Soccer ball game is ON

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throwback photo: July 2024 Italy and summer 2011

What a joy it is when I found out that

today, on the 19th of July

the world cup is happening on our home turf.

The finals is between Spain and Argentina.

I am flooded with joyful memories.

2 years ago, my family went to Italy

My sister , nieces and daughter celebrated

their July birthdays there.

My daughter, spouse and I were able to see

Pope Francis and he led the angelus prayer.

I remember visiting the museum,

his soccer Jersey memorabilias.

I have a picture of it.

The Soccer Jersey with number 10

and another with number 11on it.

I remember 4 years before I had a child,

My spouse and I went on at trip across Spain

during the Summer of 2011.

We drove cross country and visited may cities

from Madrid to Avila, Burgos, Bilbao, San Sebastian,

Pamplona , Barcelona and many more cities in between with

a side trip to France's surfing town of Biarritz.

I remember visiting museums, restaurants

and Gaudi's architectural masterpiece

It was in a souvenir shop in Pamplona

that I saw a book in Spanish about Camino.

I noticed during the trip people with walking sticks ,

with backpacks on. I was curious.

As I browsed that book though I did not really understand it,

the seed was planted in me without knowing it.

2 years later, I returned to Spain on backpack trip

adventure alone ad did the camino from August to September 2013.

I had so many fun memories during Summer of 2011.

I remember climbing up Gaudi's architectural marvel,

the architect's life is as fascinating as his masterpiece.

I remember going to the souvenir shop

and I was surprised as the blouse I was wearing

was the exact same pattern as the souvenir doll.

I went out of the souvenir shop laughing and a bit

embarassed that I looked like the doll

walking the streets of Barcelona and looking at street graffiti art.

Today my child is 10 years old . 11 days from today,

She will turn 11. We will watch it on screen

and root for both teams.

The joy is in the game.

This is going to be fun.

Game on!