El Pasoan ventures off to Russia to watch World Cup

Soccer fans across the globe have been anxiously awaiting the start of the World Cup.

El Pasoan Luis Velazquez and a friend took a chance and booked a flight back in September with the hopes of catching some matches.

“We didn’t do a lot of research,” Velazquez said. “We found a cheap flight from New York to Moscow round trip, so we got it without having tickets or anything.”

Getting tickets to watch their favorite team, Mexico, proved to be a big challenge for the two.

“The most difficult part about this trip was getting the tickets,” Velazquez said.

Without a ticket, Russia would not allow entry to the country unless you had a visa.

“We applied for the tickets, but we got a letter from FIFA saying we didn’t get them,” he said.

After several unsuccessful attempts at finding tickets, Velazquez began to think he wouldn’t see his team play.

“We couldn’t get any flights or hotels until we knew where Mexico was playing,” Velazquez said.

The two eventually found tickets, scoring seats to watch their favorite team.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “It was too much luck. The tickets I have with me are Mexico and Germany tickets. They are the hardest tickets to get because Mexico is the second country that takes the most people to go, so they are in high demand.”

With tickets secured, Velazquez said he is ready to experience the culture abroad.

“I like adventure,” he said. “It is a nice thing for me to go to a place where not a lot of people travel to.”

Velazquez said he is not concerned about the trip, despite recent tension between the U.S. and Russia

“I am not worried,” he said. “I think it is going to be a gathering of countries.”