World Cup

One of the coolest experiences to have in Germany is living here during the World Cup. Now, I actually was in Europe during the 2006 World Cup and got to experience the craze that is football in Macedonia (my first summer project). We even had an outreach where we projected the championship game on a big screen. But even that interesting experience doesn't compare to what it's like here in Berlin. During the normal year, you hardly EVER see a German flag or any kind of patriotic paraphernalia. But once the World Cup starts, it's EVERYWHERE! Every balcony, every car, every bakery. And during the games, everything shuts down (even schools!) and every German packs themselves into every bar, cafe and biergarten around, often overflowing into the streets and sidewalks, to watch the game on big flat screens or projected onto screens and sheets (depending on how fancy your venue is). The cheers, whistles, horns, chants and fireworks that happen after a goal are almost deafening in the midst of these crowds. But it's SO fun. The excitement is just huge and it really bonds people together. I've had a few people just randomly talk to me about the game on the U-bahn. Yesterday, I even saw/heard a guy singing the German national anthem in his apartment above me while I was walking down the street and a girl in her apartment on the other side of the street joined in. (It definitely helps when the weather is perfect and everyone's windows are open!). Go Deutschland!