Super 14

The people in Port Elizabeth are as nice as advertised. First we went to a restaraunt and had a "California" pizza that tasted like ntohing I've ever seen in Califronia or anywhere else. Our waitress was very nice. We sat and talked with her and another waiter and got the scoop about what to do in P.E. They were super cool. They even ivited us back for drinks later that night when the restaraunt becomes a bar. We said we'd love to and took off to explore the city.

It so happened that it was the day of the Super 14, the super bowl of Rugby and for the first time 2 South African teams were in the final. We waved down this guy wearing a Manchester United shirt and asked him where a good place to watch the game would be and he laughed at us. "Every bar is showing the game, are you serious?" He invited us to come with him and his 2 friends since they were going to the bar right then. We said of course and so we hopped in the back of their car. Turns out it was the dudes bachelor party and we just got invited!

We arrived at the bar after kickoff and the place was already going crazy. Jam packed bar, understaffed, we stood in the back row watching a big screen. I ordered a round of beers for everyone (for like 5 dollars total) and the party began. These dudes just brought us in like we were best friends for years. Nathan and I didn't understand the game and to be honest, I don't think they really even cared so we just stood around telling crazy stories while drinking giant beer after beer. The guys were hilarious.

Soon a bunch of the bachelor's friends started arriving and we met every one of them. The game was very close adn with one minute to go the Sharks (my new favorite Rugby team) scored to put the game nearly out of reach. All that was left was one play. We started celebrating and everyone was happy. Then on the last play, the Bulls went the entire length of the field for only their third score of the game. They won as time expired. It was crazy. But fortunately, our new friends were not distraught, just needed another beer and a slap in the face, whcih is exactly what happened, they started slapping each other in the face.

One fan for the bulls, a man that was about 6'5'' 280, rugby looking guy, gave me a big kiss on the cheek. Everyone was very happy and so we went to a new bar to catch the soccer game between Manchester United and Chelsea. We were going for Man. United but once again they lost... in overtime. These guys were grade A partiers and they took over the bar, being loud obnoxious and just pure fun. Nathan and I probably spoke with everyone in the bar and we were certainly one of everyone's highlights of the night. We stayed at this bar until nearly 11 and then it was time to go out to the club, which we were promised to get into for free since we had made friends with one of the bouncers.

However, Nathan and I are not in the same class as these blokes and could not handle any more partying. We had been at it since 3 (when the game started) and by 11 we were ready to go crash. They begged us to come along and I said, "yeah, we'll be there in a minute." and then we took off for our hostel. Those guys were crazy, I have no idea how they can party so hard. But it was an awesome night. We were welcomed in to their celebration, met all of their friends, and for no real reason. People out here are really nice. It was awesome. But I paid the price, I have been in bed all day long! I just don't have the stamina for that type of partying. Those blokes were crazy!

Footnotes: Natahn and I have both picked up accents, mine is a surfer accent, nathan's is a bit british. Neither one sounds good, but it is mostly beyond our control.