Women's World Cup

Saturday, September 15th, 2008



What are the odds of going to the FIFA Women’s World Cup game in Shanghai? I’m not sure, but I was most certainly there! I went to the game with a bunch of students also from Fudan. I had bought tickets Wednesday afternoon, and there we were Friday night. We bought the cheapest tickets which were only 50 rmb for a double header game and our seats were in the 8th row! I’d have to say they were unbelievable, so close! But I guess the more expensive the tickets, the higher up because that way you can see the whole field, but I liked my seats. I thought they were wonderful! The first game at 5pm was Argentina vs. Japan and the second game at 8pm was England vs. Germany. The first game was lacking…they didn’t seem to play very aggressively. But Japan did score in like the last 2 min. of the game. The England vs. Germany game was a lot more face paced. Even though the game did end in 0-0, it was very exciting to watch. Sitting around a bunch of Germans also helped. They got so into the game, shouting chants like “DEUTSCHLAND!” And for the people that attended the game, you remember the wave? That was my section! They seemed to have done it a lot so I think it was a little over done but it’s the enthusiasm that counts right? The night was an overall success. The only thing that bothered me was the people who were inconsiderate to the people around them and felt a need to smoke every 5 min. So selfish. I felt bad for the little boy who was surrounded by the men who smoked. We’re all going to die from cancer at this rate. Rude.
Getting home after the game as quite difficult. We were going to take the metro, except the way we needed to go closed down. Then they locked us in the station so we had to be escorted to the elevator to go outside. Then we had to walk a ways in order to get a cab. You have to fight for your cabs here. We may be standing closest to the cab but if you don’t have your hand on the door, you still haven’t claimed it.

Last night was also the foreign students welcoming party at club 173. It was alright, really pretty inside I thought though. But I’m also bias because I like lights. But on our walk home from the club, we noticed something. And this is something I am starting to notice more and more on campus. I was given the impression that Chinese people did not like to show PDA (public display of affection). Well I’m wrong. If you know me, I’m not fond of PDA. People are waaaay to public here about it. We heard rustles in the bushes, saw couples lying on the ground, and this is pretty late at night. When I go to classes and walk around campus, you’ll see couples holding hands, arms around each other and laying on each others shoulders. There’s actually a field in front of the 2 tower buildings were once the sun is setting, its make out session. Have they heard of privacy? And, on the streets, every few blocks, you’ll see condom dispensers that are refilled regularly. Have we heard of morals? I’m impression on their dating lives here has totally changed. Geez, what has this world come to…