The group of AO members arriving at about the same time got the shuttle to the hotel. We checked in and almost immediately some of us started discussing where to go watch the South Africa vs. Mexico game. We decided to got to the Fan Fest not too far from where we were in Sandtow. We called a cab to the hotel to get us there but the first guy who showed up had no idea where we wanted to go and asked us for the address so he could put it in his GPS. We weren't very confident in that, so the hotel called us another can. The next guy showed up...new where we wanted to go and was also charging us 50 rand less than the previous guy. He took us most of the way there and then got to a point where he said it would be honestly easier for us to get out and walk the rest of the way as traffic was horrible. So, we got out and started following the crowd.
The South African crowd was lively and excited. We walked a bit and got to the gates went through. We walked around a bit and then tried to get some beers. The "line" in the beer tent was too much and so we decided to go get a spot near the screen for the game. We found a spot and started cheering and singing with all the South African fans. A lot of them were excited to see USA fans. The surprising part was that once the game started...all the South African fans sat down. Very strange. Some people continued standing...and those people got yelled at and things thrown at them. There were a tons of people. It was pretty cramped. At half time we decided to find a new spot. We went up to the top of the hill where everyone was standing and the atmosphere was electric. When South Africa scored....the place went CRAZY!!!! There were people on top of trailers and in trees in the park, etc. It was a big party until Mexico scored. People went very quiet. The atmosphere got going again later...but wasn't the same as it was before.
Once the game ended, the adventures of trying to get home began. We just started following the crowd out and into the streets. For a moment, near the front gates, I was getting pushed and shoved quite a bit and the first thing that came to mind was the trampling that happened a few days ago at a friendly down here. That feeling luckily only lasted a few seconds and very soon everyone was out and back to walking down the street. We didn't see any taxis anywhere so we just kept following the crowd down the streets. At one point a few guys came up to us and told us not to worry (apparently, I may have had a worried look on my face)...they'd help us. At first we weren't sure if we should trust these guys, etc...but after walking with them for 20+ minutes through the crowd and etc...the guys decided to follow them to the taxis stand they said was ahead. We finally got to a mall type shopping center and on the top level there was a taxis area. The guys helping us found us the line for the taxi bus that would go to Eastgate. We stood in line for awhile and they stayed with us until one of the buses got there to take us back. The taxis bus thing was a unique experience. We went through Alexandria and stopped once so the driver could count the money to make sure we'd all paid. He literally stopped in the middle of the street to count the money. Then he stopped 2 times to pick up more people. We had a total of 18 people in this mini van. It was crazy...but we did make it back to the Eastgate mall which is just across the highway from our hotel. We made it back (safe and sound mom and dad!) just before 11 pm. The Fan Fest was an experience for sure....but I am glad I did it!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment