One Goal:Road to South Africa

This video gives me chills.

Favorite quote:

"To be a soccer fan in this country, you kinda have to be a lil bit crazy."

Trip prep

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. This past week I had to go back to the real world after a 2 week break. While the breaks are REALLY nice...getting back into the routine is always tough. I shouldn't complain though!

With 2010 now here, my trip to South Africa is becoming a bit more real. While watching the BCS National Championship game ESPN had a World Cup commercial that played (2 times I think) and each time I saw it I got chills and just kept thinking: "I am GOING! Holy COW!"

A week or so ago I started thinking about luggage for the trip. Having not ever been on a trip of this length...or to another continent, I asked a friend who is also going what he was planning on taking. He mentioned a back pack that had a removable day pack attached that was able to be carried on. At first I thought there was no way I could get everything I would need to take in a backpack but I started looking around and decided to purchase the eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible. I think the hardest part of this trip will be getting all my stuff in this bag, but I am determined to do it. Thankfully our hotel has laundry service, so I will not need to pack as much.

While looking for backpacks/luggage, I stumbled across another backpack I knew I needed. The Jansport Stars and Stripes bag is from their Heritage Series. The Stars and Stripes backpack was first done by Jansport in 1970. I like the vintage feel of it and the simplicity of the design. This is going to be my day pack when I am in South Africa. Mom stepped up and offered to buy this one as an early birthday present. Thanks mom!

In other trip news, the American Outlaws travel package details have been finalized. We'll be staying at the Southern Sun StayEasy in Johannesburg. The better news is that they were able to include 13 nights at the 10 night price. I am VERY thankful for that. Time to make that final payment. Ugh. Time to start looking for flights. Another Ugh. This is one expensive trip...but it will be worth it.

I will find out this month about tickets for the games...so everyone keep their fingers crossed!