Today, living conditions are good, mind reading is less and less. Read talk about techniques, some say difficult to study, study hard, some people say reading music. Commonplace as the face of the world, reading is not only isolation and rejection, even beyond.
One is a book, is a ever-changing book. Reading people, than read a book written in other languages more difficult. I read in earnest, can not read this yet, "one book." School, extension of time to Kam through our bodies, let us rise from behind a monument of human culture; reading, let the wisdom of thousands of accumulation in the blood of each of us bubbling flowing. Under the stars in the brilliant scholar, won the freedom and poetic spiritual survival. Reading is an inner spirit of the ceremony, does not depend on external performance.
Some people, in the face of deep feeling, when you talk, the language flows expressed as a clear, and sweet river, and in the riverbed below, but the dirty hidden an undercurrent. When you read him, do not hate him. For all to hypocritical mask to deceive other people who were alive after their predecessors are also hard, Nongbu Hao will be penalized the same hypocrisy, you should understand that his way of life, waiting for his return to humanity self-reflection.
Some people, when you sow, he stand by and refuse to sweat, and when harvest time, he has no anxious about all kinds of reasons to share your fruit, and always wanted to be a little more. When you read him, do not resent him, because someone is willing to share your harvest of sweet, With no matter what kind of psychology, the attitude should be welcomed. You make a little sacrifice, but the performance Shing Chuen For a person, slowly, let him learn some self-esteem and self-love.
Some people pay attention to the modification of appearance and dress shows a luxury, but heart was full of empty, full of ignorance and stupidity, the kind of cultural patterns, often unconsciously revealed in his words and deeds. When you read him, do not despise him. Because he did not know how to dress is tailor made, only the currency symbol, and people's knowledge, integrity and temperament, but it is one real value of life. For the vulgar person, you can contrast the behavior yourself.
The dark side of the arts community can use such expressions out the form, this is really a meaningful thing. Reading other people, actually read themselves, read the true, good reading, read the United States. Also read sanctimonious hypocrisy behind, also read the back of the ugly beautiful, smiling behind the cunning read ... ... read people, it is important to understand how the man. Reading people is to do a real person.
Therefore, reading the same time people learn to tolerate, learn generosity, this can read some things that benefit themselves, to read high, it can read the joy, happiness read. Reading is a kind of happiness flowing!
2010年7月24日星期六
2010年7月10日星期六
Please don't wander off
Accidentally see a word, that is right.
Do not run around!
Tired, tired, rest home
Watch a movie, reading a novel, a cup of coffee
Relaxed chat with friends
Gates Orders Tighter Control on Media Access to Military
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is ordering top civilian and military officials in his department to coordinate more closely all contact with the media. This includes a requirement that requests for interviews or access to people or facilities be cleared through the secretary's Public Affairs Office. Officials say the directive has been in the works for months, but it was issued in the wake of the resignation two weeks ago of the U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, Army General Stanley McChrystal, because of critical comments about senior officials he and members of his staff made to a reporter.
The secretary's memorandum expresses concern about what he calls a "lax" approach that often violates or ignores "established rules and procedures." Gates says there are "far too many people talking to the media outside of official channels, sometimes providing information that is incorrect, out of proper context, unauthorized or uninformed..."
To correct the situation, Gates calls for enhanced "internal coordination mechanisms," and specifically requires consultation with his Public Affairs office "prior to interviews or any other means of media and public engagement with possible national or international implications." Officials acknowledge that would include anything about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and many other subjects.
The secretary's memo generated sharp questioning at the Pentagon's news briefing on Tuesday from reporters concerned that access will be restricted and troops will be afraid to talk to them without high-level approval.
Spokesman Colonel David Lapan said the memo mainly reinforces existing policy, and he predicted it will not significantly affect the access reporters have to commanders and troops in the field.
"It will not have a chilling affect," said Colonel Lapan. "It will not be an Iron Curtain. It will not change substantially how people deal with the media."
