Mudial Madness

Wow, they are really World Cup Crazy over here! Wednesday night was the deciding night to determine if Honduras would make it into the World Cup or not. Two games that night were important: Honduras had to beat El Salvador, and the U.S. had to beat Costa Rica.

Most of the teachers and I, plus one of the Peace Corps Volunteers, went to watch the game at this open-air bar that set up a big screen. The game was not thrilling. The score was 0-0 most of the game, and on the small TV showing the other game, Costa Rica was beating the U.S. 2-1 the whole time. Honduras scored a goal, and everyone was happy. But then the games were almost over, they were in their extra time at the very end, and suddenly, seconds before the end of the game, the U.S. made a goal and tied with Costa Rica! The bar exploded!!

People were screaming and jumping and cheering and hugging each other and it was pandemonium! They were ecstatic about the U.S. tie, because now they were in the Copa Mundial! It was amazing to watch. Hondurans came over and hugged me, kissed my cheeks, told me ‘thank you!! USA!! You got us in the World Cup!’ I told them it was no problem, of course, it was my pleasure. We were celebrities.

When Honduras wins, people rush out to their cars and motorcycles, and start a parade down the main highway and back up. Everyone else lines the road to cheer and watch. We walked home along the main highway, and it was incredible. Every truck cruising past was stuffed with people in the back, waving flags, screaming and cheering. When a car would pass me, I would scream and cheer and shout ‘Honduras!’ and they would shout back, ‘USA!’ and then 10 seconds later I would do the same thing with the next car. People waved at us and cheered all over. A group of about 25 motorcycles with at least 2 people on each cruised slowly along, and they gave us high 5’s as they passed. The high way is quite long when you’re walking, and it was a very exciting time.

Thursday at school, the madness continued. The director of our school stood in front of the kids and told them that today was a very special day. A day to be patriotic. She had them give three cheers for Honduras, then a cheer for the U.S., then an applause for God. (nice job, God!) She went on about how great it was for Honduras to be in the World Cup, and then they told us that the first two periods of the day would be spent playing soccer instead of having class! The teachers were nearly as excited as the kids.

They played soccer, and then had recess. Much later that afternoon, I learned that most businesses and the other private bilingual school were closed in celebration. I can’t imagine what will happen if they actually win any games during the World Cup!