England and Stuttgart on a Sunday

Well we arrived in Stuttgart this morning in record time as Mark thinks that the Autobahn still does not have any speed limits. Our mighty Opal was only passed by the Mercedes, BMWs and the Audis. Well a couple of VWs too. Lisa kept noting that there are speed cameras but Mark paid no attention (typical).

Unlike previous posts, we actually have quite a bit of time. The game does not start until 5pm and, because it is Sunday, everything is closed. Sorry, Julie, we had planned on buying your gift today. Maybe now you can get a nice birthday gift from the states as opposed to the kitschy beer stein we might have gotten you here.

Stuttgart is decked out in red and white. The English fans are literally pouring off of the trains. We have heard ticket prices anywhere up to 800 Euros a piece. We also are learning of all the scams going on. Fake tickets are everywhere, people are passing back tickets once inside of the gates (which have already been scanned and voided, unknown to the purchaser). But we think that the atmosphere will be great. They expect at least 70,000 English fans here, they were already starting downing the liter beers at 10am this morning. When we get home we'll post the pictures of Mark draped in the English flag-skirt. Depending on his intake of Radlers today, combined with the heat, maybe he will be in just the flag.

The atmosphere in Munich yesterday was unbeatable. There were no "suits" at the game, just normal crazy fans. At the first match, when we were sitting directly behind the goal, we questioned why the upper deck had metal rails everywhere. Yesterday we found out why- we were at the top and it was a bit scary. The field was literally straight down. We have never seen a stadium so steep. The stadium must have been a bit scary for the Swedes too, because they could not muster much of an attack. To be fair, the Germans are looking quite good. Lisa was wearing the Swedish flag in a sea of red, yellow and black. There were some more Swedes, but only across the Stadium on the other side. Mark's getting better at the German cheers, though. Even if he does not understand the words, he appears authentic.

Some final observations from yesterday: gas prices in Europe are high. To fill up 3/4 of a tank costs about $50. The Stadium bathroom lines clearly favour women...for any gal looking for a guy, the odds are good at the World Cup.

Tomorrow we are heading home (sigh)- but one can only eat so many Wursts and drink so many Spezis.