Transformation

I've moved the blog to a better prettier host please find me at,

exploretheball.wordpress.com

Regards,
Chris

Before you know it...

It was the 25th of June somewhere between Dust and Dawn, I ported to a foreign land to experience a culture not know to me.

The site was bitterly cold but the company was cosy. The surroundings, dark, much like a dream, only the necessities were lit. Bedouin tent, table and it’s exquisite decorations glowing like a month end sales man. The grinning eyeballs and glistening smiles of faces I was about to meet, were nothing but welcoming. Nadia was the leader of a uniformed group, served an Indian Styled meal. Indulging in the a delicacy of Lagos Chicken and Naan Bread, I got swallowed in the event. Without cherries, desert added the cherry to the meal.

Before I knew it, the night was over, with great memories and new friends.

Seriously?

"Can we get serious?" the waitress asks me.

Not sure where I stand, with my heart rate spiking and the idea of a coffee quickly changing into a coke to cool the blushing, I politely said what time do you get off.

A little held back by my response, she corrects my terminology and asks if she can make my coffee a serious one... Who would have though coffee can get serious... two cups down and I've developed caffeinson's. A shaking of extremities as the muscles are overdosed on caffein. Eyeballs need lubrication due to the intense muscle movement across my screen, I'm not sure if I'm looking at my keyboard when glancing in it's direction.

Does it ever frustrate you that when you pay with cash, the waiter or waitress in this case, assumes the change is theirs? This means she got double the suggested 10%. One way to instantly convert generosity into greed.

Brain still in Hyper-Drive, I managed to miss-place my parking ticket. The 10gram, 3 by 1 inch paper drove me up the wall. Searching all clothing orifices, as well as backtracking my route back to the money-muncher. By now, my window period to get out the parking would have been up and a second payment would have been due. I summoned myself to a Four Wheeled Security guard who said, "I can make a plan". "How much is a plan?" was my response and he said, "Give me two minutes." In half that time, I'd only just re-parked my car for the 3rd time and he was back. Back with a paid ticket. Probably my ticket. Never the less, I was running late so I donated the Monster R40 and went on my way.

The price we pay to get a decent cup of coffee. R80 could have gone to the latest 'app of the week'!

May the ticket be with you.

Chris

Inventions

The mountain affects brain function!

Inventions were as follows;

Kruger Island = Robben Island
Loin Chop = Lion Chop
Preserve Felt Fires = Prevent Felt Fires
Need to wee = Toilet "I'm going to the, need to wee"
The green green and Blue Blue =
Now Now =

The decision to not blog yesterday was based on the fact that it was the sabbath. Not to mention the fact that it was Easter Sunday as well. Celebrated in true easter spirit we had eggs for breakfast and again at 10 and 12. The first occasion was fried eggs, the second was a chocolate egg and the third was eggs mixed to make Pancakes.

Yesterday was a highly productive day, not only on the inventions but sight seeing. Kruger Island was our first stop for the morning, with a great trip out there. Initiating Sea Sickness for Becky, which didn't last long once we were hit ground. Guided around by an amazing Guide, who had the honour of guiding Nelson Mandela, Bill Cosby, Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama around the island.

The Aquarium was the next pit stop for an amazing experience with all the fishes. Followed by the Kirstenbosch Gardens, which we just managed to squeeze in before the doors closed and buckets of rain arrived. I'm lost without any adjectives to describe our experience there. There are only so many times you can use Awesome, Beautiful, Stunning, Mind Blowing before they become 'nouns'.

By default on our exploring to find the Rhodes Memorial, we found a water reservoir which has stairs, making it a Swimming pool according to the athletes analogy.
Rhodes Memorial was a memorial, nothing fun about it, other than the exercise we got in preparation for our climb up Table Mountain. Box Jumps up the Double Stair is enough to fold and remove anybody's breathe! A Box Jump involves a double foot jump with heels landing sufficiently far into the step so it's not hanging over the edge. FUN!
While we talking about Training we raced up one of the paths in Kirstenbosch, so we on par for a good walk on Wednesday Afternoon.