Lapan says the memo is designed to protect secret information, to ensure that people are fully informed about issues they discuss with reporters and to provide for coordination of what he called major engagements with the media.
The president of the group Military Reporters and Editors, Kelly Kennedy of the Military Times newspapers, says it already is often difficult to get information from the military, particularly in the war zones. And she predicts the Gates memo will make the situation worse.
"You have to kind of explain that you're not the bad guy," said Kelly Kennedy. "So if it's coming down from the top that the media are not necessarily to be trusted, which is what this sound like, then that doesn't help that relationship at all."
Kennedy says she was surprised by the memo, particularly because Secretary Gates said early in his tenure that "the press is not the enemy." She says that in a properly managed department, such central controls should not be necessary.
"You teach your officers how they're supposed to behave with reporters and [you] don't [have to] put [out] the ultimatum on having to go through a controlled center," said Kennedy. "If you're doing it right to begin with, you don't need for there to be a central office that approves all the interviews."
But former defense department official Lawrence Korb, who now is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, says the Gates memo tightening the rules on military contacts with the media is surprising for a different reason.
"I think it was quite reasonable," said Lawrence Korb. "In fact, I wonder why it took him so long to do that because we've had all kinds of abuses. And I think it's very important to get control of that."
Korb says those abuses include past opinion articles and interviews by the new Afghanistan commander Army General David Petraeus that Korb says appeared to be attempts to influence war policy, which should be the purview of the civilian leadership.
Some reporters have expressed concern that the Pentagon public affairs office will block legitimate interview requests because the topics might be sensitive or the information could portray the military in a negative light.
But analyst Lawrence Korb says reporters can hold the department accountable if it abuses its reclaimed authority in that way.
"If, in fact, they turn down the request, then the reporter can let us know about it, and then the onus would be on the secretary to say why," he said.
The Pentagon spokesman, Col. Lapan says the policy is not meant to slow or reduce reporters' access to defense officials and members of the military. But he acknowledges his office might sometimes recommend against granting interview requests or other access reporters routinely need.
"I think this office can certainly advise commanders and others that planned engagements either may not be in the best interest or with the best timing," he said. "So we would certainly think that knowing in advance that knowing about certain major media engagements that we could inform that process."
Lapan says one purpose of the new approach is to ensure that troops talk to reporters about their missions and their operations, not about policy, strategy or other subjects that might be beyond their expertise.
Authoritative statement!
The secretary's memorandum expresses concern about what he calls a "lax" approach that often violates or ignores "established rules and procedures." Gates says there are "far too many people talking to the media outside of official channels, sometimes providing information that is incorrect, out of proper context, unauthorized or uninformed..."
To correct the situation, Gates calls for enhanced "internal coordination mechanisms," and specifically requires consultation with his Public Affairs office "prior to interviews or any other means of media and public engagement with possible national or international implications." Officials acknowledge that would include anything about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and many other subjects.
The secretary's memo generated sharp questioning at the Pentagon's news briefing on Tuesday from reporters concerned that access will be restricted and troops will be afraid to talk to them without high-level approval.
Spokesman Colonel David Lapan said the memo mainly reinforces existing policy, and he predicted it will not significantly affect the access reporters have to commanders and troops in the field.
"It will not have a chilling affect," said Colonel Lapan. "It will not be an Iron Curtain. It will not change substantially how people deal with the media."
Lapan says the memo is designed to protect secret information, to ensure that people are fully informed about issues they discuss with reporters and to provide for coordination of what he called major engagements with the media.
The president of the group Military Reporters and Editors, Kelly Kennedy of the Military Times newspapers, says it already is often difficult to get information from the military, particularly in the war zones. And she predicts the Gates memo will make the situation worse.
"You have to kind of explain that you're not the bad guy," said Kelly Kennedy. "So if it's coming down from the top that the media are not necessarily to be trusted, which is what this sound like, then that doesn't help that relationship at all."
