The Santiago Bernabeu.  Decades of football history has been made within its walls.  It houses a Real Madrid team arguably the best in the world.  And, this past weekend when Real Betis was in town, it also welcomed this American for the first time.

I have seen Real Madrid play before.  I have been to Madrid before, but I have never before set foot inside the Bernabeu.  It was worth the wait.  The seats may have been uncomfortable, the crowds were large and the cigar smoke from a few seats away may have made my eyes itch, but it was all perfection.

Although Madrid would start slow (a continuous problem for the year), it didn´t matter.  Although Jose Mourinho would leave some of my favorite players on the bench - it didn´t matter.  Although the linesmen would make some dreadful calls - it didn´t matter.  And although the goals would all be scored on the far end from me - it didn´t matter.

What did matter was that Kaka had a beautiful strike and received a standing ovation as he was subbed which "made [him] happy."  Trust me the fans were happy too.  What did matter was that Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat trick (again!).  What did matter was that the team made beautiful passes (primarily in the second half) and Marcelo´s ball control was pure perfection.  What did matter was that Real Madrid won 4-1. And what did matter was that I was able to witness it all for myself.

I have now left Madrid and am in "enemy" territory (including for the Champions League games), but my heart is truly fixed elsewhere: at the Santiago Bernabeu.  Because now I understand.  ¡Hala Madrid!

A.J. Nelson can be found @FootieObsessed and currently wandering around Spain already planning her next trip to Madrid.