29/06: FIFA World Cup Soccer 2010, Fan walk, Cape Town
We had tickets to the game between Cameroon and Netherlands and decided to do the whole world cup public transport, fan walk experience.
We caught the train at the new Century City Station which is really modern, safe and plenty of parking space.
Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the newly revamped Cape Town Station. Beautifully done and well designed.
We picked up the fan mile in St George's Mall along with the other 63089 fans and what fun this walk was. Music blaring from random speakers placed outside cafes, people laughing, eating, drinking, sitting standing walking ALL having the time of their life.
The path was littered with policemen, traffic officers and guys wearing green bibs, just waiting to direct one. At Prestwich Memorial there was magic happening...weirdly dressed people on stilts, trees made of beads, stalls that sell anything from flags to the ubiquious vuvuzela (we had to have one!) We stopped at the Cape Quarter for a bite to eat, but it was extremely busy and we decided to go on and eventually stopped at one of the many, many restaurants , Beefcakes, where the service was excellent and the food mediocre. No matter!
The rest of the way stalls line the streets and because the traffic is blocked off one can walk everywhere and anywhere. The stadium is well sign posted and all gates that lead into the grounds, easily accessible.
Once we were searched by the polite policewoman and directed to our entrance gate, we could go into the stadium. What a sight that was!! We were like kids at Christmas and our mouths hung open. Magnificent!!
We had really good seats and the next three hours flew by, albeit quietly as we had those wonderful inventions called earplugs.
The way out after the game was congested with people but everyone was heading in the same direction and it cleared up quickly. We walked the same way back, which felt a little longer, but were entertained by fire breathers and the like. Some chose to take the new MyCity Bus and they were just going back and forth at a rate!
One hour after we left the stadium, we were at home, making a cup of tea and still reeling with excitement!!
With all the excitement, I forgot to watch the game....
Photo: Hugo Schotman
We caught the train at the new Century City Station which is really modern, safe and plenty of parking space.
Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the newly revamped Cape Town Station. Beautifully done and well designed.
We picked up the fan mile in St George's Mall along with the other 63089 fans and what fun this walk was. Music blaring from random speakers placed outside cafes, people laughing, eating, drinking, sitting standing walking ALL having the time of their life.
The path was littered with policemen, traffic officers and guys wearing green bibs, just waiting to direct one. At Prestwich Memorial there was magic happening...weirdly dressed people on stilts, trees made of beads, stalls that sell anything from flags to the ubiquious vuvuzela (we had to have one!) We stopped at the Cape Quarter for a bite to eat, but it was extremely busy and we decided to go on and eventually stopped at one of the many, many restaurants , Beefcakes, where the service was excellent and the food mediocre. No matter!
The rest of the way stalls line the streets and because the traffic is blocked off one can walk everywhere and anywhere. The stadium is well sign posted and all gates that lead into the grounds, easily accessible.
Once we were searched by the polite policewoman and directed to our entrance gate, we could go into the stadium. What a sight that was!! We were like kids at Christmas and our mouths hung open. Magnificent!!
We had really good seats and the next three hours flew by, albeit quietly as we had those wonderful inventions called earplugs.
The way out after the game was congested with people but everyone was heading in the same direction and it cleared up quickly. We walked the same way back, which felt a little longer, but were entertained by fire breathers and the like. Some chose to take the new MyCity Bus and they were just going back and forth at a rate!
One hour after we left the stadium, we were at home, making a cup of tea and still reeling with excitement!!
With all the excitement, I forgot to watch the game....
Photo: Hugo Schotman
David Mau wrote: