Obviously, there was no way anyone could expect SA to keep up that pace. Needless to say, by morning, the hangover was in full effect, and there was hardly a vuvuzela to be heard before 10. The actual onset of winter weather (for here) has not helped, creating an extremely gray day. At the fanfest for the Arg/Nig first half, the crowd split fairly evenly, Messi v Africa, but far more of black South Africa participated than in the bars in around Long St.

We managed a side trip to see some endangered African penguins. The metrorail train took us right there, skirting the coast of False Bay, to a sleepy, sleepy, off-season Simons Town. Very relaxed atmosphere on board, groups mixing and mingling easily, unless the vuvuzela was blown.

Back to the same pub as yesterday for USA/Eng. Now the momentum in the streets is builiding again, as the English, as expected show in full voice. Thankfully for my personal relations with the English, most of the groups keep moving, finding more dedicated 3 Lions pubs. They take the piss a bit, but I find it easy to remind them who has pressure on them in the contest and who can play freely. Most respect to the five year old, who I notice staring me down, gently tapping the shield on his replica shorts. Capello does us a favor, starting Heskey, and Bradley returns it, starting Clark. At least we know who has the better goalie. ( I swear I wrote that before kick-off) The terrible shape we showed against Turkey bites us quickly, but we respond well. Keeping the pace frenetic works a little better for us than them, but still remarkable to see a world cup match move at this speed. And somehow, Dempsey’s shot works out. Capello does us one last favor, bringing on Crouch who just can’t possibly scare Onyewu. 1-1? I’ll take it.

The next day, more winter, so just a long lunch, with the TV in the corner. Enough to see Algeria has a goalie nearly as awful as Green. Not a useful result for the US. The Cape Town crowd finds cheer in Ghana’s victory, but now the old Europeans here gear up for Deutschland. Line out the door and around the corner at Paulaner Brahaus sends us to the Hyunday fanfest near the Wheel of Excellence. (It’s a Ferris Wheel). Pretty empty room, but the tent at least keeps us dry through a major downpour. Seeing our breath sends us in search of indoor facilities. The Belgian place has room at the bar. I temporarily sacrifice my left shoe to have a Kwak, and before we can leave, we run into the first person I know from the States. Knew it would happen, but still.