Woke up to find the sun shining and a light mountain breeze blowing through the house. The weather is nice enough during the day to open up the doors and windows to let in the cool air. For breakfast: scrambled eggs and some bacon mixed in, total champion move. We walk to the field where we get changed to warm up. I am excited to hear that I am starting and can't wait for kickoff. While we're getting changed, I'm told that the team we're playing, Durbell, has a group of forwards that weigh close to most international forward packs. At last, the kick off whistle blows. Looking up, I see that our team truly is the David in this Goliath of a fight. The prop I'm playing against, is a huge "Dutchie", or an Afrikaans version of a corn-fed Nebraska boy. He looks about 300 pounds or heavier and just has a general snarl to his face. The first half we could not seem to make our tackles while the big boys ran over us. Our backs are more organized than theirs but the first half ends sooner than we would lik. Half time is filled with encouragement to try and beat the Dutchies. The second half whistle blows and as time wears on, we start to make more of our tackles. We score some, but they score more and by the end of the game, we've lost 33-18. A hot shower later, we head up to the team bar to hang out and braai (the Afrikaans word for a barbecue) where I am introduced to more and more people with names that get harder and harder to remember. We watch the first side lead the whole game and then lose the lead towards the end of the game thanks to a lucky break. The remaining few minutes are filled with cheers and shouts to try and rally the Villagers to one more score. As they near the tryline, full time has been reached and one of the players drops the ball. Whistle blows, game over, Villagers lose. A sad day but still good rugby all around. A little while later, we are called into the bar where the man of the match will be announced for each game. For each team, one player is chosen that had a stand out performance. They start with the U-20s squad, then move to the fourth side and then thirds. Our coach walks up to announce the Man of the Match and it takes me a second to realize he is saying my name. Among the applause and cheers I walk up and accept my prize: a custom pint glass with the team crest and Man of the Match stamped on it. Some more handshakes and thanks and I am back with my friends. We stay at the bar a bit longer and then head back home so that I can be shown the nightlife of Cape Town. We stay out pretty late, and grab a taxi to get back home.
The next day is filled with relaxation and down time as I had been going pretty much nonstop since I landed Thursday. I took that opportunity to Skype my parents for the first time and it was heartwarming to see my whole family and how much they care. Nothing too exciting happened the rest of the day until my parents and I Skyped again but this time with my grandfather. Again, it was awesome to see everyone halfway around the world telling me just how much they support me. Today I am going to try and get some better picture to post up here just so that I can show just how beautiful this place is. Until next time, stay classy.
Cheers bru,
Josh
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