Jun 22 2010
South Africa World Cup Update
It’s about 10 days into the World Cup here in South Africa and, I’m going to be honest people, I’m all footballed out. I’ve been to two games so far in the freezing cold and I think that’s enough for me. The atmosphere is amazing and I’m grateful to be here soaking up the excitement but moving around the country following games and trying to cram some sightseeing in between is hard work.
This might be sacrilegious but I prefer watching the games on TV. I said it. Sad, but true. Getting to and from the stadiums here isn’t easy, the weather has been freezing, the games I’ve seen have been super dull, beer is expensive and the lines are long, toilets are few and far between, they don’t show any replays at the stadium, and I’m a bit sick of having horns blown directly into my ears from behind. If I were a super huge football fan or if Canada or Scotland made it into the World Cup then I might be singing a different tune but, for the most part, I’m happy having gone to a couple of games and think I will sit the rest out in favour of a seat with a view in the pub.
But with all that said, I’ve had a great time so far. I was at the Cape Town Fan Fest (outdoor areas all over the country with big screens for people to watch the games) when South Africa played Mexico in the first game and that was an amazing display of patriotism and support. The street party the night before also sent chills down my spine. The whole country is caught up in the hype and it’s easy to get pumped up when everyone around you is so excited.
One of the best parts of the World Cup, for me, is meeting fans from all over the world and seeing their crazy getups. There have been some great outfits, from the Aussie guys in skin-tight green and gold jumpsuits (in freezing cold weather) to the Dutchies in orange lion costumes. People have been heading to the games with brass instruments, all sorts of drums and of course the vuvuzelas that seem to have become a hot topic of conversation worldwide.
I’m really impressed with the show South Africa has put on here at the World Cup. I find the country to be a really interesting place and I’m hoping to do some volunteering on farms and a bit of couchsurfing while I’m here… after a trip up north for awhile to the warmer weather (nobody told me South Africa was so cold!)
In the meantime, I’ve got my own room in Durban for the next week so will explore the city a bit, take in some football matches, hopefully meet some cool people and, as always, try to do some work but probably get nothing done.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
First let me say I am a big fan of your blog. Great to see you enjoying yourself… I have to watch it on television and the atmosphere looks amazing.
I live in a town with a formula 1 racing track (Zandvoort, Netherlands) and when we had Formula 1 championships when i was younger (1980s) me and my dad had amazing tickets. We always went first to get a taste of the atmosphere before running back at home to watch the actual race on television. Better way to view the event
I hope you’ll enjoy the rest of your stay.
I’ll be cheering in my orange shirt for the television set
Cheers
Bas (one of the many Dutchies)
Great post. I went to Germany for the World Cup in 2006. I didn’t have a ticket for any Games, but I went to Munich anyway when Australia was playing Brazil. I probably had a better time not being at the game (especially seeing we lost), just soaking up the carnival like atmosphere that was going on across the country.
Glad youre having a good time, sorry its so cold, its winter hehe - really looking forward to seeing your posts about volunteering there. Would you consider doing a guest post for me?
Yep, South Africa is in the middle of winter, might not compare to Scotland or Canada, but winter is winter!
South Africa, meanwhile, has talked of pride and honor in the last few days. Unless it wins (and probably big) and gets a victory by Uruguay or Mexico to help overcome its negative goal difference, South Africa will become the first host nation to exit in the first round. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira predicted he would make about five changes, notably a goalkeeping change brought about by a suspension, so if nothing else we will get to see some new faces on both sides.
@Bas Thanks! The atmosphere is what it’s all about for me. Go Dutchies!
@James It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of a place and everyone here is very excited.
@The Dame I’m not sure when I will get to do any volunteering here but if I find a spot, I would be happy to do a guest post.
Nice to see a traveller enjoying the football. I find with these big events it’s often better on the TV too as you see more. I’ve never been to a world cup but I would have thought the atmosphere outside the stadiums is worth going too alone (with the african’s being party people adding to this too!)
I was quite surprised to learn that South Africa gets cold too. I guess the ignorant side of me assumed all of Africa was hot year round.
It’s too bad you aren’t enjoying the live matches much. With all that horn blowing I’m not surprised. Watching sports live and on tv are definitely two different experiences. Still, I’d say give it one more shot once the preliminary round is over. I’m sure it would be much better when the game is do or die.
Good to see you’re enjoying yourself. I was also very surprised see the reports of how cold it is in South Africa.
I have only caught a few games here due to the time difference and my lack of interest in football in general, I did catch England’s last game as it was quite an important game that ended up being a lot of fun here in Thailand.
Keep us posted on how you get on in Africa sounds like you are in for a lot of fun and interesting experiences.
You’re lucky, because you could go to South Africa, I could not get a vacation. But now that the Serbian (my national team), dropped from further competition, and I do not much regret, because they played awful. Have nice time in South Africa.
You are all lucky to be able to sit in the stands during the game. Doesn’t the vuvuzelas drive you crazy? Even watching the World Cup on TV, the nonstop sound of those things are annoying. At least you all are having fun and enjoying yourselves.