Kennedy says she was surprised by the memo, particularly because Secretary Gates said early in his tenure that "the press is not the enemy." She says that in a properly managed department, such central controls should not be necessary.
"You teach your officers how they're supposed to behave with reporters and [you] don't [have to] put [out] the ultimatum on having to go through a controlled center," said Kennedy. "If you're doing it right to begin with, you don't need for there to be a central office that approves all the interviews."
But former defense department official Lawrence Korb, who now is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, says the Gates memo tightening the rules on military contacts with the media is surprising for a different reason.
"I think it was quite reasonable," said Lawrence Korb. "In fact, I wonder why it took him so long to do that because we've had all kinds of abuses. And I think it's very important to get control of that."
Korb says those abuses include past opinion articles and interviews by the new Afghanistan commander Army General David Petraeus that Korb says appeared to be attempts to influence war policy, which should be the purview of the civilian leadership.
Some reporters have expressed concern that the Pentagon public affairs office will block legitimate interview requests because the topics might be sensitive or the information could portray the military in a negative light.
But analyst Lawrence Korb says reporters can hold the department accountable if it abuses its reclaimed authority in that way.
"If, in fact, they turn down the request, then the reporter can let us know about it, and then the onus would be on the secretary to say why," he said.
The Pentagon spokesman, Col. Lapan says the policy is not meant to slow or reduce reporters' access to defense officials and members of the military. But he acknowledges his office might sometimes recommend against granting interview requests or other access reporters routinely need.
"I think this office can certainly advise commanders and others that planned engagements either may not be in the best interest or with the best timing," he said. "So we would certainly think that knowing in advance that knowing about certain major media engagements that we could inform that process."
Lapan says one purpose of the new approach is to ensure that troops talk to reporters about their missions and their operations, not about policy, strategy or other subjects that might be beyond their expertise.
Authoritative statement!
IMF Raises Forecast for Global Economic Growth but Warns of Risks
The International Monetary Fund says the world is recovering more quickly than expected from the global financial crisis.
The global economy is on track to expand by 4.6 percent this year, instead of the 4.1 percent the International Monetary Fund predicted in April.
Much of the increase comes from strong expansions in Asia and rising U.S. demand
But, the International Monetary Fund's quarterly report, released Thursday in Hong Kong, warns of risks, primarily coming from Europe. The IMF says eurozone countries need to take action to stabilize their financial systems and reduce their sovereign debt. The IMF argues that doubts over government finances especially in Greece and other heavily in debt European countries could spread and threaten growth elsewhere.
Some economists, however, see an additional risk in China, because of concerns its high-flying property market could crash. That could be devastating to the country's banking system and hit investor confidence around the world.
Tim Condon in Singapore is the chief Asia economist for the investment bank ING. He says the IMF overlooks the risk from China's rapidly rising property prices.
"I think it is more China than the eurozone. Investors did not have high hopes for eurozone growth before the Greece crisis emerged," he said. "China is a bigger story. China grew by nearly 12 percent in the first quarter of the year and the prospect of a sharp slow down before the end of the year is quiet unnerving for stock markets."
The IMF raised its 2010 growth forecast for China to 10.5 percent from 10 percent, for Japan to 2.4 percent from 1.9 percent and for India to 9.4 percent from 8.8 percent.
It expects the United States economy to expand by 3.3 percent, up from 3.1 percent. The forecast for the eurozone countries remains flat at 1 percent.
Sub-Saharan Africa should see growth of about 5 percent, and Brazil could see growth top 7 percent this year.
The five key Southeast Asian economies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam were expected to grow by an average 6.4 per cent this year and 5.5 per cent next year.
For 2011, however, the IMF expects the world will see slightly slower growth, in part because stimulus packages created in 2008 to reduce the damage from the financial crisis will start to end. As a result, it is maintaining its April forecast for global growth at 4.3 percent.
The global economy is on track to expand by 4.6 percent this year, instead of the 4.1 percent the International Monetary Fund predicted in April.
