WORLD CUP 2010- A REPORT FROM THE GROUND
We made it, we’re here on the ground and the energy here is more frenetic and exciting than we could have ever imagined. Everything seems to be running smoothly thus far, even the most feverish of fans are keeping themselves in check, the signage is clear, the stadiums are working brilliantly and are outfitted with phenomenal sound systems and screens showing flashy footage (which make for lots of dancing in the aisles), most forms of transport are getting everyone where they need to be on time, and we were even served a can of Coca Cola and a bevy of welcome gifts even before we set foot outside of baggage claim. It’s just gorgeous, and right now, we can’t think of a more beautiful place to be, watching the world’s most beautiful game. However…

We got a gripe. One tiny issue that’s nagging at us like an itch you can’t quite reach is all of these folks that are SO ANTI-VUVUZELA, and we’re taking a stand. If you’ve watched any of the games so far, or if you’ve even if you’re not a fan but have taken a few minutes to read about World Cup, you’ll know that we’re talking about a 3 foot piece of plastic shaped like a horn that’s commonly blown at soccer matches in South Africa, and who knew it could cause such an uproar? Yes, it’s loud. Yes, it makes noise. Yes, it can be slightly irritating especially if your ear’s accidentally right on the receiving end. And yes, we’re getting quite tired of all of the dirty looks that vuvuzela-users everywhere are getting in the stadiums and the streets.… but people, isn’t that what World Cup is all about? The festivity, the embracing of the local host culture, the pure child-like FUN of rooting for your team and celebrating like crazy when they score. Fans are entitled to that, and respectful fans (as we are finding all over the place here) know exactly what direction to hold it in when they want to make some noise. So folks, if you’ve traveled all this way to sit in the stand and immerse yourself in this world’s biggest sporting celebration symbolic of a temporary truce between nations where the planet can gather together and share the same excitement if only for a few weeks, we urge you to immerse yourself in the sound and please, cease the complaints and if you’re feeling really bold, take those earplugs out…