Football (soccer) is a game that draws African’s together regularly, whether in school or just in the community, adults and children alike gather in large groups to enjoy a game. Its a sort of energy I have experienced in few other things here. Which is why the excitement and anticipation of the World Cup 2010 coming to South Africa and being on African soil is an excitement that runs across plains, mountains, streams, and deserts through the entire continent. Now that the games are here the spark that was the preparation for the games is now a full flame. Even though there are only 6 African countries representing in the tournament, the pride is still there. Last night as I watched the South Africa/Uruguay game with my family they even hummed along with the tune of South Africa’s national anthem (Zambia uses the same tune.) How are we watching the games? On a tiny 10” black & white tv set which is powered by a car battery that is re-charged daily with a solar panel. Sometimes it’s a fuzzy picture (which my family refers to as “showers”) but we still enjoy it. We just watch the evening games, but I can hear radios throughout the village play the game broadcasts daily. Zambia only has one national broadcasting station (ZNBC) and they have made some sort of deal with DSTV so it is possible to air all 64 games to the nation. Which is so amazing because even those of us in the bush get to be part of it! The weird part for me is the advertising, its is a blend of intangible things like McDonalds and other companies as well as products/companies that I’ve come to know and love in Africa, its a collision of my two worlds on the tv screen. Not only does this remind me of the comforts of being home, but it allows for conversations that probably wouldn’t otherwise present themselves about American life. May the best team win and the games continue with good sportsmanship and cheer!