Much of the increase comes from strong expansions in Asia and rising U.S. demand
But, the International Monetary Fund's quarterly report, released Thursday in Hong Kong, warns of risks, primarily coming from Europe. The IMF says eurozone countries need to take action to stabilize their financial systems and reduce their sovereign debt. The IMF argues that doubts over government finances especially in Greece and other heavily in debt European countries could spread and threaten growth elsewhere.
Some economists, however, see an additional risk in China, because of concerns its high-flying property market could crash. That could be devastating to the country's banking system and hit investor confidence around the world.
Tim Condon in Singapore is the chief Asia economist for the investment bank ING. He says the IMF overlooks the risk from China's rapidly rising property prices.
"I think it is more China than the eurozone. Investors did not have high hopes for eurozone growth before the Greece crisis emerged," he said. "China is a bigger story. China grew by nearly 12 percent in the first quarter of the year and the prospect of a sharp slow down before the end of the year is quiet unnerving for stock markets."
The IMF raised its 2010 growth forecast for China to 10.5 percent from 10 percent, for Japan to 2.4 percent from 1.9 percent and for India to 9.4 percent from 8.8 percent.
It expects the United States economy to expand by 3.3 percent, up from 3.1 percent. The forecast for the eurozone countries remains flat at 1 percent.
Sub-Saharan Africa should see growth of about 5 percent, and Brazil could see growth top 7 percent this year.
The five key Southeast Asian economies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam were expected to grow by an average 6.4 per cent this year and 5.5 per cent next year.
For 2011, however, the IMF expects the world will see slightly slower growth, in part because stimulus packages created in 2008 to reduce the damage from the financial crisis will start to end. As a result, it is maintaining its April forecast for global growth at 4.3 percent.
Comorovschi elected new president of Poland
The candidate of Poland’s governing party, Bronislaw Komorowski, has won the country’s presidential election. Exit polls immediately after the voting gave him a small but clear lead over the opposition leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who congratulated his opponent and called him the winner. Mr Kaczynski is the twin brother of the previous president who was killed in the Smolensk plane crash three months ago. Bronislaw Komorowski said his election was a victory for democracy in Poland.
"This was an unusually difficult campaign, because it took place in the shadow of the Smolensk catastrophe and in the shadow of the drama of the floods. It was a campaign which proved that the Polish state, even in the most difficult moments, passes the test and copes as a democratic government."
The result will mean a rare period of political stability for the country, with the prime minister and president from the same party.
News from the BBC
"This was an unusually difficult campaign, because it took place in the shadow of the Smolensk catastrophe and in the shadow of the drama of the floods. It was a campaign which proved that the Polish state, even in the most difficult moments, passes the test and copes as a democratic government."
The result will mean a rare period of political stability for the country, with the prime minister and president from the same party.
News from the BBC
Fun ESP
In recent years, specific features of the films described are not uncommon, and even television screens that there are "heroes" to describe a variety of series such as specific functions.
The "miracles" movie, has directed "Mystery of Love Apartments", "Lucky Number Slevin" and other suspense film directed by Paul Luo Maikui Root said: "This is the type of movie I always want to make it full of whimsy. I think most people have done a kind of dream since childhood, when his incredible ability to have the time, your life will change what happened, for example, if you can fly, or you to control the flames, and lightning flashed, and so on, which is what many boys dream since childhood. In the film, "miracles", I was in the studio wall of the capacity of a variety of childhood fantasies, hundreds of permutations there, then I think, what to show in the movie what kind of special abilities do? because of the movie film is limited, we can not put all these elements into the go.
I set my tone is true dominated the world, and each ability can not be too balanced view of the world in the destruction of whole movie, you know, some of the capacity of different energy is too powerful, they may be able to rule the world once, so if the movie does not seem too fascinating, the audience will know the results earlier than we, so the effect on film, not good.
