Yesterday I was given the opportunity to take a day off from work in Pretoria and head to Jo'burg to do a little sight seeing. We headed for Soweto, which stands for South West Township, for the day to check out a couple of key events in the history of South Africa and the history of the World. We walked the streets where youth in 1976 decided to protest discrimination and inequality. While the requirement of Afrikaans in the school system ignited the protest, that was by no means the full reason. And as what was meant to be a peaceful march through Soweto turned violent and ugly, it became so much more.
We saw the street and house where two of the most influential people in south Africa, at one time lived, in Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. To think that both of those individuals had walked those same streets before me so many years ago was very humbling.
And I tried to take in as much information as I could as I walked through room after room in the Apartheid Museum in Jo'burg, which at times was hard to fathom the evils of men and women, but a much needed reminder that we as a people have a long way to go if we are truly trying to love others the same way God does.
After a day of spending so much time in areas where such despair and at the same time such hope lies, it takes a lot out of you. It forces you to reflect on the person you are and the person you want to be. It forces you to question if you were in the shoes of those individuals would you be able to lead they way they did with their lives. I sat in a cell for a couple of minutes in the museum and tried to see if I was strong enough to go through the things that people have, all for what they believe. I tried to figure out if I would be willing to give my life for a cause like that. And as I sit here now its still a thought that keeps running through my head. I wish that if it were me I would have acted the same way. And I hope that when the time comes, when what I believe in full hearted, is attacked and persecuted that I too will be willing to give everything I have.
God Bless.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Next Time
Ok so I know some of you might be waiting for me to write some type of blog about South Africa without soccer mentioned, or a bafana bafana match. And I want you to know that its coming.... very soon, just not today.
I was lucky enough to attend the US v Slovenia match yesteday in Jo'burg and it was everything I imagined. The atmosphere outside the stadium was incredible. It didn't matter who you were, if you were wearing/supporting the red, white, and blue of the USA then you were one. We got to Jo'burg early to catch the whole experience and it was well worth it. We met a couple Sounders guys from the states before the game they gracefully bought us a round. Go Sounders!
It was also comforting to know that I wasn't alone in my depression when at half the US was down 2-0, and equally comforting was the ability to celebrate wildly with all the other Americans in the stadium when we made our comback! And again there was some comfort, even though it was still hard to think about, riding back on the train talking about how bad the ref's call was that would have allowed the game winning goal.
But I think thats why I'm in love with this sport so much. No matter the ups or the downs your not cheering on your team alone. Its a group effort and even though the low parts suck, when those goals strike the back of the net and you lose all inhibitions with thousands of others, those victories are so sweet! Its alot like life. Your gonna have ups and downs but the trials are what make the victories so glorious. And without those trials the victories aren't nearly as great. Without that first half yesterday, the second half wouldn't have felt the way it did. And without the blown call by the ref, wednesday's victory wont be nearly as cool as it's going to be!
Cheers!
I was lucky enough to attend the US v Slovenia match yesteday in Jo'burg and it was everything I imagined. The atmosphere outside the stadium was incredible. It didn't matter who you were, if you were wearing/supporting the red, white, and blue of the USA then you were one. We got to Jo'burg early to catch the whole experience and it was well worth it. We met a couple Sounders guys from the states before the game they gracefully bought us a round. Go Sounders!
It was also comforting to know that I wasn't alone in my depression when at half the US was down 2-0, and equally comforting was the ability to celebrate wildly with all the other Americans in the stadium when we made our comback! And again there was some comfort, even though it was still hard to think about, riding back on the train talking about how bad the ref's call was that would have allowed the game winning goal.
But I think thats why I'm in love with this sport so much. No matter the ups or the downs your not cheering on your team alone. Its a group effort and even though the low parts suck, when those goals strike the back of the net and you lose all inhibitions with thousands of others, those victories are so sweet! Its alot like life. Your gonna have ups and downs but the trials are what make the victories so glorious. And without those trials the victories aren't nearly as great. Without that first half yesterday, the second half wouldn't have felt the way it did. And without the blown call by the ref, wednesday's victory wont be nearly as cool as it's going to be!
Cheers!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Stiff competition
I just wanted to pass along some very important information. Since I'm horrible at posting pictures and other visual aids I wanted to pass along a very close friends blogsite, where they have assured me they have some good pictures of yours truly and a lot of TLF staff. This will give you a better visual of whats going on over here. And even though I feel like I'm competing with Pat and Theresa for the most blog hits in a single day, I think that this is worth me losing the competition. However I do ask that you only sign on to their site only a couple times, and if you want to show the pictures latter then just leave the window open so they don't have multiple hits from the same person. Do however feel free, in your spare time, to keep coming back to my blog several times a day.
here is there blog. pandthillis.wordpress.com
Remember followers that we are a team with this blog and were all taking a magical journey together. So a win for stepheninsa.blogspot.com over pat and theresa's blog is a win for all of mankind. Cheers!
here is there blog. pandthillis.wordpress.com
Remember followers that we are a team with this blog and were all taking a magical journey together. So a win for stepheninsa.blogspot.com over pat and theresa's blog is a win for all of mankind. Cheers!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Bafana Bafana!
