Day 8 – Wednesday 16th June [Spain v Swiss Live]

It’s our first full day in Durban & what a beauty. The weather in Durban is so more outdoorsy. We are really close to the beach so I went for a run this morning along the promenade. Surfers are out catching early waves & it is truly special. If you can imagine a surfers paradise morning in the middle of June – great to not be in Melbourne at the moment.
Today for the first time Sash & I do it a little bit different. He spends the morning sleeping while I take a walk along the promenade taking in all the color & atmosphere of the Fan Fest Walk. Like any couple who are travelling together, we can all benefit from time apart. Check out the movie clip of the guy playing with the ball like he is a seal.
There are street performers everywhere & fans of all nations – especially Spain & Switzerland because they play here tonight – we are going.
Stopped & enjoyed a full cooked breakfast [Sausages, bacon, eggs, toast, tomato, hash brown & chips & coffee for just over $6 – you little ripper], before enjoying more festivities like beach soccer, beach cricket – all organised by the Durban City Council – its wicked & Sash & I have agreed to give it a crack over next few days.
Later Sash joins me & we make our way along the promenade all the way to the stadium. It’s a great walk & we do it with all the Spain & Swiss supporters [I am an adopted Spaniard today with T-shirt 7 face painting to boot]. The stadium from the outside looks awesome – the Dome Stadium. There is a bit of a cue to get in but the wait is worth it. As we get closer to the huge opening you can hear the enormous cheer – it is breathtaking. I am going to say it again, these stadiums are amazing – true football meccas.
We have reasonably good seats tonight [4pm game here – so twilight – looks brilliant as sun is starting to set]. Seats are category 1 but still on the upper level – Sash is furious & is planning to go to FIFA ticketing centre tomorrow – god help them. The game is a sensation. I am watching my football ideals – half of Barcelona & Real Madrid are playing & the Spaniards control the ball like no other. Whilst the Swiss win in an enormous upset 1-0, the Spanish can only blame themselves for mucking around with the ball in front of goal – they had 24 chances & Xavi Alonso’s crack from 35 metres nearly ripped the cross-bar out of the ground.
The Swiss are now in full voice & loving it while the Spanish are wondering which curse has enveloped them as they are the round ball version of the collie-wobbles.
Sash & I finish the day with a night at a Cuban Pub with 100’s of others watching Sth Africa lose 3-0 to Uruguay. The locals are shattered & shitty, but we are fed & full – so another great day. Interesting to observe a pastime here is the smoke pipe – check out the group photo [not us]. No party tonight as I am tired & so in a cab & back to hotel. I go straight to bed while Sash enjoys another beer & bit of internet catch-up. Again like a couple even going to bed at the same time can be over-rated.