Monday, January 30, 2006
KURLAND INTERNATIONAL POLO: DECEMBER 29, 2005
Polo is an unbelievable sport and its even better when there is a bit of drama…Almost as good as hockey…Really, I had an indescribably unique experience at Kurland Polo Estate. I was given complimentary VIP passes to see this internationally touted event. Rumor has it last year Prince Charles made an appearance. This year, Quincy Crow was there.
So, I had a chance to see my first Polo game and in style…Sponsored by BMW (not me, just the polo), and carrying the aura and glamour of ‘Polo’ itself—in an amazing setting…It was a day I will never forget (I think I have to make a list of these days)…
And the Drama: Miss Claudia Henkel—Former Miss South Africa 2004, enter stage right—Greasy Boyfriend, Mr. Van der Walt…As reported by a local South African News Source (News24.com):
“Ex-Miss SA in polo brawl08/01/2006 22:31 - (SA) Beeld George –
Fists literally flew around former Miss SA Claudia Henkel recently.
Her boyfriend allegedly slapped a spectator at a polo match at an exclusive event after the match at Kurland Estate near Plettenberg Bay.
"We just want to get the whole unsavoury business behind us and move on," said a director of the estate who didn't want to be named.
The director also confirmed that Nicky van der Walt, 25, Henkel's boyfriend, was summarily dropped from the polo tournament. The incident apparently took place on Friday two weeks ago after Clay White, 32, regional manager of an airline in Durban, allegedly asked Henkel whether he may introduce his daughter to her after the match. When White arrived later, Van der Walt was waiting for him and apparently told him to "f*** off".
White told Rapport that he was still trying to explain when Van der Walt started assaulting him.
White suffered a broken nose, injuries to his ribs and had to get sutures to his head. A local horse breeder allegedly fell through a plastic chair when White tried to get away.
Superintendent Billy Jones, police spokesperson, said Henkel and Van der Walt had laid charges of assault and harassment against White at the Plettenberg Bay police station.
White in turn had laid a charge of assault with the intent to do serious bodily harm against Van der Walt.”
I’m not usually one to go and do photo ops with ladies of fashion and fame…but this was a special request and I couldn’t turn her down…Okay, I admit…I was paid to take the picture by her publicist…Okay, the truth is…
All I did was say hi and ask for a picture…Notice the photogenic nature of that lady…and me with a goofy grin on my face…
South Africa lost by the way…Those Englishmen play a tough game of polo. If I have offended anybody by my story…I don’t want to get beat up—Mr Van der Walt is really a great guy…
MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH THE MCCONNELLS and Co, Inc.
In January 2005 I found out I was coming to South Africa and the most excited response I received was from Kim and Ed McConnell who told me that I would get to spend Christmas with them in South Africa. I arrived in South Africa and settled—and in September sometime I received emails inviting me to join their family for Christmas…I’ve rarely made plans one year in advance but it worked this time.It was great. Its fun to spend Christmas with kids (I haven’t done that it a long time). Jesus, Santa, presents, family…it was all electric! And with a couple of kids like Quinn and James…I was truly blessed. Quinn, by the way, is the wittiest four year old you’ll ever meet and James is a great guy who lives in a six year old body…They form ‘team chaos’ and when they’re around everything is an adventure. They also make up a formidable snoring team that will keep you from sleeping for hours…
Kim and Ed are neat people too and nothing seems to really bother them…not even getting lost in the middle of the South African bush. They let it become a point of discussion and this includes the comments of those following (team chaos)…We didn’t get lost for long but it was still an adventure. I think we almost lost Quinn to dehydration and James made it with minor strain…All this in 30 minutes of climbing through fences and trying to distinguish a trail from a bare patch of land that stretched for more than 2 meters…
We went to a cool place called bum-slide and walked some. Most of our time was spent near the pool or eating, or running around. One of the greatest times I had was driving through the Pilansberg Game Reserve. What a treat—to see Giraffe, Elephant, Rhino, Hippo-most of the Big five and a few of the tiny five (dung beetle, millipede…). I was truly blessed and encouraged by their family and I can’t wait until they come back to live here in South Africa!
Right? You’re coming to live here? Aren’t you?
