A Backyard BBQ, Cold Drinks & Watching France Lose

More musing from our man in South Africa...

We're at the wonderfully named Dung Beetle Bar where football is on TV and the drinks are flowing: shooters, ciders, rum, gin & tonics.... it could be anywhere in the world! Except that this scene is taking place in one of two pubs in the lovely town of Barrydale, along Route 62, where I'm sure the population is smaller than that of my residential complex in Beijing.

There's about eight of us inside, including the two owners, enjoying the comforts of a nice fireplace on a cold winter night while watching the Brazil-Cote D'ivoire game. Emotions run high as Cote D'ivoire is taken to school by the vastly superior Brazilians, to the disappointment of everyone in the room. A sense of African unity is starting to come out of the woodwork. Sure, we're deep in the underbelly of Rugby Land but I'm starting to get over it, much like the people around me: they're embracing "Soccer Culture" and I'm starting to accept "Rugby Culture"... it's a win win!

A few folk wander in and out during the game and we're all talking about how the big teams are having a hard time while downing a few "French Slammers.” There's a Braai (Afrikaans for BBQ) on the menu and more drinking! Certain things are just universal, and I now firmly believe that world peace will happen around a backyard BBQ with cold drinks while watching France lose.

Can you think of a better unifying occasion?