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Published: June 27th 2010
Police protection
I think they needed it! Part of our walk to Moses Mabhida for welcome party to Socceroos.OK - first up - I have been less lazy this time and culled some shower stories - apart from the fact that most have been freezing, as a matter of fact only one has been hot start to finish. Enjoy!
Oh - and I tried to upload the video again and it doesn't work for me, so hopefully it might work once it is saved so sorry if it doesn't work again, it is the only way I could even hint at the excitement of the locals at the FanFest.
Saturday, 12 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Up just after 7.30am and quick shower and then brekky with Kelly. Then down to laptop, downloading heaps of photos and video from yesterday and get ready for internet around 10am - lucky someone said yesterday about a work email because otherwise I wouldn’t’ve paid the $10 to get on net, but will be cheaper than the $50 late fee from my work Amex card Well it was midday and rushed to get my tickets and just made it. Missed Bozza, Charlie Yankos and Mel chat today and also missed Human Fusbal while I was on the net - it is
set up with people tied to ropes so you have limited movement like table soccer. Anyway - then had a couple of hot dogs after lazing in bean bags for a bit, then at 2.30pm walk to Stadium was delayed but left probably about 3pm, got home about 6pm after being escorted down by cops which was awesome as they participated, and then was within inches of Lucas Neill - would’ve kissed him except for the window. Was great because you could see the shock on his face, looking at us all, then looking further and seeing more and more people, that was cool. Then came the team bus (spotted Schwarzer, Kennedy-who waved to me, Culina, Kewell amongst others) escorted by heaps of cops with Police chopper always overhead. Security here is everywhere, there are warboats and speedboats just off the coast, police and army choppers and fighter jets overhead, a policeman/lady every 100 people. Anyway, awesome day again. Just downloading photos again - man big admin day. Quick backup now and then will go and watch USA v England and do the hard yards to watch Powderfinger at 11pm. Was hyped after the walk so was easy to stay
awake and first night I’ve made it past midnight! Watched SBS on the way back to tent too which was another good moment. Got to bed about 12.45am.
Sunday, 13 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Quick shower and brekky then back to internet before it ran out - Kelly shared some as well and got to talk to olds, Joanne, Raelene and kids for a quick bit before cutting out ½ hour early! Anyway, now just burning and backing up again - whole disc burned already which is way overbudget in the dvd stakes Lucky I brought a power board, all power points are used so I don’t feel bad pulling one out and plugging it back into power board and then sharing. Metup with Kelly and all again just before midday and ended up going for another walk down the beach to check out atmosphere pre first Durban game (Aus v Germany). Was cool with beach soccer going on, sand sculptures, others went for swim. Reminds me of Rio actually. Came home and had lunch and started getting ready for tonights game. Put on face stickers and face paint and gave rest away to a guy with
big A shaved in his chest - had to give him shit that it wasn’t waxed though 3pm they had pre-game buildup watching Ghana beat Serbia and listening to Bob Brown again who is frontman for Electric Mary. Everyone feels a bit bad because there were only 100 or so people at their show the other night - everyone else was in bed early. Man - the music was deafening too - seriously, I don’t mind loud music, but I could feel my ears bleeding and I wasn’t the only one. Walk to game was cool, but not as fun as first time, bar jeering a few German supporters and having them walk with us. Stadium was awesome and ended up sitting a few seats away from Matt and Carter and also Matt Smithy and Kane which was cool. Didn’t see anyone else all night through the walk and the game till Dave the Scotsman on the way home where we both whinged like old men about aching joints. Oh, talked to some camera quickly about the game…. “What Can I say, I could agree it was shit and say worse than that but won’t, oh well, that is
life, lets win next two and we’ll be through”. Shocking game by boys, but if I was refereeing from ½ way up the stands, I may have called interfering offside for first goal, called the handball in the box in the 2nd half and haven’t seen Timmy Cahill’s tackle, but by all accounts not a red! Anyway, got to bed about 11.15pm. Kelly came home about 3am and covered me with blankets from 3rd bed - it was freezing tonight.
