Day 4 - Cultural Day

Marcel Wrote:

On Thursday we had a break from our games and all the teams got to go to Mandela house, to the stadium were the first World Cup game and the World Cup finals were held. We also got to go to a lion park and see lions, zebras, giraffes, and ostriches. We never got to go into Mandela house but we got see the outside and the tour guide told us things about Mandela and the house. Desmond Tutu's house was on the same street as Mandela's house. The stadium we went to was called the FNB stadium and it was where he first and last game of the 2010 World Cup was held. At the lion park we got to pet and hold baby lions and we got to see adult lions, giraffes, and cheetahs. We rode on the bus with the Jomo Cosmos from South Africa all day we got to become good friends with them also. They taught us some of their songs that they sing before their games.

Region I ODP 1997 Boys Trip Administrator:

 The tournament committee had a full day of events planned for all the teams in the tournament.   Today the boys were joined by an African team, Jomo Cosmos, as they boarded to bus for a day of site seeing.  The first stop of the day was Vilakazi Street, the homes of winners of the Nobel Prize for Peace, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.  The next stop was FNB Stadium where the opening and final games of the 2010 FIFA World Cup were played.  

Below is a description from one of the USA players. 

“The guide later brought the team to the FNB Stadium where they were given the full tour. The stadium was used for many during the world cup and it was a great experience for the team. We were joined by Sunderland, Jomo Cosmos and Royal Wahingdong. We saw the locker rooms where the famous teams such as Spain prepared before the game. We walked through the tunnel onto the field just like a professional team.  As we walked in the stadium we got a sense of excitement We saw the field as if we were about to play. It was a part of the day that the team enjoyed extremely.”

The next stop was the Lion Park.  Again a description from another USA player 

“Yesterday we went to the Lion Park to have a good time and relax on our day off.  Half of us started with the lion cubs and the other half of us went on a safari ride.  Both of them were very enjoyable.  I preferred the lion cubs because you got to interact with them in their culture.  I had a great time and I am pretty sure my teammates did too.   Overall, my teammates and I enjoyed the day and it’s truly a life changing experience.  Plus, being able to do it with my best friends was cool.  We will never forget this and always will be thankful for the opportunity.”

Finally, the day ended with a gala dinner at the Lake Hotel an Convention Center.  It was a buffet dinner with all the teams.  The entertainment for the night was the teams.  Each team had to perform. Region I had a great performance, they danced.  After all the food, desserts and dancing the USA team was challenged to a dance off with Sunderland,  Coach Todd was there coaching the boys and obviously the US won.  The boys were able to relate with other teams and had a great time.