World Cup Fever!!!!!

So I just had what definitely could be counted as one of the craziest weekends ever. Since the kickoff game, all of the world seems to have caught soccer fever! We've watched the games at several bars and in the graduate village's TV room and its so much fun. I didn't think I was going to get to go, which was sad because its SO close and a once in a lifetime chance to go to an international sporting event. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. So at the last minute Linda and I were able to get tickets and join a group going to the Ghana vs. Australia match this past Saturday.

It was amazing! The atmosphere is absolutely insane! I went with 5 other girls from Penn and we were driven there by these guys who run Choppies, which is a grocery store chain here. The guy who owns the company is this indian guy whose son is going to Penn next year so he's had all the penn interns over for dinner and offered to drive us since they were going to that game too and buses in south africa right now are nuts and not particularly safe. So not only did we get free transportation and not have to pay for housing, but they also gave us a bunch of fried food/cookies/water/other beverages on the way down. And they took a divergence on the way there to go to a lion park that the guy's friend owns. So we got to see cheetahs, 2 types of lions, tigers, and even lion cubs and a baby white tiger! It was a pretty sweet deal.

Anyway, we finally got there though only like 1.5 hours before the game (they say to get there at least 3 hours before) and picked up our tickets from the ticket collection point at the mall, which surprisingly took no time at all, and then sat in what was hands down the most crazy traffic jam of my entire life. and what made it even crazier is that south africans (and people in botswana for that matter) cannot drive. i mean it, like take the craziest driver you know in the US and multiply that by 10. plus people were screaming and blowing vuvuzelas (which i couldn't find to buy! so sad!) So we finally park at the parking lot and take the shuttle bus over.

We ended up being like 5 minutes late to the match, but once we got in it was absolutely incredible. Total sensory overload. SO MANY PEOPLE! The australian fans are absolute fanatics; they call themselves "socceroos" and come out in droves to support their team. The ghanians were just a lot of fun. But there were so many different nationalities and languages and people dressed ridiculously. and the match was really good too! Even though it was a tie, bot teams were great to watch (but especially Ghana because they have amazing footwork and the most impressive goalie who made some spectacular saves!) i've come to the conclusion I should start watching soccer, because I played it until sophomore year of high school so i actually understand it and like watching it.

Anyway, after the match is was complete chaos. There was a flood of fans, TV cameras, vuvuzela's blowing, drums going, people screaming: quite a scene. But not only trying to find everyone since we weren't all sitting together and our cell phones didn't work because we left the country, but then trying to get on the buses to get to the parking lot was a nightmare. It was like herding cattle, picture like tens of thousands of people squished together. But at least it kept us warm (its FREEZING here at night!!!) and we met some cool Australians and talked to them while waiting. We also got separated from our driver, but luckily he was waiting for us when we got to the parking lot. We had a very long, traffic filled drive home and didn't get back until about midnight.

I had a blast! It was a total rush and definitely a once in a lifetime experience!