Feel it, it is here!

If you live in South Africa, you will know that there is this insane tournament about to hit us. I say you will know, because, quite frankly, if you don't know about it, then you clearly have not been living in SA for the last two years. I remember coming out of the Cape Town International Airport and seeing a sign saying "756 days to go." It was then that I wondered what on earth could be so important about soccer, or football as some may call it, that we are counting down the days more than 2 years before the World Cup begins. Little did I know how much this World Cup would influence our lives. 

The first signs of change came from the new roads and transport features in Cape Town. We now have our very own public transport bus system running along certain routes in and out of the city - the Bus Rapid Transport system. I have yet to experience the trip but I have heard it is top notch. We also now have updated roads with interchanges and pedestrian bridges where before we were struggling with outdated and under-maintenanced ones. 

Next came the headlines: every newspaper, every day, there was some or other headline about the World Cup. Every story could be related to the tournament, and one sometimes had to wonder how they could make the connections they did. The recent volcanic disaster in Iceland was a shocker for the world cup organisers: Would the people still come to SA? Would they stay away for fear of now being able to go back to their home countries? Then came every act of violence, which is often in SA, and the fear that tourists would not be safe. In actual fact, there was even rumours of an earthquake due to happen in Cape Town, on one of the days that England is playing that was scaring tourists off, even though there has not been an earthquake in Cape Town centre since any one can remember, or ever. Talk about paranoia. 

The SA companies have been trying their best to keep up,... there are competitions, and promotions, and specials, all to do with the up-and-coming tournament. No one wants to miss out on the hype to welcome to the world to our country.

The latest and most significant trend, I think, is the SA flags covering every cars' side mirrors, and the multitude of flags flying from the cars' windows. Some people are brave enough to fly other flags, like Greece, Spain and Portugal. I have to wonder what the tourists will think when they arrive and find such patriotism driving around the country. I, myself, have to feel quite proud when I see our country uniting together and flying the flag.

I haven't been too involved in the competition and although I never thought I would write a post about it, or a status, or a tweet, somehow the hype has sucked me in. So, joining in I have to say... 

Are you ready? Feel it, it is here! Catch me at the "Welcome the World" festival in Cape Town on Thursday, I'll be there supporting the cause.