Day 6 – Monday 14th June [Ita v Par - Live]

Without doubt I have awoken with the single biggest hangover & headache in living memory. Way too many Guiness pints & not enough space between them.
Special mention to Sash for looking after me last night as I was clearly worse for wear – lessons learnt the hard way.
Anyway its a new day & decreed by me as an alcohol free day. We use the opportunity today to catch up with Naama & Yoav for some late lunch in a beautiful restaurant on the Waterfront [221]. Fine dining but ridiculously affordable – food & beverage is so cheap in South Africa. We watch the early game [Japan v Cameroon] on the screen, shit the Japanese are quick & good [still amazed we beat them 3-1 last world cup].
We chat over lunch & the wonderful thing about travel is that it can be a real life history lesson. I learnt quite a bit about Israel’s history & the melting pot that is Israel [whilst mostly Jewish faith – they are from everywhere - & Israel as a country is only 62 years old [crikey].
After lunch we make the slow walk from the Waterfront to the Stadium – it’s our second live game & tonight we watch the powerhouse Italy v Paraguay. We are again at Green Point Stadium [what an amazing arena] – the climate here in Capetown can be harsh & tonight we get the worst of it – rain, hail & freezing wind – we are not well enough clothed & we both suffer incredibly for it – welcome to South African winter.
The game however turns out to be ok. Paraguay score first via a header which brings the game to life & then watching Italy step up is quite a sight. It is easy to see why as a country they are such a powerful football team. Their ball control & efficiency with passing & quick counter attacks is quite special - & watching centre back Fabio Carnavarro strut his stuff is a personal highlight for me – more childlike dreams coming true - by the way can you tell who the italian player is warming up - Gianluigi Buffon.
The game finishes 1-1 after Italy score from a set piece [corner]. They are so dangerous from set pieces. Now it’s time to make our way home. Even their supporters arepowerhouses - take a look at the bloke dressed in the Super Mario suit - the color here is awesome. Two short stops for food & a drink & its

back to the hotel. Before getting to our room we spot Paul & Lee [Pommies from first night & have a couple of “soft drinks” with them]. Seems like we are not the only ones feeling seedy.
Time for sleep as we are off to Durban tomorrow.