While checking email here in Alleppey, Kerala I’ve just learned that The Chicago Bears are going to be in The Super Bowl.
I remember the last one well… It was 1985/86 and I was in elementary school. Walter Payton was our hero, leading a pack of characters including “The Fridge” and “The Punky QB.” We went to my uncle’s house for the first of what would be many Super Bowl parties. I’m not a football fan, and it was probably the first football game I’d ever seen but I could tell it was something really important.
Since then the Super Bowl parties have become a tradition in my family—a celebration eclipsing Easter. I’ve always thought it was funny that The Super Bowl is celebrated by my Catholic family and not Easter, but that goes to show you just how important the 1985 Bears win was in my family and all over Chicago. The only sporting event that could possibly eclipse this is a Cubs World Series appearance.
I still own an original VHS copy of The Super Bowl Shuffle.
So, what am I to do when I am supposed to be at a yoga retreat in Southern India for two weeks starting Janurary 31st? I don’t even like football. But this isn’t just football, it’s The Bears. Some of you might not understand what the problem is, and maybe it’s only something a Chicagoan can understand. But somehow I feel it’s my responsibility to watch this game.
Once I decided to give up potatoes as a way to lose weight. My mom wouldn’t let me because it would be against my Irish heritage. Not watching The Bears in The Super Bowl is like giving up potatoes for me. It’s just wrong.
16 responses to “Superbowl vs Yoga”
I completely understand. I’m going to be in NYC that weekend and my friend is forcing me to watch the Bears game that Sunday. And in a way, I don’t even mind because it’s the Bears!
Megan, I’m afraid you’re right, it is your responsibility to watch the game. Would the yoga retreat let you out for a few hours to go to a bar? A Bears superbowl win would put you at peace with the world. 😉
P.S. Fox sports started playing the Superbowl Shuffle when going to commercial once it was clear that the Bears were going to win.
Yeah, the Bears barely squeaked by my Seahawks (in overtime no less!) the week before…
Did you know that the Bears head coach is the first African-American head coach to the make the Superbowl and with the Colts making it that afternoon now it makes two!!
this is amazing, this season is what i’ve been waiting for forever! now i’m finally old enough to take in what i couldn’t in the 85/86 season. you better watch that game! go bears!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nina,
For some reason I can’t imagine you and Ced sitting and watching football. It won’t be the same in NYC.
Lisa,
The yoga place frowns on us leaving, even for tea! I guess there’s some tension with the village somehow and it’s so small that they probably wouldn’t have a place for me to watch. I’d probably have to go to the capital of Kerala, which is like 1.5 hours by bus. And with the time difference… and you have to remember that the most popular sport here is cricket, followed by soccer, then by polo… so I’m not sure it will even be broadcast here! Not to mention a woman alone in a bar in India… shocking!
Stacy,
But the SeaHawks have a nice stadium! I’m surprised that it’s the first two African American coaches! The US pretends to be all integrated but we’re really behind sometimes.
Little brother,
I forgot that you were like 2 when it first happened. I suppose you don’t remember it at all. When you played at home you used to pretend you were Walter Payton because you were a fast runner. Pace yourself on game day, you don’t want to fall asleep from too many beer and pretzels before the second half! And don’t bet money, you don’t have any.
It’s nice to see that you actually read the updates that I’ve forced you to receive.
Megan,
I remember that super bowl party too. I won about $7 in the pool but it felt like a hundreds of dollars to me as and 8 year old. The yoga retreat sounds nice but I understand you wanting to watch the game. Go Bears!
My friend from work is traveling to Thailand and I sent her a link to your beautiful blog.
Cheers and travel safe,
Ann
Megan
What, not celebrate Easter? Have you forgotten the golden egg that you used to fight over?
Megan,
It is your solemn duty as an American to watch the Super Bowl, especially when your hometown team is in it. Last Super Bowl, I was in Patagonia trekking in Torres del Paine National Park. I left my trek halfway through to head back to town and watch the game, returning to resume my trek the next day. I am sure the yoga folks would understand.
At the very least you can follow along online right?
I’m surprised at you guys—everyone’s all for me ditching yoga!
Ann,
If you friend has any questions send them my way. I dind’t see too much in Thailand though, so besides Chiang Rai, Chinag Mai and Bangkok I’m stuck. No, I didn’t go to the beach in Thailand… it’s possible!
Mom,
As for easter, I meant our extended family. I was living in England when “the golden egg” tradition was created so it was never really real for me. Plus, I kept getting hurt… Easter egg hunts should not leave bruises!
Jim,
Okay, if you can leave a trek I can leave a yoga retreat. I met someone today who was there and said it shoudl be fine. He said I should ask if they have something around the place and otherwise just head into town for a day.
Han,
Yes, they do have an internet center but with the time difference I don’t think it will be open. Does anyone have the times for me? Game start, halftime etc? Remember to include the time zone (and date!) so I can convert it to India time.
Okay,
It looks like here that ESPN is playing The Super Bowl live in India. It’s Feburary 5th at 4:30am and lasts 4 hours. I have ESPN on many a TV in India so it’s a typical cable channel in hotels.
The game is televised live: February 4, 2007 at 6:25 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). Of course, there will be countless hours of pre-game show before the coin toss.
Here is a page with easy to read stats on everything you might want to know about Super Bowl XLI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XLI
They list some of the foreign TV coverage in the stats on the right.
For me, it’s another great excuse to drink beer and eat fried cheese and chicken wings.
Let’s see… waking up at some un-Godly hour to bend and stretch you body into unatural positions vs settling into a big plate of Nachos- or some foreign equivelent- and watching history as da Bears put the smack down on a lowly Peyton manning led colts? I mean relly, is it even necessary to ponder this question for more than say, one second? I think not…
chargers and bears in the sb would have been a beautiful thing.
best,
Antonio Gates
Am I right in calculating that the Yoga Vacation is between 350-700 rupees?
That sounds about right, Angela. The website lists the high season prices as 450r.