Monday, 14 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Woke rudely at 8.45am with speakers saying about Township Tour to be ready out front at 9.30am. Glad I got to sleep in at least. Showers were busy so basin wash and then quick brekky and ready about 9.35am. Bus I was on ended up leaving about 9.50am. Cool day, saw Woza eNanda township where John Dube used to work, Mathatma Ghandi lived for over 21 years and Nelson Mandela cast his vote in 1994 to win election. Played soccer with little boy and finally a girl joined in - I think that is the first time in all my soccer infiltrations throughout the world that a local girl has joined in.
Township protection
Any wonder we had no trouble! Then played with a few other guys - anyone with a ball I’d have a kick Walked up to the Stadium where our Fanatics XI v Township was to take place. We got a free boerwoers and drink which was welcome after about 2 hours of soccer again, then watched the boys play including Mark Bosnich (should’ve played in goal) and Charlie Yankos (still has got it) getting another cap as captain. We played quite well surprisingly. A guy who gave away a penalty which was saved, 2 mins later scored the winning goal up the other end. Caught coach back and got home about 3.30pm. Ran into Carter who said they were going to live site to watch a game, but I am knackered and will watch it from a beanbag and have an early one. My knee and ankles are killing me, but just have to push on I suppose. I am surprised my neck has been quite good, bit tight occasionally but stretch it out and keep going. Who knows what to do when your legs are sore from standing, your ass is sore from sitting and you don’t want to lie down? I ended up
Fanatics XI v Township XI
Charlie Yankos getting another cap as Captain and Mark Bosnich trying out the field. having a shower and heading to bed about 6.30pm and dozing until 9pm but then slept terrible, a windstorm came in and felt like we were going to be blown away all night.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Got up about 8.30am and did some washing and had a long lazy breakfast and met up with Kelly and Asia. Then near midday went to watch Bozza chat to see how much jeering he got about pushing over a schoolkid and yelling at the ref in the social match, but it wasn’t on again, the weather was freezing and blowing. I can’t believe that one day I was in shorts and the next I am in thermals, fleeces, wind layer and still freezing. Others went to live site to watch Kiwi v Slovakia but I stayed in beanbags after rugging up more and still freezing with winds just about ripping up the Mark Bosnich Big Bar 50 metre tent and swirling beans from broken bean bags around like it was snow. Good to see Kiwi’s come back in the last minute 1-1 draw. Then watched Portugal v Ivory Coast, saw Caine and Dutch come back from live site
and they said it was quiet. Went to casino with them as well as Louise, Kate and couple of other girls and walked around and lost some money while they had dinner. They were saying about a small group being mugged by a couple of locals up the corner where we walk home, and about news crews saying that there was a carjacking just over near the taxi rank. I’d like to know more of the circumstances and if it wasn’t Terry racking up his muggings. Oh, Terry is an Aussie made famous in local papers in Joburg as “first victim of the games”, got blind, passed out in politicians driveway and lost wallet and phone. They took him in and gave him breakfast (because he came from the land downunder ) and he bought a new wallet and proceeded to get blind and mugged the very next night making the papers again…. Oh, Thomas and Jonathan saw me at the casino and said g’day.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Woke to alarm at 5am and sprung up ignoring the cold. Basically toilet and onto the bus with brekky pack. Didn’t leave till nearly 5.45am and managed
to sleep most of the 3 hours there, some nice scenery when I was awake though. Then into 4wd for game drive for 3 hours at Ilfomzi which is the oldest game reserve in South Africa. Wasn’t too many animals about, saw buffalo, zebra, impala, inala, warthog, giraffe, apparently elephants, a red duiker, a brown snake eagle, quails, some cordon blue birds, a pretty yellow one, a weaver and one with a nice long tail. After lunch, got back on bus around 1pm and slept basically all the way home. Got home at 4.30pm had chicken roll and saw end of first half of Switzerland v Spain and going to catch the end of 2nd half now. First real upset of the tournament, Swiss won. Was freezing but felt like ice cream but none around so had to settle for donuts which were quite nice, and warm. Then bean bagged it up to settle in for the South Africa v Uruguay and slept from 7.15pm to 7.45pm waiting for game so went to bed and straight to sleep. Another big day of 16 hours sleep in 24 hours.
