World Cup - German Style

I've made some German friends while being here and as most of you probably don't know since not a lot of people are into the World Cup in the States, Germany is playing really well in the World Cup this year. They had their biggest match so far, last night against Argentina and totally slaughtered them. It was a great game. Since USA is out of the picture, I've been going to the games with friends rooting for their home country and last night was all about Germany. And let me tell you something, those Germans really know how to celebrate. It felt like New Year's eve! People were blocking the streets, singing their hearts out, and drinking. Lots and lots of drinking. It still weirds me out that people can drink anywhere here - including on the street in public, in taxi-cabs, everywhere. You can take a drink you got from one bar and just walk out with it when you please. No "drinks must stay inside" rules or anything. Made me reminisce of the many nights in Boston and New York when I went out with friends and we'd always hide our alcohol in a diet coke or snapple bottle on our way to the bars. Those were the days, but I digress.

So before we went out to meet up to watch the game, a couple of friends decided to buy some face paint so we could all paint our faces black, red, and yellow for team Germany. Mind you, these friends are probably the two most un-sporty soccer fans you'll ever meet which makes it all the more sweet that they got so into this. Once I saw how the face paint looked and realized it didn't dry - ever - I decided to opt for the little German face painted flags on the cheeks and arms instead. The girls did the same, but the boys, well, you can see.


At least they were good sports about it and everyone enjoyed it.


The real Germans had their authentic world cup t-shirts on and were ready to go!



We had found a German bar in Wan Chai, at least I think it was German. Everyone there was rooting for Germany and singing so many fun songs in German. The only one I could sing along to was Deutscheland, Deutscheland, Deutscheland... It was pretty easy to figure out. Guess it's their version of U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A.

It was a really great game and our eyes were glued to the tv screens despite the air con dripping on us all during second half.


Here's some pics of the rest of the gang during the game at the bar.





And here are some pics after the glorious victory, at a bar close by.


The street was completely mobbed - impossible for cabs to get through.

And then some friends tried to leave in one...

But we couldn't let them leave without a proper German send off...


And that was the night. Great game, great people, great fun.