I feel like this is one of those blogs that no matter what I write or how vivid my descriptions are I just cant give last nights futbol match enough justice.
The basic set up is this, right in the middle of this park that TLF has taken over for the World Cup, is this kiosk that sells food and drinks that's ran by TLF. Its two stories and provides the perfect vantage point to see the whole park pretty much. This is where my view of the Bafana Bafana game took place.
My day was started at 4 o'clock in the morning to the sound after many vuvuzelas right out my window and it only continued for the next 24 hours. With several hours before kickoff the park was packed with South Africans all decked out in their yellow and green. All over the park there were large groups of people marching/dancing together singing different songs and chants in adoration of the Bafana Bafana. As the match kicked off you couldn't help but get chills looking around. It was decided among the people all over South African and probably the world, except Mexico, that there was no way Bafana Bafana could lose. For surely even God wanting them to win!
The first half was extremely joyous, just being able to hear over 10,000 South Africans sing their national anthem with pride was an amazing sight. When that first goal struck the back of the net, I tell you there was no sight like that. The vuvuzelas all came together in one thunderous roar! And from that point on it was chaos. The noise, the jubilation, the feeling that at that one moment that South Africa was the most powerful nation in the world, it was incredible. If I close my eyes I can still see the celebrations going on and the noise comes rushing back to my ears. As a man that has see many amazing sights in my short life, this I can confidently say was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen or experienced. To see the pride on everyday people for their country and their boys was so cool. I truly believe that at that moment no South African had a care in the world. And for everyone that says futbol is just a game, I respectfully disagree cause its much much more than that. There's no way that you could have told someone last night at that park that it was just a game, because to them, that futbol match, it was everything. And nothing can bring a country together like the Beautiful Game, nothing!
So once again we raise a pint to the Bafana Bafana and hope that the US boys can bring America together tonite just like Bafana Bafana has already done.
Cheers!
The basic set up is this, right in the middle of this park that TLF has taken over for the World Cup, is this kiosk that sells food and drinks that's ran by TLF. Its two stories and provides the perfect vantage point to see the whole park pretty much. This is where my view of the Bafana Bafana game took place.
My day was started at 4 o'clock in the morning to the sound after many vuvuzelas right out my window and it only continued for the next 24 hours. With several hours before kickoff the park was packed with South Africans all decked out in their yellow and green. All over the park there were large groups of people marching/dancing together singing different songs and chants in adoration of the Bafana Bafana. As the match kicked off you couldn't help but get chills looking around. It was decided among the people all over South African and probably the world, except Mexico, that there was no way Bafana Bafana could lose. For surely even God wanting them to win!
The first half was extremely joyous, just being able to hear over 10,000 South Africans sing their national anthem with pride was an amazing sight. When that first goal struck the back of the net, I tell you there was no sight like that. The vuvuzelas all came together in one thunderous roar! And from that point on it was chaos. The noise, the jubilation, the feeling that at that one moment that South Africa was the most powerful nation in the world, it was incredible. If I close my eyes I can still see the celebrations going on and the noise comes rushing back to my ears. As a man that has see many amazing sights in my short life, this I can confidently say was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen or experienced. To see the pride on everyday people for their country and their boys was so cool. I truly believe that at that moment no South African had a care in the world. And for everyone that says futbol is just a game, I respectfully disagree cause its much much more than that. There's no way that you could have told someone last night at that park that it was just a game, because to them, that futbol match, it was everything. And nothing can bring a country together like the Beautiful Game, nothing!
So once again we raise a pint to the Bafana Bafana and hope that the US boys can bring America together tonite just like Bafana Bafana has already done.
Cheers!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
1 Last Day
With only one more day till the World Lights get turned on South Africa I thought it would be appropriate for me to write a blog, that and the masses have voiced their opinion and want to hear more from me. It must have been my last blog that has created my followers to nearly double since the first update, and for that I'm extremely grateful. I now feel the pressure to write even more because I hate to disappoint.
So with that said I want to let you all know that I have nothing to write. But give me a second and I will think of something....... things here are getting pretty busy with the World Cup starting tomorrow and the Better World Village kicking off today! You can really start to feel the excitement for tomorrows Bafana Bafana match. Yesterday there was a large spur of the moment parade from people on the street just blowing their vuvuzelas. It's pretty cool to see the excitement from the local people supporting their national team, even though they don't have much of a chance to make a run in the tournament. And even though the vuvuzelas make you want to go crazy, the excitement behind it all is pretty contagious. I can only imagine what it will be like if SA actually wins the first match.
Well I hope to have some good stories or thoughts to write about in the near future but until then we raise a pint to Bafana Bafana and of course the good ol' Yanks!
Cheers!
