Australia Bound

Today was a full and beautiful day.  While most of our home country celebrated Thanksgiving, Demetrius and I awoke with the sun to meet up with the Homeless World Cup team for their send off ceremony.  We all gathered beforehand and the guys were given their uniforms and warm up suits, shoes, toiletries and duffel bags for the trip.  It was a fun time with a lot of energy in the air.  Many of the guys said they couldn’t sleep last night, they were so excited about the journeys ahead.  We took some team photos then headed to City Hall.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Deputy Mayor gave a short speech and affirmed the team in their abilities to represent South Africa positively while in Australia.  Fifty-six countries will be represented at this year’s Homeless World Cup and the team is carrying the baton of not only representing themselves as individuals, or even as a team, but as a country.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Martin stuck by the team all day.  He has passed his title of captain to Thapelo, who he believes is a strong player and role model for the rest of the team.  I know this part of the experience is very painful.  I believe Martin will come back strong next year, ID papers in hand, ready to lead the 2009 team to victory.  All of us deeply hope so.

This evening, we joined David Abrahams at a going away party that Ethan’s family was throwing for him before he leaves for Australia.  It was wonderful to see how much support Ethan has and to see what a symbol of hope he is for his family.  We met his siblings and parents, godmother, girlfriend, cousins and friends.  I felt blessed to be included in such an intimate gathering and thought, in lieu of Thanksgiving with my family, sharing fried chicken and samoosas with a beautiful family near Cape Town was just about perfect.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Tomorrow, we hop on a flight to Hong Kong, ultimately to end up in Australia.  I’m interested to see how these brimming with energy athletes hold up while stuck on a 16 hour flight.  As always, many journeys ahead!!!