Comienza el Mundial!

El Mundial, also known as the World Cup, kicked off in South Africa Thursday and already the energy in Buenos Aires is palpable.  Since the game of soccer (fútbol) is not appreciated stateside the way it is in Latin America, Europe and basically the rest of the world, it has been exciting to share in the enthusiasm.  To better describe the atmosphere here, let me say that World Cup fever is a lot like March Madness in North Carolina but on a much grander scale.  While regional tournaments can prove divisive (Die Duke!), the World Cup unites Argentina better than any problem, protest or bicentennial celebration ever could.

Raining on our parade at Plaza San Martin

In the spirit of this camaraderie, free public viewing screens have been set up in Plaza San Martin and Parque Centenario.  Yesterday, two friends and I went to Plaza San Martin to watch Argentina's first game in the tournament.  Unfortunately the weather was less than agreeable (cold and pouring rain) so we only stayed about 20 minutes before relocating to a nearby cafe to see Argentina defeat Nigeria 1-0.

And the party didn't stop there.  Another TEFL friend extended an invitation to watch the games at his friends' apartment in Belgrano.  The wife, Paola, is a lovely porteña who owns four restaurants in town and her husband Chris, is a native Texan.  We arrived in time to catch the U.S. tie with England and to gorge ourselves with the best (and biggest) meal I've had in a long time.  As a Texan living in Argentina, Chris knows how to combine the best of both worlds when it comes to preparing a steak.  The hot pink blush of the beef and the homemade barbecue sauce were enough to make us all swoon.

A house divided? I think not

If this first weekend is any indication, the month-long World Cup games will be a blast to experience in Buenos Aires.  I'll be cheering for my three favorite teams in the following order:

Go U.S.A.!!
Vamos Argentina!!
Andiamo Italia!!