• BLOG POST #3 (Aug. 9): Opening with a Victory
     • BLOG POST #2 (Aug. 8): Watching a La Liga Match
     • BLOG POST #1 (Aug. 7): Traveling from Seattle to Madrid
     • VIDEO: Shamele Battan (trip preview)    
     • SPU Visits Spain preview story

DAY FIVE:  Visit to Historic Bernabéu Stadium
August 10, 2015

Monday was an extremely emotional and moving day for all of us. I will try to keep this as brief as I can, because I could probably write an entire novel on my feelings from today.
 
Our tour guide Jaime took us to tour the Santiago Bernabéu. If you're not aware of why this is a big deal, you probably don't follow the game of soccer. The Santiago Bernabéu is the stadium for Real Madrid, which is one of the richest and most popular professional soccer clubs in the world. Players such as Christiano Ronaldo, Kareem Benzema, and Gareth Bale play for this club.
 
The stadium is four tiers high, and holds 85,000 fans. During our tour we went up to the fourth tier and were able to gain a birds-eye view of the field. Many of us took selfies and group pictures here in order to remember the moment.
 
From there we went down two floors and walked into the trophy room. On the right side of the room for the entire length of the stadium, there were multiple shelves of trophies. From the beginning of the club to present day accolades. The club also had memorabilia of famous players that have had the honor or representing the great club. Players such as Roberto Carlos, David Beckham, and Zinedine Zidane all had cleats and jerseys hung up around the trophy room.
 
After the trophy room we walked down around the field onto the ground level. Here many of us were able to sit down on the benches that the Real Madrid players will sit on during games. It was a rush to be so close to the grass that so many great players have played on. So many historic moments in soccer history have taken place on this field.
 
We also were able to walk into the locker room of the players. Many of us snapped pictures our favorite player's locker. It's always amusing to see a bunch of men act like star struck kids at moments like this.
 
After this we were conveniently directed into the Real Madrid gift shop.  Here many of us bought overpriced jerseys and gifts for family. The hot item around the team seemed to be Real Madrid Bucket hats. Despite this being a very brief summary of the tour, I think that every player on our team was able to take something great away from today.
 
I personally was extremely moved to be so close to the field that so many great players have played. It was inspiring to see how much pride and passion the fans and players have for this great club. I believe that every one of my teammates will remember this day for the rest of their lives … I know I will.
 
Thanks for reading my blog about the trip and I will post another entry soon,
 
-- Shamele