Ole Ole!

As I write this post, we are 7 days, 17 hours, 50 minutes and 14 seconds away from kickoff between South Africa and Mexico, the first game of 64 that will be played in this World Cup. Although we’ll be catching that one from a local bar stool, in a mere 14 days Todd and I will be walking into Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium to watch Switzerland take on Spain in Group play. It’s been nearly two years of planning and may I just say, HOLY SHIT...it’s finally time, ke nako!

We are mostly prepared for our bazillion-hour flight to Johannesburg and the craziness that will unfold in the month following. Passport: check. Just enough money to be completely broke upon stateside return: check. “Live like you were dying” song stuck in your head: check.

I’ll try to keep this blog regularly updated but until then, here is a really brief overview of our itinerary. Todd and I will get to South Africa first to catch the game in Durban on June 16. We’ll then head out on a six-day guided trip to explore the KwaZulu Natal and Drakensberg regions before heading to Port Elizabeth to meet Kara and Evelyn (friends from New Mexico) for the England v. Slovenia game. From there, the four of us have rented a car to drive down the Garden Route and through wine country on the way to Cape Town where Michelle and Bryan (friends from Chicago) will be. We’ll all see a “round of 16” game and spend a few days touring the Mother City. Next is Johannesburg to watch a quarterfinal (epic), then on to Zimbabwe and Zambia to see some trickle of water called Victoria Falls.

It should be a great adventure so check back often and see what we are up to!