The flight went smoothly for the 32 Martians, 18 players consisting of 10 PW members and 8 guest players from the Mid West, Harrisburg, New York, and Providence. A quick hop to Miami and a 13 1/2 hour flight to Capetown. We arrived on time at 1:40 pm Saturday afternoon in time for the bus to the hotel and then to the opening ceremony followed by the opening cocktail party.
The weather was perfect for the opening ceremony held in The Newlands Stadium. The Martians dressed in the usual green face paint and head antenna showered the stand with our flock of flying saucers and were introduced as the team traveling the farthest 34 million miles. The festivities included a speech by Archbishop Demond Tutu. The cocktail party was great fun meeting old friends from previous festivals.
The next afternoon we played our first match was against Tiere Soeweniers a South African team. They all seemed to be out of the same mold, all 6ft tall and about 220 pounds. It was a fun game though and Tony Studdy scored his first try in about 20 years. As with all Matches the official result was a tie. Actually we won about 5 tries to four. Big party afterwards in three huge tents joined together to make a suitable venue for the approximately 3000 players.
Monday was the next playing day which most of us weren’t happy about losing the usual day to recuperate. We played Old Bears Berlin a German team. Tony Studdy scored again. Another tie of course and a fun game. Tuesday a free day we all went on a tour arranged by our host team False Bay Old Crocks. We first went up Table Mountain followed by Robben Island and a bus tour around the Cape peninsular finishing up at the Old Crocks clubhouse for dinner and the usual beverages.
Wednesday was the picnic at a large winery. The venue was beautiful, the weather perfect the beer cold and the food excellent.
The third game day on Thursday was against Collegians Fanagalos another South African team another tie and another try for Tony. He also got the bopper a Martian Doll hung around the neck. Worn for doing something nefarious or stupid. He attempted to drown himself on the side line. Just trying to get attention some said. He was offered a drink of water, something he never does. He attempted to pour it down his windpipe causing the officials to call for an ambulance. He was fine by the time it arrived but the medic tried to entice him back to the hospital tent by offering beer!.
Friday more sightseeing. Some went to Cape of Good Hope in a microbus others rented Harleys and toured the Cape. This was followed by the Grand Finale Dinner in the Civic Center. A perfect venue for the about 5000 participants. Food was great unlimited supplies of beer and wine the usual looking up old buddies as each team had an assigned table it was easy to find them. Lots of trading, pins, ties, tee shirts, jerseys etc.
Saturday more shopping and sightseeing. Saturday night the red eye home.