Today was yet another early start as we wanted to see if the clouds were hindering our mountain walk or encouraging it. The clouds were moving and without taking any chances, we opted to keep the experience for a clearer day. Changing our direction of movement we headed South to the following places:
Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak Drive, Simon's Town, Cape Point, Boulders Bay, Musemburg, Fish Hook and Zevenwacht Wine Farm.
What an amazing experience. Something we could have done over days, taking it slow, but unfortunately, there are limits to fun in life and we must move on. We find ourselves stopped off at Zevenwacht Winelands for the night, as we plan on going to the Crocodile, Butterfly world tomorrow, as well as various monuments and Towns with Wine Tasting in between.
With the guidance of a Family Friend we have the opportunity to experience some of the best winelands and activities in the area.

Wednesday, doesn't hold much except for the big walk up the mountain. We plan to go past Llundudno and Blouberg on the way.

Photos have been posted on my Facebook album, "Cape Town, Bitches" for your ease of viewing.


This writing is somewhat a challenge after a busy week and malfunctioning thought processes. So I'm going to leave it there.
Shalom and Auf Weiderzen.

TC

News break!

Who knew heaven came in a box...!

Ferry back from Robben Island

Day's like these...

that make your life worth while!

We had some "Jo'banite" in us this morning. What seemed like a late morning, was too early for Cape Town. The streets were bare, parking lots empty and water cold. Never the less, off to our buffet of hot and cold breakfast, which got us off to a good start. Un-aware of what the day would hold, we headed out. On the drive we decided that The Good Hope Caste was the stopping point for the morning.
Perfect timing to observe a canon demonstration and have the opportunity to take part in a tour. Which we skipped considering the size of the group, now that Cape Town was awake.

The term Jo'banite came from the Host on the Sun Set Cruise we went on this evening. Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! Totally Worth it! Champagne till the motion in your head is not just from the ocean. Sufficient Wind for you to create a Sound Effects only fart! and just enough sunlight for you too look into the sun and it's glory.

In between the two activities above, we hit the V&A Waterfront for the best Fish and Chips on the trip so far! Set the bench mark pretty high!

An amazing day!

To complete the journey in your head, I just need to fill you in on last nights happenings; Flight from ORT to CPT,intl all good, no problems, other than the pretty air hostess' and insufficient wine on the plane. Becky flew from Lanseria to CPT intl, all good. Had 2 open seats with enough space to spread her legs.
Car collection went well and as planned. We received an upgrade because they had run out of entry level cars! Score!
Check-in at Hotel was done by a smooth french speaking african, without a hassle.

Tomorrow we venture out to Robben Island for more mind blowing experiences.

PS: The music at V&A today was awesome! Couldn't resist supporting the local talent, fake or ligit, they were talented!


Adios!

and we're back!

To follow on from the last post, labels to the photographs went as follows:
- Father Christmas Beggar. With Notre Dame in the background.
- Robot Eiffel as the fog blinds his vision
- Chandelier in Versailles, view from ground up (didn't actually get a regular angle) I think the desire to see the regular angle is larger now that you have seen this magnificent view.
- Rock Well in the Town of Caen, used to hoist rocks up from the well/mine down below. This Rock Well was the supply hub for many of the houses in the area.
- Douglas Store, named after some Rapper I know. The store sold perfume and ladies accessories. More at douglas.it

I'm not quite sure what's more exciting, traveling or using my Orange Travel Bag. Well the bag has been checked in and the ticket has been collected. Sitting at Mugg&Bean, I'm tempted to make friends with the air hostess' at the next table, just incase they are on my flight. I was told by one travel expert that this relationship is critical for long journeys.

Oh shoot! I forgot my tripod! Flip!

The itenerary has been partially set for this trip, we'll take it as it comes when we there. Major items that have been booked to avoid quing and disappointment include Robben Island on Sunday and Table Mountain on Monday.
Other things we'd like to see:
- V&A (well atleast on of us)
- McDonalds Cape Town
- Shark Cage Diving
- Bloukrans Bunjee Jumping
- Kayak around Cape Point
- Bike Musemburg
- Walk Hout Bay
- Stand infront of the Canon on Loin's Head (Yes, during the noon shoot)
- Fish and Cook our own Fish&Chips, potatoes might take too long to grow.

So off we go! I'll keep you posted how things go along.

