Total Mayhem bonanza.. frightnin, killer and very, very serious. ECUADOR vs URUGUAY Man, my head is in a spin after a most crazy day.. Yesterday Ecuador qualified for the World Cup and it was mental. After queuing two days ago for 4 hours to get tickets four of us went the whole hog and got Ecuador shirts, top hats, face painted and rather drunk early doors. So Four hours before kick off these 4 dudes turn up outside the ground, where it is already mental. We created quite a stir in the throng, and it was like the scene from reservoir dogs except we were all singing īZombie Nationī. Ecuador has a reputation for murderous wine, and clearly it is something the brewers wish to retain.. one carton contained some sort of stringy mass and we actually threw it away. Anyway we got interviewed on live television by this foxy chic.. even stole a kiss to the delight of the Ecuadorian public, and then had to do numerous photos for the public.. including one with four coca cola chics in catsuits.. donīt worry I closed my eyes! Inside the ground three hours early and we had to thank some kindly folk for letting us squeeze in next to them...as luck would have it they had straight vodka and this supplemented the beers nicely. Much singing, confetti, fireworks, a fly past by the army, Mexican waves with coloured things they gave everyone. The match was mayhem.. Ecuador equalised with 15 minutes to go and it was just insane.. kisses off grown men, covered in beer and confetti things being exploded and set on fire everywhere. we took a disposable camera so, should have some mayhem scenes! And then outside cars everywhere with flags, horns, chanting, shots of random alcohol from strangers.. there was a humungous street party with soundsystems everywhere, far too much lemon vodka straight ($1 a bottle)(not good!). Everything is hazy, but I remember dancing my own peculiar brand of salsa on top of a bar, some horrendous home brew hot alcohol shots of unknown origin, headbutting another guy by mistake (I missed!) and erm,, eating a hot dog (I think.. this may have been a dream/nightmare). Wow, it was cool, but what a mess.. face paint running everywhere too! Anyway, feeling seedy all day and trying to balance eggs on nails at the equator..
All photos and text © Mike Bickett unless otherwise stated.