Flags are flying....Horns are honking.....

I just nipped out tonight around six to pay my Cablevision bill at Sanborns, and suddenly got swept up in this jubilant crowd gathered around the Angel to celebrate Mexico's 2 - 0 victory over France.....

The flags were flying, the horns were honking, the drums were beating, and the crowds were chanting......

The atmosphere was electric, the high spirits infectious, and everyone was more than happy to pose for the camera...

Like in any good crowd, there was a wonderful cross section of the community - from grannies to babies, and dogs to monsters.....

But in a Mexican crowd, Land of Dressing up at the Drop of a Hat, you are also going to get the sombreros, wigs, costumes, face-paint, masks, make-up, luche libres, devils....

Even the riot police couldn't resist smiling, laughing and joining in the fun...

All the world's a stage and it is hard to see how the fans are going to up the anti if Mexico qualify for the next round. If so I shall be back here at the Angel to bear witness!! In the meantime I finally managed to pay my Cablevision bill at Sanborns after persuading them I was not a football hooligan and could be safely let in through the locked doors. On the way home I noticed that the French Bistro on my corner was very quiet....very quiet indeed!!