Football

Yesterday I went to the World Cup Qualifying game, Rwanda versus Algeria. Most people didnt think that Rwanda didnt have a chance of winning, and even though they didnt win, they also didnt lose. The game ended up 0-0. But Rwanda was definitely dominating the game, with most of the time spent near the Algeria goal. It was too bad they didnt win, but they definitely made a strong showing.

At first we thought we were going to get rained out. About an hour before, the sky opened up, as it tends to do and poured down a shower. But within a half an hour, the rain was over and the sun was back out so off to the game we went. Where it was packed out with fans ready to watch their favorite team play their favorite sport.



And it was a great game to watch, as much for the game as for the crowd. Aryn and I were sitting right underneath the giant screen, surrounded by Rwandan men, who were alternatively very excited about the game, jumping around, sharing opinions, and waving down people walking in front of us, or very intent, focused completely on the game. At one point, when Rwanda scored (turned out to be offsides), the whole stadium jumped up, screaming and cheering. No one sits by idly at a football game. We were also near the cheering section, which is full of men dressed in yellow, green, and blue outfits with faces painted, flags waving, horns tooting. I dont think there was a minute during the game that they sat or were quiet.

When it was over, we were exiting the stadium, not really by our own free will but by being swept along by the crowd (all men, most in need of a shower) when all of a sudden everyone came to a halt. Aryn and I were smashed together, surrounded by a crowd of men, trying to figure out what was happening. Turns out no one could leave before Paul Kagame did. So until the President left, we were pushed up and down, back and forth, stuck between the contractions of the crowd. Once PK left, the crowd swept out, exploding onto the streets and walking back through town, everyone dressed in blue, green, and yellow and generally proud of their country and their team.