After the first round of screening, we selected some of the more constructive abilities, and then the second step to consider is this difference can best demonstrate the visual effect. This is a sci-fi action movie, I would like to see in the cinema when the audience must not feel too bored, or if this means the movie is not successful, it is failure of.
So we passed the second round of screening, and finally selected a few interesting abilities, showing on the big screen. Personally, I still like the ability to predict the future, this is the case I can understand every day I do, what was the right decision (laugh). "For this concept is full of a variety of ideas are science fiction movie, the story is how to write it? Screenwriter David Borella, said: "This story is full of a variety of plot strung together by a plot to another, and then strung the next, and so constitute the entire film. We need to provide this capability a reality interpretation of the world an excuse for it, just started the film company to my view is this, can speak into this ability from the military transformation of the human body? I think it sounds really boring, because this movie has a lot of the Department of , but this proposal has inspired me, though not written in the military, but we can this idea well above the migration to an organization, the organization has a GM ability, which can transform people inside the organization, these people But ordinary people can not complete some tasks. With this foundation, I wrote more stories, tells of a man how to organize with this huge fight killer.
This is a full complex of martial arts hero hero movies, but we do not intend to over-emphasize his main character made into a person's ability, so in this film, Chris Evans and others, need to unite together to play a role, we emphasize a spirit of teamwork, in the process of living with these people also took place in a lot of interesting things, which makes whole movie, augmented by elements of humor. "
The "miracles" movie, has directed "Mystery of Love Apartments", "Lucky Number Slevin" and other suspense film directed by Paul Luo Maikui Root said: "This is the type of movie I always want to make it full of whimsy. I think most people have done a kind of dream since childhood, when his incredible ability to have the time, your life will change what happened, for example, if you can fly, or you to control the flames, and lightning flashed, and so on, which is what many boys dream since childhood. In the film, "miracles", I was in the studio wall of the capacity of a variety of childhood fantasies, hundreds of permutations there, then I think, what to show in the movie what kind of special abilities do? because of the movie film is limited, we can not put all these elements into the go.
I set my tone is true dominated the world, and each ability can not be too balanced view of the world in the destruction of whole movie, you know, some of the capacity of different energy is too powerful, they may be able to rule the world once, so if the movie does not seem too fascinating, the audience will know the results earlier than we, so the effect on film, not good.
After the first round of screening, we selected some of the more constructive abilities, and then the second step to consider is this difference can best demonstrate the visual effect. This is a sci-fi action movie, I would like to see in the cinema when the audience must not feel too bored, or if this means the movie is not successful, it is failure of.
So we passed the second round of screening, and finally selected a few interesting abilities, showing on the big screen. Personally, I still like the ability to predict the future, this is the case I can understand every day I do, what was the right decision (laugh). "For this concept is full of a variety of ideas are science fiction movie, the story is how to write it? Screenwriter David Borella, said: "This story is full of a variety of plot strung together by a plot to another, and then strung the next, and so constitute the entire film. We need to provide this capability a reality interpretation of the world an excuse for it, just started the film company to my view is this, can speak into this ability from the military transformation of the human body? I think it sounds really boring, because this movie has a lot of the Department of , but this proposal has inspired me, though not written in the military, but we can this idea well above the migration to an organization, the organization has a GM ability, which can transform people inside the organization, these people But ordinary people can not complete some tasks. With this foundation, I wrote more stories, tells of a man how to organize with this huge fight killer.
This is a full complex of martial arts hero hero movies, but we do not intend to over-emphasize his main character made into a person's ability, so in this film, Chris Evans and others, need to unite together to play a role, we emphasize a spirit of teamwork, in the process of living with these people also took place in a lot of interesting things, which makes whole movie, augmented by elements of humor. "
NEWS: Host South Africa posts comeback Cup win
The latest report on the World Cup in South Africa:
Montecasino was as relentless as a vuvuzela Friday night – the popping of wine corks in the perimeter restaurants, the laughter and shouts of crowds packing into stores and bars and, of course, the click of chips getting passed back and forth over blackjack tables.
