Safari.

today was day 7.
it's crazy to think i have been here a week!!
today went like this:

7am bus load.
3 hour drive to our safari destination.
10:30am safari starts.
i will have to upload the COOLEST photos later when i get back to the States.
(these photos i took before my camera died. and the really good ones are on my phone)
but i did take a FEW from my camera that i will post now.
some pics below of such an amazing experience.



when the driver says "if he comes close, stand still, and no sudden movements"
makes for a definite panic attack moment.
it was surreal.
i thought to myself...
"i'm in South Africa, and there's an elephant a few feet from me who's just walking around"
no biggie.



me & Dani (and my cute Safari jacket)



One of the many pretty views.


after our safari we came back, showered, had a nice glass of wine and watched the
Uruguay vs South Africa game in the family lounge.
what a heart breaker for SA.

tomorrow I will be going to the Argentina game so I can watch Messi first hand.


i am starting to think i may never want to leave.

shopping/Mandela center.

today is day 6.

wow, 6 days already? crazy.

we slept in today until 9:45am - can you believe it?

because i can't.

went to grab breakfast (this place has GOOD food) then got ready for a shopping excursion for those who wanted to go.

i got a strawberry milkshake that was to die for! (see below)
Sorry for the extremely large photo - it wouldn't re-size for some reason.

shopped in the craziest mall - which seemed like it was 9 stories and miles long.

needless to say we made it through a small portion of the mall.

i bought an extremely cute jacket for cheap US dollars!

when trying it on i asked the guy who was working,

"if i were walking down the street and you saw me, would you stop me to tell me my jacket was cute?"

he said yes.

so, i couldn't say no to it!

for obviously reasons. ha!

apparently South Africans think i am funny (U.S. friends... it was only a matter of time:))

and i bought a few other things for people that have asked me to grab stuff.

(Jill, if your reading this... the CUTEST WORLD CUP SHIRTS are coming your way soon!!!!)

i need to find an elephant for my brother.

and something amazing for my mom.

and yes, my brother wants an elephant. cool dre. cool. SO easy to find!

ha, jk..........

i will get you something great as well.

after shopping we came back to our hotel and i answered some emails, and checked in with everyone.

headed to the gym, then when i got back to the hotel i decided last minute to go to the
Brazil vs. Korea game.

The atmosphere was crazy!! A few times a got a little nervous for my life (family, not really!!) but we did happen to have AMAZING seats. 10 rows up maybe? crazy.
Our seats are below, amazing right?


although it was the coldest i have EVER been in my life.


it was well worth it!

Got back at midnight and called it a night!!

team visit (yesterday)

yesterday was day 5.

i can't tell you the location OR post pics (until after the WC is over)

for security reasons that is.

so i apologize, but i got REALLY good pictures to share!!!

stay tuned for those....

but i will say we had a good day!!

left for the team hotel at 2pm...

and got to see the players and their families for the rest of the day.

played ping pong, ate, took in the BEAUTIFUL scenery, walked around, chatted, and had a banquet style set up for dinner.

it was delicious.

our table got the wine, obviously.

we may or may not have sneaked a few bottles on the bus. maybe.

(mom, don't judge me - wine is good for you)

we had a great time.

it was definitely good to see everyone!!

and their "hotel" is unbelievable.

and i am SURE for the families it was nice to spend some time with their sons.

we left around 8pm and headed back to our hotel and played Wii bowling & chatted until bed time.

it was a good day.

Regeneration.

Hi Jen's blog family, this is Danielle...

the partner in crime for the African adventure and Jen's first, official guest blogger!!!

(I'm a bit nervous, so please, be kind.)

Last night was the England vs USA game and the energy was AMAZING!

We got back to the hotel around 2:30 AM and we're still buzzing with excitement until 4 AM...a little tired today to say the least!

Day 4.


Today we woke up a bit late (Jen DIDN'T workout......do you hear that...it's the sound of pigs flying.) After a late and great breakfast we were ready to eat again.


Seriously.

We headed out of our nice little hotel (pics below - day 1, I think) and ventured the streets of Melrose Arch. Somehow, someway we found ourselves watching a futbol game and enjoying a nice, big glass of red wine.

(I'm making our hardworking girl enjoy herself, dang it!!!)

After some amazing fries, tasty pizza and lots of laughter we headed back to our hotel. We watched a bit more futbol - it's the world cup...it's kind of the only thing on - and now it's time for SLEEP.


4.5 hours of sleep is good but not enough when the possibility of having to out run a lion looms...shoot, maybe I'll hit the gym with Jen tomorrow...


That's all from me, I know I'm not as good as our girl so thanks for letting me ramble!

(I'm in Africa...please don't judge my hair, face or outfit...Jen's giving me the approval.)


This is me, in Africa (crazy i know) saying Goodnight,

Dani

game day.

Day 3.
game day.
we got in at 2:30am so I am posting yesterday's events today.
and wow, what an incredible day it was.
to say i had goosebumps the entire day would be an understatement.
i literally was beaming with anticipation.

let's start off with the beginning of my day.
got up early (go figure) and went to the gym.
this place seriously is indescribable.