Thursday, 17 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
After waking up, was
too cold to shower so went straight to breakfast, got ready for shower and stitched my plastic pants up and then announcement there was no water so headed out between 10 and 11am with Djena and Alyssa. Did some snack shopping for tomorrow nights bus and bit of internet before Nandos lunch. Heading home, got wrapped around the face with plastic rubbish bag that was in whirly wind - how lovely. Started to rain as we got home so went in for shower. Spent 3.30 to 5.30pm in tent just listening to rain and doing some stretching and exercises. Typically I mention it and my neck starts to play up. Probably from twisting around looking for animals yesterday. Was supposed to be fluro party at Joe Cools tonight but everyone seems to be piking because of cold and wet weather. Checked dollar today and seems to be getting better, Joanne is going to make our last big cruise payment at around 86c so I bet it will soar back up to the mid 90’s soon after we pay.
Friday, 18 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Slept in until nearly 9am when it was quite hot and stripped from 3
blankets, 2 jackets, 2 pants, socks down to shorts and t-shirt in 5 mins. 11am got to sign onto a bus, lucky because they’ve overbooked somehow. There would’ve been a cranky Chris come out if they reckoned I didn’t have a seat!. Am a bit over the organization actually, not much communication going on and the office is only open a couple of hours a day, one when you are sleeping in and the other when you are actually doing something touristy. Just after 11am was trying to go to town with Kelly and Kate and then waited for Asia and finally got away about 12.30pm. In that time we did a girls radio interview with Nova RM radio that gave away some tickets to Fanatics in a camp out in Capital cities. Chatted to Caine on way out and realized Germany v Serbia game was 1.30pm so kind of rushed then. Bought some more snacks for bus, mainly because I seen eet-sum-more shortbread which is awesome. Got home about 2.30pm at end of 1st half and heard Serbia 1 up and Klose had been sent off. Watched second half and then got to shower about 3.30pm when it was
Coach convoy
At least who wans't lost at the time :) warm weather but still cold showers, well I lie, it goes boiling, and by the time you get the cold water adjusted, the hot water has run out and you are either scalded or frozen. Anyway, packed ready for tonight’s big bus trip for game tomorrow. Kelly and I got interviewed by the camp camera that will be a blog ready at end of trip. Watched end of USA v Slovenia game which was a draw and more bad refereeing decisions that should’ve had USA win. I am kinda over the whole cup thing figuring that the refs will have who they want win either way so no point barracking. Sad hey, considering the effort and money I’ve paid to get over here for it. Aussies better win tomorrow which will hopefully bring me back into caring. Is now 8.30pm and going to watch the England game on until 10.30pm when we will be loading up onto the 30 coach convoy to head to Sun City. At least Matt and Carter are on the same bus as me. We were last bus, only 20 coaches now, and didn’t leave until nearly midnight.
