Sunday 1 February 2009

Not cricket

I'm slowly ticking off the American cultural events that I need to experience while here. We've done Thanksgiving, Christmas, bowling for New Year...and today it was the 43rd (or XLIII, as they insist on calling it) Superbowl.

The match was an interesting one: five-time winners against first-time attendees with a quarterback who was spotted stacking shelves. To spice the event up, literally and metaphorically, Christine and Vince also organised a chili cook-off. Seven con carnes were on display in an competition more fiercely contested, and with more intrigue and arguing, than the Superbowl itself.

On the sport side of things, the team that was expected to win won. On the cooking side, a three-way tie was the democratic (with the accompanying vote-trading and rigging) result. This was probably for the best - shoulder pads and helmets might soon become mandatory if these students get any more competitive.



Baby's first Superbowl!



"Did someone just score a goal?"



Vince and Pete discuss the finer details.



Logan finds an infinite supply of tortilla chips somewhat more exciting than the sport.



One of the contenders.



Two of these students are having fun, one is doing homework. Can you spot which?



Fini takes her chili tasting very seriously.