soccer game!

What seems like ages ago...
I went to a soccer game with Marianne, another participant of MSID, her host sister and her neighbor. It was pretty wild!

First of all, for only 1000 F CFA ($2.25), I got to watch a decent game of soccer, drink amazing! smoothies out of plastic bags (a little extra) and see two fights break out.

Neighborhood teams play most nights at the stadium near my house. (Word is there is a championship game in November that I would love to see!!!)
The crowds are immense. People cram onto cement steps to watch the game. People even brought their mopeds into the bleachers (otherwise the moped would be no more).

The players were amazing in the simple fact that they played the 90min game without any substitutions... better than we ever managed in rec league.

Like any large sporting event, what would it be without concessions? Venders, mostly young women, would walk the bleachers- selling water and pop, chex mix (or something similar), peanuts and most anything in between. We got these amazing smoothies. Sold in small plastic baggies and tied at the end (a small fist size for 50 F CFA or about $0.12). You then tear off a corner with your teeth, and enjoy!

While the game was playing out on the field, the true action would be happening in the stands. Every 1/2 hour or so a small scuffle would break out among a group of guys in the bleachers. Sadly my Wolof is severely lacking and so I have completely no idea what it was all about, but it was certainly entertaining!

I'll let you know when I get another chance to go, and we'll see how much my Wolof has improved.