Cheers!
C

Street Artist

Rome street artist!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObRg9m4rXCU

in hind sight, aka "Looking at the arse"

Returning to a Sunny South Africa was on the agenda and was only met a week later. Grey clouds and water falling from the sky filled up most of the week but didn't make much of a difference when you inside, at the grind stone, beating the molten steel.
It's been an interesting week back. Unfortunately, it has only just been 9 days, it feels like months already.

"I just never got round to procrastinating" is my saying of the year. Together with a 'new years resolution' of drastically decreased stress levels. I believe there will be a new way to my operations.
I say 'New years resolution', because they never last, but my intention is more than new, it's permanent.
Thanks to the Star Bucks coffee machine operator in Paris, who at one point was making 11 coffee orders all off the top of his head. I have decided, there is no better way to work, than at the pace most suitable for yourself. Excluding any variable of procrastination, ie; facebook, twitter, bigpicture which will affect the speed of production, but it's up to the operator to decide, does he waste the time on an information station or does he use the time wisely and gain as much as possible. So that he himself has a little to add to the information station.

Together with balance, days are becoming more productive. Less painful. Less Tiring.
Once the year gets into full swing, I will be swinging it!

Gazing at the arse of an amazing trip, I look up ahead on the horizon for the next. Not a sh$t hole, but another world completely!
The world of America is the next destination. The plan is to leave South Africa on the 16th December and meet up with Sam in Los Angeles. Traveling in a halfmoon(R) northward from LA, stopping at San Francisco for either Christmas or New Years, which is then followed by a steady return back to LA and then back to SA on the 6th January.

Blogging in considered a procrastination activity, hence, I am able to compensate with a fortnightly or monthly posting. If you are receiving this via e-mail, please could you let me know if you still want to receive the postings, otherwise, I will remove all mail addresses, as to avoid aggravation.


Cheers!

Landed

I didn't say good bye for a reason.

We've just landed after traveling at 970 km/h

No rush!

Patience...

Sitting at the Salzburg airport in Austria waiting for our flight out to Frankfurt, I think of the movie where the old master teaches the young Karate students how to do Karate and in one of their lessons, he teaches the boy how to paint. "up, down, up, down, patience young one".
Much like my movements from seat to seat at the airport.

The day started early, packed and ready waiting for the bus at Kleinarl, when the rain started to fall. If it were snow, leaving was on the cards.
Boarding the bus then the train we made our way to Salzburg Airport. Just in time for Beer o'clock!

Fighting the Russian's and Brits to get through we wait at our boarding gate. Much like East London airport the chairs are scarce and people plenty. Never the less it's warm and doesn't smell!

Off to Frankfurt where duty free awaits our paper work. Followed by inflight shopping on route Johannesburg.

Choos!

We're out!!

Packed ready to go.

Home's Jerome!

Ouch!

Lesson learnt.

When it's the end, it's the end.

I went down the last slope once more, using time that wasn't mine, I ended up hurting my shoulder, knee and neck.
Karma paid me back.

Tomorrow we make our way back to Home town, Jozi!

Brain fart now oosing!

I have had a patch of dryness in my blogging and you might notice a change in my writing. Reality has hit me.
Friends have started to pester me for news on the holiday. Which to them is over, but not for me.
Clients and the office have sent through work already. It seems as though whether I'm ready, or not 2011 is gonna hit me.
In a form of prep, I'm gonna try get into my working hours routine. Although it might be a bit late, it can only do good.
It's now 1am and I'm meant to be up in 5 hours. That's not gonna happen.

Tomorrow is Friday! Whoop whoop!

Looking forward to a hug!! When I get home.

Ciao...Romano

Brain fart...

Today was like no other!

Waking up in a hurry, with the intention of getting as much boarding in as possible, we managed to find out it was raining.
That subsequently means, more drinking. Unfortunately when it rains, the water melts the snow. And being cold melts it into ice.
It doesn't make sense to you, it didn't to me at first. But, a good part of that all depends on the temperature of the air and surface to which the particle drops.
When the particle travels through the air, the air is not cold enough to freeze it to make snow or hail. It then lands onto the snow, melts the snow slightly and drastically changing temperature it freezes. Causing an ice layer.
This builds us on top of the snow and creates a sheet for your to work with. Ie: not snow boarding conditions.

