Ellis Park

The main reason for being in Johannesburg again was not visiting the city, that I superficially visited just one month ago. That was the less important part of it. Yes we went again to Soweto (and I have to say that the second time was more interesting and comprehensible that the first one), we went to visit the Golden mine, we went shopping in Mandela Square. But the real goal was to go to the Ellis Park to see the Rugby match between Lions and Blue Bulls. That was what me, and my wife mainly, were looking for. A real south African rugby experience… and it was an experience.
We were guests at the EOH box, so a very privileged way to look at the match. The stadium wasn’t really full due to the ranking of the Lions that are not really performing well this season, but it was in any case not comparable to what any rugby stadium is in Italy. We had the rugby Jerseys of our local team, that we used before the match to take some pictures in a trial of a virtual twining. It was really fun to use them in such a context.
The match was nice, the Bulls were much better than the Lions, but what was really great was the overall atmosphere of what sport really should be. Moreover it was funny to meet Stefano, plumber born in South Africa, but with a mother born in Sarego ad a father born in Piovene Rocchette, both 20 kilometers far from were we live. It was funny listening him talking a very good Italian with a strong dialect accent. It was nice to look at his bright eyes when he was speaking of his visits to the relatives showing a great enthusiasm for Italy and all the places that we are used to go.
Thanks Alberto to make it happen!