Deutchland 3, Turkey 2

The horns are honking, the fireworks blasting, and the tipsy people are staggering through the streets yelling strains of "Deutchland, Deutchland" - ah, futbol! It's really quite the cultural phenomenon. The closest thing we have to it in the States, I think, is the Super Bowl, but it's much cooler here.

We went to this awesome biergarten on the top of a hill overlooking the city. It was packed with people an hour before kickoff. People were sitting, standing, and crouching on the hill behind to get a view of one of the three screens. The Zielkes joined about a dozen of our group and we took up two tables in one of the best spots. People cheer watching the game on TV as if they were actually there. There is an "Italian feeling" about it, as my host dad in Schorndorf would say. At one point, the visual connection from Basil, Switzerland (where the semi-finals were being held) was cut off, and I was pretty sure I was witnessing the beginning of World War III. But not to worry. A radio dude announced the game for a few minutes while the picture was being set up again. Not that the play by play in the meantime did me any good.

The way to worm your way into the Germans' affections is actually quite simple, and many of the students in the group have become experts - go to the biergarten to watch the match, cheer like there's no tommorrow, and join in with the loud strains of "Deutchland, Deutchland" with German flags wrapped around your shoulders. Several in the choir are especially good at this.

Well, as we have two concerts and some school visits tomorrow, I should try to get some sleep amidst the racket in the streets. (Don't worry, Mom, it could have been much worse. Since there's a high population of Turks here, they were expecting some rioting, but everything went by peacefully!) I don't know that I'll have internet access again until Saturday or even Sunday after Marybeth arrives. Phase two of the grand adventure is about to begin, and I will definitely keep you posted on everything I can!