This lead to a slow morning following the bad news. Breakfast was delayed with the slow motivation, as was coffee and the rest of the day. Simply because we didn't have anything planned except boarding which we now couldn't do.

In the rain and cold we decided to go for lunch up in the village. Making our way to the top of the village we found a partially frozen lake with ducks and geese on it. Coffee, gluvine and beer were served as starter drinks before we made our way back into the middle of the village to a little restaurant names Olympia.
Olympia was opened by the olympic medalist of the town who started the restaurant and turned it into a medal and trophy storage display, and thus entertaining the guests and diners as they ate their meals.
Yes we were apart of that.

From that we headed past spar on the way home to pick up some coke (Essentials!) for the afternoon.

Tomorrow the routine is much the same. Rain is predicted, except we will be going out onto the mountain, before returning the hired board and boots.

Saturday is a lengthy jaunt back home, with multiple transport methods once again. A bus to St Johann Train Station. A train to Salzburg airport. A flight to Frankfurt and then Johannesburg 36 hours from leaving. I might smell fresh by the time I get there.

Sent from my iPhone4

An announcement...

From the Resistance Manager.
Times are tough out there.

The snow is ice and the ice is melting. The 5mm of snow received this morning turned into water very quickly.

Please note: snow boarding is meant for the weight to be on your from foot. When you place weight on te back foot the board will shoot up from underneath you.
Especially when going over a mound of snow shaped like a ramp. :-)

Some few thousand miles

Some few thousand miles away and reality has hit!

Clients have called. E-mails have been sent and it's only two days into the working week and I'm already nervous to be back.

Boarding today was great!
At the point you know you doing it right is when your body temperature is low and the energy generated isn't sufficient to keep you warm going down the mountain.

Covering up from head to toe except a nose sticking out, I've managed to go down the slopes successfully! And with only two falls today, tomorrow looks frighteningly good!

The falls were immediately after lunch and caused by a heavy frontal region. Yes, I face planted, both times!

While up on the mountain, my brain makes up all sorts of gadgets and goodies. Much like any other day really.
Today I invented Ice Boarding. Yes, it comes after snow boarding because the snow has to melt. Much like ice skating but much faster and more painful.
Ice skating, the principal is that you have a sharp edge working against you to keep you up. Ie: the skate.
Snow boarding is much the same. Yet the edge is larger and not sharp. It's the bottom of the board which resists your efforts to push it down.
Ice Boarding is a mixture of both. The motion to move forward is there, but contact with equipment on the ground is not feasible. Some call it bum boarding, but my board was on my feet not bum.

Tomorrow we plan to go down a hard blue run, from that a red run.
If I didn't explain before.
Blue is an easy run.
Red is medium and
Black hard.
So there are varying degrees. And if it wasn't for the little appendix in me that said "don't do it", I would have done a red run on my way home this afternoon. Whether home or hospital was the destination, we won't know.

Lunch was an amazing German dish consisting of fried potatoe and (a German sausage-name is lost) with herbs. Proved to be very tasty. Photographs to follow.

I was able to stand infront of the web cam today, it's just that snow boarding seemed more interesting at the time. Yes, I know earlier in the week I said I wasn't sure how people did so much of it. But I'm learning. And learning is fun!

Off to watch slalom on TV with the hosts up stairs.
Crazy thing: the slalom is on the otherwise of the mountain, the lights reflect off the clouds and sound reverberates down.
Much like watching the Jumbo Jet fly over Ellis Park when we won the world cup, but closer. Much closer!

Cheers

I bought these cheap and nasty goggles in the pic to tackle the snow blindness. And next to it is the magnum box.

Falling today was an experience. Much like re-cutting a cut. Or grazing a graze. 
Shore shoulders and wrists don't enjoy the "day-after-jolting". 

After regaining our vision, we headed back to the beginner slope where falling is accepted. Making it down the hill successfully a few times, we called it a day and went for Apre-ski. (drinks after the day)

Currently trying to waste sleeping hours. I've had enough waking up at 5 because I'm finished sleeping.

Till tomorrow.
Ciao!