Saturday, 19 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Not a bad drive and got some sleep. Stopped at Montrose around 3am and was freezing, nearly as cold as the bus with the heater on, I reckon it was circulation on and forgot the heat bit, no really I mean that. The drivers were another story, but first I have to mention the frozen lake at the Montrose stop, which was only 20km or so from Harrismith near Drakensberg. So, some driver stories, one bus had the driver not return from the Montrose stop, someone else replaced him and went the wrong way and we saw the bus a few hundred metres in the wrong direction with a cop car there. Then heard of nearly all buses getting lost, some for hours, and I know our driver and co-driver were always discussing directions at every turn, lucky guesses I suppose. Got to Sun City around 10am and had to meet buses again at 12.10pm. Had brekky pack and checked out casino and wave pool area which was nice, and then wandered down looking for butterfly park and cultural village, but there were a shuttle away and not that much time left. Chatted to a worker of the hotel though
and the Ghana team was staying there. I bet they didn’t have the trouble we had leaving, buses didn’t arrive until after 1pm, nearly an hour late. Got to game on time though and was good atmosphere with Ghanaians having fun outside stadium. Rustenberg was small stadium and tight seats where my legs didn’t quite touch the ground which left me a bit dead legged. Had a magnum because it was quite hot in the direct sun, which cooled down to freezing as soon as the sun went down. Game was awesome! Atmosphere was awesome. We had some Ghanaians sit just in front of us with good spirits and the 3 of them gave the thousands of Aussies around a good go in good spirits Refereeing left a bit to be desired again and I don’t think I had my biased glasses on. Was embarrassing towards end of game though when full beer bottles started getting pelted onto the field. You know it is bad though when Aussies are prepared to waste beer! Aussies played a great game though 10 men on 12 for most of the game. And we are still in it, we need to get more
than 4 goals difference between us and Germany winning, or would be better for Ghana to beat Germany and us to beat Serbia. Getting home is another story, got lost getting back to bus park and I don’t get easily disorientated, other than Fanatics signs being misleading, some with arrows and then one without you’d think was a kind of stop here sign. Nope - not our bus park, nearly died of fumes though with probably 50-100 buses running with less than a metre between them. Then went back and asked the girl and she said, no go down this street a way. Got to our bus around 7pm and loaded up waiting for others, and then finally left about 7.45pm for some reason being the last bus to leave by ½ hour? Anyway, then was stuck in a queue of taillights for about 5km.
Sunday, 20 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
About 3am we stopped at Montrosse again and couldn’t pass up KFC as a warm up if anything. Had 3 pieces and chips which didn’t make me any more comfy on the way home. Was a bad trip just not being able to get comfy with my
back and neck aching. Got some broken sleep in though and got home about 7am. Went to bed until about 9am and then shower and brekky which I stretched out till nearly midday watching highlights. Then sorted out what I might need to change to get to Morocco and other confirmations I need to do and finally got to TV room about 12.30pm to do photos and watch I think a triple header, Chile, then Kiwis v Italy, then Brazil Ivory Coast games. Not bad, 2pm and now just have to work out why my dvd burner isn’t working… Ended up stuffing around on computer till 4pm semi watching Paraguay and Slovenia, not Chile. Kiwi game was awesome, with Italy only being able to score a penalty after another dive. Finally got to catch my second panel talk - was only Stan Lazaridis and was good comment from Sharkie that it was a good game but quit the beer bottle throwing. Oh, did I mention one Aussie guy got taken away by 10 or so machine gun armed Police Then Lazza told a story about their bus where the driver was overtaking (like they do with only 2 lanes,
Timmy Cahill the clown.
And Wilkshire who he gave the kangaroo to. but both outside cars pull off onto the shoulder to let you ride the white line up the middle), but this wasn’t happening and he said it was kinda a game of chicken and finally said to the driver, hey, that car isn’t moving, and the driver has said ‘Oh Shit’ and pulled back in quickly. And then other rumours about a party bus getting too rowdy and scaring the bus driver and he pulled over into a police area and they boarded the bus, fingers on triggers, to settle our guys down. Brazil game first half was awesome game with not much ref interference or diving, then the 2nd half went bad with Kaka being sent off with two yellows. Have the flu again after taking tablets before our bus trip and getting a bit better, but then run down again after not much sleep on bus.
