I doubt there is anything like being in Berlin during the World Cup Finals, or "Welt Meisterschaft" as the Germans call it. We opted to stay at the house during the Germany game against Portugal on Saturday, and it was probably a good thing- seeing as how the streets were probably completely immobile and beers cost 3 euros per small glass. Not to mention that the whole city is covered in red, black, and gold... no matter if Germany is playing or not.
Back to the finals... we went to Alexanderplatz to watch the game on a large screen with about 2,000 other people, and quite a match it was. Although I insisted earlier that I don't usually take sides at these games and watch them for their beauty, my usual position was altered once I decided that Italy would win. After all, the Italian fans were outranked 5:1 where we were. So, I whistled and yelled and cheered for Italy, and was correct in my prediction of the World Cup champion. Also correct were my predictions that France would score first and that nobody would score in the 30 minutes of penalty time. Of course, I made incorrect predicitions too, of which I will leave out for the sake of my pride.
Prior to our trip downtown, we were given a historical tour of Potsdam, a city just outside of Berlin where the great leaders of WWII and the anti-Hitler coallition met. I must say, History feels a lot more tangible, and in turn interesting, when you're standing in the meeting room of Roosevelt (and eventually Truman), Churchill, Stahlen, and other big names.
We also visited the summer house of Albert Einstein and the building in which he formed the Theory of Relativity. Although the tour of the house was in German, we had supplementary books and Claudia's translations to keep us occupied and interested. Better than the 4 Euro nap- I mean boat tour- that we took the previous day, consisting of monotone German narration and expensive ice cream (which of course I bought anyway).
And so, we had a day with the greats of both today and yeterday. Not bad if you ask me.
2 comments:
In France "Coupe Du Monde."
I was in France for World Cup 98... and I know what you mean about the streets lined in patriotic colors.
I distinctly remember a balcony, in which was hanging, a blue beach towel, a red shirt, and a white sheet This was to create a makeshift French flag. It was awesome. I've never had enough pride. I wanted to have a football team to cheer for so badly.
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