So with that said I want to let you all know that I have nothing to write. But give me a second and I will think of something....... things here are getting pretty busy with the World Cup starting tomorrow and the Better World Village kicking off today! You can really start to feel the excitement for tomorrows Bafana Bafana match. Yesterday there was a large spur of the moment parade from people on the street just blowing their vuvuzelas. It's pretty cool to see the excitement from the local people supporting their national team, even though they don't have much of a chance to make a run in the tournament. And even though the vuvuzelas make you want to go crazy, the excitement behind it all is pretty contagious. I can only imagine what it will be like if SA actually wins the first match.
Well I hope to have some good stories or thoughts to write about in the near future but until then we raise a pint to Bafana Bafana and of course the good ol' Yanks!
Cheers!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Arrival
For all of my 6 followers, I just wanted to let you know that I arrived safely Saturday morning in Jo'burg and came out of customs to a packed airport with mass security and police covering the buildings and staring down at the gate with great anticipation as I made my arrival. I was so humbled by the greeting I recieved, only to find out a couple minutes later that all the hoopla was not for me but some famous musician that came on a different flight, and after feeling like an idiot blowing kisses to all the people, I quitley stood in the center of the arrivals to a near empty room considering the famous man briskly left the airport and with him all the onlookers. Its ok though cause I'm almost positive that a couple of those people were just as excited to see me too even though they didn't cheer nearly as loud for me as they did for him.
On sunday I was able to go watch the Argentina national team practice at a nearby university and it was a pretty sweet atmosphere. The stands were packed and it was cool being able to see some pretty huge stars up so close. I'm always amazed at how so many people can stand for hours yelling someone's name and in return all they want is the smallest wave or nod of the head and they're complete for the rest of the day. Seeing all the support from the Argentina fans really made me want to throw on my US jersey and get some chanting in.
T-minus 4 days till kickoff!!!!!
God Bless
On sunday I was able to go watch the Argentina national team practice at a nearby university and it was a pretty sweet atmosphere. The stands were packed and it was cool being able to see some pretty huge stars up so close. I'm always amazed at how so many people can stand for hours yelling someone's name and in return all they want is the smallest wave or nod of the head and they're complete for the rest of the day. Seeing all the support from the Argentina fans really made me want to throw on my US jersey and get some chanting in.
T-minus 4 days till kickoff!!!!!
God Bless
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Basic Info
So I'm officially one day away from cramming my tall legs into a capsule that's being thrown from Seattle to Johannesburg via London and I thought that now is a great time to give a little basic info of my trip for the one or two people that will actually read this blog. But if being in marketing the last couple of years has taught me anything, then I'm fully aware of the power of word of mouth. So if whoever is reading this will tell 30 of their friends to read it, and then they in return tell 30 more, and so on and so on, then by the time I come back stateside I will have the entire Northwest reading this blog. So please everyone do your part!
For those that don't know I'll be working with the Tshwane Leadership Foundation over in South Africa during the world cup. I could sit here and explain what the organization is about but rather then that I'll just give you the web address to save you some time and mostly save me time. http://www.tlf.org.za/. TLF is creating this event called the Better World Village during the World Cup. To learn about all the amazing things that the Better World Village will cover there's a link in the middle of the TLF page or you can check out http://www.betterworld.org.za/ .
Just to give an idea, it is my hope that this blog wont just be a daily recap of certain events. Whether that will make for a better blog I have no clue but we'll just have to see how it goes. I want it to have more of a genuine feel to it then just a synopsis. Plus I'm going to be revealing some pretty private stuff in later posts (Yeah I just gave a "tease" on my first blog) Feel free to comment on anything and everything and I hope that you have a lot more fun reading this blog than reading other peoples.
Also Thank you soooo much to all those that have committed to praying for me and the people and tourist of South Africa. Also to all of those that gave donations of their time and money to help make this experience possible for me Thank You. I know that this is going to be an amazing event and great things are going to happen through the Better World Village, I'm just humbled that we all can be a part of it.
Also HUGE shout out to Sarah Earp! First follower!!!!!!!!
God Bless!
For those that don't know I'll be working with the Tshwane Leadership Foundation over in South Africa during the world cup. I could sit here and explain what the organization is about but rather then that I'll just give you the web address to save you some time and mostly save me time. http://www.tlf.org.za/. TLF is creating this event called the Better World Village during the World Cup. To learn about all the amazing things that the Better World Village will cover there's a link in the middle of the TLF page or you can check out http://www.betterworld.org.za/ .
Just to give an idea, it is my hope that this blog wont just be a daily recap of certain events. Whether that will make for a better blog I have no clue but we'll just have to see how it goes. I want it to have more of a genuine feel to it then just a synopsis. Plus I'm going to be revealing some pretty private stuff in later posts (Yeah I just gave a "tease" on my first blog) Feel free to comment on anything and everything and I hope that you have a lot more fun reading this blog than reading other peoples.
Also Thank you soooo much to all those that have committed to praying for me and the people and tourist of South Africa. Also to all of those that gave donations of their time and money to help make this experience possible for me Thank You. I know that this is going to be an amazing event and great things are going to happen through the Better World Village, I'm just humbled that we all can be a part of it.
Also HUGE shout out to Sarah Earp! First follower!!!!!!!!
God Bless!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
