A Saudi's Pilgrimage to Torino!
Around a year ago, we Juventini were shocked with the very unfortunate fate of relegation. I as a Juventini went through the 5 stages of grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. I remember each stage very vividly, denying that the verdict won't be applied, being angry at the culprits, bargaining on the degree of the punishment, depression in the first weeks of the season, and finally acceptance. And this final stage is the stage I will be talking about today.
Halfway through the season around November, I accepted our ill fate, I didn't stop at that, but realized that I had to support my team in these dark times different than way I always have. Living more than 3500 kilometers from Turin, I realized that I had to make the pilgrimage to Stadio Olimpico as an act of solidarity.
I decided to be there on the final day of the season, against Spezia. I made all the travel arrangement and was ready in April. Days went by very slowly at that point, growing anxious with each passing day. I was set!
Juventus is a word that might mean nothing to people where I come from, but to me my heart pounds everytime I hear the word. My friend's jaws always dropped when they find out that I will go to Italy for 4 days only for a football match. "In Serie B? Really a match in Serie B? Why?" some would say, I would reply "loyalty is rare currency these days!". Others react "are you crazy?". "Yes crazy about Juve" would be my reply.
June 10 came, standing in front of the Juve team hotel, waiting for our heroes to get out for the match. My friends and I waited for more than two hours. In the meantime Juventus Channel appeared and interviewed us! We told the reporter of our story coming from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Sweden just for JUVE!! Pinch me, am I dreaming?
Marching our way to the Olimpico, my heart was beating a 1000 beats a minute, I was almost in tears. I just couldn't believe it! Me at the Olimpico! To watch Ale, Nedved, Buffon, Trezeguet and all of our gladiators live! The atmosphere in the stadium was electrifying. A great sense of solidarity and fellowship was everywhere, the whole stadium cheered as one.
There are no words that could describe my feelings that day. It's a great feeling that so many Juventini stuck by their team in those dark days; boys, girls, men, women, children, and elderly showed up that day to profess their eternal love to the Old lady.
And now a new dawn is upon us, and our Lady will not fail us. Here is for another 100 prosporous years!
Forza Juve!
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, I just hope that one day I will get visa and I'm gonna visit Turin too. :thumbs:
