wordsmithlind

Standing outside of a beer garden in Vienna (so I could bring my own beer and not pay for the overpriced beer garden beer) watching the Germany vs. Turkey semifinal match, the rain of the first half did not come close to matching the rain of the second half.  Without as much as a warning drop, sheets of rain blew in sideways as the giant umbrellas covering the picnic tables lifted off the ground.  I moved underneath the overhang of the nearest apartment building, still with a good view of the game, crowded amongst the others seeking what little shelter there was to offer.  For protection, the owner of the garden covered the large TV thus effectively ending the viewing with 25 minutes left to play in a tied match.  The rain blew harder, and then it blew harder.  Eventually my friend punched all the buttons on the outside panel in hopes that someone would let us in.  The door buzzed, the dam broke, and the soaked fans of Turkey and Germany flooded into the foyer, momentarily forgetting about the match.  The brave stood out under the canopy of the bar, watching the TV through the window.  We in the foyer watched the game via their reactions, others via cell phone updates.  A cheer went up outside, “Zwei, eins!”  The call echoed through the foyer for all to hear.  Just minutes later a hand outside slapped his owner’s forehead in frustration, “Zwei, zwei!”  Looking at my watch, the game must be drawing to a close soon.  A cheer goes up from the German fans on their cell phones in the back of the foyer, along with another cheer outside with celebratory hugs to go around, “Drei, zwei!” 

I watched the faces of the soaked German fans, their anxiety created waves of anxiety inside of me during the closing minutes.  Again frustrated arms flailed into the air, a look at my watch indicated that it must be extra time.  The German fans closed their eyes, it must be a corner or a free kick for Turkey, they opened them, a cheer of relief followed by the yell of victory, “JA!!!!”  The game was over, Germany won.  The German fans in the foyer cheered and danced while the Turkish fans looked on.  After the rain slowed down a bit, I peeked my head outside.  The beer garden was a disaster.  The temporary bar that had been set up was destroyed, along with an umbrella, and garbage filled the ground.  The streets were near empty except for the brave souls running to their destination.  Ducking our heads, we too joined the brave and ran to the nearest u-bahn station for the wet ride home.   

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