So we started off leaving at 9 in the morning, with the hopes of doing some sight-seeing before the 3pm game. I got stuck driving, of course, so Micheal and his friends could drink some beers on the way there. Yes, that is legal. I could technically drink too, as the driver, as long as I didn't go over the limit. I didn't, though. Duh. That'd be weird.
So we got to Berlin right at 12, got our parking spot in the VIP section (thanks to Micheal), and went to one of the fan bars near the stadium. As we're sitting there, thousands of Bayern fans dressed in any red shred of clothing they could find (mostly fan scarves and flags wrapped around their bodies) march down the streets of Berlin and head towards the stadium. In an hour I saw more drunk people than I've seen in my entire life. Everyone was shouting and cheering and the top of their lungs, and there were still three hours to go before the game even started! It was awesome. An hour ahead of time, we started walking towards the stadium, and Micheal's friend told me that he wanted me to go to the VIP lounge in his place, since it would probably be my only opportunity to experience it. I was shocked, needless to say, and refused at first, mostly because of my soccer-mom appearance. But he insisted, and so did Micheal, so I took him up on his offer. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I was in the VIP lounge in Berlin during the final for the German Championship. It might not sound that amazing to you guys, but it was AMAZING for me.
We got to go through our own little entrance on the side, where there was no half-hour long wait and security didn't even ask to search my purse. It was super cool. So we walk into the lounge, and it is at least 5 stories high. Its like this secret chamber between the regular entry way and the field. I never even knew it existed! Haha! The lighting was very cool... This purple, blue, orange combination at a candlelight setting. Very moody. We walked around for a bit, checking out the buffets of free food waiting for us to consume them, and then found Micheal's friends at an exclusive table near the Player's Lounge... That being the area where the soccer players hang out and eat. I was about 100 feet away from them. *dies*
After a couple glasses of beer (or wine, for me) we decided to move on out to the field. We had an amazing view. I was so close to the field, it was incredible! And of course the game was fabulous... Bayern won 3:1. The first goal took me by surprise, and I didn't even get a chance to take out my camera before Olic had scored. For the second goal, I had my camera already in place and got a shot just as the ball was passing the goalie. (see picture below) It was amazing. Their third goal happened just after Klose had taken the field, so I was anticipating it. I had my camera in my hands, aimed at the goal, but when it actually happened jumped out of my chair, threw my hands in the air, and screamed and cheered until I realized that my camera had been flung out of my hands and landed a couple of chairs to my right. (Daddy, ignore that last sentence. Of course I'm taking impeccable care of your very lovely camera!) The guy who handed it back to me was a very unhappy Berlin fan, but he managed to give me an ironic smile in return for my apologetic one.
After the game, we went back to our awesome little cool-persons table. We had another drink, and as I was finishing mine I noticed someone walking towards us. As he got closer, people kept stopping him and asking to take pictures with him... I was staring at him, trying to figure out who he was, but didn't recognize him at all. I'm pretty good at the celebrity game, but the fact that this guy was under my radar bugged me. I kind of shrugged it off, and continued on with my drink, until I realized that he had taken the seat next to me, and was talking to me. Whhhhaaaaat?! Apparently he was friends with one of the other guys at our table. As we're chatting, people keep interrupting us to ask for his picture... WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY?! Finally, I gave up and confessed that I had no idea who he was (thank you, wine, for making me an idiot). He kind of laughed, gave me a pat on the back, and told me that he wasn't anyone important. Micheal was sitting on the opposite side of the table, and took a picture of the two of us as this guy was getting up to leave. After he left, I asked Micheal who he was, and apparently he was Germany's champion boxer. I've been trying to google for his name, but I'll have to ask Micheal again. Hahaha!
(UPDATE! I remembered the name "Abraham" and googled that... And found him! Arthur Abraham... Ring a bell for any of you boxing fans out there? I still have no idea who he is... Hahaha! Here's his wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Abraham)
After that, we left and met up with the other people in our group (the guy who was supposed to be in the VIP lounge ended up in the fan pit, and looked like a total mess. *guilty*) and drove back to Northeim. It was an aaaaaammmmmaaaaaazing day!!! I kept a lot of things from the VIP lounge that I probably wasn't supposed to, and Micheal bought be a little flag with original signatures from all of the Berlin team.
Throughout the entire evening, I couldn't help but remember all the catering jobs I did working events just like that one. I'd watch the waitresses and busboys chatting politely with patrons, while holding heavy trays of dishs, and then turn and disappear through the kitchen doors. And I knew as soon as they passed through those doors, they'd start cussing and complaining about the idiot who was making them stand there while dying under the weight of the tray. I know, because I've been there. For five years I was on that side of the kitchen... And I almost prefer it. Sure, it was fun to be one of the elite, but it simply isn't where I belong. Not right now, anyway. And especially not while I was looking in a scrub in my tennis and t-shirt. It was an amazing evening, and it won't be one I forget soon. Such a memory!!! :) But for now, I'll stick with being the waitress and not the waited upon.
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