Monday, 21 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Got up about 9.30am and headed straight for breakfast. Watched some replays and chatted to old English Australian which was nice. Then was heading out for walk about 11am, Djena, Alyssa and Sera were headed to internet so headed there first, they caught taxi
and I walked and beat them after taxi got lost. Chatted to Nqoeli? a cool 10 year old girl who was very smart and interested in the world and she was very impressed with me saying her name right with the Q click. Only ½ hour on the net, quick emails and saw Facebook update from Sasha and Annie that they’d seen me on the news looking dejected. Must have been after the Ghana game. Found out that if group teams are same points, and same goal difference, it goes to goals for, if we get that far we will get in based on we have to get a lot for to cover for our lot against. Also saw that the dollar has got back up to 88 cents - did I bet that? Even that 3 or 4 cents at USD 6500 would be a couple of hundred! Anyhow, that’s life. Got some throat lollies from spar and then headed via beach with plans to go up to other fan site near the casino but got sidetracked talking to a white local who was so disheartened with his country he has sold his Capetown unit and is leaving. It
was sad to hear that he was running everyone and everything about the country into the ground saying rates and electricity have gone up to pay for this good looking Durban, I tried to explain our cost hikes as well but he didn’t care. Anyway, then ended up going back to HQ just after 1.30pm to watch the Chile game, again stuffed up and saw the 1st half of Portugal v DPR Korea. Was 1-0 to Portugal so wandered back out to the North Beach Spar centre and saw the travel agent about possibly going to Morocco, she will email me if they have anything. Then checked out the beach but was pretty quiet so back to Spar to get more cough lollies and something to eat. Spent down to my last 10 rand. Came back with 10 mins left of the Portugal game and they were 6-0 up. Saw Ronaldo finally score, not that it was pretty. Then had a quick cold shower, ate my pie and made an avocado roll. Saw the lady from Nova Radio who asked if I saw their blog that I featured in and that my part was pretty cool. Will have to check
Gateway
I don't know that this is what made it famous? out www.novafm.com.au Finally got to watch the Chile game - might be a record, I think the ref was up to 8 yellow cards and a red. Chile played 10 man Swiss for ¾ of the game and finally got one goal. Started to catnap toward the end, so will quickly do diary update, charge phone for tomorrow nights big trip to Nelspruit. Chatted to Carter during game and he said they saw heaps of animals at the game park which is good. No wild dogs like the other guys. Did I mention that, a group said they saw wild dogs, and I got excited and they were saying the guide hasn’t seen them for 8 months. I tried to explain that is why it is exciting, they are as hard if not harder to see than leopards. They said they didn’t get excited because they were picturing Labrador or poodles cross bred with a dingo. Ate other avocado sandwich and got into warm gear and went down to MBBB for ‘ladies night’, which came about because rightly so, girls whinged that Fanatics had paid for some tarty skimpy dressed girls to put tattoos on people for the first game
More like the sheer size!
Check out the size of that rockclimbing wall. Has a wave pool, maybe even two. Shopping though so can just say I've done it. and no good looking men for the 20% women around. Caught Stan and Frank and Irish Dave chat again which is good. Asked Stan what he thinks is the order if we end up on same goal difference and he thinks it would go to a pot - 50% chance draw, my comment, oh well, I suppose that is as lucky as getting a good ref.
