Went to see the U.S. national team play the Spanish national team in the 2009 Confederation Cup semi-finals last night in Bloemfontein. There are four reasons that going to the game was the best decision ever:
- McDonalds in South Africa still serve apple pies that are FRIED not baked. I almost had two.
- The stadium in Bloemfontein sells Budweiser!! You can’t get that in any bar or liquor store in South Africa or Lesotho. Mmmm…bad beer on a freezing cold night never tasted so good.
- Spain lost.
- America won!!!!
And, yes, my group of Americans (that’s us to the right) came with a gigantic U.S. flag that was frequently and jubilantly waved throughout the 92 minutes of the game. USA! USA! (Said one of my friends: “It’s a good thing Obama won; otherwise I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be doing this.”)
It was my very first live football/soccer match in Africa and it certainly did not disappoint. All kinds of people were there, blowing on these stupid plastic trumpet things, chanting their painted faces out, and waving flags.
Tonight will tell whether the US faces South Africa or Brazil in the final match on Sunday night in Johannesburg. I am really really really tempted to go to the game, despite the $200 ticket price. But it would require driving the 4.5 hours from Jozi at 4am and going straight to work. Those days are over for me.
