World Cup Ready

Germany is all geared up for the World Cup which starts Saturday. My local market has lots of "African" foods in tribute to the host nation, and German flags are flying everywhere. Flags might not seem like such a big deal to Americans. The American flag is everywhere. But Germans don't fly flags. A German busdriver told me that only in the past couple of years have Germans put flags out. I've only seen one prior to the World Cup, and it was in a garden -platz area. He told me it's a bit of a holdover to not being so proud of their history. I guess they feel a little anxiety about appearing nationalistic. But soccer makes it safe. So there are flags flying over houses (one of my neighbors has 3), flag hats, banners, scarves, shirts .... plus all the regular party supplies. Its a good time to be German.