We finally figured out how to compile the video files off of our new point and shoot camera. Here are some videos from Soccer City in Jo’Burg. One is a bit sharper than the other, but the other shows the cool roof. In both you can hear the super loud vuvuzelas, even though the game hasn’t even started yet.
Daily Archives: June 20, 2010
20
Jun 10
Jo’Burg Day 2: Brazil v. Cote d’Ivoire @ Soccer City
Sunday, June 20
Johannesburg, RSA
Our thoughts on the game: It was so fun! So loud!!! We had earplugs in an hour before kick off. They had fun stadium food – mash and gravy! Because they were a FIFA sponsor, there was only Bud in the stadium! We were rooting for Africa teams so we were sad that Ivory Coast lost (3:1), but glad that we got to see the powerhouse Brazil play, as well as Drogba play! In the end we saw four goals, a red card and an end of game scuffle!
The walk to the stadium:
Inside:
Our view:
In USA gear! (Thanks Thadd!)
Now the stadium is full!
Warm ups:
National Anthems:
Brazil fans in front of us:
Let’s get this show on the road!
It got cold!
Even though Africa lost, it was a fun and celebratory train ride back to the city center.
When we got back to Park Station, there were no cabs in the queue, so we called Thibiele and she came and picked us up and took us home after a great day!
20
Jun 10
Jo’Burg Day 2: Train to Soccer City
Sunday, June 20
Johannesburg, RSA
We got to Park Station at 3pm. The station gates were all guarded but it was free to pass through. We asked around about which platform we needed to be at for Soccer City and were pointed towards Platform 11. The signs above the platform were for two trains, at different times, both headed to Pretoria – which is in the opposite direction of Soccer City. There weren’t many people down there waiting – but there were a couple people dressed for the game, so we decided to stick it out. A few cycles of 12 minutes came and went, but no trains came through Platform 11- though a few more soccer fans did arrive. More and more though, it seemed, we were all wondering the same thing about if we were in the right place. After awhile we tried out some South African train station restrooms – the women’s restroom was rural China-style. All the men’s restrooms were shut down for construction, so Josh had to leave the main terminal to go find one. By now a fellow soccer fan had gone to confirm that we were indeed at the right track (around 4pm). We were comforted by the slowly growing number of soccer fans. Finally, at 5pm, word came through the crowds that we needed to shift to the other side, over to Platform 12, and hop on the train that was arriving there. As we looked around, we realized it was now fully packed with fans wearing yellow Brazil gear, yellow Bafana Bafana gear, and orange Ivory Coast gear. And vuvuzelas! Needless to say, since we were at the front end of the platform we were able to quickly hop on a car while there were still seats. Within minutes, the train took off for Soccer City and we were on our way with a lively raucous crowd! We deduced later that the trains DO run every 12 minutes, but the trains didn’t start until 5pm for an 8:30pm kick off. So while we had gotten a little nervous during the lull, it worked AWESOME and we got to the game quite early and we were glad to be a part of the masses traveling to the game together.
We were a bit early, apparently…
Waiting patiently:
On our way!
Some scenes from the ride:
20
Jun 10
Jo’Burg Day 2: Morning in Zoo Lake
Sunday, June 20
Johannesburg, RSA
After a relaxing and delicious breakfast, care of Sylvia, we spent the morning walking around our Bed & Breakfast‘s neighborhood of Zoo Lake. There was the little Park View Village area of shops and cafes (where we had bought our cell phone the morning before) and, of course, the eponymous Zoo Lake. We had a great walk and exploration. When we headed back to our abode, we were pretty antsy and didn’t want to try to do anything else other than get to the stadium, see the atmosphere there and take in the excitement of our first South African World Cup game. Sylvia had heard that the train ran every 12 minutes so we decided to head down there at 2:30 – for our 8:30 game! Sylvia had a driver arranged for us (Justice’s partner, Thibiele) to take us to Park City Station, where we could catch the train to Soccer City for our game in the evening.
