World Cup Wild Ride

Wow! Can't believe that our WORLD CUP TRIP has come to an end. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were making plans and deciding if it was even possible. I don't think there are words for how amazing this trip went and how things seemed to just fall in place for us, but I will try. Our trip started the day we flew out of Accra to Addis Ababa Ethiopia. It was all 5 of our first time flying "business class" and what a time to travel in luxury. (A special thank you goes out to Ray for booking the flights for us.) At every airport we went to we received the business class treatment; moved to the front of the line and our favorite access to the business class lounge where we got to enjoy free food and drinks while we waited to board our plane. Our first flight was just over 6 hours and due to full reclining seats were able to sleep pretty well, especially after our 6 course meal (who knew wine and cheese was it's own course). We knew ahead of time that we had a 17 hour overnight in Ethiopia and were prepared to try and sleep in the airport. However, once we arrived we found out that we qualified for a free hotel voucher which, due to our business class tickets, got us a room at the Hilton. The following morning, after our complementary Hilton breakfast buffet, we flew out for Jo'burg. We arrived in Johannesburg at around 4 pm and hurried to catch our train to Durban. Beth, Cary and Shelley helped us through possibly the most stressful part of the whole trip; paying for the train tickets. When we got to the platform we were all looking around and started noticing that every person had a huge down blanket. Of course we're coming from Ghana and none of us had more than a zip-up hoodie (and Corey didn't even have that!). Hence, we started to worry a bit. After 15 hours on the train, frozen toes and wearing every article of clothing we brought we made it to Durban. We made a group decision to transfer the return train tickets to the bus (which was only 6 hours, heated and served hot drinks on the way, phew!). When we arrived in Durban our friend Joseph (who's friends with PC volunteers in South Africa) picked us up, took us to get bunny chow (a delicious Indian speciality), and dropped us off at the Durban High School where we stayed for the whole week. There was hot running water and comfy sheets....what more could we ask for! Joseph and his friend Charlie were another unexpected bonus and Moms you will be grateful for them. They would not allow us to go anywhere without them at the wheel. Anywhere we wanted to go they insisted to take us, whether it was to the stadium for our match or to the 6 level shopping mall or picking us up late after watching the match at the local pubs. Not one time did we feel anything but safe. Our first match was Nigeria vs. S. Korea at 8:30 under the lights. The Durban stadium is an amazing stadium to be at at night and we all were just aw-struck and yes, I think I even shed a few tears of joy and excitement just staring out on to the pitch jaw dropped. Nigeria lost but it was a close game. On the days that we weren't at matches we went swimming in the Indian ocean, visited the Zulu villages, saw a 105 year old crock, held a giant python, did some shopping at an outlet mall, and watched the other matches at our favorite pub called Booty (funny, huh?!?!). Our last match had plenty of hype going into the days game, but due to both Brazil and Portugal almost guaranteed to move on, the game lacked the excitement of others. Leading up to the match we were surrounded by singing and chanting Brazilians that made for an amazing environment to witness. Also, it was just cool to speak Portuguese with Brazilians again. This was truly a trip of a life time and after all the special treatment and AMAZING food we are finding it difficult to readjust to the volunteer village lifestyle.