Doug and Paisley in SWAZILAND: The World Cup

I know that many of you have been eagerly awaiting this blog entry about the World Cup (because you’ve been e-mailing me and asking when it will be posted!). And, I know that my work stuff is not as exciting, but since I like to post chronologically you just had to wait. But, wait no more.

Last Thursday, June 17^th Doug, Stephanie (PAC Doctor), Jenny (UK/Economist) and I left Mbabane at 6:00am enroute to Johannesburg for the beginning of our World Cup festivities! We had been looking forward to the opportunity that living in Swaziland afforded and to attending some of the matches - LIVE! Back in January, I entered the FIFA lottery for tickets and received 4 seats to ‘Match 22.’ We’d later find out that that would be Argentina vs. Korea. This match was made a little more exciting by the fact that both Argentina and Korea had won their first games and secondly by the fact that Argentina is a frontrunner to win the World Cup, this year. Then again in Februrary, I entered another lottery for tickets to the USA vs. Slovenia game on Friday, June 18^th. I also received 4 tickets for this match. So, that was the gameplan – leave Thursday in time to see Argentina vs. Korea – stay over for Friday’s match between USA and Slovenia and then head back to Mbabane on Saturday. It was a lot of fun to be caught up in World Cup fever!

Driving into the city on Thursday I had the opportunity to take a couple of shots of the skyline because we were STOPPED in the middle of the highway. Apparently, the khombie (public mini-bus) in front of us wouldn't let the guy in front of him get over to exit the highway. So, the guy who couldn't get over literally stopped his car in the middle of the highway (totally not dangerous at all) and GOT OUT and tried to fight the khombie driver. He actually tried to pull the khombie driver from his car. Yes folks, road rage at its finest. Scary.

Once we were moving again, we proceeded to the 'park and walk' lot near the stadium. I took a picture because it seemed funny to be parking in a dirt lot at a 90,000 person stadium. Guess they ran out of money when it came time to pave the parking lot?

You could also take the metro. Who knew? Not us...hence the 'park and walk.'

On the way into the stadium Doug decided that he'd officially be rooting for Argentina. One of his favorite PAC Doctors is from Argentina so he decided that he'd support Francisco's team in his absence. So, Doug bought a flag.

Full view of Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg (future site of the World Cup FINALS match)

This was the walkway leading up to the stadium. It was neat to see all of the different people from all over the world.

I'm not exactly sure what this nuclear reactor shaped thing is, but I thought it was funny that even it got a new FIFA outfit for the World Cup

Outside of the stadium

Just before heading into the stadium, we met one of the PAC doctors from Botswana, Andreas, and his friend for a ticket exchange as he was buying some of Steph's excess tickets for other matches (from left to right it goes Jenny, Steph, Andreas, Andreas' friend, and finally Doug).

Once inside we discovered that our seats were on the 'shady' side of the stadium. And really high up! It was okay, though, because our seats got better and better with each match and warmer and warmer, as well!

Happy Doug with his Argentinian flag

Cold Doug without his Argentinian flag

Paisley, sporting her FIFA paraphernalia and Erin's sunglasses

So happy to be at our first game!

Introductions and national anthems

During the national anthem, Korean fans spread an enormous flag over an entire section of the stands. It was really neat.

Since there were 20 of us, but only blocks of 4 seats all around the stadium, we sat in groups of 4. We sat with Jason and Fiona (PAC Doctor) and their friend Eugene (who was visiting from Hong Kong).

After the game, Doug and Fiona battled it out in a fierce game of coke bottle dumpster soccer!

And I took pictures of the empty stadium

And the lingering Argentinian fans. They won 4-1 and had lots to cheer about!

After the game we dropped Jenny off at her friend's house and then Steph, Doug and I went to a restaurant called Moyo to meet another group of friends for dinner and to watch the Mexico vs. France game. When we arrived, we were the first ones there, but our table was really far back (as you can see by how far away the screen was). So, we asked our waiter if we could 'move tables' so that we'd be closer and he literally thought that we meant 'move our table' so next thing we knew, we were in the front row!

Our table being moved to the front row

On Friday morning we left our frisbee friend's house (we were crashing at Dylan/Tina's place b/c accommodations were 1) insanely expensive, 2) unavailable for fewer than 3 nights, and 3) insanely expensive) at 9:00am to pick-up Jenny. We had to collect her tickets from the FIFA Office and our parking tickets, as well. The plan for the day was to run a couple of errands and then to have sushi for brunch (gotta get it when you can!) while we waited fro the rest of our friends to arrive at 12:30pm. Well...let's just say they were the best laid plans...that didn't get followed. To make a long story short, our friends were late, we ate lunch at a gas station and unintentionally drove circles around some of the shadiest parts of Johannesburg. Alas.

I decided to take a picture of this street corner because we passed it a gazillion times!

Here's a picture of an intersection to give you an idea of the driving madness that was the pregame situation.

We finally made our way to the 'park and walk' and united with all of our Swazi friends to go see the USA vs. Slovenia. We were proudly American and the atmosphere was awesome.

Our friend, Cooper, had this suit made in Swaziland. Uncle Sam would be jealous.

Walking through the neighborhoods to the stadium

Ellis Park Stadium

Soccer sculpture (and our 'meeting point' after the game)

Our seats were SO much better for this game. We were just right of midfield and only a few rows up in the second balcony. More importantly, we were on the sunny side of the stadium! Yahoo!

We sat with Matt and Farrell

And were very patriotic in our American flags

USA vs. Slovenia warm-ups

FIFA mascot

Doug, 'er I mean 'Captain America' after the game

After the USA vs. Slovenia game we hustled to Marble Arch in Johannesburg to watch the England vs. Algeria game. We had dinner in an plaza where the game was being shown on a big screen (finally got my sushi).