Champions League quarter final games were last night and I went with some colleagues to the nearest place showing the game. The main room was packed – not a seat available anywhere. Pushing our way through the crowd, we were ushered into the ‘VIP’ room – not really VIP, just a larger screen and less of a crowd. The major difference though, is that this isn’t your typical sports bar screening the game. We’re in Lalibela – a remote town in Ethiopia (actually it used to be the capital back in the 11th century) with a population of less than 10 thousand. The venue is basically a mud/stone shack with a corrogated tin roof. Lining the rooms are rows of splintered wood planks proped up on rocks as make-shift legs. I was lucky enough to get a an edge of one… Piled into the room were a mix of diehard Man United fans and a huge contingent of Arsenal fans who like us couldn’t get into the neighbouring shack screening the Arsenal game (thank god! who wants to watch Arsenal??). They charged us 2 Birr (30 cents) for the entrance but I think they overcharged us as it is obvious that we are ‘faranji’ – but they got the system down pat – they had concession guys walking around the room selling gum, lollipops and cookies – no drinks though – the worisome part is that the game was at 11 pm local time and the place was packed with kids – obviously not going to school the next day… apparently, football is a valid reason to miss school…
