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Cape Town penalty kick

I am by no means a soccer player but this was by far the coolest moment of my World Cup experience thus far

One ball, all shapes and sizes.....

I apologize for the delay in writing a blog as I have had a hard time getting the co mbination of inernet access and time off. I am writing this blog as Netherlands and Cameroon play about 30 feet away.....good stuff.

The last week has been very eventful both wih World Cup games but also traveling to different areas to see soccer games of all shapes and sizes. I met a volunteer, Brian Gamba, who does a lot work within the Cape Town area with local schools and teams and once he found out what we were doing he wanted to show me around. So Saturday my roomate Philip and I, along with Brian, went to a local game between some schools. It was great to see the kids getting along playing soccer. After that we went to a tournament they were having not far from us so we stopped by. I got to talk to the kids a bit about soccer and what its doing for them and that was really good to see that.

This weekend we are going into one of the worst townships in Cape Town to see some kids and some of the fields and equipment they are playing with and hopefully be able to help them out or set something up for them.

One a World Cup note things are really starting to take off! Im still trying to catch my breathe after Landon's 91st minute goal! Still cant believe what happened. A fellow volunteer and I met up with Ethan Zohn and his Grassroots Soccer crew to a restaurant to watch the game. Everyone was depressed until the Miracle on Grass. Unbelieavable! I really like our chances in the rest of the tournament and hopefully the US can get to the semi final because they would be playing in Cape Town!

I must leave for now and get back to work at the game but hopefully this gives everyone an idea of what I have been doing a bit. You can also follow on Twitter @Kicks4kenya for more frequent up to date posts. Thanks everyone and talk soon!

K4K out

Football Fever

World Cup 2010 is officially underway and the country is going crazy! We had our first match at Cape Town on Friday night between France and Urugay. The atmosphere at the start of the game was beyond words. Closest thing I have ever experienced close to it was 2005 Capital One Bowl, and all Iowa fans will know why. It was absolutely incredible. Unfortunately the game itself was a bit of a dud as they drew to a 0-0 tie.

Every game the sponsors: Visa, Kia, Sony, and Adidas all bought tickets for underprivileged youth in Cape Town so they can take in the World Cup. Myself and my friend Marlena from Canda were put in charge of taking care of these kids. We brought them into the stadium, showed them their seats, and took care of them in general. It was an awesome experience. I wish pictures could show the look in these kids eyes as they saw the field and were in total awe. It was a good feeling knowing I was helping these kids enjoy this experience of a lifetime. The kids will never ever forget this and that was special. I will be doing this for each of the next 7 games at Cape Town and am very much looking forward to it.

Last night I went to the Cape Town waterfront to a watch party hosted by FIFA sponsor MTN. It was awesome to see the support of USA and England. Everyone had their colors on and a few people even dressed up as medieval knights....it was a good time. I would have liked to get a win out of the deal but consider how we scored our goal I will without a doubt take a tie. USA needs to figure out some offense though for their next match on the 18th and get 3 points. Another tie will not be sufficient and a loss will without a doubt knock us out of contention for the round of 16.

The rest of the games are pretty boring for the most part. Everyone is so afraid of losing their opening match that they are all quite dull. Hopefully things pick up tonight as Germany takes on Australia!

It has been so cool getting to know volunteers from all over the world. You learn so much getting together and talking to everyone because there are literally people from every part of the world. I have met some amazing people and already know I will mis them a ton when its time for us all to leave. I have made friends for life that is for sure.

Here are some pictures of the stadium, from the France vs. Uruguay game, and the USA watch party! Hope all is well with everyone!

Riding the FIFA roller coaster

So this blog has been a few days in the works but I am just now getting to a computer. When I first applied for a job with FIFA I went for a hospitality position or administration. When I interviewed at the Washington DC embassy I was told I would be doing VIP hospitality. When I landed in Cape Town and came to the stadium I was told I had been moved to logistics. I also found out I was not the only one. I met 4 other volunteers that were promised positions and then moved to positions that had nothing to do with what they applied for, like logistics. Sunday I worked int he logistics department and was placed at a bomb checkpoint outside the stadium for 7 hours, not exactely what I signed up for. I talked to Virginia the volunteer coordinator and she very graciously understand the situation and had me moved immediately to her assistant. Needless to say at the time I was very frustrated.......

Fast forward to today, my first day as a volunteer manager. After seeing the total disorganization of the "organizing committee", and their total inability to pass forward important information to volunteers I decided to start a blog as an information post for all volunteers. I passed the idea on to the volunteer coordinator and she loved it. So now my job is to update the blog and I can basically go anywhere in the stadium I want. I went onto the pitch, in the locker rooms, laid on the bench, visited the VIP boxes (all pictures coming).

It is amazing the difference a couple days make where I go from upset and disappointed on day 1 and now I have a better job then before. Im very thankful.

The city of Cape Town has reached an absolute frenzy in the days leading up to the World Cup. Everyone is flying their flags and blowing there vuzuelas (sp?) I cant wait to get things underway, it truly will be an incredible experience.

I have met a ton of awesome volunteers from all over the world. We had a get together the other night and we had representatives from 6 continents and 23 countries. Quite the mixed bag of backrounds and personalities but it was so much fun. Everyone is getting along great and is always more then happy to help the others out. Its nice to have people fun to hang out with and enjoy the experience with. I will also get alot more tagged pictures on Facebook as well!

It has been a few days since my last blog becuase my laptop was not working but now things seem to be working fine so Im back up and running. Hope all is well with everyone and you are excited for the 2010 World Cup!

African life....

Well I had an awesome post about my day yesterday but I grabbed the wrong wire to upload pictures so that will have to wait. Until then I will post some pictures I have taken in an around Cape Town. What a beautiful city....

Had a bit of a relaxing day today. Cleaned my room and got to know the family a bit more. Watched both the USA and South Africa friendlies today. I must say that it is going to be an interesting World Cup to say the least. I feel if the USA can get past England or at least a draw we have a good shot at getting to the round of 16, and then who knows. Call me crazy but I think the US could pull of some magic, crossing fingers. Everyone here is also not feeling to optimistic about South Africa's chances, but I also feel with all the excitement, and support surrounding this World Cup they can put a run together. I'm excited to get things underway!

As far as the controversy with the ball I was surprised at how many misplays there were during South Africa vs. Denmark due to a misjudgment in ball flight. Will be interesting to see how things play out during the actual matches. Adidas PR department might need to install a few more phone lines.....

I start work at the stadium tomorrow and will start to post a lot more once things take off. Remember to follow on twitter: www.twitter.com/Kicks4Kenya as I will be live updating from inside the stadium during all matches!

Thats all I really got for now so keep checking in and give me some updates from wherever your reading from.

K4K Out

World Cup Fever!

As I have now settled into South African life I have gotten very busy getting ready for the 2010 World Cup. I have spent the last couple days at the stadium getting introduced to my co-workers, getting equipment, and just getting acquainted with the stadium.

My FIFA accredidation badge

VIP suite made especially for Mr. Mandela

Suite for the president of FIFA and other big shots

Me at field level

Green Point Stadium

I begin work on June 6th so am just kind of hanging out until then. Im going to back to the stadium tomorrow to just look around some more so I'll try to get some better pictures. Also planning on working with my first school early next week to deliver soccer balls. This country is absolutely World Cup crazy right now.....its beautiful to see and great to be here!

Hope all is well wherever you are reading this from!

K4K Out