LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

GREETINGS FROM a jubilant and chilly SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...

("ZAKUMI" the official Mascot for the tournament.)

Hello there to all our friends and visitors from across the world!
The buzzing sounds of expectant Vuvuzelas started in the early hours of this morning. Indeed, I think they have been buzzing all night.  Today however, they are louder and far more purposeful.
Why?
Today is the start of the event which we have been waiting for so long:

It is the kickoff to the
FIFA SOCCER WORLD CUP 2010!!!
(OPENING CEREMONY: 2pm SA time!)

and the atmosphere here in South Africa is electric!!!

This is how my hubby went to work this morning...

Last night the atmosphere in our house was also highly spirited...

So was our walk!

The sounds of Vuvuzelas are everywhere and many kids are kicking soccer balls in the streets, in the parks or wherever they find themselves!

I am just so excited, I can hardly put this blogpost together!
Perhaps I should walk the dogs first though!.....we musn't forget them in the excitement!...

KING TOFFEE at his spirited best...

Jubilant TAMMY-GIRL...

"Sit Still Tammy! We want to see what you look like!"

(Check the flags on the house behind her...Go ITALY!)

Last night was the incredible opening concert at Orlando stadium...
Over 30 000 people attended and it was a proud moment to realise that, as a unified country, we are about to pull off the biggest spectacle the world has seen.

Our famous "BISHOP TUTU", a Nobel Peace prize winner and amazing man, was also there to spur on the crowds. He is an icon in South African history!

He paid tribute to the father of our rainbow nation....
MR NELSON MANDELA...

(On a sad note, we ofer our sincere condolences go to the Mandela family with the tragic passing of their great-grand daughter in a car accident yesterday)

---xXx---

Today is the Official opening ceremony to the Soccer World Cup and the nation is waiting!
(Please don't forget to tune in for this BIG SURPRISE to be televised at
14h00 SA time!!!)

After that, the first match of the tournament will feature between...

This afternoon, I will be going along with my family to join up with a group of supporters who are going to watch the two featured games on a BIG SCREEN. Although we don't have tickets to the matches, there are supporters venues all across our city which are alive with anticipation. We are dressed in our supporters outfits and have our Vuvuzelas and soccer balls on hand. 
(Yesterday's visit to Soccer City...see previous blogpost...)

As I promised to you all,and in my attempt to celebrate:

"UNITY IN DIVERSITY"

 I am going to try and recognise each country involved in this great event. At our function this afternoon, the 'braai's'(Barbeques) will be ready and we will be able to purchase some typical South African 'quick meal' cuisine.   I know there will be "Boerewors rolls" for sale, so here is the recipe:

....Boerewors Rolls:...

(If you are unable to read it, don't despair!...all you need is a fire which converts into hot coals. "Boerewors" (Sausage) is grilled over the coals and then encased in bread rolls.  Various sauces are available too. )

 So get your fires going and grill those sausages in support of

SOUTH AFRICA!!!

GO BAFANA BAFANA!

After that, you may want to enjoy some

SOUTH AFRICAN AMARULA MILK TARTLETS:

If you are a Mexican supporter, then perhaps you may want to enjoy
 a traditional Mexican recipe:

"CORN ON THE COB"

Or Mexican Chocolate brownies and Tequila sauce...

(It looks delicious! Good luck MEXICO!)

Our flags are flying and the supporters are congregating at various venues. The noise of jubilation carries across our city and tells a tale of comeradie and celebration.

The opening game kicks off at Soccer City, here in Johannesburg at 15h00 local time:
(after the OPENING CEREMONY at 14h00)

Later in the evening there is also another very important match.

URUGUAY vs FRANCE!!!

This will be screened at 19h30 (SA time) today.

This time it is at the beautiful stadium in Cape Town:

I can't imagine anything more enticing than being part of this amazing experience - in a stadium below the slopes of Table Mountain.  Perhaps the sunset will look like this...

The game will be between

Uruguay

and France

I believe this is a recipe for...

 URUGUAY:

...and one for FRANCE:...

(Recipes courtesy of our local Supermarket chain, PICK AND PAY as well as THE STAR NEWSPAPER)

---xXx---

As part of our

 "UNITY IN DIVERSITY"

initiative, two of our blogging friends have put up special posts today in support of today's playing teams...I invite you to visit them!...

---xXx---

FRANCE!!!

Please go and visit:
ANGUS AND WILF

to see their special post includes...

"One of Madame Bay's special recipes"

---xXx---

SOUTH AFRICA!!!

Please go and visit:

SUGAR THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER

for their post on

"Why is Football called Soccer in America"

---xXx---

Over the next few weeks, other bloggers will also be putting up special posts for countries playing in the Soccer World Cup.  If you want to participate in this initiative, please read all about it

HERE

---xXx---

THE MATCHES WHICH WILL BE PLAYED TOMORROW

(And featured on World Wide television) :

12 JUNE 2010 are:

 ARGENTINA vs NIGERIA (14h00)

ENGLAND vs USA (20h30)

KOREA vs GREECE (13h30)

Bloggers featuring countries tomorrow are:

BOUNCING BERTIE (England)

GEORGE THE LAD (England)

(Where are bloggers for other countries?)

(Thank you to all the bloggers participating! If you want to participate, please email me at

lescaryl@mweb.co.za)

---xXx---

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE TEAMS!
MAY YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC GAME!

and to our visitors and supporters

ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY!

WE WELCOME YOU!!!

One final note:

Obviously with this world wide spectacle in our country, I personally cannot guarantee my internet connection.  I will do my best to post daily, but I rely on your understanding if, for some reason, this is disrupted.  But for the moment...

WE CELEBRATE OUR DIVERSITY!

Sending lotsaluv to all my friends...and now "I" am off to celebrate and join in with the fanfare!!

See ya!