3-mob.com 
The World Cup has been a truly amazing spectacle. The action on the pitch has been great but what about what has been going on off it?
We had a chat with Mookie Simango a Zimbabwean student and fan living in St Petersburg and here is what he had to say about living the dream.
3-mob.com:How would you describe your World Cup experience so far is it everything you dreamed of? And can you describe your experiences with the various fans there?
MS: It’s been the experience of a lifetime and to be honest words can’t really express it. Everywhere you go it’s crazy, the streets, the stadium, subway and in the bars. It’s fans everywhere, expressing their different emotions. What’s been interesting is that fans from countries where maybe there are not a lot of black people have been very keen to get a picture, I have become quite an attraction myself (laughs).We don’t always understand each other because of the language barrier but we all speak football and that’s all that matters.
3-mob.com:From your experiences living in Russia so far would you say it’s a welcoming place for foreigners and that traveling fans will really enjoy it ? Especially considering all the racism concerns leading up to the World Cup
MS: I have been in Russia even before the World Cup started, specifically in St Petersburg which is Russia’s tourist city. I haven’t faced any problems at all. Though it might happen that you may experience tension in certain cities. l think the country as a whole is opening up and is becoming more progressive, in as far as traveling fans are concerned for the sake of the World Cup they will surely enjoy and be welcomed. That’s if they don’t mind being stared at, but you get used to it and you understand why people stare. The only thing in my opinion that will, prevent you from enjoying your time here, will be insecurity. Come with the l am going to enjoy the football experience attitude and that’s what you will do.
3-mob:In what ways has the World Cup changed your daily life ? Have things gotten more expensive or anything like that ?
MS: I go out in the streets more, that is the center of the city, just to soak in the special atmosphere and get a chance to meet people from all over. I bought a camera, l am trying my hand at photography. These experiences do need to be immortalized. I am not too adventurous when it comes to places that stretch my pockets (laughs) Generally though, in terms of dining, prices may have been hiked a bit, souvenirs definitely have hiked, but clothing is more less the same dependent on the type of store.
3-mob.com: Which country has the craziest fans? Who parties hardest ?
MS: Public drinking here is illegal but because of the World Cup l think that’s temporarily suspended. Russians are making the most of it especially when their team is playing. As perceived it really is the epicenter of vodka. It is hard to determine who parties the hardest as most fans go wild depending on the thrill of the match before and after. If l were to choose though l would say the Mexicans, they been the most visible, scattered everywhere even before the tournament started, their effect has been further heightened by their proud group stage run.
3-mob.com: What do you think is the best thing about being at a World Cup?
MS: The magnitude of the World Cup is other worldly, being part of it is an out of body experience. The best thing is the clash of cultures, the interaction, the spirit, the endless stress and excitement.
That a sport achieves an amazing feat of bringing the whole world together is undeniably a thing to savour
3-mob:Which games have you watched and what was the atmosphere like ?
MS: I have watched 2 games so far, Egypt vs Russia in which we were all expecting Mo Salah to rock Russia’s world. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be. I was behind the Egyptian goal, l watched the own goal, l was with two friends and we were complaining about this guy who was banging a drum right behind us. After the second goal, dude sank into his seat, distraught, the Russians came alive chanting Russia, Russia, Russia. The Egyptian King was mummified. The second game l watched was Nigeria vs Argentina, l didn’t think there would be many Africans during this game but yoooooo, the melanin turned up. The stadium was set ablaze, you know how Africans be. There were more outside, if that Nigerian kit wasn’t exorbitantly priced l would have gotten one. l mean who wouldn’t. Sadly both African teams bowed out but it was worth it just being there. If it wasn’t for my mother l wouldn’t take any pictures to be honest, this type of stimulation one needs to enjoy alone.
3-mob.com: Lastly when Russia beat Spain in the R16 it was a moment of history.What were the streets like after that?
MS: Host nations should not win games! Hahahaha, it was absolute mayhem, the streets went absolutely crazy, cars honking, street bands wailing, shouts of Russia Russia, kids all up in there, from 4 year olds also chanting. The Flags hovering, waving everywhere. Even if you weren’t supporting Russia, you were going to. Russia wasn’t expected to win against Spain so you can understand the outpouring of emotion , l saw Mexicans, Australians, Colombians, Brazilians all nations joining the party. It sure seemed like Russia won a war or something which in some way they did. I wasn’t home in November during operation restore legacy but I would say from the scenes l saw and what l experienced here with this Russian team triumph, I felt a little of what it was like and it kinda made up for that.
by Taka Mudariki
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