Finally Leaving Jo'Burg

June 10

We finally headed out to leave today. Got everything packed and as we were loading up the car this boy that we called leech kept following us in and out. He wasn't saying anything to us, but when we finally got in the car to head out he came up and asked for our number. We were quite depressed because all though this guy was an American he was quite depressing and we also called him morose boy. Anyway we stopped at the mall to get a map and made our way out of town. The map we had wasn't the best for the area, so it was quite an adventure navigating out of town. We only missed one turn, and it was quite a tricky one. It wasn't on our map, and it was fairly well hidden. However we discovered it quickly and were able to take appropiate action. Made it to Rustenburg with no real problems. Once we got there we set up our tent. Our new home. Went for a run to explore the city. Needless to say there wasn't much to see. Hung out with some people from New Zealand that night. Pretty cool people.

June 11 - The World Cup Begins

Didn't get the best night's rest on the hard ground. It doesn't rain this time of year. Also there were vuvuzelas being blown all night and between 5 and 7 people felt the need to go crazy with them. Eventually rolled out of the tent and had a pretty tasty breakfast and walked around town for a bit. Everyone was just blowing vuvuzelas and laying on there horn as they were driving. It was quite crazy. Lots of noise and the people were excited. Pretty much everything closed down at 2 so the people could watch the game. Everything closes early here anyway. We went to the Rustenburg fan park to watch the game. We were the minority there for sure, but that was not a problem. Great atmosphere. There were people walking around the big group in smaller groups, dancing, singing and making noise. It was pretty cool. Everyone was happy and in a nice mood. Everyone was standing but once the game started it was like clock work. They all sat down. Quite impressive. If you didn't sit down, they threw bottles at you. When Bafana Bafana scored the first goal in the first World Cup in Africa the crowd erupted. I got hugged by pretty much everyone around me, high fived many others and just jumped around for a while with everyone. It was a great time at the fan park.

June 12 - US vs. England

Got a better night's rest since it wasn't Bafana Bafana playing, and the people weren't making as much noise all hours of the night. Finally got up and was excited to go to my first World Cup game ever let alone a US vs. England game. Ate breakfast and had a few brews before we headed out to the stadium. We booked a taxi/bus thing from our hostel. It wasn't the cheapest way to get there, but it was by far the least hassle. It worked out quite well in the end because we got back at like 11:30 and some people didn't get back until 3. The game was awesome. People were excited. Tension was high. We had been receiving negative comments about how the US was going to do from the Brits for awhile. Even though Jeffrey and I want the US to get second so we have a better route that would take us to more of South Africa. We still wanted to beat England. When they scored the first goal out of the gate it was quite a let down, at least we got one back. Doesn't matter how it goes in as long as it goes it! It was quite weird watching the game at the stadium. There were no jumbotrons to see replays or anything like that. There was also no scoreboard or thing to tell us the time. It was different. Jeffrey had to use his watch, so we knew the time in the half. The vuvuzelas weren't too loud from where we were sitting. Could have been because we were three rows from the top. However, we had a pretty good view. I don't think there was a bad seat in the house.

June 13

Woke up to people getting interviewed by BBC but didn't feel like getting up yet so just laid there. Jeffrey ended up getting interviewed twice, and they talked to me since I was cleaning up the tent right next to where they were interviewing people the second time. We headed out for our first couchsurf in South Africa. Stopped at a mall to bring them some flowers and an American flag. Had a little trouble finding there place, but arrived no problem. It is locked down. Takes three keys and a remote just to get in the front door. They are paranoid, but very nice people. Probably because we are white. They have a pretty nice house and Jeffrey and I have our own room. They have a African gray parrot that makes all kinds of cool noises. Took us for a drive to show us the area. Some great scenery. They took us to Monte Casino. A pretty cool place. An indoor town that is like an ancient city replica.

June 14

Didn't do much today. Slept in. It felt great. Had an amazing night's rest. Didn't do anything all day really. Just watched all three of the day's soccer games. Hung out and relaxed. It was a great feeling. Had a traditional Afrikaan dinner. Pretty tasty.

June 15

The parrots noises weren't as amusing when I'm trying to sleep and not dead tired. Woke up and went for a pretty decent run. Took a lot out of me because it was quite windy. Then we headed to the Cradle of Humankind. It was pretty neat. Cool cave tour. Some pretty old fossils, possibly supplying evidence for evolution. We had a little trouble finding the place because it was poorly labelled but eventually got there. Headed home and made fajitas for Annaliena and Nadia. They tasted pretty good but not near as good as Big Mom's.