Observations from World Cup 2010 in South Africa
Tags :World Cup 2010 World Cup FIFA2010 VVorldcup soccer South Africa
While Carl, Andy and I enjoy World Cup 2010, I wanted to leave something here for everyone that has not been following along. If you really want to keep up with the fun, humor and sights, then peek at the group VVorldcup blog with it's own VVorldcup YouTube channel, Twitter account and Flickr group now as well. Before I begin, know that Carl has posted an excellent summary yesterday on the blog as well as the amount of videos and pictures we are loading.
- Getting here was as far away as it looks on the map.
- American Airlines knows how to delete a ticket from their system on accident, lose your luggage but the Platinum desk and Sapphire club reservations desks know how to get it back while in the UK. Thanks to Gab for her endless support in helping me fix it all while sitting in London.
- Johannesburg is like every other major city in the world, tons of people, business, cars always on the move
- Johannesburg is also not like every other city in the world. Fences, security wires, patrols and armed response units.
- Johannesburg has some incredibly friendly people everywhere we have been. From local shops, to malls, to just asking for direction and help They were prepared for these games and are showing the support everywhere you turn.
- Everywhere you turn, people have set up shop to sell you World Cup gear. Street corners, stores and just everywhere. Carl made a good point in his post. If they get an item in your car, you have just bought it. Keeping the windows up while in major intersections solves issues. We saw one person try to buy a flag and have hats and other items thrown in as the window went down.
- Stadium security is a joke. Much lighter than we anticipated. While the presence of the police is everywhere, as well as traffic and crowd marshals, getting in security has been a breeze. As one pats you down, you walk a few feet, another asks, you say yes and just walk on. Metal detectors are in place as well as wands. However, we have not seen a clue of any type of violence. We have watched our pockets well but once inside the gates it is a huge party.
- Anyone and everyone talks, shares stories, compares games and just becomes friendly while at shuttle lines, security queues, food queues or in your seats. No one cares where you are from when they talk to you. They ask to make fun of teams, but the spirit is in the game. Maybe all wars should be played on the pitch instead.
- Imagine sitting in the stands at a game where neither team is the country you are from. Which do you cheer for. Well if you are in the VVorldcup Pool, then the one that will help you win. If you don't care, you either pick a team by geography, or do as I do and watch in wonder and happiness at any good play going either direction.
- Traffic has been tough. May roads were new and completed in time, but there is just sheer volume of traffic. In the city we found some honking, but around the games everyone is fairly patient. Outside of a few locals that know the roads and start driving the curbs, everyone else is too busy blowing horns out car windows to care.
- Our place of residence could not be better. The family hosting us has been overly kind, helpful and a joy. We have a loft over their garage that was recently renovated and meets all our needs plus some. A much better choice than a hotel to say the least.
- Yes, the horns at the games are nothing like you hear on TV. While Andy has braved each game with no earplugs, I have worn them at both. Carl put them on the second game. You drowns out the loudness, but still lets you hear all conversation just fine. But it is amazing how loud the buggers are when drunk people are blowing them.
- Queues have been interesting. Many of us are used to the Disney approach of order and flow. Here they do not start pushing you into small lines early enough so huge crowds gather and then push some to jockey for position. This was seen going to get on shuttles, enter security and shuttles again. It was just noticeable for us used to Disney-bots.
- The food covers the range. From local cuisine to things you find everywhere. We ran across a McDonalds and KFC on our drives, but we have stuck to more local variations of things we know.
- Yes, they drive on the wrong side of the road.
- Safety has been fine. People say it is all safe, but just stay away from this street or neighborhood. Makes perfect sense and in reality is every city known.
- Carl snores. Often. Loud. Period.
That is just an early summary. If you really want to keep up with the fun, humor and sights, then peek at the group VVorldcup blog with it's own VVorldcup YouTube channel, Twitter account and Flickr group now as well. We are linking and pushing everything through there.
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On Monday, June 21st, 2010 by Chris Miller
