GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!
MAXMOM here...
Hello there everyone!
It is a beautiful Autumn day here in
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA
(Do you like my header?)
The sun has finally emerged after about 5 days of rain.
There is nothing like the sun to lift one's spirits!
SOCCER WORLD CUP FEVER prevails in our city!
There is a mood of joviality in the shops and on the streets.
Many cars (including mine) are sporting SOUTH AFRICAN flags attached to their side windows. Our radios and TV stations are all abuzz with the latest news of the build up to the games.
There are only 42 days to go before the kick-off!!
We are more than ready to receive our guests!
These are the participating countries...
On Saturday we took a trip past the city centre of Johannesburg, only to discover that some of the buildings are decked out in large advertisements for the event...
Street sellers are armed with their wares on almost every intersection...
Even our local ice-rink is adorned with flags of welcome...
Our newspapers are also filled with Soccer World Cup stories...
Today has also seen the launch of the official Soccer World Cup 2010 theme song:
(by Shakira)
...and I am singing along...(oh well, nearly!)
There is big debate at the moment about whether our public like it or not.
I must say..the more I hear it, the more I like it!
GO AND TAKE A LISTEN:
...and tell me what you think about it.
Catchy or not?
Besides the building excitement of the anticipated event, life continues relatively normally in our own household.
For my readers who have come from Maxdog's blog, here is a picture for you...
So...are you going to get into the Soccer World cup spirit?...
Which country will you be supporting?
Have a festive day and let the spirit rise!
With love
With love
13 comments:
My loyalty is with South Africa's team....WAKA, WAKA!
Thank you for the picture of Max and Tammy.
Hugs to you C,
Kit
Love the new header photo, and that is quite a catchy tune,
Thanks for Max & Tammy's photo they are beautiful as always.
Sheila & Bob
We're not terribly into soccer -- baseball is what gets our adrenalin flowing -- but we can identify with what's going on in anticipation of the World Cup as we've experienced the Super Bowl (football) in our community. And it is bigger than big - non-stop commentary, advertising, promotions, etc. But we think because of the rarity of holding the event in your country, it must be bigger than big on steroids!!!
Enjoy the moment!! (We're going yo listen to Waka Waks right now.)
Joan (and the Barkies)
Not long now! Wehope the actual tournament turns out to be a real classic!
We are supporting New Zealand as it is the first time our country has been in the competition since 1982.
Media coverage here is increasing as the players for our team are going to be named soon. The cup was briefly in NZ this week (as part of a 84 country wolrd tour), and I learnt that it is 6.2kg of solid 18 carat gold, and that while the winners name is engraved on the cup the winners get a gold plated replica instead. It looked an amazing trophy to compete for.
What does the word Waka mean in South Africa? Here Waka is the Maori word for a long canoe, traditionally carved out of tree, that carries a group of people. I listened to the song, but it seems strange to sing about a boat!
I'm not sure who we're rooting for yet. I've got several students who are big soccer fans and will probably keep me informed on the subject!
I like the song!
On your new header, are those chestnut pods? If not, what are they?
Your header is beautiful, and the song is kind of catchy. I have a little bit of a crush on Iker Casillas, so I will be cheering for Spain... :-)
Hugs!
I really liked the song. It's quick and happy and makes you want to dance! The video was great, too!
Who will I cheer for? Uhm, the US, of course, but I don't think we'll have a snowball's chance in Africa!
Hey there everyone!
Just some answers/responses to your comments:
LIFE OF RILEY:
Thanks for those interesting snippets of the world cup! Regarding "WAKA"...well, I am not sure of the meaning myself. I did a google search which also reveals some seemingly inapplicable meanings including the 'pac-man sound'. So I am no clearer than you! Indeed there is a lot of discussion here about the meanings of all the other languages - we suspect that the meanings will be revealed closer to the time!
SCOUT & FREYJA:
Those are the pods of the 'Pin Oak' tree here in South Africa. There are so many of these trees lining our roads and once crushed (by cars) the birds love what is inside them...small seeds.
KATHLEEN:
I'll have to gloat too :) !
SCOUT & FREYJA
Perhaps we have less chance than you! :)
Take care dear friends and thanks for following me.
Luv
MAXMOM
Good luck South Africa; I wish you guys well in the Soccer World Cup tournament...Thanks for the Max and Tammy photo; they are looking adorable as usual!...Your new header is beautiful.
LOVE the song! Beautiful.
GO AFRICA!!!!
We love your header and we love your beautiful blog.
We love WAKA WAKA too- we like the feeling of needing to dance and be happy.
We will vote for your team- how's that!!
And of course we love the photo of Max and Tammy
love
tweedles
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