KEY POINTS:
When travelling the TGV express train across France, it is quite easy for something to go wrong.
For me it was no reservation on the 10.20 from Paris to Marseille, a miscommunication with the lady who had "I speak english" on her window, me missing the train she
put me on, and then spending the rest of the day waiting, getting on, and then finally travelling to Marseille.
Of course it wasn't to end there. My journey to mingle with Aussie, South Africa and England fans (as if any Fijians will fly over for their quarterfinal) was to get yet more complicated.
The hotel I am at, Villa Massalia is rather flash, quite luxurious in fact. However being just one month old means some of the wiring hasn't been done yet and hence no internet access.
So that late afternoon a journey, on two buses, to the nearest internet cafe. After emailing and organising some work, I decided a 40 minute walk back was fine - well it would've been if I hadn't have gone in exactly the wrong direction.
Luckily for me and my pigeon French, the All Blacks have left such a good impression in this city that mention you're a Kiwi and you're away. I got escorted to the metro by a young man, and he gave me a free ticket.
So... this place, where hopefully Fiji causes the biggest upset of the tournament (I'm really dreaming now), is so different to Paris. The town has rugby dressings everywhere - like Paris. But it is hot, literally baked.
Everything is rock ... it's dirty ... but it's relaxed. And in Paris, where no local woman would be seen dead in shorts and t-shirt, everyone here runs and plays sport. Aaargh almost like I'm home.
Going to the Fijian's hotel today they tell me it is the flashest they've had since being here. A big group of media turned up - usually just two come down. And the boys are refreshingly relaxed and optimistic. They are just glad to be here, and unlike the All Blacks, there is no security for this team, because before this no one cared!
Ringing the media contact for the Springboks is a different story, "check on the internet" he said after a request to where they'll be today. They don't tell you who they'll put up for interviews, and generally act with the arrogance of a large rugby power nation.
Come on - it's only a game.
As for the Aussies and England - well apparently everyone hates England when it comes to sport - as according to John O'Neil. But then I wonder if that comment was just another cunning Aussie ploy to grab some attention for his side, after the NRL and AFL has domninated in recent weeks.
As for me, I'm running next to the Mediterrean everyday. It's sunny, the water's clear. I feel like I could run forever.
