World Cup Celebration

morai and i went to rome yesterday for the game and we just got back, well, about 30 minutes ago, i had to shower off all the champagne that was still on me from everyone in the city spraying it. we watched it in the circus maximus. it was the only place they were showing of rome on the tv that i saw at least. i think everyone in the city must have been there! they showed all the other major cities around the country, and rome was by far the biggest party. they are estimating 300,000 people being there, at least that is what i got from the papers. i got two by the way, and they are very cool. we got there at 4 30 and it was pretty intense already. the game started at 8, so it was a loooong, hot, tiring day. there were crowds, but everyone was very nice and in such a great mood. you had to keep your eyes peeled because there were soccer balls flying around everywhere. i think everyone got hit in the head at least once last night! during the game the crowd was so intense. during the shoot out, everyone was clinging on to each other, the entire crowd was hugging each other. after, man, it was anarchy. the police allowed the crowd to do what they wanted to do, no laws were enforced last night. everyone was dancing in the fountains, all the major fountains of rome were packed with people. i got in the one right next to this big governmental building, right next to the forum. it was something that i know i will never experience, and i doubt i will find anyone else who has or will ever experience that. the city was packed with people from building to building. fireworks were being set off all around, sometimes it felt like there were bombs everywhere. we kept saying that we felt like we were in a war, everyone was that intense and all the fireworks were crazy. they had smoke bombs that lighted up red. it seemed like we were in another world! we took a bunch of pictures and our professor friends let us borrow their large memory card, so we have a few great videos as well. you will not believe it! we hung out with a certain group of people, and if you see any pictures of the circus maximus, we are right in the front and center, if you spot a large blue flag, we are right there. it wasn't blowing much, the flag, so look for a pole with a blue flag on it. that was one of our friends last night, we were a little in front and to the right if you are looking at the crowd. one friend said that the game was more than just two soccer teams, that france and italy go back a long way, and that is was a war, and that game was a battle. he also said that he loves every minute of his life, and every minute is the best, and any friend he has at one minute is his best friend at that moment, so he kept calling us his best friend. he kept saying that the announcer was so well spoken that he was describing the intensity of the game and it brought this guy, and several other people in the crowd to tears. i can't wait to show you pictures!

sorry about france's misfortune...all the italians were about to kill that one player after he head butted that guy! but we all cheered when he left the stadium! talk to you later! love sam