It occurred to me as I was sitting in Eastwoods, the Yankee bar in Pretoria, surveying the scene, I have two things in common with these people: our country of origin, and soccer. Weird.
From time to time I'll happen upon an exclusive FIFA hotel in Johannesburg. It is always interesting to see, like observing the aristocracy. Honestly, the people with FIFA badges haven't a clue of what life is like in Jo'burg or South Africa. They are all staying in the best hotels, dining in the finest restaurants, chauffeured around in big Mercs or deluxe buses past or around the poverty of the shanty towns or the wealthy suburban fortresses. They are escorted into and out of the stadiums, completely catered to during the match. Then they fly home, back to their countries, congratulate themselves on a fine World Cup without ever seeing anything. FIFA is really completely out of touch.
It could be my own post-match exhaustion, but I feel a quiet descending over Jo'burg and the World Cup, as places in the Round of 16 are secured and the teams that didn't progress, and the fans that followed them here, pack their bags and go home.
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