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It’s the middle of the night in Barcelona, but absolutely no one is sleeping here.
It’s not just because of the pure joy and excitement rushing through every Spaniard, fresh from World Cup victory - sleep is also basically impossible because the city is so, well, LOUD.
But the city is so intoxicated with the glee of World Cup fever that tonight, no one minds losing beauty sleep.
Drivers on every traffic-filled street are happily honking their car horns nonstop. Those beeps are combined with buzzing vuvuzelas and piercing whistles. Natives and tourists alike are singing, chanting and screaming. They’re also setting off firecrackers that probably wouldn’t be legal in the States… in the middle of major roadways.
Spain’s qualified to play in the World Cup over a dozen times, but the 2010 tournament marks their first win. Ever. This victory is monumental for the futbol-fanatic country, and it’s a huge source of pride.
The whole city seems coated in red and yellow tonight. Almost everyone is sporting the team’s jersey, and those who aren’t wrap giant Spanish flags around their bodies like capes. People are waving flags of all sizes as they run around the streets, as they stand on street corners, and even as they steer their cars and motorcycles.
Every bar with a television in Barcelona was packed to capacity. Futbol fans literally poured out into the streets, standing on their toes and straining their necks to get a look at the action on TV screens. When Spain scored the goal that won the game, cheers rocked Barcelona, and tears of joy streamed down people’s faces.
Though the city would return to a normal work week in a few hours, the party showed no signs of slowing down anytime soon, and why should it? Fans here have waited long enough for a World Cup celebration, and they’re determined to make the most of it -- as loudly as they want to.
