Stepping off the plane in Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, a.k.a. Jo’burg, the sights and sounds of the World Cup hit me like a ball to the face. Banners lined the walkways throughout the airport and the monotone hum of vuvuzelas pieced the air. Once in the main terminal our rambunctious fellow passengers moved like a pack of elephants, one after the other passing through customs and on to baggage claim. At the carousel fans began unraveling flags they had taken on the plane(flag pole and all, tell me that isn’t a security risk) and bundled up in national team scarfs as the brisk air passed through the terminal. After collecting our suitcases and passing ten different World Cup souvenir stands, we had finally exited the hectic main terminal are were on our way to new age ticket counters. Apparently new age means a couple red ATMs programmed to print tickets instead of giving out money. Acquiring our tickets was alarmingly simple, swipe a credit card and confirm the buyer then the tickets were printed right in front of our eyes. I felt like schoolboy waiting for the gum ball to make its journey down the spiral ramp, the tickets couldn’t print fast enough! Grabbing the tickets, it hit me “I am at the World Cup.” Each ticket has the official 2010 FIFA World Cup emblem and is adorned with a gold hologram seal. They were more precious than anything I had ever touched, even a baby did not come close to the joy I felt holding the bold faced tickets.
Although I wanted to kiss the tickets and never touch them again the day wasn’t over. We arrived at the Budget Rent A Car and were on our way, in our 10 passenger Eurovan. I was scared when I heard the news my dad was driving and my fears were renewed when he tried to get in on the wrong side of the car. Yes, in South Africa they drive on the opposite side of the road therefore the wheel is no longer on the left side but the side of the vehicle( O and they didn’t have any GPS units left). Sitting shotgun I saw my life flash before my eyes several times as I tried reading a combination of representative(road names are correct but actual roads stray much differently than what is on the paper) and real road maps. Heading down the R24, which changes names at least four times between airport and downtown, I contemplated if I would ever see a World Cup or if my final moments would be in a horribly designed stick-shift Eurovan. To take my mind off of my final fate were thousands upon thousands of World Cup signs, banners, and stickers plastered on building after building. Then we rounded a corner and for the first time we laid our eyes on the gigantic soccer ball shish kabobed by the symbol of Jo’burg, Hillborrow Tower. Only a few minutes later, by the power of God arrived at our hotel in downtown Jo’burg without making a single wrong turn or hitting a South African national-they tend to dodge out into traffic often.
My arrival in South Africa coincides with the completion of the first games of pool play. In this first round of pool play upsets came in the form of ties for most, however poor old Spain suffered a terrible loss to the always neutral Swiss. Currently in the beginning stages of teams second match nations are fight for chance to move onto the round of 16.
I will attend my first FIFA World Cup match tomorrow, USA verse Slovenia (don’t think I am going to sleep tonight)! The United States are primed and ready for a big win over the Slovenia.
My dreams are starting to be answered right before my eyes!
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