Photo courtesy Deon Gurling

Even the meanest sceptic (and at the end of a long year that was almost me) could not fail to be overwhelmed by the energy on Long Street this past weekend. I was lucky enough to be there on the evening of the World Cup Final Draw, which showed a pink-tinted, beautifully warm Cape Town at its best.

This is what I took home with me:

1. Cape Town is definitely ready to welcome the world! The event was well controlled, well marketed and well attended. Hooray!
2. Capetonians are Living it. Loving it. LOUDER!
3. Capetonians love Charlize Theron (American accent or not, bokkie).
4. David Beckham looks hot on screen but should have come down to Long Street to diski dance with us brothers and sisters – next time!
5. Capetonians support Bafana Bafana in their hearts but are also mad about Brazil, the Netherlands, England and Italy.
6. Green plastic toilets without lights are not good – if you are coming to a fan park at night, bring a torch, loo paper and hand sanitiser. If you are an entrepreneur, sell these packs to people in the queue.
7. Nearby restaurants and bars would do well to get themselves a big screen for crowd-phobic followers and should also think about providing other entertainments for bored partners and foot-weary folks whose teams are losing badly!
8. Makarabas are the fashion headwear item of 2010 – but I did see some interesting-looking ear-things.
9. It’s not true that Cape Town is a white elitist city – seeing is believing.
10. Fan parks are sure to be choice pick-up zones next year – all that excitement seems to lead to plenty of flirting!
11. Slogan t-shirts are all the rage – the best Cape Town ones are available at Cape Town Tourism’s Burg Street Visitor Information Centre.
12. Blowing a vuvuzela successfully requires practice and African-size lung capacity.

I just can’t wait for June 2010 – wouldn’t miss it for the world!