Hincha ("Crazy") del Futbol.

Caroline, Ryan, and Ginny celebrating the USA team while holding the only red, white and blue thing I have: A "Fourth of July" sign. :)

Living in South America is always an adventure.

Living in South America during the World Cup is akin to millions of thirteen-year-old girls at a Justin Bieber concert. Insanity.

And to think, Peru isn't even IN the World Cup; furthermore, I'm sure it would be even crazier if I lived in Brazil or Argentina, where the Latinos are even more hincha for their respective teams.

Thus, I give you the Top Ten Awesome/Ridiculous/Crazy World Cup Facts:

1. Life stops here during matches. You think I'm kidding. People don't go to work, if they can help it. Forget about being serious about school. The streets literally empty out during important games and you just assume that everyone is in front of a television.

2. You can hear "GOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLL" as you walk down the streets. You can hear it from inside your own house coming from your neighbor's house four doors down. You can hear people screaming with the television announcer. Blaring televisions proclaim what is happening; if I can't get to a television, I just listen for the murmur of the vuvuzelas from houses and know I can get a score update.
3. Location is a moot point. People gather anywhere and everywhere to listen to or watch a match: Around cars, standing on sidewalks, Menu restaurants or gas stations. (The latter two of which I am guilty of frequenting while strange Peruano men watch with me and with whom I feel momentarily bonded to just because of futbol.)

4. "La fiebre mundialista." ("World Cup Fever.") This extends to women everywhere who proudly watch the matches just for the players. There is no shame. (FYI: While I might also be semi-guilty of this, I actually do care about the game regardless of the fact that on Day 1 I posted "Futbol players are hot" as my Facebook status.)

5. "Waka Waka" is everywhere, which is testament to the fact that whatever Shakira touches (or looks at or belly dances near) is embraced with open arms.

6. Language is not a barrier. Who cares that "Waka Waka" is sung half in African, we sing the lyrics anyway. A friend of mine can't understand the lyrics to "Wave Your Flag," so he just makes up his own. He now sings "Just like a married wife, a married wife, a married wife...."

7. Money is being moved around like crazy. There is some serious plata being bet in the "pollas" (the bet or pool of money).

8. The guys at Marta's university have pulled televisions into the cafeteria. They camp out and stare at the TV and don't go to class; if they can bring themselves to move, they watch the matches on little TV's or on their phones. This includes professors.

9. I've learned that if I want to converse with certain people (mainly guys), it must be about futbol. It's all they know about, think about, and care about. A benefit of this is that I can now call offsides on my own. :)

10. Advertising is ridiculously funny and/or inspiring, even more so than in the States. I cry at commercials with little boys running around on dirt canchas displaying their hopes to become the next Kaka or Messi. (Notice I mention these players due to the fact that every South American team in each group is on top.) We're already talking about Brazil 2014, of which Peru has high hopes to attend. I'm already planning on camping out on a Brazilian beach near one of the stadiums. Vamos.
An example of the advertising we receive. Dominos paying homage to the World Cup with a full length, very involved, menu, a magnet, and a Chilean jersey photo with another oferta.