Let the games begin!

The World Cup in South Africa has officially started. Weeks of preparation here in Argentina, street venders with flags, horns, hats, all decorated with patriotic colors of white and baby blue. Argentina was to play Nigeria at 11 this Saturday. I left walking to the gym at 10:30 everyone was rushing to get to a place where they could sit down and watch the game. As the entered the gym it was apparent there would be no waiting to use stationary bikes or weights today; it was empty. With first goal came cheering from other room where the owner of the gym sat watching soon followed by the honking of horns outside. As I left the gym the streets where empty, except for the group of guys watching the game from the kiosk across the street. Traffic had mingled down to nothing more than a little boy pedaling on a red bike carrying a flag larger than him. Store fronts closed. As I past the gas station all the workers were gathered around the television. The police had stopped in to get a glimpse of the game as well. Never had I seen such national spirit for a sport. Let the games begin!