This afternoon we set off to the train station to meet friends and get our faces painted with the German flag to gear up for the Germany vs Argentina World Cup Soccer Game. We then hopped on the subway to go to the "public viewing" of the game. This was held in an outdoor arena with a large TV screen that projected the game. Everyone warned me that it was going to be a very hot day. They mentioned it would be 98 degrees, but I thought no big deal I'm from Bakersfield so I can handle the heat. But no, when you add a high humidity factor, I was toast.
Now to the game, as you might know Germany demolished Argentina 4-0, so this made for a very exciting public viewing. The arena was full of people standing shoulder to shoulder. We brought cold, wet towels to make the heat a little bit more bearable. Luckily they had water shooting up from hoses beside the arena to cool us off. Words cannot describe the German fans. With every corner kick, the Germans had a hand move and noise. With every goal, cheers erupted, horns blew, beer flew everywhere, flags waved, German soccer songs were sung, and people hugged and high fived their neighbors while jumping in the air. Whenever the Argentina coach appeared on the screen, the fans flipped him off.
Germans have SO much pride in their soccer team and their country. Every house and car proudly displays a German flag. When we left the arena, cars were honking non stop, people waving flags outside their car, cars with their doors open driving down the street with fans hanging out the side, fans running through the streets...pure chaos and excitement! All of Germany is celebrating and will continue to celebrate until Germany plays again! Car horns are still going off 4 hours after the German victory!
Tomorrow we are packing our HUGE backpacks and planning for our traveling adventures as we leave for Fulda on Monday!
Three Things I Learned Today:
1. How to sing German Soccer Songs (Ole Ole Ole Super Deutschland!) and how to pronounce the names of the favorite German soccer players
2. Germans think Americans don't know a thing about soccer. (that could very well be true)
3. Turkish restaurants that serve such things as doners and kebabs are everywhere around here. I finally ate at one tonight.
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