It looked a lot like Vegas. It felt a lot like Vegas.
Only this was Africa, the continent that caused immense criticism to rain down on FIFA six years ago when it decided to stage a major international sporting event here.
From that point right through the early stages of the World Cup last month, the hand-wringing and gloomy prognostications over security, transportation, crime, organization and even the supposed lukewarm passions of the locals were relentless.
Overwhelmingly, it turned out to be as baseless as the faux Tuscany décor of the casino. South Africa, it turns out, did great.
“South Africa has shown what it can do,” said FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
On Sunday, the Netherlands and Spain meet in the World Cup final, capping off a month of great competition and even better home-nation hosting. For all the hysterical predicting of what would happen here, the final verdict is virtually unanimous.
There were few reported instances of crime on tourists, and most of them were people who unwisely put themselves at risk in dangerous neighborhoods – something that would happen anywhere in the world. While there were some hotel thefts involving the teams – and even FIFA headquarters was hit – things were safe for the most part.
The government dealt quickly and harshly with thieves in an effort to send a message. The housekeeping crew that stole from the rooms of the English team was given three-year prison terms within days of being caught.
South Africa, especially here in the largest city, has a major crime problem. The challenges of life in Johannesburg can’t be understated. It is a world of breathtaking contrasts – Soweto shantytowns and suburban Sandton Bentley dealerships.
Yet a massive police force kept the areas around stadiums, fan fests and popular nightlife districts calm. For this month, at least, it was safe. And not just in heavily fortified casinos.
In the country’s eight other host cities, things went even smoother. In world-class Cape Town, fans jammed outdoor viewing parties, crowded into clubs and packed the historic V&A Waterfront. Durban, another waterfront town, was likewise festive. And even rugged mining cities such as Rustenberg managed to become tourist destinations for a stretch.
In the meantime, people poured into game reserves or took extended safaris. Cape Town’s Robben Island museum was booked days ahead of time. The whale-watching boats and great white shark cage-diving companies couldn’t keep up with demand. Other fans just kicked back with some homegrown wine and watched one of Africa’s magnificent sunsets.
Eventually, they all filled a new, state-of-the-art stadium to cheer, blow horns and, at times, cry in sporting agony.
The only thing more impressive than the scenery was the people. South Africa is a divisive place where life isn’t easy for many. For a month, so many people put aside differences and difficulties and embraced the once-in-a-lifetime moment of hosting this event.
The World Cup, even with its influx of tourism money and long-term positive publicity, doesn’t solve the questions of the future here. But it did appear to unify. Regular people pulled together.
The fan zone in Cape Town was a popular destination for visitors from around the globe.
Sometimes the message came from a cook coming out to make sure you enjoyed the kingklip he took pride in cooking to perfection. Sometimes from an immigrant woman in a rural shantytown explaining that, yes, this was difficult, but life would be better. Once it was a woman on the street in Cape Town who, after eyeing my press badge, begged me to write something good about her homeland.
This is a country and a continent with a remarkable spirit – daring, defiant and, even in the face of immense issues, hopeful. People from all classes and races carry a great sense of humor and a free-spiritedness that comes from knowing nature, in its rawest form, isn’t far away.
I toured squatters’ villages, crime-infested neighborhoods, rural outposts, neighborhood pubs, humble B&B’s and fancy casinos. Each was so different – except for the underlying vitality of the people there. Soccer fans or not, they knew this was important.
Somehow, one of the repeated lines from Shakira’s omnipresent pop song about the Cup – “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” – created a movement. Suddenly, so many people understood that this could change the image in the short and long term. Who doesn’t return from here raving to friends of the vacation potential of Cape Town?
“South Africa has shown what it can do,” Blatter said so simply.
And yes, the chance was all they ever asked for. Ignore the doom-and-gloom predictions and let us show you. Let South Africa have a chance.
Montecasino was as relentless as a vuvuzela Friday night – the popping of wine corks in the perimeter restaurants, the laughter and shouts of crowds packing into stores and bars and, of course, the click of chips getting passed back and forth over blackjack tables.
