World Cup Fever

Everyone is watching the games in bars, restaurants,bodegas, tuk tuks listening by radio- it's World Cup Fever in Central America.  

Everyone around the world are celebrating these amazing games and they are celebrating with just reason.  

While I do not care about American sports, I absolutely love the World Cup as I knew I would. My original plan was to go to Brazil and volunteer for FIFA! Knowing the spirit of South Americans,the passion and excitement, and the beautiful people- I wanted to be there in the middle of all the action.  Unfortunately, that did not work out with visas and expenses so I just made a plan for something close like Central America.  

From their neighbor,Central America, there was also lots of amazing energy produced and people had soul and spirit when watching the games including myself.  People sit on the edge of their seat watching intently each play and they experience a wide range of emotions.  These emotions dramatically changing with the spirit turn into a fever. 

People are angry, excited, sad, annoyed, disappointed, happy, overjoyed, intrigued, etc. all in one. You can tell by people's expression that they are fully experiencing an emotion.  While this sounds basic and people may say, "Well, yes this happens in American sports as well." The level of emotion and passion presented is different and taken to a whole new level, which is why it is one of the most watched Sporting events in the world.  

When you watch it as an observer, you feel like you are a true fan or part of the game.  You experience that full range of emotions if you are a passionate person with real spirit.  Watching the Americans watch the game and the locals, I can clearly tell the difference.  

While people may react differently, it's clearly a game that everyone can watch and enjoy. It brings expats(travelers) together with locals creating a nice cultural exchange. When a game is on, it's fun to stop in different crowds and chime in with people on whose ahead and who is losing. 

As far as team selection, it was unanimous for Costa Rica to win as they came very far. Mexico was my favorite with the crazy passionate coach, but Argentina or Colombia were who I chose for the final win.  Every game provided some excitement and I loved being in Central America!