The 2010 World Cup kicked off strong in Rome on Friday June 11th. Although the first match with Italy against Paraguay is not until Monday, that does not stop the Italians from watching their favorite sport of Football. Venues all over the city cater to crazed football fans. One of these is the International FIFA Fan Fest, a festival also taking place in Berlin, Paris, Mexico City, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro. Set up in Villa Borghese and free to the public, there is a giant screen playing each of the World Cup games. An open area for sitting on the ground but also stadium rows with individual seating complete bars for purchasing beers and wine, restaurants for some game-time grub. But why not "Do as the Romans Do" and bring your own!
(The group sitting in front of us brought an entire suitcase filled with a variety of beverages!) Face-painting for diehard fans is available. Sony had a building set up to preview their new 3D televisions, "Sony Global." With 3D glasses, watching the football game on a flatscreen TV was quite the experience. Maybe a little too intense for everyday cable.
But! My question to you is this:
Why is it that Americans aren't into soccer as much as the rest of the world?
And while watching the game, don't forget to wear your lucky World Cup boxers!
Actually things were pretty crazy here in NYC for the US v. England game on Saturday. Just about every bar was packed and they set a whole outdoor plaza up at the South Street Seaport as well.
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I was wondering what it was like back home!
ReplyDeleteCallie,
ReplyDeleteI am sure was a fun day for you. As Italy escaped with a tie against Paraguay. What a great match, the defending champs played well. Myself & my 2 co-workers have World Cup Fever. We took a 2 hour lunch today at the bench, go figure.....We've been watching the first match before work at 7:30am. Sneaking peeks during the 10am game, & of course lunch at the bench for the 2:30pm games. Also just in time to catch the lunch special, & then by the time we are done, 2 for's. The bench is missing its character. Long past are the days when we are greeted by an energetic, warm smile. So basically everyone that you worked with has been let go. Nick, Dani, Toni...some other management types, some waitresses, & a few bartenders...I think 10 or so in total.
Over the weekend, I managed to get a restaurant to let me & some other football hooligans go into a back dining room during the day to watch the game with the sound on, far from any other people just there to eat. We were loud & a bit tipsy, but we had fun & tipped well. hope all is well......How much longer are you away? FYI, I have some Euros here collecting dust from my last trip to Ireland.....email me your address, I'll send it off to you. Get yourself some beer, gelato, or even some gum; on me. I know gum is your true weakness anyway.
Hope all is well. I am jealous you get to experience the World Cup in another country. I saw it in Ireland in 2002, what a spectacle. No matter who plays, all matches are like the superbowl, its unreal.
Talk to you soon.....
-Kevin