Tuesday, 22 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Again woke about 7.30am and thought about getting up to be tired and go to bed early tonight, then next thing it’s 8.30am and no conscious thought in my head until 9.30am which was, geez it is hot! Got up sounding terrible but not feeling as bad as I sounded. Had shower and long brekky again. Races have been cancelled today because of South Africa deciding game and a Durban game. Djena and Alyssa were heading down the beach again for soccer so got some gear ready and went with them. Took heaps of photos which were pretty awesome, even if I do say so myself Then there was a Futsal tv crew there and they took over game of African countries v Rest of the World countries. Rest of World won, even though they tried to extend the game to give Africa time to catch up. Djena and Sera got to play in that which is cool. Then I played for a few minutes of their next game - badly I must say. I could hardly stand up on sand, let alone plant a standing foot and stay upright. Let’s not even get onto the fitness side of things! Anyway, we lost. The others went for lunch at Joe Cools but I headed home for my first nice total warm shower and avocado sandwich which was awesome. Then headed quickly back down to FanFest to watch South Africa must win by heaps and Uruguay or Mexico to win as well, actually, same position as us, oh no, maybe a draw will work for us we just have to score heaps. Was awesome atmosphere again when ‘we’ scored first goal, then second, then a 3rd disallowed. Got news that Uruguay had gone up 1-0 too. France had a guy sent off, and that is after they were threatening not to play the game if one of their players didn’t play - some thing with the coach I think. Anyway, got home about 6.30pm and made sure I was on a bus for tonight, Stu had said he just fixed it for me. Then got nice chicken stirfry for dinner, expensive for over here, but nice to get some veges into me, everyone is fanging for a decent feed of veges. Plan tomorrow to be up 1.30am to start loading buses at 2am in order to leave by 2.30am. Oh, was headed downstairs thinking how nice it was to be fairly warm again and fell down the stairs but didn’t hurt anything thank god.
Wednesday, 23 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
There was a faint announcement about 1.45am and then my alarm at 1.50am. Kelly wasn’t home so got ready and headed up. Actually since our first away game, I didn’t see Kelly in 3 days and we live in the same tent. Anyway, finally got away at 3am with a full police escort blocking traffic for us everywhere. Apparently we are 3rd in line of protection, that is, players, FIFA officials and then Fanatics. Breakfast at some school on the way around 7.30am and then another long drive through to Nelspruit Botanical Gardens. After watching Hancock and James Bond Golden Eye, moved up front of the bus instead of looking at the toilet, saw a huge 300 tonne trailer on the side of the road on the way, it was probably 4m wide, and 40m long and there were wheels everywhere, similar to the spacing of dual axles, the whole way along. Oh, and then took a photo of us overtaking, shoulder style, and when I put the camera down, just saw half a dozen local ladies scattering from under a tree where they were sitting on the shoulder and the guy we overtook nearly cleaned them up. Our drivers thought it was funny, I don’t know that people were nearly killed or that I was shocked by it. We got into town about 2pm, but then had to wait to get convoy together and then squeeze down last lane and about 2.30pm we ended up walking the last few hundred metres. I felt sorry for the bus drivers who were going to have to do a lot of tight reversing and shuffling to get it sorted. Lunch and park band was included and couldn’t see England game so went for walk around gardens which was lovely. Then at 6pm we were ready on buses which left about 6.30pm for the game. Our guys were giving Serbs a lot of shit which was pretty ballsy, I’ve heard lots of stories about crazy Serb fans. But anyway, we won 2-1 which wasn’t enough to get through to Round of 16, Germany beat Ghana 1-0. Awesome game though and nice shots of boys getting involved with crowd after the game. Toilets had run out of water which was lovely and we finally left the park about midnight.
Thursday, 24 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Brekky stop about 6.30am which was grab and run because not everyone got off. Apparently we got lost during the night and was even heading down a dirt road. I got a fair bit of sleep amongst the girl I was sitting next too elbowing me all night and whinging, but didn’t care and just braced up Got home probably about 11.30am and now just doing diary, photos and will have a shower in a bit when it isn’t busy. Oh, stadium summary so far, Durban was awesome stadium with about 62600 at our game but not the most atmosphere, Rustenberg was quite small, around 30-40000 but awesome atmosphere. Nelspruit is great because of giraffe holding up building and zebra seat pattern and was only small 30-40000 too but second best atmosphere, maybe because we won! Was going to wander down to internet or Spar and get some nice avocados again, but got to front gate and saw fish ads so just went back to have fish and chips from HQ Durban. Was nice and watched Kiwis only draw so not go through. Was falling asleep before night game so went to bed but by the time I walked the 5 mins was awake and could hear music so thought the band might be playing and wandered back up. It had stopped by the time I got there and got a comfy beanbag to watch the night game. Kept falling asleep though and Djena woke me just before half time for drinking games but chatted for a bit and then went to bed.
