Before the June 15th match there was the dreaded surplus ticket to unload. It was decided to go to McDonalds which seemed to be buzzing with World Cup folk. As fate would have it we encountered eager Japanese fans with a small sign requesting tickets. Reselling tickets was as difficult as selling ice cream during the match while the temperature outside hovered around 25-30 degrees. I really hope the vendors were not working on commission. They made us an offer we initially refused about $500 rand for a $1050 rand ticket. About 5 minutes later we reconvened $500 and 3 diet cokes for our Cuba libres. The deal was sealed under the Argentine and Japanese flag hanging from the banister and that’s no joke. It was meant to be.
We were not looking for a night out in the ghetto, but thanks to FIFA that’s what we got when we attended the Brasil v North Korea by night. Ellis Park Stadium the venue also known because of the movie Invictus, which hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the South Africa’s national team. We theorize this was the true reason for this venue choice because let’s be honest it was the most outdated stadium to host a WC ever even with the modest upgrades for the hosting of the WC. Safety was definitely a concern. After all, FIFA’s repeated excuse was that it was political. Bryan confronted every representative he ran into at FIFA headquarters (Michelangelo) which was the pirates home base.
Before entering the match there was a power failure that nearly led to a stampede as thousands of fans were denied entry as kick off was to commence. We were grateful this was not a repeat of the 2001 stampede disaster that occurred during a futbol match at the same venue where 43 people lost their lives. (To date the biggest disaster of its kind in South Africa). Not a fun fact you want to know while in the midst of an angry crowd of Brasilians. There was definitely some pushing and shoving, but once the Police realized the situation at hand they allowed entry to all and figured it would be for the best. I think Kev has video to be posted soon.
Nothing against Guateng Province in the city of Joburg, but lets say the pirate consensus was we should not be wandering these streets after sun down. Swords were on alert. We are all well traveled and I suppose it doesn’t help when the locals repeatedly advice you to remain indoors after dark. Fortunately nothing happened, but we were the fortunate few with luxury of an arranged driver for easy exit. That being said, our driver was forced down what he termed “dodgy” streets due to road closures that rerouted traffic.
Pirates concentration was off that night as we left a treasure chest of goods (2 flasks a Colombian jersey and a Barcelona team bag) behind. Little consolation knowing it went to one of our South American neighbor nemesis. Worst of all we would be Rum-less and limited to Budweiser from here on out.
We were not looking for a night out in the ghetto, but thanks to FIFA that’s what we got when we attended the Brasil v North Korea by night. Ellis Park Stadium the venue also known because of the movie Invictus, which hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the South Africa’s national team. We theorize this was the true reason for this venue choice because let’s be honest it was the most outdated stadium to host a WC ever even with the modest upgrades for the hosting of the WC. Safety was definitely a concern. After all, FIFA’s repeated excuse was that it was political. Bryan confronted every representative he ran into at FIFA headquarters (Michelangelo) which was the pirates home base.
Before entering the match there was a power failure that nearly led to a stampede as thousands of fans were denied entry as kick off was to commence. We were grateful this was not a repeat of the 2001 stampede disaster that occurred during a futbol match at the same venue where 43 people lost their lives. (To date the biggest disaster of its kind in South Africa). Not a fun fact you want to know while in the midst of an angry crowd of Brasilians. There was definitely some pushing and shoving, but once the Police realized the situation at hand they allowed entry to all and figured it would be for the best. I think Kev has video to be posted soon.
Nothing against Guateng Province in the city of Joburg, but lets say the pirate consensus was we should not be wandering these streets after sun down. Swords were on alert. We are all well traveled and I suppose it doesn’t help when the locals repeatedly advice you to remain indoors after dark. Fortunately nothing happened, but we were the fortunate few with luxury of an arranged driver for easy exit. That being said, our driver was forced down what he termed “dodgy” streets due to road closures that rerouted traffic.
Pirates concentration was off that night as we left a treasure chest of goods (2 flasks a Colombian jersey and a Barcelona team bag) behind. Little consolation knowing it went to one of our South American neighbor nemesis. Worst of all we would be Rum-less and limited to Budweiser from here on out.
On the positive side North Korea did score a goal and we made sure to snap a picture with the Chinese actors posing as North Koreans. In case you were wondering how all those North Korean fans were able to attend the game given dictator Kim Jong Il's strict prohibitions on leaving the country. North Korea provided 1,000 tickets to a group of Chinese fans to fly to South Africa for first round matches. As luck would have it we encountered them again in Cape Town and yet again on our flight home where they promptly were instructed to relinquish their new found national pride.
More pics to be posted.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Los Piratas de la Copa Mundial. Vamos Argentina !