Barcelona football in March 2008
Jan 24th, 2008, 05:27 AM
#21
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I hope following this trip you are planning a week at a swanky spa just for yourself. Anyone who is courageous enough to take on escorting HS students to France and Spain deserves a medal of honor.
I was unable to have children but I always say if I had I would have hoped they would be exchange students because it is so important for people in the world to understand one another better.
Your totally rule for being a cool adult and taking kids to Europe, which is so important if kids today are going to appreciate cultural diffences in the world. This is a very important thing you are doing. Bravo.
I was unable to have children but I always say if I had I would have hoped they would be exchange students because it is so important for people in the world to understand one another better.
Your totally rule for being a cool adult and taking kids to Europe, which is so important if kids today are going to appreciate cultural diffences in the world. This is a very important thing you are doing. Bravo.
Jan 26th, 2008, 09:26 AM
#23
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Thanks Wanderlust5. Such kind words Only 40 days until we board our jet airliner to whisk us to Paris. We've had a lot of fun pulling this trip together. We don't buy packaged trips offered by companies, but make up our own and send out the itinerary to various travel companies and ask them to quote an all-inclusive price. We have 15 days away in France and Spain ending in Valencia for Festival Fallas. My reward at the end is observing the changes in the 36 participants. I don't think the School Board would go for the spa idea - but I'll suggest it.
Doh, we are attending the Barcelona Espanyol vs. Mallorca match (March 16)because that fit our itinerary. We had a choice of 25, 35 and 45 Euro tickets. We chose the 35 Euro seats because they were "upper", but not in the ends. The RCDE website is quite useful and our contact at RCDE was Carlos Ferrer. We purchased our tix with an international bank transfer to the RCDE account at their bank in Valencia. This was all done at our local small town bank for a bank cost of about $35. They don't set the start time for the game (likely 2 p.m. or 6 p.m.) until about 10 days prior. For this reason they will forward a chit (in this case to our travel agent) which we will exchange for tickets on game day. We have been informed our seats are not in the "intense" section reserved for "dedicated" Espanyol fans, but I am sure we will have a good view of their antics. I do have a fiduciary responsibility to bring my students back to their parents! Doh, if you would like to contact me you can do so at cooperfam1 at yahoo.ca.
Doh, we are attending the Barcelona Espanyol vs. Mallorca match (March 16)because that fit our itinerary. We had a choice of 25, 35 and 45 Euro tickets. We chose the 35 Euro seats because they were "upper", but not in the ends. The RCDE website is quite useful and our contact at RCDE was Carlos Ferrer. We purchased our tix with an international bank transfer to the RCDE account at their bank in Valencia. This was all done at our local small town bank for a bank cost of about $35. They don't set the start time for the game (likely 2 p.m. or 6 p.m.) until about 10 days prior. For this reason they will forward a chit (in this case to our travel agent) which we will exchange for tickets on game day. We have been informed our seats are not in the "intense" section reserved for "dedicated" Espanyol fans, but I am sure we will have a good view of their antics. I do have a fiduciary responsibility to bring my students back to their parents! Doh, if you would like to contact me you can do so at cooperfam1 at yahoo.ca.
Jan 26th, 2008, 09:37 AM
#24
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At 2 p.m ? I have never seen a match at that hour here in Spain..I think that's a misunderstanding...
They cannot tell the exact time because it depends if it is broadcasted on TV (most matches are ) or not but the schedules are most often 6 pm or 7pm. If it is broadcasted on a national TV then it will be 9- 10 pm...
They cannot tell the exact time because it depends if it is broadcasted on TV (most matches are ) or not but the schedules are most often 6 pm or 7pm. If it is broadcasted on a national TV then it will be 9- 10 pm...
Jan 26th, 2008, 06:34 PM
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Thanks for the info. teachercanada, and best of luck!
I think as of now we are leaning towards playing it by ear and seeing which game fits better with our schedule once we're there (we have a slight preference for Real Madrid, for the reason expressed by Cholmondley Warner, but we have less time in Madrid and it's at the beginning of our trip, so we're thinking it might make sense to be flexible). Of course if anyone thinks one or both games will sell out in advance, please let me know and we'll reconsider.
I think as of now we are leaning towards playing it by ear and seeing which game fits better with our schedule once we're there (we have a slight preference for Real Madrid, for the reason expressed by Cholmondley Warner, but we have less time in Madrid and it's at the beginning of our trip, so we're thinking it might make sense to be flexible). Of course if anyone thinks one or both games will sell out in advance, please let me know and we'll reconsider.
Jan 26th, 2008, 07:03 PM
#28
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Doh - no problem at all. If you would like to arrange to meet while we are there, please contact me. We'll be waving a large Canadian flag - at least for a little while.
Chomondley - how do you know the game time? They told us it would not be determined until just weeks before March 16.
