World Cup 2010, Bloemfontein, ZA

Let me begin with two words to describe my World Cup experience: Totally Crazy!

I feel as though whenever you are in a country you need to see and do as much as possible to get a feel of the people and the culture. Well, since I was planning on being in South Africa I thought it was best to see some World Cup games (before work really began) and see a city that I had not been to before (and one of the closest to me). I have been to many sporting events before but nothing compares to these soccer (futbol) fans that follow their team around the world!

I left Potchefstroom on Thursday afternoon around 5:30 and arrived in Bloemfontein at 10:45. It is only supposed to take 4 hours but due to road construction and traffic it was a bit longer. Anyway, my friend Jared was at the bus station to meet me. As we pulled into the station you could see the stadium all lit up (everyone turned to look ) and it was huge (yet, it is one of the smallest ones). The hostel was about a 15 minute walk from the main mall (Mimosa) and the Waterfront where the games were being held.

Friday morning we spent exploring the mall for possible purchases later in the weekend and getting our tickets for that evening as well as for the 2nd round game on Sunday. I had gotten my tickets through the lottery and Jared had purchased his once they went on general sale so we had first and second round tickets at Free State Stadium (named because of the territory in is within http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/destination/stadiums/stadium=5002942/index.html).

When we walked to the Waterfront, which is the mall/area next to the stadium, we encountered a sea of red and white! The Swiss fans were everywhere and totally excited to be there. We didn't see too many Honduran fans but they eventually made it out later in the day.

The game was at 8:30 so we headed to a restaurant to watch the first part of the earlier games and then we headed to a bar to watch the second half with a ton of Swiss fans. We ended up meeting up with some Peace Corp Volunteers, who are stationed in Lesotho as well as one of the directors who is friends with Jared, before the game. They were all excited to be there and they had painted their faces for the Honduran team.

As soon as we walked into the gates of the stadium you could feel the excitement and the craziness. Thousand of people were there to root for their teams. Our seats were in the last section of the stadium but we had a great view of the entire game. The vuvuzela's were going strong (and you end up drowning them out eventually) as the game went on. At the stadium you could only get Budweiser but you could get various foods (biltong- beef jerky, chips, muffins, and various hot dogs). We actually sat next to a guy wearing a Steelers jacket and was rooting for the Swiss (he was American). The game itself was not too exciting (no goals, a few too many yellow cards) but the experience was unbelievable! Numerous people at the game were from South Africa and were just singing and enjoying themselves with dances and cheers throughout. The South Africans know how to have a good time despite losing their team earlier in the week!

The second set of tickets we had were for Sunday night. Jared and I both had hoped we would see USA/Ghana play but alas they both qualified for the Saturday night game. Therefore, we got to see England/Germany. What a different experience than the previous game. The entire stadium was awash of Red/White and Black/Yellow. We had made it to the Waterfront around 11 am and the entire place had English flags and fans covering it (see pictures). Our tickets were in the last possible row but we could see everything. The stadium was almost at capacity (40, 680/ 40, 911)! The English kept cheering and when the referee made that call that sent anger through the stadium and the country of England (not allowing the goal) they kept singing "The referee's a wanker"! As the German's made the goals, the German flags flew and the stadium erupted. The game and the atmosphere was electric and charged! I don't think that I will ever seen anything like this again.

Jared and I both bought vuvuzela's (http://www.southafrica.info/2010/vuvuzela.htm) on Sunday and Jared was nice enough to teach me how to play it (most people blow really hard into it, when in fact it is more like playing the trumpet where you have to close your mouth and put your lips together, which is one of the reasons that it sounds so awful in the stands). One of the English guys sitting next me had his covered in beads so it looked like the English flag (totally crazy). I could go on forever about the game but the truth is that being at the game and seeing the fans was one of the most amazing experiences I have had and I understand why people are so willing to travel for this event.

It was an awesome weekend spent exploring Bloemfontein and seeing the World Cup. Next weekend I am headed to Cape Town (no games planned but it will be crazy with Argentina/Germany playing on Saturday) to see my friends, Jackie and Elan, and enjoy one more free weekend before I have to buckle down and get to work. All the professors and students begin school the day after the World Cup is over (students were given an extra month of vacation because of the WC).

I will upload more pictures later and send out a link!