Friday, 25 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Woke when the tent was too hot again and couldn’t get all my warm gear off quick enough. Saw a guy wanted to buy R16 ticket so left a note in his tent. Then after brekky, headed off to shuttle to Musgrave Shopping Centre which was pretty cool. Saw flight centre about possibility of other Morocco tours from here but nothing new or dates that worked, so ended up thinking I’d just go early and maybe get a few day bus tour down to Fes if I’m lucky. Then wandered around shops looking for a small size soccer ball with WC2010 team flags with no luck, and asking a couple of banks about getting the awesome Visa card that is the South African flag with the world cup in the middle - I want one and can’t get one, not even as a souvenier. Bought some more chutney chips and apple drink from Pick N Pay, then went back to flight centre with the thought of Reunion or Madagascar. Some dates worked and they were going to email me with costs because I had to run off for the transfer. One of the workers there was so excited to maybe buy a Portugal Brazil ticket for 450 Euro which is about AUD500. Lucky, because I got to check smarttraveller and Madagascar is still a reconsider your need to go. Lucky the Indian driver remembered me and wouldn’t leave ½ hour early when the guys I came with said they couldn’t find me. I asked him on way home about the road signs being double named, obvious black name and western name. He said in 1994 when ANC got in, they all got changed, but 16 years later barely anyone knows the new black names that is why the old street names have to stay there with the cross through them. Oh, got a text from Adam and Shay that they had a baby on 25th which is nice. Got home and dropped shopping and headed back out for internet and then Brazil Portugal game at FanFest. Emailed Dillon about R16 ticket as well. Tried to look up my blog on novafm but kept dropping out. Had milkshake and missed first ¼ hour of game and watched from across the street through a palm tree but was ok. Then had mutton bunny (a ¼ loaf of bread with guts pulled out which reminds me of Eves family late night drives, and filled with mutton or chicken curry and you eat with your fingers) and drink in a café that was full of police and watched the game in there. A couple of local guys ended up sharing table with me. Then walked home, with maybe the only trouble I had when I accidently bumped a guy after saying excuse me, who was walking 3 abreast with friends blocking at least a 4 person lane, mumbled something about oh, it’s ok, no, you go. I ignored him just thinking to myself - asshole! He wasn’t a local though. When I got home, Djena talked me into going to casino with them but I just had dinner so would wander. Lucky she called her taxi mate Michael because there were no taxis after the local game and we were yelled at when he came, Alyssa yelled out you should’ve rang someone then There were queues everywhere at casino for dinner so I went and was winning 100 rand, got free spins on 50 lions, twice, not winning much, then 3 times on Miss Kitty which paid more but ended even, then a Survivor Game just kept winning but had to run off and meet girls again after dinner. Then came back in and missed 1st half of China Spain game and watched that while managing to lose the 100 I’d won. Oh, had to buy a card for 20 Rand to use on games but got it back when finished - worked really well to cash out between machines and everything. Oh Alyssa had a 50 cent that was a soccer picture which is cool and I got it because she didn’t want it.
