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Published: June 28th 2017
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Thousands of people crammed into one place waiting hours for tickets... woo..hoo.. Geo: -33.916, 18.4222
After over a year of waiting since purchasing my tickets, finally the World Cup is here!!
It was a great opening day, tarnished only by the sheer incompetence and disgraceful organisation of my tour group - The Fanatics. This will be the first and last time I ever use them, and I cant more avidly not recommend them to any potential customers.
Its not my objective to take any negativity from this trip, but in short summary, here are the fanatics 'shortcomings'
1. They waited til noon on the first day of the world cup, to give us our match tickets to all the games we had purchased (opening ceremony starting at 2pm). They hoarded some 1000 customers into a small room, and slowly began giving out our merchandise and tickets randomly by hotel.
2. All the merchandise and gear provided is of such poor quality, style and design, that an ape with a disability would be insulted to wear it. I cant fathom who's style the merchandise could POSSIBLY cater to. Im leaving 99% of it here. Maybe il burn it.
3. After waiting hours for our tickets (this meant over half of the customers here missed the opening ceremony and couldnt
get into venues for the first game), we discovered they had screwed up our tickets. Matt Dave and I werent even seated together... they then suggested we just 'rock up at the airport tomorrow at 4am and itl be okay..'
Suffice to say, that attitude was not sufficient with us, and today im off to rectify the problem with the guys PRIOR to flying out.
In any case, thats enough about the Fanatics.
We subsequently missed the opening ceremony, but managed to fight our way into a pub/bar on the Waterfront among thousands of locals to watch the World Cup Opener.
There was an incredible buzz in the air, and amazing atmosphere. The reaction to the South African opener was immense!!!
Even though it could have been a better final result for Bafana Bafana (local name for South African Team), there was still a positive buzz after the game..
After returning home to drop off our terrible Fanatics gear, Matt and I had just an hour or so before we headed off to our First World Cup game at the new Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.
Along with a fellow Fanatic - Lauren, from my Hyde apartment, we set off to the game.
The
Fanatics Fun
Waiting for our tickets.. stadium was absolutely incredible! Some 61,000 fans were packed into the stadium. Initially skeptical about our seat behind the corner flag, I was not to be dissapointed. The design of the stadium and close proximity to the pitch allowed a great view of the field.
Once again, the only negative part of the match was the disgraceful Australian fans behind us, hassling us to 'give up our allocated seats', we had a great time. We also met a nice South African guy - Pierre who enjoyed the match with us.
Today after fixing my ticketing im going to chill out at the hotel and watch the matches.
We are picked up tonight at 1.30am for tomorrows Australia game in Durban... which means we'l b awake for most of the next 36 hours.
I'l have another post on here after that time.
Im starting to get embaressed to be Australian.. i HATE Australian fans, and the majority of attitudes and values held by them. Even still, i do love the country itself, and will be right behind the national team tomorrow!
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Liat
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Awww man, as if I am not homesick enough! Looks like you're having a great time though, barring your yucky tour group! Hope it only gets better