BAFANA BAFANA!!

Hey all! Just a quick update from SA!
For those of you who don't know, the Soccer World Cup commenced yesterday here in South Africa and let's just say, things are CRAZY here! Locals are going nuts and are so excited about the World Cup. Some of us took the train into the city last night (slightly crazy idea) to watch the game on the big screen in an event sponsored by FIFA called FanFest. When Fan Fest was already packed, we hopped into the nearest bar playing the game on a large TV and squatted ourselves there for the remainder of the game. I must say, watching such an huge event take place in the country I was in was EPIC! I will never forget that experience. I thought it so appropriate that South Africa scored the very first goal in a World Cup 2010 game! The bar we were in went NUTS when SA scored that first goal. All of us volunteers were screaming and jumping as much as they were, and some of the local Living Hope vols came with us to the city so it was cool to be with them and share that moment with them. So, my very first full soccer game to watch was a South Africa World Cup 2010 game- WHILE I WAS IN SOUTH AFRICA! Just so y'all know, Anna-Catherine LOVES soccer now.

 Let the record show, Vuvuzelas WILL be the death of me over the next 4 weeks. Created by a local (whom I've heard actually goes to my church here), Vuvuzelas are blow horns on steriods. And they are EVERYWHERE! They are super cheap so I think everyone here owns one. If you happened to catch the opening game (Mexico vs. South Africa) then I'm sure you heard them. All we could hear were the Vuvuzelas and the announcer. I pity the teams that have to play this year with those being blared by every fan in the stadium. People were driving through the streets beginning yesterday morning at around 5am blaring them from their cars and walking through the streets. They are all the rage. And they will kill me before it's over with. Although I did blow in one today and it was quite fun. Maybe it will be the old saying "If you can't beat 'em, join em!"

Tonight is the USA vs. England game! Our house is divided since we have to Brits here with us...tonight promises to be a very fun evening! Heading to Mike and Pam Tally's house to watch the game and eat pizza. Mike and Pam are from Nashville and are Vol. Coordinators here. Love them!

So until tomorrow, U-S-A! U-S-A!

AC

Bafana Bafana is the nickname for South Africa's team :)