Saturday, 26 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Had to get up about 8.15am to say goodbye to a few people. Got camera card off Azlan to download beach soccer photos and woke Dillon on way past about ticket so said I’d come back. Checked office and they still didn’t know times of buses so gave cards back and spoke to Dillon. We shook hands on ZAR3000 which is about AUD$450 which is about $120 loss but then also the conversion because I won’t need that much rand but oh well, thems the breaks. Just have to see if I can get ticket early now or have to get up at 4am or whenever they leave to get ticket to give to him. Checked office again about 11.30am but noone around so have now spent nearly 2 hours on computer again sorting out Azlan’s photos, trying to download them to memory stick for Sera which failed, and doing diary and charging phone and batteries etc. Man shit like this takes forever. Will do a backup burn and copy to ExtHDD now and probably be bored for the next couple of days now with no super long bus trip to take up all my time Have heard I can get tickets at 6pm so headed back to let Dillon know and then was resting at tent and he came and paid me and will meet me at office. Then said goodbye to Kelly which was quite sad and walked her to the front but put ticket money in locker and ran into Alyssa and Djena again. Apparently their flight was changed a couple of hours early and Flight Centre was told and acknowledged but didn’t bother to let the girls know. Arced me up again and offered to fire them up to do something about it with my stories. Sera has spare internet code and tried to download Azlans photos for her again and worked which is good. Now just making a blog out of my diary to be ready to upload soon. Oh, have to go and sort some photos to use too. Now 4.45pm and semi watching Uruquay Korea game but don’t care much for it. Ended up having to pack up quickly to meet Dillon at 6pm to get ticket and handover. Took ages to do and then rushed off to get dressed to go to Casino with girls. Paid in coins on way there and damned handed over my 50 cent soccer coin. Had nice dinner though and came home to watch USA v Ghana, only missed 10 mins and Ghana were already 1-0 up. Went to extra time and Ghana won 2-1 which is great. About 11pm went back to computer and uploaded photos and half blog. Now 00.30am and going to go to bed. Getting some updates done too which is great. Oh, someone said today, quite rightly, that some of our bus trips (most of our bus trips) were as long as the flight from Australia. And another awesome thing I keep forgetting to mention. We have the run of the Sahara Stadium at Kingsmeade and lots of places that public generally do not have access to. Australia has played many test matches here and there is a museum type area that is pretty cool, where we have breakfast is the commentary area, and I have gotten over my fear of public toilets (no Deni, not as bad as yours!) and have used about every different toilet in the stadium.
Sunday, 27 June 2010 Fanatics HQ, Durban
Had alarm set today to practice for early start tomorrow, but woke up anyway. Had trouble getting to sleep last night, would’ve been 2 or 3am. Had coughing fit and sore throat so running on only a few hours sleep. Spent about 2 ½ hours on net finishing updates and then skyped mum and dad to let them know I was safe and not in the Nigeria trouble and then Raelene and the kids with video which was cool. Headed up for breakfast which Raelene pointed out to Rhiley my sun was coming up and their’s was going down - I could see Rhiley’s head ticking over going, “oh, there must be two suns then” Then caught Carter and Matt on my way out and chatted for a while and gave them a pack of 20 condoms that were free over here because they are heading to Thailand next . Headed down to Gateway shuttle which is about 10 mins walk in the drizzly rain which left me soaked by the time I got there. 20 mins out there and spent from about 11.30am to 1.30pm, Southern Hemisphere’s biggest shopping centre and I had it done in two hours! And that was after buying some souveniers and having a 4 scoop ice cream cup. A local lady said, geez you must be hungry. I was just thinking - yep, that’s right, you don’t know me. Walked through markets near Workshop and then did a bit of shopping there as well and headed home about 2.30pm with a Debonairs pizza in hand. I am going to end up having touretts (I think that is spelt wrong but spellchecker won’t give me an option I like) one day soon with dumb people who block pathways - it always goes through my head but lucky there is a split second before it comes out my mouth. I should imagine I will get bashed when I do blurt out, ‘for god’s sake, do you think it is normal to stand right in the middle of the only place people can walk!’ Anyway, packed bag and then had another chat to William, the security guard who fell in love with my smile hey, there is a smiley. And headed to MBBB to watch the Germany England game I sold my tickets to. Was a good game after it finally got going. Then met Michael so he could take a photo with me (to remember my smile ) and now doing more updates and downloading todays photos and if the internet is still alive will do a travelblog update. Oh, just asked guys at bar and a few places today for a 50c soccer coin but noone has any.
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Joanne
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Just FYI, the video didn't work. Got a message that video was not found or access denied.