one way ticket

Well, no turning back now. Not that I was thinking about turning back, but now, even if I had been thinking about turning back, I couldn't. Not only have I signed several contracts with Grassroot Soccer, but I have also purchased a one-way ticket to Kimberley, South Africa! Yep, my location is set, my ticket is paid for and I could not be happier.


Map of South Africa from http://www.bdb.co.za/

Kimberley is located smack dab in the middle of South Africa. It is the capital of the Northern Cape province, which is the largest but most sparsely populated province in South Africa. And even though it is sort of located in the middle of nowhere, it boasts a population of approximately 200,000. There's a lot I could tell you about Kimberley, but if I go ahead and do that, this mildly entertaining blog will likely turn into a history paper. I have no desire to write a paper and I'm sure you have even less desire to read a paper so instead of giving you the full run down I'll just provide you with some fun facts.

Fun fact number 1: Kimberley is known as Diamond City because one of the world's largest diamond mines (run by DeBeers) is located in Kimberley. These diamonds are found in kimberlites, volcanic rocks that are belived to have formed deep in the mantle. Kimberlites form vertical pipelike structures from which diamonds can be mined. Because I cannot subdue my nerdy geology side I guarantee that I will be visitng this mine and taking tons of pictures. So you can all look forward to an entire blog entry all about the Kimberley mine.

Fun fact number 2: Approximately 80 kilometers (~50 miles) southwest of Kimberley lies Mokala National Park, the go to place in the country for hiking and searching for Rhinos, Antelopes and other indigenous South African plants and animals. So if anyone needed incentive to visit, hopefully I just gave you some.

Final fun fact: Actually, this is more like a "misery" fact for me - the South African embassy requires an arm and a leg before they give someone a visa. I am slowly but surely trudging through the process of getting finger-printed, receiving the necessary immunizations and filling out lots and lots of paper work. But I'm making my way through it all, feeling oddly "adult-like" with each new paper filled out and form signed and getting more and more excited. And maybe just a little apprehensive...

The other day one of my closest friends asked me, "So, Lamp, are you ready for Africa?" I really had to think about that question. It's a tough one and I hadn't really thought about it because between travelling in Europe, field work and struggling through this visa application, I haven't had time to. But I've thought about it now and I know my answer. The slogan for FC Barcelona is "mes que un club." It means 'more than a club' and it was first used in 1968 by FC Barcelona president Narcís de Carreras to describe the social importance of FC Barcelona in Catalonia. More than a club. That's what soccer has been - a social rallying point. More than a club. That's what soccer has been for me - a social, physical and mental outlet. More than a club. That's what GRS programs in South Africa are - an avenue towards an AIDS-free generation. And I am more than ready to become a part of that.

Me at Camp Nou, FC Barcelona's home stadium.