Chomondley - how do you know the game time? They told us it would not be determined until just weeks before March 16.
Jan 27th, 2008, 01:44 AM
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Chomondley - how do you know the game time? They told us it would not be determined until just weeks before March 16.>>>>
It's on the ESPN site. However no European football game's start time is set in stone until a few weeks before as they are at the beck and call of the TV companies who move kick-offs around.
And Kenderina - only the classiest places are on the Prime Meridian. Innit.
It's on the ESPN site. However no European football game's start time is set in stone until a few weeks before as they are at the beck and call of the TV companies who move kick-offs around.
And Kenderina - only the classiest places are on the Prime Meridian. Innit.
Mar 26th, 2008, 07:56 PM
#32
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Hello all
We're back from our wonderful time in France and Spain. I just wanted to end this thread with a summary of what actually happened and to thank everyone for their input.
As you know, we purchased the 35 euro tickets with a bank transfer about 2 months before we left.
We spent the day of the game in Barcelona seeing Sagrada Familia and walking las Ramblas. We took a subway from Christoper Columbus' column to close by the Olympic Park. We then boarded busses to take us up the hill to the Stadium. The game was due to start at 5 p.m. and we were there at about 2:30. Picking up the tix was no problem at all. The students purchased loads of Espanyol team merchandise (jerseys, scarves, banners etc.) In fact we left with so much, the team's public relations manager followed us and asked to get a group shot of the Canadians with all their gear to put on their website! Our seats were reasonable, but we faced the setting sun which made it difficult to see. They announced about 20,000 seats were sold, but I'm sure there weren't that many people in the stadium. The stadium holds 65,000.
The game was interesting and fun to watch. Some students are football nuts and they were enchanted. The home team won 2 - 1 and the crowd left happy. We boarded the shuttle busses to return to the metro with no problems at all (the busses were crowded, but that added to the excitement).
Overall, a very positive experience for everyone - very safe.
We're back from our wonderful time in France and Spain. I just wanted to end this thread with a summary of what actually happened and to thank everyone for their input.
As you know, we purchased the 35 euro tickets with a bank transfer about 2 months before we left.
We spent the day of the game in Barcelona seeing Sagrada Familia and walking las Ramblas. We took a subway from Christoper Columbus' column to close by the Olympic Park. We then boarded busses to take us up the hill to the Stadium. The game was due to start at 5 p.m. and we were there at about 2:30. Picking up the tix was no problem at all. The students purchased loads of Espanyol team merchandise (jerseys, scarves, banners etc.) In fact we left with so much, the team's public relations manager followed us and asked to get a group shot of the Canadians with all their gear to put on their website! Our seats were reasonable, but we faced the setting sun which made it difficult to see. They announced about 20,000 seats were sold, but I'm sure there weren't that many people in the stadium. The stadium holds 65,000.
The game was interesting and fun to watch. Some students are football nuts and they were enchanted. The home team won 2 - 1 and the crowd left happy. We boarded the shuttle busses to return to the metro with no problems at all (the busses were crowded, but that added to the excitement).
Overall, a very positive experience for everyone - very safe.
Mar 29th, 2008, 12:12 PM
#33
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Hi TeacherCanada,
Glad to hear the trip went well! We ended up at that game too (also facing the sun-- warmer at least). We tried to see Real Madrid at Bernabeu, but all they had left for sale was single seats, so we went to the Espanyol game instead, which was fun (a great header to break the tie in the 89th minute or so). Our only regret is we didn't buy any Espanyol gear, because it seems the only place we saw it for sale in Catalonia was actually at the game.
Glad to hear the trip went well! We ended up at that game too (also facing the sun-- warmer at least). We tried to see Real Madrid at Bernabeu, but all they had left for sale was single seats, so we went to the Espanyol game instead, which was fun (a great header to break the tie in the 89th minute or so). Our only regret is we didn't buy any Espanyol gear, because it seems the only place we saw it for sale in Catalonia was actually at the game.
Mar 29th, 2008, 06:29 PM
#34
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Doh (It sure feels funny using Doh as a salutation!)
We were near the end zone that held the Olympic flame (and near the "fan"atics section), closer to the top of the stands. We had a large flag of Canada displayed on the railing in front of us.
We arrived at the stadium early enough that we all had a chance to go to the Espanyol team store. Nearly everyone purchased something in team colours and enjoyed waving it around. You can purchase any of the Espanyol souvenirs from their website.
We were near the end zone that held the Olympic flame (and near the "fan"atics section), closer to the top of the stands. We had a large flag of Canada displayed on the railing in front of us.
We arrived at the stadium early enough that we all had a chance to go to the Espanyol team store. Nearly everyone purchased something in team colours and enjoyed waving it around. You can purchase any of the Espanyol souvenirs from their website.
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