World Cup!!!

it's world cup time and it's exciting to be in a country again where they, and i mean EVERYBODY, take soccer seriously (last time was haiti, 2002). they go ALL out.

for the south korea games, major city streets are blocked off to make way for the sea of red, that is the gazillions of red devil fans, to watch the game on any number of giant screens that have been set up for the event. i don't think a single soul in seoul (and probably the entire peninsula...plus jeju) is not tuned in. the game is on in every home and business on every street, even in taxi cabs and on buses. you have to be here to really understand what i'm talking about, but it's amazing. an experience to remember. especially when "we" are the victors. the city completely erupts with each goal and, after the first match on saturday, june 12th (s korea 2, greece 0), the celebrating lasted well into the wee hours. and i was right along with them. thank god that was a saturday.

it' amazing how a game can bring everybody together.


dae han min guk!!!