The game started at 05:00 in the morning here, so we had loads of time to kill which we end up using finding the perfect place to watch the match. And also to find a place for Nina to watch her national team in the game before. Believe it or not, it's actually quite hard to find a café or a bar with a television that will look other WC games. A lot of them would only show the South Korean one if they were open at all at 5 in the morning.
We decided to watch the game at a Gwanghwamun square, which is one of the biggest public viewing spots in the city. When we went to check it out in the afternoon, people were already waiting in line to enter the designated area. They would wait there for over 12! hours to gain the best spot in the area which you can see on a picture. A thing that struck us that everyone was sitting on little blankets with lots of food and drinks. I expected that once the game would start everyone would put the blankets away and stand up to watch the game.
FALSE, we came back after the ... other match... Germany vs USA and found out that thousands of Korean people were basically picnicking and raving/partying while a big concert was going on. The people were sitting between two roads were was not so much space. One hour before the start of the match the people rushed to the roads and put their blankets there. Police lost control and cars were not able to go trough, we took our chance with our new American buddy (we met him at the bar watching the Germany - USA game) a spot somewhere in the middle.
We just sat down in between all the people that were waiting for about 10 hours on that spot. But instead of being rude they were so friendly and even wanted to share their food with us. Two girls next to us asked: have you ever tried pork foot/hand? Nina gave a disgusting look, Pork feet?! I, of course, no I have not??? So today another delicatessen on my list, Pork feet and cheek.
The game was amazing, the game itself not really, but the Koreans! Never saw a match with such passionated supporters. Every time their players managed to take the ball from the opposing team they cheer, when the wall blocks a free kick, they cheer. They go nuts when they get near the 16 meter line, both sides. Amazing vibe they give you, we sat there with a smile on our faces till around 07:00 in the morning when Belgium scored a goal which basically meant the World cup adventure was over for South Korea, as well as the atmosphere.
PS. I'm getting to old to stay awake for more then 24 hours...(sooo tired today haha)
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