The Best Day in New Zealand

Yesterday was probably one of the best days I've had so far in New Zealand, full of surprises that is.

I woke up around noon with my friend's text that reminded me of the rugby game in the afternoon between Auckland University and Engineers. Interestingly enough, my flatmate Frankie was playing for University while my Thermodynamics classmate Lucca was playing for Engineering Team. We were quite confused as to which team to support since both of them had one of our friends each. The winner was going to receive 500 dollars worth of beer at a bar. We were poised to be treated no matter which team won. We weren't worried.

The day begun with a free bus ride from the university to Rugby stadium. And that included a free awesome T-shirt with an iconic New Zealand map imprinted on the front, a cougar mascot on the left arm and Tui logo at the back. We were all so happy to receive such an awesome T-shirt for free. On arrival, there was free hot dogs and vege patties for us. Just before the game began, we found out that we could receive free booze on showing the T-shirt we got for free on the free bus. We couldn't ask for more. The game was very exciting. The final score was 20-19, with Engineers beating the University team by a small margin. We got to watch an exciting rugby game for free while drinking free booze, sporting a free T-shirt and not having to worry about how to get back since a free bus ride was waiting at the end of the game.

New Zealand's map on the front of free T-shirt that we got. Photo: Digital Subway

Tui logo and see the Cougar icon on the left arm. Photo: Digital Subway

My friend Vikram jumping on the trampoline during Rugby game. Photo: Digital Subway

I wasn't prepared to call it a day yet. My IFSA-Butler friend Mathieu had told me about the All Whites vs Honduras football game during the evening to be held in Auckland. For those of you who missed Fifa world cup games, let me remind you that All Whites is New Zealand's football (or soccer depending on which continent you are reading this) team that played against Honduras during the actual world cup 2010. It was a shame that I could not go to South Africa to watch world cup football but I wasn't going to miss this. No, the tickets were not free, but the transportation was. It was freaking one hour away by bus.

The game was an absolute bang for the buck, $42 (NZD) that we paid. It was more interesting than the world cup game itself. The fact that we had amazing seats with an amazing view added to the experience. And it was special for me because it was my first game at a stadium with more than 18,000 other spectators. All Whites had tall and strong built players while Honduras had swift, not-so-tall but skilled players. The game was competitive. The linesmen made a couple errors, benefiting All Whites, drawing cheers from supporters at home ground. The score was tied at 1-1 with one heading goals each. And then All Whites received a penalty at closing 90th minute. The stadium was bustling with energy with everyone standing, awaiting for the penalty to be converted into a goal. The ball hit the bar, bounced and was punched away by the goalie but was kicked back by an All whites player, sending it a little above the bar. All Whites maintained their unbeaten streak with the game ending in a draw.

All Whites vs Honduras at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland. Photo: Digital Subway

When I had woken up with the text in the afternoon, I had no idea my day was going be full of surprises and sporting excitement. I guess it's all part of studying abroad that entails a lot of fun, relaxation, surprises and excitement when you expect it the least.

Vuvuzela, a characteristic of South African Football

It has been heartwarming to watch FIFA World Cup Football 2010. There have been some major upsets, few lack lustre performances and many amazing performances. Even big name teams are finding it hard to score easy victories upon little known, lower ranked teams. It's been a pleasure to watch these games. My only complaint is time difference. All games fall between my office work time and I have to watch it online while my (American) office colleagues walk in only to find me watching football instead of busy working like them.

Work or football has become a puzzling choice not only for me but thousands of people like me in other countries like England that can boast avid football fans. According to a BBC podcast that I was listening to today, many companies in England have been pretty lenient on their workers watching football at workplace. Kellogs has been very supportive, I heard.

In Bangladesh, due to power cuts during FIFA world cup game, avid football fans could not watch the game. They came down to streets protesting against the government and attacking power utility buildings. The government had to issue a request to businesses to halt their operation from 8 pm onwards so that enough power is available to run televisions in Bangladeshi homes. My country Nepal faces power cuts for several hours daily too. Nepal Electricity Authority should learn an early lesson from Bangladesh or else face similar consequences.

Vuvuzela, a trumpet made up of plastic that produces a loud noise has been another interesting controversy during this FIFA. It is a stadium trumpet very popular among South African crowds and we can hear continuous sounds on our television sets during games. European and other western television viewers have complained against this "annoying" sound. I can only imagine what Westerners among South African crowd in the stadium must be feeling. It's been a tradition for them and most other Latin American countries too. I know it's annoying but it's South Africa's world cup and we should let them entertain us their way. No more western interference, please.

Brazil is playing their first game tomorrow. Brazil all the way!!!!!!!

The World Cup has Made me Alive Again

The wait is finally over. The World Cup fever has begun and with it the whole world has joined hands together to watch this wonderful charismatic game of football. No, I will not say it as soccer. Americans should name their game of football as handball because that is what it really is. The only time they use foot is while kicking it from the 10 yard line or something, I don't know.

We say enjoy it while you're still young. Watching world cup and realizing that millions and certainly bilions are watching it across teh globe makes you feel young again. Staying away from home for two years is a long time and it can emotionally drain any human being. That's how immigrants have to live in their emigrant country. I was starting to get tired of this monotonous life. College too had started to seem like to be a routine and everyday brought mundane assignments. Weekends brought less relaxation than project deadlines. I had lost touch with my culture, religion and festivals. I have been twice to a temple, once this year and once last year. Sometimes, you feel you are lost in translation, as they say. That was exactly what had happened to me. And I imagine it happens to all of us.

Then today as the World Cup kicked off, I realized I was filled with life again. Seeing the whole world and less so Americans probably rise up to the euphoria made me feel so happy again. Two years of detached college life that had stripped me of excitement and connection with my culture was revived again by imagining myself four years ago and reminisicng the company I had enjoyed while rooting for favorite teams and cursing opponents. It all seemed to come back again. I know I am being carried away a little and some of this may appear exaggeration but I felt a genuine excitement for something after a very long time while watching the game. No, SuperBowl never succeeded in doing the same. A single day event spanning a couple hours can hardly have the same effect. The first time I watched SuperBowl was to see advertisments. I am not kidding.