South African Road Trippin’
I’ve driven a VW from Upstate New York to Texas and thought I had road trippin’ down to a fine art…I’ve driven part of the historic coast of Turkey and clocked up some pretty good road trips in Anatolia…But nothing really compares to an adventure up the Wild Coast of South Africa…Which begs the question…Why do they call it the ‘Wild Coast’?Two close calls, several head of cattle, a dead horse (in the middle of nowhere) and a run in with the law…I’ve graduated to another level of driving…I was pulled over for illegally crossing—that officially brings my count up to ** and three continents…I plead the same every time: It was for the sake of civil safety…This time it really was…
Anyway...Before I left on this trip I explained the itinerary to several individuals who gave me crazy looks and found my plans entertaining—little did they know I’m a professional. My friend Guillaume was once again a source of inspiration and encouragement…and he was willing to half the gas as long as we made a detour to see his girlfriend…So, I left with my Teal Mobile and saw some incredible things. It really was the best way to see South Africa and I made note of where I would like to spend some more time.
Umtata didn’t make the list.
However, Durban did, and definitely Howick and maybe Mooi Nooi again someday to meet the McConnells again…
The trip lasted a good several days. We both stopped in Gauteng (Johannesburg/Pretoria/Traffic) and spent time with friends or family for Christmas before heading home through the Karoo and the Free State…And there is plenty of reason to call it the Free State…almost 7 hours of freedom…
We arrived in Knysna in good shape and with some great memories…I’m proud to say that I learned a little Afrikaans with the whole experience.
“Vees Yo Pappa?!” (spelled phonetically)
There is so much more to this trip than what I’ve written but I don’t think I could explain it all. And it was much more than driving and seeing things from behind the wheel. I had a chance to see some great things and took some amazing pictures and make some cool memories…
Sunday, January 29, 2006
THE BIG NEWS—THANKSGIVING SURPRISE!
It began as an idea…just a quick question my Uncle asked... “So how much does a flight cost to and from South Africa?”… Little did I know that 6 weeks later I would be getting on a flight from South Africa to Austin, Texas…And little did everyone else know…Totally unprecedented…the biggest surprise I’ve ever been a part of began.
My sister was 35% surprised—which, apart from just scaring her in a dark room could be the most surprised I could hope forJ My Dad was great to watch as he tried to process how his son answered the door before he rang the doorbell and why was he there anyway…And my aunt cried (that’s good)…My Mom, grandmother and grandfather just couldn’t believe it…and neither could I really… The flight was painfully long and included some legendary layovers (40 minutes in an international terminal and I made it…with my bags). However the holiday was probably the best we’ve had as a family.
“A family that cooks pizzas together stays together…” Okay, it wasn’t the home cooked food or the cool house my sister owns…It was just great to see everyone. I met my niece—what a cute little four-legged animal! I’m a very proud uncle I have to admit…I couldn’t have done better (she doesn’t bite and is house trained)—the best niece so far!
On top of all the family and a miniature reunion—I had a chance to see my friend Trey get married to a beautiful woman. I marveled at the event with a group of friends from university. I alone marveled at how many people my age are married and have children…It was good to see everyone and the randomness helped the whole thing seem set in some movie—we were just part of one scene…
That is: The scene where a small-town Texas guy gets married to the love of his life—a Chinese gal he’s met while working and learning language in China…all this is to take place in a Baptist church in East Texas…You can only imagine the mix of characters which gathered in that chapel.
And another real treat! There is nothing like speaking Turkish in random places and eating Turkish food with great friends—IN DALLAS…Yes, in a whirlwind trip that took over 10 hours of driving I was able to attend a wedding in Linden, Texas, eat Turkish food with Ryan and Daniel in Dallas, Texas and then fall asleep in Austin, Texas…The only thing I really have to remember the whole thing is a collage of random pictures…
I apologize to my friend Katie. The second time I’ve blown through Dallas and not said hello…And to my long lost friend Rebecca Mayfield...Her and Stevie…and it would have been great to meet the man she married (his name isn’t Stevie but I bet he’s a wonder)…Another scene out of a movie…
All the traveling, friends, family, and I’m glad to be back…Its strange to call this place home but I rested well after the whirlwind of flights, reunions, long drives on highways, and eating until I couldn’t breathe…That is, after all, what Thanksgiving is all about…right?
By the way, Joey, I don’t know who you are but if you look like Audrey Hepburn you’re invited to South Africa.
