Netherlands vs. USA

Last night was the World Cup match between the Netherlands and Australia.  This country is awash in orange---orange flags hanging across streets, orange eyelashes on cars, orange decorations on houses, and people wearing orange everywhere!

At 6:00, as the game was starting, we headed into Heerlen.  Our plan was to get dinner somewhere where people were watching the game.  We headed towards the roar that we heard off in the distance, which led us right to Heerlen's main square.  There we found large crowds gathered in front of about 8 different cafes with TV's that were broadcasting the game.

The crowd in front of one Heerlen cafe.

We sat down at another cafe and settled in for the evening.  While we enjoy soccer, we actually found ourselves watching the Dutch people watch the game instead.  We didn't need to see a screen to know exactly what was going on.  Their reactions to goals and missed attempts were quite entertaining.

But, by far, the best show of the night was this match up:

The Netherlands vs. USA Horn-Off

Earlier in the day, C had asked us to buy a horn so he could cheer on the Dutch team.  He was very whiny and we were low on patience, so no horn was bought.  By the time we'd all cooled off and agreed to get a horn, the stores had all closed.  C, with sad tears, kept saying, "Why didn't you guys listen to me and buy me a horn when I asked?"

C was still bemoaning the fact that he had no horn when we sat down at the cafe (hours later).  All of a sudden, he spotted 2 Dutch guys in full orange walking towards the crowd.  One guy was blowing an air horn, and all of a sudden, C was gone.  Before we fully realized what was happening, C had run across the square to the man and (apparently) asked for his horn….and the very nice Dutch man gave it to him.  The joyful look on C's face was priceless.

A few minutes later, the Netherlands vs. USA Horn-Off commenced.  A little Dutch boy came over with his horn.  He and C proceeded to stand face to face and honk back and forth at each other, in a battle rhythm.  They were quite serious about trying to see who could out-honk the other.  We parents and some other spectators were laughing hysterically at the match up.  The loud American with his air horn was definitely the more powerful honker.

The Netherlands won their soccer game, 3-2.  C honked his horn all the way through downtown Heerlen.  Every time someone passed by they would yell, "Hup Holland!"  We're definitely excited for the next game on Monday.  We'll make sure C brings his horn.