The Countdown Ends

It's very convenient that we have wireless internet access. All three of us return to the room and pass around the laptop, checking email and Facebook, downloading pictures and uploading messages. It's funny though, the wifi is almost like speedy dial-up. We open a page, then sit and wait for everything to upload, often moving around the room to find the best spot for the network. I mention this because tonight's intermittent service has resulted in no uploaded photos for this version of the blog (pictures have since been added). As you read, bear in mind that all the days and times I reference are South African, which is nine hours ahead.

South Africans, at least the ones watching football, seem very friendly. We walked over to the market today and were greeted by nearly all passersby. Right outside the gate of our complex, a young woman stopped us, saw our Team USA scarves, and told us, "You MUST beat the English! You must!" We replied with the same request for their game versus Mexico, the team they played in the opener today (which concluded in a 1-1 draw). We and the South Africans may be citizens from different worlds, but we still hold a common grudge against our former British colonizers. Outside the Woolworth market, we went to the nicest liquor store any of us have ever seen. We have provisions "for days."

We staked out another lunch spot at a Melrose Arch restaurant called Primi. It was very trendy, almost like a Joe's Crab Shack or Dick's. Over time the place filled with people in spirited Bafana Bafana (the nickname for the national team) yellow and green, blowing their horns at each other and the television. The customers cheered at footage of their national team exiting the bus. They blew vuvuzelas as the players walked onto the field. Everyone stood and sang the national anthem. It was an amazing experience unlike anything you'd see for any sport other than soccer in any other country.


After lunch, we ordered a string of beers to keep the table for the first half of the match. In America this would be quite costly; but in South Africa, the beers, sodas, and spirits all cost roughly the same price (15-20 Rand, roughly $1.75-$2.00 American). Needless to say it was a task we each enjoyed.

We spent the second half outside in a courtyard staring at a big-screen television. It was packed--what I imagine parts of Mardi Gras must feel like. Having not yet attended a fan park, my only comparison to the watching the game here is celebrating New Years in South Lake Tahoe, except everyone here shares a common mission and purpose, and everyone is drunk on national pride (as well as alcohol). At the game's conclusion, everyone continued celebrating, charging through the stores and streets of Melrose Arch. A band started playing below the big screen to keep the crowd energized for the next game, which only started about 20 minutes ago. We tried to stick it out, but quickly realized it'd be warmer, safer, and calmer back in our room.


We'll be on a bus to Rustenberg tomorrow afternoon, located about an hour or two north of Jo'burg. We're going to spend the morning relaxing and preparing. Our patriotism will be unprecedented. We'll all be wearing team USA jerseys, sweatshirts/windbreakers, scarves, and stars and stripes bandannas. We have some face paint and full-sized flags as well. We're quite confident that no one will call us rednecks.