One Month!

It has been awhile since I've done an update on my trip to the World Cup. Seeing as in one month I will be on a plane bound for the trip of a lifetime, I figured I would share some of the details/events of my trip in a timeline type format. I checked into internet access at the hotel and I will have access. I hope to update this as much as possible while I am there, but I can't make any guarantees.

So, here is what I have planned so far for my trip to World Cup 2010. All times are local to the city I am in unless otherwise noted.

• Wednesday, June 9: Leave Houston at 6:50 pm on Emirates

• Thursday, June 10: Arrive in Dubai, UAE at 6:45 pm

• Friday, June 11: Depart Dubai at 4:40 am and arrive in Johannesburg at 10:50 am

I will be staying at the Southern Sun, StayEasy Eastgate in Johannesburg with 49 other members of the American Outlaws. I am traveling with my friend and fellow AO/Texian Army member Kevin. Our friends Max and Sean will be meeting us there in Jo'Burg and crashing on our floor. :)

• Saturday, June 12: USA vs. England game in Rustenburg at Royal Bafokeng Stadium -8:30 pm local time / 1:30 pm Central time

We will be leaving our hotel at 10 am to travel to Sun City to tailgate at Shebeen, then travel the 30 minutes to the game in Rustenburg.

• Monday, June 14: Netherlands vs. Denmark game in Johannesburg at Soccer City Stadium -1:30 pm local time/ 6:30 am Central time

• Tuesday, June 15: Johannesburg & Soweto Tour - 8am

Description of tour: This guided tour will take you through affluent suburbs, comparing the different houses: matchbox houses, elephant houses and informal settlements. On route to the first stop, view structures reminiscent of South Africa's Apartheid past. Stop at the old mine compounds.

Your guide will take you on a short tour of the Baragwanath taxi ranks and markets. Experience general urban life and culture in a black township. Some of the things you may see include: colorful markets, ladies carrying goods on their head, the local barber shop, "spaza" or informal shops, ladies doing their washing, donkey carts carrying coal, local home made beer brewing, traditional restaurants, traditional medicine and traditional healers, taxi commuters using local sign language to communicate with the driver, etc. You will have an opportunity to meet the people of Soweto. Your guide will stop at Motswaledi or Kliptown informal settlements.

Your tour continues with a drive to the suburb of Orlando. You will be able to view famous black activists' houses during the apartheid years. See the houses of Winnie Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu. Then on to a guided tour of the house where Mr Nelson Mandela, the famous previous president, lived before he was imprisoned in 1964.

The tour ends with the Hector Petersen Memorial Square and Museum. The Hector Pieterson memorial and museum has been established to preserve the history and memory of all those who were involved in the Soweto uprising of 16 June 1976. The museum is named after 13 year old Hector Pieterson, who was among the first student victims to die from police shootings. The memorial to Hector Pieterson is situated a few hundred meters from where he was shot. The museum houses photographic and audio-visual displays of the struggle of the youth against the injustices of apartheid.

• Wednesday, June 16: Dinner at Moyo at 8pm

Moyo is a a unique destination for a sophisticated African experience. Inspired by the traditions and values of their ancestors, Moyo is a celebration of, and commitment to, the beauty of Africa and the industry of her people. Their famously warm hospitality and modern African ambiance makes theMoyo experience an unforgettable one. Allow yourself to be transformed. With a song on the lips of the Wishy-Washy ladies, you will be welcomed to the age-old tradition of the Africa hand-washing and face painting ceremonies. Uncage your spirit, invigorate your senses and revitalize your soul.

• Friday, June 18: USA vs Slovenia in Johannesburg at Ellis Park Stadium - 4:00 pm local time/ 9:00 am Central time

We are leaving the hotel at 10:30 am and headed to The Radium Beer Hall for tailgating before walking to the stadium for the match

• Saturday, June 19: American Oultlaws vs. Fat Cats Soccer Club of South Africa

I'll be going as a spectator on this one!

This is also my niece Mia's second birthday and I am going to be missing her and her party. I know she will be rooting for the USA and Auntie Erin!

• Sunday, June 20: Brazil vs. Ivory Coast in Johannesburg at Soccer City Stadium - 8:30 pm local time/1:30 pm Central time

• Monday, June 21: World Of Beer Tour

South African Brewery World of Beer is a fun-filled showcase of brewing.

This is a uniquely memorable experience unveils beer heritage - the magic of beer and brewing from ancient Mesopotamia, through Africa and Europe. Since opening it doors almost ten years ago, the World of Beer has grown in stature and has become a popular attraction for tourists and South Africans alike. Making beer and making friends goes hand in hand at The World of Beer and to end your visit, you are invited to relax in the Tap Room and enjoy two glasses of your favorite cold one.

• Tuesday, June 22: African Safari Tour

African Safari experts will show you some of the most special places in South Africa. During this African safari you will see elephants crossing scorched landscapes, zebras cutting across sunlit savannah plains and prowling lions. South Africa has many spectacular wildlife destinations that are as rich and diverse in habitats as in wildlife.

Going through at network zigzag and dirt roads you will be viewing varied habitats, prolific wildlife, and sprawling landscapes. Sightings such as lions, leopards, elephants, black rhino, buffalo, cheetahs, and wild hogs will fill your day with excitement.

• Wednesday, June 23: USA vs. Algeria in Tshwane/Pretoria at Loftus Versfield Stadium - 4:00 pm local time/ 9:00 am Central time

Leaving the hotel at 9:00 am to travel to Pretoria and tailgate at Homebaze before the game.

• Thursday, June 24: Depart Johannesburg at 7:05 pm

• Friday, June 25: Arrive in Dubai at 5:05 am. Depart Dubai at 9:05 am

• Friday, June 25: Arrive in Houston at 4:25 pm

Should be an exciting and fun filled trip. I don't think it has REALLY hit me yet that this is actually going to happen. I don't think it will hit me until I am stepping onto the plane and getting settled in for the almost 15 hour flight.

Don't forget that you can still get your USA World Cup Koozies to help support this once in a lifetime trip that I am embarking on in just a month. Koozies are $5 each and a great way to show your support for the men in red, white and blue.

Thank you so much for your continued support!