i went to germany, to see some world cup 2006 games!!
i was really impressed with the fans --the camaraderie amongst rivals. of course, everyone likes to see their team win... but great goals were cheered by all, and the fans really don't talk didn't down to each other. big party. what a great atmosphere.
it was pleasant to see the positive energy there. seems here in the u.s. that people get angry with other fans, from other teams. especially as the team sports get more violent. just generally speaking here.
also, coming home and watching some of the games on espn, i was a tad annoyed with how espn chose to present the score marquee overlay during the game --pretty much cutting off the top portion of the screen. rtl, telemundo, and other international channels were more discrete, applying a very trim score marquee to part of the screen... still leaving room for them to show the advertisers, sponsors.
german beer is good, and cheap too! and i loved drinking beer in the street, and on the train. just casually enjoying a brew, no container laws. i live in a completely backwards country on this point --there are no quote "blue laws" in europe.
yes, i love my country, but i would totally consider living in europe. and i think the more americans travel, and learn, the more folks here will have a different outlook on various affairs. let's take some of their sensibilities back, and make life better here.