Let the games begin!!

Yes, yes, yes... that male-only fever is gripping me...

The World Cup is starting in about 6-7 hours...

Oof, 'we' (the Dutch) had to wait for 8 years before we are part of it again and at this point everyone is getting excited. Quite excited!

Sorry, all, but let me be a bit chauvinistic these days/weeks. I love these finals and can't wait for some good games!

For the first time in years, I won't be watching with a group of football morons in the tv-room in our old residence, where I have witnessed several Spanish on their knees when a penalty was taken, a lot of drunk Danes early in the morning watching Denmark play or everyone hating the French/Italians/Germans/English/whatever as they beat all our favorite teams.

So, bring it on, I am ready... Fever pitch!!

And remember the old adagio:



---------
*update*

Just watched the first 2 games... and I just can't help it, but I truly enjoy the sheer happiness everyone expresses. The crowds are just plain happy and enjoying themselves. None of this fanatical or hysterical crap that can rear its ugly head in club football, but just people that have a great couple of days, enjoying some good football, between countries that otherwise neeeever would even consider meeting, and deeply inhaling the special atmosphere a World Cup brings.
I mean, normally I wouldn't dream of watching Poland vs Equador, but I actually couldn't resist and really enjoyed it. Equador could become quite a surprise this tournament!

There is only one - very important - thing missing for me... it's bloody hard to find anyone that wants to watch (all) the games! All the 'boys' I always have watched all the games with are 1000s of kilometers away... and that really sucks...

2 games done, 62 games to go! And what goals today... ooooof! Just keep 'em coming!

Son mis amigos...

I'm back again... a 12 hour comatose sleep, washing machine working, doing some work from home and yet sharing some with all...

What a trip, really really good, and how I love Andalucía. I think I'll need many more years to discover all. We didn't make it to El Rocío, but ok...

Met some great old friends and will post more pictures later, but for now:

"¿Dónde empieza y dónde acabará el destino
que nos une y nos separá?
Yo estoy sola en el hotel, estoy viendo amanecer
Santiago de Chile se despierta entre montañas
Aquí retoca la guitarra en la 304 un gato rebelde
que anda medio enamorao de la señorita rock ´n´ roll
aunque no lo he confesadoeso lo sé yo

Son mis amigos, en la calle pasabamos las horas
son mis amigos por encima de todas las cosas

Carlos me contó que su hermana Isabel
la echaron del trabajo sin saber porqué
no le dieron ni las gracias porque estaba sin contrato
aquella misma tarde fuimos a celebrarlo
ya no tendrás que soportar al imbécil de tu jefe
ni un minuto más
Son mis amigos, en la calle pasabamos las horas
son mis amigos por encima de todas las cosas
son mis amigos

Alicia fue a vivir a Barcelona
y hoy ha venido a mi memoria
Claudia tuvo un hijo tuvo un hijo
y de Guille y los demás ya no sé nada

Son mis amigos, en la calle pasabamos las horas
son mis amigos por encima de todas las cosas
son mis amigos, en la calle pasabamos las horas
son mis amigos por encima de todas las cosas
son mis amigos"
(Amaral - Marta, sebas, guille y los demás)


(I hadn't seen Jakob for 5 years, so had to bring a bottle of the infamous 'Små Grå')


(me and my big happy-when-old-friends-gather-once-again grin)


(Jaimito, Esther and Jakobo again...)


(yes, they are real...)