Another day and another iconic site in Barcelona over with, it is the bastion of soccer, it is the famous CAMP NOU! I used to hear of Camp Nou only in the news and watching soccer games on TV... well today I set foot on that famous landmark of Barcelona... I was in owe just like I was in owe when I visited Maracana in Rio de Janero ... soccer legends like Messi, Cruyff, Iniesta, .... and many more played here.
However, before going to Camp Nou I had to endure few talks at the conference and ask few questions as well... After walking for 7 miles yesterday, I took it easy day today! I had a great breakfast at the hotel and did not need any lunch after that... Once the talks were over we gathered in front of the hotel at 5:00 pm and headed to Camp Nou on foot.. it was only 10 minutes away. We were split into two groups and were given guides and we set off into this amazing stadium. The stadium has a current capacity for 95,000 fans and the plan is to expand it to 105,000 !!! It is undergoing a major renovation/expansion.. sky boxes or luxury boxes will be added to generate more corporate revenue. Also more food stands will be added with increased variety and quality... all in all it is to generate more money and allow people to joy more! The famous Messi is on everything and his face is everywhere ... once you visit the stadium and gift shop you see that he is worth the money they pay him, because he makes the club a lot more!! His t-shirts alone are 100 euros a piece and they sell like hot cakes! The pressure on the players to win year in, year out is tremendous!! Playing for Barcelona is the dream of every young soccer player but only the select few make it here... making it to any Barcelona team, lower or upper level, opens the door for success ...
After touring the stadium we walked through the souvenir shop where people spend their last Euros ... we left Camp Nou around 7 pm, after a visit that lasted nearly an hour an a half. We started looking for a restaurant to eat and also watch the World Cup semi-final between England and Croatia .. we stopped at few but eventually found one that had what we all were looking for a bud screen TV and good food.. We sat right by the TV and waited for the game while snacking on grilled vegetables and cheese and bread.. the main dishes were yet to come ...
After touring the stadium we walked through the souvenir shop where people spend their last Euros ... we left Camp Nou around 7 pm, after a visit that lasted nearly an hour an a half. We started looking for a restaurant to eat and also watch the World Cup semi-final between England and Croatia .. we stopped at few but eventually found one that had what we all were looking for a bud screen TV and good food.. We sat right by the TV and waited for the game while snacking on grilled vegetables and cheese and bread.. the main dishes were yet to come ...
The game went into overtime so we ordered desert and coffee to justify sitting there .. when the game was over we headed back to our rooms in our respective hotels ...
The end of yet another awesome day... more of the same tomorrow! My biggest treat today was taking a picture with Messi ... priceless !!!
The end of yet another awesome day... more of the same tomorrow! My biggest treat today was taking a picture with Messi ... priceless !!!
A picture with Messi for the ages!!
Messi and his golden boots
The wall of fame
The stadium seen from the sky boxes
The famous logo of FC Barcelona
A chapel where players can pray ahead of a game
The post-game news conference room
A model of the future stadium
The trophies everywhere!