It looked a lot like Vegas. It felt a lot like Vegas.
Only this was Africa, the continent that caused immense criticism to rain down on FIFA six years ago when it decided to stage a major international sporting event here.
From that point right through the early stages of the World Cup last month, the hand-wringing and gloomy prognostications over security, transportation, crime, organization and even the supposed lukewarm passions of the locals were relentless.
Overwhelmingly, it turned out to be as baseless as the faux Tuscany décor of the casino. South Africa, it turns out, did great.
“South Africa has shown what it can do,” said FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
On Sunday, the Netherlands and Spain meet in the World Cup final, capping off a month of great competition and even better home-nation hosting. For all the hysterical predicting of what would happen here, the final verdict is virtually unanimous.
There were few reported instances of crime on tourists, and most of them were people who unwisely put themselves at risk in dangerous neighborhoods – something that would happen anywhere in the world. While there were some hotel thefts involving the teams – and even FIFA headquarters was hit – things were safe for the most part.
The government dealt quickly and harshly with thieves in an effort to send a message. The housekeeping crew that stole from the rooms of the English team was given three-year prison terms within days of being caught.
South Africa, especially here in the largest city, has a major crime problem. The challenges of life in Johannesburg can’t be understated. It is a world of breathtaking contrasts – Soweto shantytowns and suburban Sandton Bentley dealerships.
Yet a massive police force kept the areas around stadiums, fan fests and popular nightlife districts calm. For this month, at least, it was safe. And not just in heavily fortified casinos.
In the country’s eight other host cities, things went even smoother. In world-class Cape Town, fans jammed outdoor viewing parties, crowded into clubs and packed the historic V&A Waterfront. Durban, another waterfront town, was likewise festive. And even rugged mining cities such as Rustenberg managed to become tourist destinations for a stretch.
In the meantime, people poured into game reserves or took extended safaris. Cape Town’s Robben Island museum was booked days ahead of time. The whale-watching boats and great white shark cage-diving companies couldn’t keep up with demand. Other fans just kicked back with some homegrown wine and watched one of Africa’s magnificent sunsets.
Eventually, they all filled a new, state-of-the-art stadium to cheer, blow horns and, at times, cry in sporting agony.
The only thing more impressive than the scenery was the people. South Africa is a divisive place where life isn’t easy for many. For a month, so many people put aside differences and difficulties and embraced the once-in-a-lifetime moment of hosting this event.
The World Cup, even with its influx of tourism money and long-term positive publicity, doesn’t solve the questions of the future here. But it did appear to unify. Regular people pulled together.
The fan zone in Cape Town was a popular destination for visitors from around the globe.
Sometimes the message came from a cook coming out to make sure you enjoyed the kingklip he took pride in cooking to perfection. Sometimes from an immigrant woman in a rural shantytown explaining that, yes, this was difficult, but life would be better. Once it was a woman on the street in Cape Town who, after eyeing my press badge, begged me to write something good about her homeland.
This is a country and a continent with a remarkable spirit – daring, defiant and, even in the face of immense issues, hopeful. People from all classes and races carry a great sense of humor and a free-spiritedness that comes from knowing nature, in its rawest form, isn’t far away.
I toured squatters’ villages, crime-infested neighborhoods, rural outposts, neighborhood pubs, humble B&B’s and fancy casinos. Each was so different – except for the underlying vitality of the people there. Soccer fans or not, they knew this was important.
Somehow, one of the repeated lines from Shakira’s omnipresent pop song about the Cup – “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” – created a movement. Suddenly, so many people understood that this could change the image in the short and long term. Who doesn’t return from here raving to friends of the vacation potential of Cape Town?
“South Africa has shown what it can do,” Blatter said so simply.
And yes, the chance was all they ever asked for. Ignore the doom-and-gloom predictions and let us show you. Let South Africa have a chance.
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