The All Blacks!

martin called me early in the morning to say... "i thought you might be interested... the All Blacks will be at the Victoria Garden, 12:30 to 1:00 in the afternoon. you can wear black to show your support"... heh! any chance to wear black is good with me.

i almost didn't make it on time but i was glad i did.

it's not that im into rugby that much or the all blacks for that reason but just it's a chance to see new zealand's pride and i was hoping they might do a haka dance (which is the only reason i watch rugby when nz's playing)

i arrived at the park just when the all blacks coach/bus was pulling along the driveway. i don't know how to tell if it's a huge crowd or not since nz population is considerably smaller but it was a good nice crowd that probably missed their lunch break just to show their support.

here are some of the all blacks' players (i overheard that not all the players were present) while singing the national anthem


this is Richie McCaw, all blacks captain

black balloons supposedly for every all blacks supporter (where's mine, i wonder?)


... it was a really positive experience for me. it was very interesting how laid back the crowd was. just imagine, that's all blacks! i mean, it may not mean that much to me but i'm sure it means a lot to kiwis and yet it was such a relaxed atmosphere. no fences to block the crowd, the players were all standing in a slightly elevated ground but nobody was trying to reach out and grab them, no pushing or hysterical screaming - just a fun, easy, laid back crowd gathering there to show their support.

if sorsogueños flocked and blocked the main street of sorsogon just to watch patron saints paraded during the holy week procession, i can't even imagine how chaotic it would be if it were the all blacks (or for the philippines, maybe a basketball team equivalent).