Last night was crazy for World Cup in Da Nang

I can't really say that I am disappointed that the World Cup is over. Despite the fact that I only have minor interest in the sport the scene was omnipresent in this city. Literally every single place that could muster a television of some sort was playing all that matches and most of my friends were hammered drunk well into the night and not to be seen during the day most days.

I went out for a walk in the rather cold and rainy weather we had yesterday to go for a couple of beers at a place that normally doesn't even have anything on the one and only television in the place last night and there was already a crowd gathering at quarter past nine. The game started at 10pm here and although I wasn't really planning on watching it, it was going to be on literally anywhere. Even the minimarts that I frequent had a TV up in them facing the front of the shop so that people would sit in chairs outside and buy drinks from the store.

I stuck around for the first 10 minutes of the first half and then carried on walking down the road back towards my house only to look around and see basically everyone in the entire city was out at the bars watching the game. I saw a few friends of mine and went in to mostly hang with them, but also was kind of drawn in by the enthusiasm that the other people in attendance had for the game.

_{this was what basically every pub looked like last night}

By the time I got to my 4th bar of the night (not drinking a lot at any of the bars) the place was wall-to-wall and I could barely fit in the door. It was kind of funny because when I left the previous bar I was at, Argentina was winning 2-0 and my friend was suggesting to me that no one has ever come back to win a final after being down by 2 goals to none. I have no idea if that is true, but given the nature of the game I can believe that it might be.

Like I was saying.... when I left the one bar it was 2-0 and by the time I arrived at the next bar, which is only about a 10 minute walk, the scores were even at 2 a side. I guess it kind of sucks that I missed that action but then again, I don't really care about it.

I did end up sticking around for the rest of the game, which took ages with 2 extra added periods and eventually penalties. Apparently, most of the crowd where I was were cheering for Argentina although I think they would have cheered for anyone since not many people that live here are from either one of the countries that were playing. Come to think of it I don't think I know anyone that is French here.

By the time I got home and had a cup of noodles I looked at the clock and saw that it was nearly 3am. This is very abnormal for me to be out this late and as expected, Monday was terrible and I woke up really late.

I guess you could say that I am kind of relieved that it is all over so that my friends can return to a more normal way of life. No more hanging out until 3 in the morning for me! I have a job to do dammit!