They have the 4th of July in Africa, too

After Germany Argentina was going to the same English pub that we pregamed the England USA game to watch Spain versus Paraguay. There were a few goofy PK calls, but it was a pretty dull game compared to the one that we had just seen.

We had gone back to the hotel and changed into USA clothes, then went out on Long Street. We ended up going to Cape to Cuba and waiting until midnight. We toasted Jack Daniels shots to America, then called it a night.

Andy, Scott, Tyler, and I went to the waterfront for them to do last minute souvenir shopping. The FIFA worker said that the shop opened at 7 AM. He is a liar. We wandered around and waited for it to open. Everyone stocked up with their toys, then we headed back to Saasveld. At 10:30 or so, I put the guys into a cab to the airport. They were off to Joburg and then onward: Scott and Tyler to go back home, Andy to Thailand.

I took a bath- probably my first one in 3 years- totally exhausted. That road trip with my college roommates had been in the works for 2 years. Incredible. It required a lot of leg work to set up and a lot of luck to pull off. I just felt really proud of all of us for making it happen. Once in a lifetime.

However, it was the 4th of July, which meant I had to do something cool. Hirsh and I decided to go to Camps Bay for the afternoon.

Everything in Camps Bay is beautiful.

At first it was just Hirsh and me playing frisbee.

The tableau of the mountains with the sea is pretty epic.

Hirsh's frat bros showed up to join us.

We met some young Argentines and played Soccer.

They were pretty devastated by the loss to Germany.

Cary and two of her friends joined us.
As did Nick.

John and John, newcomers, had an awesome USA jersey and a world cup 94 Jacket.

The roommates.

I wanted a picture with Hirsh almost as gay as the one I have with Doug Desroches in Greece.

An adorable kid showed up and wanted to play frisbee.

Then some older Argentines wanted to play us in soccer.
I swear I was being nice to this kid- this picture is hilarious though.
Sunset beach soccer. USA v Argentina. July 4th. Cape Town, South Africa.


It had been a while since I had run around.
One of the Argentines swapped his Carlos Tevez jersey for John's USA one. It was AWESOME.
The Argentines were out for blood

The game ended 3-2 Argentina. Respectable.

Cary had arranged a dinner for us at the Gold Museum. A 15 course African meal from all of the countries that were in the world cup. There were drummers and dancers and puppets for an 'authentic entertainment' experience. It was good but I don't think decadent 15 course meals are the standard African experience.

So my July 4th was not lakes and fireworks, but it was a pretty unique and special day. God Bless America.