Wow, I was so priviledged to get tickets to England vs Algeria last night at the FIFA World CupTM (Yes, I am playing with seeing if I can leap frog off FIFA to get more traffic to my blog!)

England were woeful, but then they pretty much always have been. Congratulations Algeria for adding some serious fizz and energy to the game. Someone had to to it!

What was extraordinary, was the experience from start to finish - parking at the station has been organised with car guards and spotlights, a great train ride into town, an amazing walk down the fan mile, a lekker bratwurst and a curry and wow, the stadium is something to behold.

All the while a massive police presence, then onto the buses, to the trains and back home.

Wow, I am absolutely brimming with pride at what this country has achieved and how many great new ambassodors we have for SA who will tell their amazing stories when they get back home.

Please, the media, come to the party and stop with your (often) nonsense, cheap, lazy reporting , e.g. The Cape Times' headline yesterday: "Bullets fired at stadium," (great attention grabber, well done!) - referring to rubber bullets used against striking stewards (who worried more about their own pocket than realising what they could get from actually being at the FIFA World Cup TM and the incredible value of having that on their CV's!)

Viva South Africa, viva!

You only know what you have when you are away from it or miss it.

Until next time,

Si.