Korean Soccer Game

On Saturday the Korean team played their first 2010 World Cup game against Greece. There was a level of excitement in the air that I don't really even know how to describe. Koreans love their soccer. We discovered that the game was going to be broadcast on several big screens all over Seoul. There were like 4 or different venues for these games. We decided that we would be at the City Hall Plaza. It was us and about 100,000 other people. It was INSANE! I have never in my life been in such a crowd of people.

Before the game we decided to meet up with Pete, Kelly, and Holly for a little pre-game Kraze Burger. The burgers here are REALLY good...a bit pricy...but totally worth it! We spent some time chowing and catching up and then we did a little light shopping. It is amazing how much world cup stuff is available in Korea. Soon it was time for us to get headed over to City Hall to meet up with some other friends.

As you can see the subways were PACKED....This is the first time of many that night that I was happy that I am a little taller than the average Korean....poor Holly....

When we got off the train we were surrounded by people and we also saw that there were a lot of hawkers selling various fan related items. I purchased a poncho...because of course it was raining...and these devil horns. The Korean mascot is the tiger but the fans are called the devils for some mysterious reason...Whatever...they were chun won (1,000) about 82 cents. Worth it!

The crowds...oh the crowds....

It was so loud, so wet, so cramped, so fun. We managed to make our way a little bit inside and were quickly swallowed by the crowd. We spent the first half of the game pressed on every side to strangers....strangers united in cheering for a Korean VICTORY!!! Then it happened....the first goal! It was a mad house! If someone would have fallen they would have been trampled. At this point we were also very happy for our ponchos because the beer was flying! This guy actually spilled his whole beer all over my feet...so I told him it would cost him his glasses. He gave them up!

The second half we decided that breathing was more important than the game and made our way to the outskirts of the crowd.

We also decided it would be a better place to get some shoulder video...so Kelly climbed on my shoulders and took some AMAZING video...Kaley posted it on facebook so if you want to watch it you can watch it there.

It was late by the time we headed home...We caught the last train which meant that we missed the last bus...which meant that we were walking home. It was not too far...we could have taken a taxi but it is double the fare after midnight and we are too cheap to pay that! This sign is on our way home. I always see it when I am on the bus and always wanted to get a picture of it...So here it is...Ronald McDonald with a duck bill eating a hot dog...I have no idea what kind of restaurant it is...but they have a great sign.

It was a great experience...and a lot of fun to see friends we haven't seen in a while. This weekend we are supposed to go PARAGLIDING!!!! But it is also supposed to rain so it might get canceled...Next weekend we are going to the DMZ and white-water-rafting...Should be fun!
Holly