Our local City Council newspaper tells us that for the duration of 2010 Soccer World Cup some roads leading to the city will be closed. And on match days no public parking will be permissible at and around Cape Town stadium.
That means those who have booked hired cars and staying in the city – might have a problem. They are not alone. Those of us who have been living here all these years – also have a problem.
In the meantime the first of 43 custom built buses for the Integrated Rapid Transport (IRT) system have arrived. Mini bus and regular taxis will be subject to the rules and will have difficulty getting about. The only option is going to be the planned public transport or walking. In the picture is the depot for the IRT bus in Green Point. It’s almost ready. I believe up north in Jozi they have already rolled out their IRT.
Yesterday Soccer World Cup tickets became available to locals over the counter. This is Africa. Not everyone has a laptop or access to a PC.
One of our local banks was the vendor and queues miles long quickly formed as fans lined up way before sunrise to buy tickets.
One male fan apparently died while waiting to make a purchase. It’s believed of natural causes.
Those who didn’t get tickets yesterday are back today with cooler boxes and portable chairs hoping to get luckier today.
Each day we tick off is one more day closer to this Soccer World Cup. I overhear people talking all day long about where they will be or asking who is going. The big question is how many visitors will come?
Go to – My Holidays and Trips – at the top of this page to read about other places we have visited. Or just click on – this link.
Today, it’s exactly 60 days to go to the 2010 Soccer World Cup here in Cape Town.
Last night they had another practise game at Cape Town Soccer Stadium. There were so many police and security vehicles about that the area had a blue glow. Even the heavens had helicopters zipping back and forth.
In the picture is where the Noon Gun is fired by the South African Navy every day, except Sundays, at 12 o’clock midday. Long ago they had cannons all around the circumference of Signal Hill. As a ship sailed in and passed a cannon, a signal would be fired. That was how they knew when a ship was coming and how close it was to Table Bay Harbour.
Some people go up to watch the cannon being fired. It’s loud enough here in Green Point so I can only imagine how loud it must be next to the cannon. There is a museum at the V and A Waterfront for enthusiasts who want to know more about our canons and the Noon Gun.
