How about I just avoid the part where I try and explain why I have not posted for more than two months ( o just checked I mean 3 months, my bad). How about that? Just move on and share my heart out as if there is nothing to catch up on.
As I’m writing now I am listening to the ‘Waka Waka’ song, bursting almost of national pride and feeling not just a little homesick. I knew of course that I would be missing out on an epic scale but the reality hit home as I sat watching the first half hour of the opening ceremony at the reception area of my school, trying to explain the concept of a ‘rainbow nation’ to the front desk ladies. All the while fighting the overwhelming feeling that may only be described as ‘Proudly South African’. Unfortunately, I missed the rest of the festivities due to a class, but happily made it in time to see my boys singing the national anthem and make history for the next two hours or so.
To my millions of South African readers I don’t have to explain how we (as in the country) are feeling at the moment. United, proud and ready. O where is a vuvuzela insert icon button when you need it? (blows on vuvuzela). o=======<()
I would almost recommend to my other millions of non-South African readers to view my facebook homepage to see all the spirited updates and profile pictures turned SA flags. I can only imagine how amazing the ‘gees’ back home is now… resulting in good dose of homesickness.
Last night was amazing, the American Club and South African Embassy kindly hosted the opening match and it was packed. Armed with my flag and positive attitude I went hoping to walk away with the kind of story I can tell my kids one day. A draw might not be the most glorious moment in history but I think we showed the rest of the world we belong in the Cup. It was wonderful to see that most people supported South Africa even though many put their money on Mexico. I guess it’s that part in all of us that likes to support the underdog.
So this is the part where I explain why experiencing the World Cup from Vietnam is so cool, because in all truth I still love being here with no certain plans of leaving any time soon.
Firstly because of the sure follow up question from ‘Where are you from?’ is not ‘Why aren’t you black?’, but ‘are you come back to your country for World Cup?’. Which is a refreshing break form the 2 minute history lesson of Southern Africa “Jan van Riebeek to Zuma”. However explaining contract and financial responsibilities is a tad less interesting. Having said that, I was asked at last nights venue if I am really from South Africa… Yes I reply while waving my made in China flag… No I don’t believe says the man, but this time I could just point at the big screen and the 85 000 supporters at Soccer city.
I’m actually having a bit of giggle now, because I’m sitting in my living room and I can hear vuvuzelas from the TV next door as the third World Cup game started a few minutes ago.
I asked all of my students in the past few weeks who they thought would win the opening match, and all of them said Mexico. Fair enough Mexico is ranked 17th in the world and we are ranked 82nd… I’m about to gush again, sorry about that, but I’m just so darn proud of them.
It is hard now to really talk about anything else, as I’m so in World Cup mode, so I will just keep this post to an update about that. I foresee that in the next month there will be a few late nights, not only catching the all important South African games but also the American, Australian and Argentinean games (all A’s not planned).
Well that is all for now, hopefully this is getting me back into the habit of posting these life changing, meaningful, deep updates and I might get around to sharing all the excitement that has been going on the last 3 months.
Go Bafana Bafana, Ke Nako!!!!! Supporting you all the way…
Predictions:
SA 2-0 Uruguay
SA 1-0 France (Sorry to my otherwise lovely French housemate)
Good to have you back! Is this thanks to Dan's promise? xx
ReplyDelete