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Seriously…I’ve always been torn by similar questions (though I’ll admit I don’t have the moral compass of Andrew to feel too much guilt about my travel expenses) about whether it’d be worthwhile. But then I think of the people I’d meet and the stories I’d have to tell, and like for Bahns, that seems to be worth a lot more in the long-run then a television of even the pain of more credit card debt.

It’s also amusing to think about whether “get off your ignorant ass and go” would be an effective travel promotion for South Africa–I guess it’s sort of analagous to Brian Clough’s approach to managing Leeds in “The Damned United”: your a bunch of cheating bastards, now go play inspired football. Turns out that doesn’t tend to work very well.

So let me instead just (again) reiterate what I actually said in the article:

“I consider myself lucky in that I have been to South Africa before, and know it to be a place of much wonder.”

“The simple reality that millions of people both manage and thrive in South Africa everyday suggests that you will too—in my admittedly brief visits to South Africa the people I interacted with were unfailingly decent, interesting, curious, and welcoming.”

“South Africa, at risk of sounding like a travel agent, is truly a vibrant nation diverse and engaging both for its people and its geography.”

“It will be a spectacular soccer showcase, and I suspect South Africa will be a brilliant host who will open the world’s eyes to the vibrancy of a continent too often associated only with problems.”

Finally, I’d also note that one of the points I was trying to make was that I do think the question of what soccer fandom is worth applies to Germany or any distant soccer expedition. Regardless of history or demographics, I did actually make a similar calculation before the World Cup in Germany 2006–and ended up deciding that I couldn’t afford to go, nor justify the expense. But that was before I started writing for Pitch Invasion (for better and for worse)!

I see that you have other motivations driven by you and your wife’s line of work, but I can’t emphasize how much of an inspiration it is to be involved in an event that really has no equal on the global scale, sporting-wise. I imagine attending the World Cup, especially given the complex South African backdrop you describe above, will provide much food for thought in your line of work.

Going to Germany in 2006 and Austria-Switzerland in 2008 were two of the most amazing trips of my life, soccer-related or otherwise. Luckily the trip in 2006 was partially subsidized by a parents’ college graduation gift, but the couple grand I racked up in credit card bills were all well worth it. The Euros in 2008 was a bit trickier of a proposition for me, as I went for 19 days, but over half of those nights I didn’t pay for lodging. Travelling alone it was much easier to accomplish this, but floors of airports and train stations were my most common resting ground. And there were 4 other (that I can recall) separate instances in which I was lucky enough to have a couch offered up for the night. Being an American travelling solo for the Euros with no team to support allowed me a certain amount of intrigue and respect, I guess.

Anyhow, besides the fact that I saw two of the most exciting and memorable soccer matches I’ve ever witnessed (USA-Italy in 2006 and Turkey-Czech Republic in 2008) these sort of trips become about so much more than just soccer. Not sure if I can grab the right cliche or even think of words to describe it, but if there is another human experience out there that compares to this, I don’t know of it. The congregation of fans alone provides for a cultural spectale not to be missed.

Also, I would be wary if Tom puts any offer on the table to take on correspondence duties; I’m still waiting for the check for covering the Euros on this very site… I kid.

The more tourists who go to SA, the better off the local economy and those who live off it – those who sell arts/crafts, or are working in restaurants and owning businesses. So get off your ignorant ass, and enjoy what will be the best WC ever seen on this planet!

http://american-soccer-news.com/?p=3281