Perfect Pitch

The sun setting into the Atlantic, as seen from the Radison Blu patio on the Cape Town waterfront. This has been one of the most beautiful sunsets I think any one of us has ever seen. After a long, but beautiful drive through the Garden Route from Knysna to Cape Town, this sunset greeted us to the Mother City where we wet with Sharon Maloof. Afterwards, we attended a FIFA hospitality tent located down the street where we were treated to great food and drinks. Not a bad way to start our stay in Cape Town.

Well, this was certainly a trip that had surprises, peaks, valleys and everything in between. As we departed Cape Town International Airport on our way back to D.C. through Johannesburg, I couldn't help but think what sort of ending would be appropriate for a trip and experience of this magnitude. Little did I know, nor did I expect, the ending that we would be given.

While waiting to board our South African Airways flight headed to Dulles, I was suddenly stopped about two-thirds of the way down the jet bridge. Then I started seeing these men dressed in gray walk by, after taking an alternate entrance into the bridge.

"Wait," I said to myself in a mildly puzzled tone, "I think that was Clint Dempsey." Then it became clear. We were flying home on the same flight as the U.S. National Team, fresh off their disappointing but inspiring loss to Ghana. The passengers on the plane excitedly applauded the U.S. players as they took their seats in first class. The photo above, of a smiling Oguchi Onyewu and me, is proof of yet another pleasant surprise in what has been an absolutely stunning two weeks.

-- KEVIN CLARK

-- Thoughts on South Africa Sustainability: Went on a ride through several parks, beatiful sunsets, lions mating, rhinos, giraffe, wildebeast, baboons. South Africa has it down when it comes to managing wildlife parks and creating a great visitor experience while preserving a little bit of a national treasure, its natural habitiats. Decision makers and stakeholders around the world would do well to learn from more than 100 years of South African experience .

-- Final thoughts: What a great experience. Truly once in a lifetime. Though this is my third World Cup and probably be attending more in the future, this was a truly dynamic and fun group, and the places we got to see and the people we got to meet have made it truly extraordinary.

It's not something that immediately comes to mind when thinking of South Africa, at least not to me, but the food is amazing (OK maybe too much steak and chips) but where else can you get ostrich steak (my personal favorite), bratworst (in a pit with six crocodiles) or impala stew (after watching lions)?

I will definetly go back to South Africa, did not get a chance to shark dive, go to Table Mountain or wine tasting... how wants to join me!!!

Ayoba!!

Ngiyabona, South Africa!!!

-- HARRY HEISLER