(the most amazing gym I have ever been to - sorry for poor quality photo)

then back to shower & get ready for the best day ever.
the charter buses were leaving at noon from the family/friends hotel
all 7 buses.


(me and Danielle trying not to be TOO excited for the game, didn't work)

we had to drive about 3 hours to get to the Sun Terrace restaurant in Sun City.
WOW, it was a HUGE banquet room, with round tables, and delicious food/dessert for all of us.
all 150 + family & friends of the US team.
it was amazing


(tables inside the banquet room)

we also watched a little of today's game with Argentina (and Messi) on the big screen then departed for the stadium.

everyone was DECKED out in USA gear on the buses.
it was definitely a site to see.

we got police escorts from the hotel, to Sun City, to the game, and back.
we felt like, is this for real?

when we arrived i literally had tears in my eyes.
the people, the fans, the stadium.

it was one of the out of body experiences, like, am i really here?


(England and USA warm ups)

really tried to take in THAT moment.


(stadium field)

the atmosphere was unbelievable. just breathtaking.


(Me, Dani, Kristy at the stadium)

game time started at 8:30pm.
we were dying of excitement.

imagine all the players families, friends, wives, girlfriends...
all sitting in ONE section.
the chants of USA happened the entire game.
i was glued to my seat.
watched every pass by every player....

then England scored.
a few minutes in.
buzz kill.

however, we all knew we would score, somehow.
unfortunately, it was SUCH a mistake by the goalkeeper...

BUT we scored!!!!!!!!!!
we went CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jumping up & down for a good 5 minutes!!

final score: England 1, USA 1.
we will take it.

one of the most unbelievable nights of my life.
hands down, tops any soccer game i have ever been to.

Welcome reception.

I woke up at 4am today.

Apparently my body doesn’t need sleep nor does it exist in different time zones.

Got some work done then headed to the most RIDICULOUS gym I have ever been to.

4 levels of pure perfection.

Since I am training for my marathon still, unfortunately I must run everyday.

But honestly, even people who HATE working out, would love this place.

Cute Café, pool, flat screens, hard wood floors, new equipment, etc.

Not to mention the guy who signed me up for a pass while I am staying in SA was BEAMING with excitement his team was playing.

All he kept saying was “today is the day! Today is the day!”

I laughed every time.

Then it was time for the 4pm opening game in the family lounge.

South Africa vs. Mexico, and did South Africa really hit the post in the 89^th minute? Ya. That really happened. 1-1 final score.

Next was a reception with food/drinks/entertainment.

I was so happy watching the African dancers, we just had to take pictures with them.

Now on to game #2. Watching it now as I update my blog.

So I won't know the final score until tomorrow - because I will have posted this already.

I need sleep tonight, so I am calling it an early night.

Night Night!! (or good morning to you...)

ps. I will have pictures tomorrow :)

GO USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arrived.

Hello blog readers.
This will be my “day 1” blog entry of my journey in South Africa.
I have arrived to Johannesburg safely, and already love it here.

I was so worried/nervous about it….. and where we are staying couldn’t be nicer.
The people are so happy we are here.
I heard someone say today he wished it was almost not as nice, because he never wants to leave.
Our hotel is beautiful. Literally just built. Very modern. Very cutesy.
My trip today was eventful, as usual.

Arrived at LAX at 8:30am for a 10:30am flight to Atlanta.
Was supposed to arrive in Atlanta at 5:30pm, board at 6:30pm, and leave at 7:25pm
for a 17 hour flight to Johannesburg.

Well, why would it go that smoothly? It is me we are talking about.

So after our flight being 1 hour delayed…… I arrived in Atlanta at 6:40pm.
called Delta to see where the gate was (go figure on the opposite side of ATL airport)

Just my luck.

I asked Delta if I was going to make it, and the nice lady told me “you better run”

Oh. Cool.

No way I am missing my flight.

So, I ran...and ran....and ran.

I spotted a man driving a cart, asked him very politely (and very desperately)

“sir, if I pay you can you drive me to the opposite end of the airport so I don’t miss my flight"
I think he saw my desperation in my eyes.
Sure enough it worked.
And I made it while passports were being checked AND had time to buy a funny neck pillow.

Phew.

6 movies, 5 hours of sleep, dinner, free glasses of wine, a party on the back of the plane, and a few very good chats with everyone seated next to me.


(arriving into Jo-berg, beautiful sunset)

I made it!!!!

(Side note – everyone on the plane was there for the World Cup. Everyone had a jersey, t-shirt, hat or some type of gear for their country. It was amazing. The atmosphere is unreal.)


When we arrived to Jo-berg everything and everyone was in World Cup spirit.

Welcome dancers, fog horns, chants, team pride…. You name it they are doing it.

This place is awesome.

not to mention how cool our "welcome packet" with goodies, gear, events, credentials, etc.

The hotel is set up perfectly for us. We have a lounge with free drinks, food, games, televisions, flat screens, projectors, tables, couches, etc.


(my cute room for the next month)

I think I am going to love this month……..


Until tomorrow.