delicious. They brought it plate by plate, starting with the appetizer and ended with a dessert. I am so grateful for this trip to Spain. I am blessed to be part of such a great program and university.
Pablo Gonzalez, freshman, Houston, Texas
March 21
After an exhausting day, we got the chance to sleep in until 10 a.m. to recover from the drowsiness that had been so persistent since the flight. For breakfast, we had the same delicious meal that includes charcuterie, bread, and regular morning eggs, to prepare us for the long road trip ahead.
After an hour drive, we came to our first stop. Cállela de Palafrugell was the name of the town that we all fell in love with. It is a peaceful town with beautiful coves, narrow alleyways, coastal architecture, and vistas of the gleaming Mediterranean Sea. We were able to enjoy this paradisal beach town for an hour, that gave all of us the time to soak it all in and take pictures that will save our memories of this place.
Back on the bus, we headed towards our second destination, Peratallada. It is an 11th Century villa that not only survived Napoleon’s torch, but also housed his army. This village is built entirely of stone. The stone arches, the vines growing on the buildings, and the overall rustic history is completely out of touch with the modern world, which makes it a unique and magical town. This was my favorite of our stops today, as it made me feel as I was living through history. Visualizing life back then was made easier by walking through the cobblestone streets and seeing this makes me wonder how many other beautiful villages we would have had if Napoleon hadn't destroyed them. I guess this is the reason Paratallada is so special.
For our third stop, we went to Begur where we went to a delicious restaurant called Café Begu. We ate a fresh salad to start followed by a mouth-watering bolognese pasta. The dinner and the ambience were very homey, and it invited me to relax and enjoy the evening.
After our great dinner and a long day of touring, we departed for our game. We arrived at La Jonquera, a town 12 miles from the French border, ready to play. The game was pushed back 10 minutes to 8:40, to allow enough time for us to warm-up; however, when it was 8:40, the other team came out to stretch, when we were ready to start the game. We left everything out on the field in a very entertaining, physical, and fast-paced game. When the whistle blew, we walked off the field with a 1-0 victory with a great goal from Julian Avila. It was a rewarding win, and one that we are very proud of.
In a day where we were so blessed to see all the beautiful things this world has to offer, and coming out with a win, it is safe to say that the long drive home was a good one. We are truly lucky to travel, and today has been an unforgettable experience for all of us. As a team, I feel like we grew closer today, and this will only push us forward as we continue to improve as a team.