"Feel it, it is here"

When I have the time to compose something a little more thoughtful, I plan to write much, much more about my trip around South Africa and, specifically, about my time spent volunteering in Zonkizizwe.  In the aftermath of yesterday's World Cup final, though, I felt compelled to share this photo.

It's out of focus and overexposed, but, I think, captures the spirit of the epically popular tournament's first trip to Africa quite well.  Kids, armed with boundless energy and the creative ball skills that come from playing soccer everyday, would run circles around us in the dusty yard.  Each night, in the week leading up to the opening match, a chorus of vuvuzelas would echo throughout the township, blaring loudly and fading into the distance as children paraded around, filling the air with exultant, noisy anticipation.  On the afternoon of the first match, we painted dozens of faces with South African colors (matching the flags lining seemingly every major street elsewhere in the country), sang the national anthem, and chattered excitedly about Bafana Bafana's chances.

There has been much discussion, both in South Africa and in the media coverage back home, about whether or not hosting the World Cup was worthwhile.  Large construction projects and a surge in tourism boosted the economy, but new stadiums are expensive, and several will now sit empty.  However, economic calculations aside, I feel there is no question that the tournament was positive for the country.  All you need to do is look at the faces of these kids and others like them who, despite being historically and systematically disadvantaged in just about every imaginable way, take an extraordinary amount of joy and national pride in hosting such a presigious event.  It is lastingly and unquestionably moving.