World Cup!

The World Cup started on FRIDAY June 11!!!! So exciting. That said, I thought I would update everyone at home about thoughts about the World Cup here and also events happening because of the World Cup. Fascinating stuff. Never did I think that I would be in a place that would host such a massive international sporting event. So glad I am! One of my favourite things about all of the World Cup hype are the various country flags that you see everywhere. In an effort to truly be “ready to welcome the world” (South Africa’s slogan for the world cup), restaurants, shops, citizens, taxis, busses, you name it – have plastered international flags of all the participants everywhere. It’s quite amazing. It is also cool to see the support for Bafana Bafana (South Africa’s national team) with all of the South African flags flying from cars and homes. Don’t tell the American team, but I’m even sporting a Bafana Bafana bracelet!

Until the World Cup started, I would have said that many of the locals were sort of “over” the World Cup because they’ve been hearing about it since the second that South Africa was awarded the hosting rights. The construction, discussion, hype, and everything had been going on for years and many locals (including some of my friends) seemed kind of frustrated and a bit tired of hearing about it all. That was until it all actually started. The sense of unity and excitement that came with 11 June was amazing! The fan parks were packed, the streets were crowded, people everywhere were waving flags, wearing country colors and gear! It was amazing. And it still is. Everywhere I’ve gone during the past few weeks has been taken over by soccer fans. The friendly competition and fun patriotism has been unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

11 June 2010 -- I've never seen such a friendly and fun display of flags, national pride, and excitement! It was so much fun walking through town and going to the fan park and cheering just for the sake of friendly sport. I was sporting a Bafana jersey (South Africa's national team) in bright yellow like most others, which was such fun! (I've gotten a USA scarf for the USA vs England game, not to worry -- i haven't become a South African yet, haha!). The sounds of vuvuzelas blowing overwhelms all other noises throughout the city. The vuvuzela was selected as one of the official emblems of the 2010 games. They're fun to play with, but quite loud and I'm sure I won't be as enthusiastic about them once I've been hearing them non-stop for a month. I live about a five minute's walk from the Green Point stadium, so a lot of the fan stuff is going on just outside my front door!