Korea Fighting!

That's a popular saying in Korea, although it's Konglish so the pronunciation is closer to "Whiting"! Koreans often say this when they're playing sports or involved in some type of challenging activity - often when we're hiking up a mountain and we meet people on the way down they encourage us with these words and a pump of the fist!

Anyhoo - last night was Korean's 2006 World Cup Debut! They played the easiest team in their group, Togo, but there was a bit of apprehension about the game because their play in their last 2 exhibition games was a bit lacklustre. The whole day though was a huge build-up to the main event. Almost all of the teachers at my school wore some type of red soccer shirt (the Korean team is the Red Devils) and all of my kids were anxious to teach me some soccer chants so I'd be prepared! Recently, a stream was built in downtown Seoul and we were so fortunate to find excellent seats on the banks of this stream. It was a really great way to watch the game - sitting with our feet dipping in the stream, watching a massive TV screen on the side of a skyscraper! After one goal, however, a guy close to us jumped up to celebrate and slipped and fell into the water!

The game was incredibly exciting and Korea came through to win 2-1! After the game the celebrations were incredible! All the major streets were blocked off so everywhere you looked people were running around cheering, setting off fireworks, singing chants or snapping pictures! However, it was very peaceful and I didn't see any unruly behavior. When we left around 2 AM people were still filling the sidewalks. Even in my area, I still heard singing going on when I arrived home! Now if only Edmonton can stage a comeback!!