Alright allyuh...Ah reach back from Egypt safe..sorry for the delay, but here some pics from the opening game.
We saw no other Trini supporters while in Cairo and had to take a train to Alexandria for the opeining game.
We had a hard time getting to the stadium for this one, as the president of Egypt was making an appearance, and all entrances to the stadium was closed from 2pm. Allyuh hear what ah say...2pm!!! Game to start @ 8pm. Police blocked all entrances in a 15 km radius, no entry even if yuh had tickets. Our driver tried everything, but them police over deh not playing with they president. is gun, dog, and barricade. Ah say nah boy this cyah be happening. We try for about an hr and a half and gave up at about 3:30pm. The driver said all he can do now is take us to a nice restaurant or a bar and we could catch the game from there. Wifey say nah!! drop we off we going and Walk!!! Now ah know we was disappointed and everything...but WALK ...15 km in the Egyptian sun, by we self, both ah we dress like de TNT Coat of arms in what could be hostile neighborhoods. .......Now every married man on this board know we does have to put dong we foot sometimes...Fellas ah use one of my times at this moment. Ah say nah nah nah nah!!!! we not walking...the driver didn't recommend it either.
Oh Gosh what we go do!!!! ah done have de tickets in meh hand.. fuss ah excited!! and now we can't get in.
Now this is why ah love this site, while we in the taxi circling the area to try and get thru, ah remember seeing the Radisson, but I aint pay it no mind. Is only when I was about to tell the driver to take us back to the city to watch the game on tv. Wifey said maybe we should go to the Radisson...BESS IDEA Ever...She redeemed herself from that Walking notion proposed earlier. Now I remember while in the hotel in Cairo I was checking on this socawarroirs.net and an article stated the warriors checkd into the Radisson in Alexandria...hmmm ah wonder boy!!
Ah tell the driver take us to the Radisson...now I had to argue with the driver to take us there, he feel we should go and wtch the game on tv..jus give up.
After some heavy talk we finally pull up to the Radisson, it was like a breath of fresh air...when we pull up at the top of the hill by the entrance .....all I see over yonder was the Trinidad and Tobago flag flying in front the hotel. People they had we flag flying over that hotel like we own it...it feel like we reach on Home soil..We drive up some more....big stinking bus in front the hotel mark Trinidad and Tobago u20...As far as getting into the game I didn't know what we was going to do from then on, but at least we could see some friendly Trini faces over here.
We walk straight to the lobby where 3 guys with tnt shirts were sitting. It looked like they were part of the technical staff/tnt media. We went over to them and tell them what the situation was. Now we didn't expect them to go out of their way for us, at least if we can't see the game live we could at least see the team before they leave the hotel. Now one of the guys. who said his name was Tony, i met him in Cairo also before Italy's game. lft us for a few minutes and came back. He said there is some supporters leaving the Radisson @ 6pm to go to the game, we could probably leave with them, as they might open back up the roads after they get the president in. Now if the roads were blocked frm 2pm.. wasn't too sure how they would get in, but at this point we have nothin to lose. Up to now don't know if those people made it to the game.
We ordered another car to try again @ six. jus so happen when the team boarded the bus our car shwed up. The team bus and our car lft the same time. Our driver put his blinkers on and stated what his plan was. He was going to fllw the bus straight to the stadium and act as part of the motorcade. We followed and follwed to the first road block and as i guessed....no entry still at this time. For regular cars that is...
People.... we were escorted thru all the road blocks with the team bus by three police cars and an ambulance. De driver plan work, it work so good...one of the police cars fell back and rode behind us.
hundreds of people with tickets could not get in to see this game and we got in The stadium was jam packed. some people said they were there since 10am. It was maddness. Even though we lost, it was one of my best moments as a supporter ever!!! will never forget it.
All the Egyptians I spoke to thought Trinidad and Tobago is located in South America and they were espcially surprised when I gave them the size and population numbers. They liked Rochford and Akeem Adams' hairstyle and was very respectful..but that could very well be because they drop 4 on we!!! Don't know what would have happened if we won.
Lucky for us the same driver who took us to the stadium. took us out as welll. He said the police would not let him leave after he dropped us off, he had no choice but to sit and listen on the radio.
Enjoy the pics
