So that time that I went to the World Cup Semi-Final...

I pledged that after the 4th I would spend a week only drinking water and resting. After travelling that hard and keeping up with the cup, my body was giving in.

All was going according to plan. I went to work, came back and did some reading and journaling, and was headed to bed when I got a text message.

It was from Bob. He said 'I have two tickets to the semi-final, our treat' and an invitation to lunch for the next day. Though I had been to 7 matches, I was still so excited I could barely sleep.

I convinced Cary to join me for lunch, which was a good idea since my new year's resolution was to avoid the 3-2 dynamic (when there 5 people split 3-2 genderwise). We ate with Dan, Toni, Amber, and Bob at a really nice sushi place down on the Waterfront, because of course we did.

I had also arranged to get my hair cut that day. The shag isn't quite as endearing in the law student world, and it doesnt look as good without the chlorine infusion that bleached and fried it when I was in high school. Its short haircuts from here on out. The place close by that did white dude hair was called 'boygirl hair.' A guy cut my hair and it took 1 hour, 40 minutes. I was laughing the whole time at how ludicrous it was. He was also insistent on that douchey haircut that almost every South African guy has where you fauhawk your hair with gel (sorry Parker). I couldn't fight him too much on it and talk about how it makes people look really dumb, since he had that haircut himself.

I went back and washed all that gel out of my hair and put on an Orange Longhorns hat a camper had left in the lost and found after camp one year. (Ben Heil, if you are reading this, I have adversely possessed your hat. Deal with it) and my HLS Texas Club shirt. Burnt Orange is orange enough for the Dutch.

The fan walk- 2 miles from the Stadium

David wanted wo wear my Chuck Davies jersey.

Look at the guy's cool orange suit.

Fan walk

In front of the Stadium

From Bob's hotel patio

There is a mountain at my back and the ocean just on the other side of the stadium.

Dan and Bob are jaded, but Amber wanted to go to the game early.

I want to know the story behind this jersey.

Van Brockhurst scored an absolutely awesome goal.

The flag on the right is the UN flag. I have never noticed it before, but have no idea why it is there. FIFA is WAY more important than the UN.

The dutch crushed Uruguay. It was a very vindictive crowd.

There was a fight in the stands.

The Dutch started celebrating about 10 minutes before the game ended.

The Uruguayans scored one in the 88th minute or so- making it 3-2.

Quarterfinals

After the ENS experience, David and I changed clothes and we all went down to the Fan Fest. Since it was the Dutch and co-favorites Brazil playing, the fan fest was packed. We were all rooting for the Dutch, but by the time we had a spot, the Brazilians were up. Luckily, in an epic comeback, the Dutch triumphed.

Everyone came to play

Sneijder said hello after equalizing.

It was a great environment.

David towers over people.

The Dutch were going CRAZY.

We grabbed a bunch of chicken and went to Nick, Dave, and Michael Jubergs, then went to the Waterfront to watch Ghana v. Uruguay.

We were cheering for Ghana, of course, since they were the African darlings. However, I don't think that the handball which sent the game to penalties was 'cheating.' It was merely a professional foul. If you have an intentional handball, it is a red card and a PK. That is what happened. The problem is that the team which advanced to the group stage only with penalty goals was unable to convert the most important one.

The guys

Everyone was Ghanan

It was intense.

Scott was in one of his moods

The Wheel of Excellence. Not kidding, thats the name.

Right after the game ended, they played 'Another one bites the Dust,' then 'We Don't Need No Education' then 'This is Africa.' Either best or worst DJ ever.

It was a sad night, but we hit the Long Street nightlife. We actually ended up at a club called Assembly. It was loud with house music and a basic impossibility to interact with anyone. Every time I go to clubs I remember why I don't go to clubs.

Beach and Durban (Day 11- Dutch 2, Slovaks 1)

The great thing about Africa is that most people are pretty low key. The great thing about hostels is that most people are pretty low key. The great thing about beach towns during the off-season is that most people are pretty low key. The best thing about stoner surfer hippies is that most of them are pretty low key. Monkey Bay backpackers was a pretty freakin' low key place. There was an outdoor shower which was the best shower I have ever been in, and possibly the best thing in Africa. They have a relationship with the nearby hotel, so we were able to go get 25 rand breakfast on their terrace overlooking the beach.

From where we had Breakfast. It was the first time we had seen the Indian Ocean.

The hotel we mooched off of.

And the science nerds went looking for tidal pools.

The rocky beach had some serious waves and so some great spots where the waves crashed. It was worth getting soaked.

After chillin at the beach, we headed into Durban for Netherlands v. Slovakia at Moses Mabhida Stadium. It is the chosen stadium.

The entrance walk is special.

You can bungee jump off of the arch.

Andy had a SUPER NEAT money belt. The Dutch honeys were just lining up.

Night view- after the Dutch won.
There were no bad seats...but we were pretty damn close.

These seats will be removed, giving a clear view of the ocean.

After the game we went to a casino across the street fromt he stadium. The food was pretty terrible, but I won 400 Rand on roulette, so that was cool.