The jumbo jets line the tarmac. Customs was the most efficient ever experienced by this person. Lots of smiles by airport and customs staff. Coca Cola had guys in polo shirts carrying trays of ice cold cokes for the passengers as they passed customs. The Johannesburg airport is a beehive of activity. The terminal is beautiful. Giant colorful billboards and video boards announcing the World Cup are all over. Cape Town's airport is in a similar vein. Every other traveler seems to be wearing a jersey, jacket or polo in the colors of their favorite national team. The Media is everywhere, waiting to pounce on arriving VIPs, etc. The Mexican sombreros are in abundance. We've driven around Cape Town and Pretoria the past four days. No problems with crime or other danger. SA has great highways, by the way. The jet lag is crazy. Watch your way driving around on the LEFT side of the road. Fun stuff.
Glad to hear it sounds good so far. I am arriving on the 18th in Jo'burg so have been waiting to see the reports from the ground to see what its really like and if SA is ready.
Everything sounds exciting, am also arriving in J'burg on the 18th, and so far everthing sounds thrilling.
Internet here seems to be based on network usage, i.e. downloads. The last two hotel hosts were VERY CONCERNED by our download usage and tracked it closely. The first hotel cut us off at mid-day. Apparently the internet is not a flat rate charge for the locals. Even when I offered to pay extra there was real concern about the cost. Both advised strongly to avoid streaming video, large file photo downloading, downloading music, etc. I'll try to post some pics on Flickr and FB. But most of my pics will be downloaded when I get home. It's a bummer because Americans are so accustomed to tons of internet usage. Hopefully, this experience is limited to my own selection in hotels and you all won't have the same challenge.
The guesthouse I'm staying at in Sandton has zero Internet access, so I went and bought a 3G dongle and some prepay data minutes at a Vodacom store. By the way, the compound my guesthouse is in has a big stone wall, two electric car gates, an electric fence on the stone wall in the back, three dogs, and a private security company patrolling the street. The very nice Afrikaaner couple that owns the place is being very protective of me and discouraging me from going very far south. Strange. Also, Sandton at night? It could be Tulsa or Atlanta.
Oh, I don't know. They had no idea what color I was when I booked, and one of the main points of the conversations we've had so far is how wonderful they think Barack Obama is. I think the security measures are just the way it is in this part of Sandton, not far from City Centre and Mandela Square. Sandton City Centre, by the way, is just a big blingy mall, but the footy fans wandering the concourses aimlessly are a treat to see. Fans of El Tri are especially out in force: flags, comically outsize cowboy hats, spangly red and green boots. USA fans seem kind of thin on the ground, or maybe they're just so bland and unassuming that I can't spot them. We need to step up the outrageousness.
Mild during the day, chilly at night. A light jacket might be a good idea for games. Or wrap yourself in a flag like a good scoundrel.
Is the population of Johannesburg and other major cities in SA mostly white or black? I'm just curious about the demographics in SA since I've never been there.
I am doing a blog on my entire trip if you would like to read it. http://operationsimba.blogspot.com enjoy!
I believe most people are black, but most middle-class/rich people in the country are white. I believe I read thats the country is about 85% black.
Do most of the whites speak English or only Afrikannas or however you say it? Is their accent similar to a British accent or different?
Awesome! You liked watching North Korea more than Brazil! Me too! Some in the Brazil/NK post match thread are actually saying they can tie or beat Portugal and Ivory Coast! After this game their chances are much better and everyone loves an underdog!