Under African Skies

  From some time, I have being reading this line, this meaningful line. Last time was from a blog wrote by a spanish journalist, Paco Nadal. He said "...the African skies are windows to the infinite, games of shape and color that reminds you how much energy emanate from this Continent every second..." Sadly there are not my words, too nice and well expressed to be mine. What I share with him, are the explosion of emotions that Them can caused in one. My studious, and better friend Juan Ortega has a PGD about Them. He can tell you one or two things about it. Me, despite I have been only in the southern tip of the continent, I fall in love -and again- with Them. The pictures I want to share with you now, doesn't make justice to the reality, but can give you an idea.

Once this has been said, keep an eye as well to the floor. This continent is not only know for his skies...

...This young ladies, would not complain to a bit of raw meat in the menu. 

     

Where am I living?

  Hello, it's been a while. In a rewind of my mind, I realized, that I didn't tell where I am living. Yes, you know I am in Christchurch or what is left from it, but, haven't tell who I am living with. Always, always I say that the people make the place, and not the other way around, I can be in a 'shithole' but the people around will turn it, into a comfortable, warm, and friendly place, as this one is. Thats why Cambridge have, and always will, a save place in my heart. Travelers, Workers, Kiwis, -the less- People running from someone or somewhere, People who are trying to find themselves... a constant dripping of People, that are coming and going. Passengers of this place that 'we' call Rob's Place.

 This good looking old man is Kashinanda, yes, you read it well. Kashinanda is his given name, after an spiritual period in India. I am really awful with names. Well, to understand this one, it took me a 'few days', to be gentle with myself. He is originally Dutch, born and raised in Amsterdam. Now, after what I believe an interesting live, he is a Kiwi with 15 years of citizenship under his belt. The man is a 'trotamundos' and now, father/mother of this community.
He is a lover of the music, nature and films. A hard worker for many years, and now, seeker for a peaceful, happy, and sunny day while playing guitar.

The next one is a Bavarian German, this one is a bit particular. A mix, German mother, and English father. Andreas Goodwin is his name. I don't really know where to start from with this guy. Sometimes, I think I should carry a notebook while I am with him. In general terms is a funny guy, quite ironic -English father- If everything goes fine or on track, then everything is 'sweet' or 'all good'. If it doesn't...., like someone take his milk , or the tin opener doesn't work -all of us know how annoying could be a tin opener-....Every day that passes I reaffirm myself more and more in my idea of Germans. His is got great quotes too, he actually help me to disclosure Germans, -Germans don't eat chocolate- or -I hate Germans- are part of his personal reserve. He is in a painful at times, process of 'Kiwilazing'.There is a said, 'The eyes are the mirror of the soul' If you take a closely look to his, you will have an idea of who I am talking about.

 Carl, is Kiwi, a Maori guy from Wellington to be more precise. He is studying here in Christchurch, and is a passionate of Rugby just like me. Is a guy that I spend hours with talking most of the times about Rugby, but not only. A very keen guy to understand, discover and learn new things from different countries, customs and cultures, something very easy to say but random to find in people. A businessman in the making. Recently, he sold a coat to a house mate which he previously purchased just few days before. The guy is a genius!! The guy is unmistakable from the distance nowadays, looks like the Michelin man or an onion. Is wearing layer after layer after layer...of clothes, is struggling with the winter 'cold' down here.

  Santiago and Scott, Argentinian and Canadian, are my next door housemates. The closest to couple that we have in here. They share food, room, bed, everything very nice. Santiago, is the kind of guy that came here to travel and sightsee NZ in first instance, but it turned out to be for finding himself. A seek, to find out what he want and who he is. A really good chap. Probably this work as well for Scott, plus he loves to play the guitar, with the only difference of age between them.

  Our new recruitment is Ladislav, a Czech. Very good guy. Sorry for the blur picture but he is a virtuoso of the guitar, and is very difficult to catch him standing steel. Yes, another guitarist. In here, they are like mushrooms in Autumn, they are everywhere, but until now, I didn't find one average, all of them they are quite good and talented. Ladislav is a funny character guy, now is sharing room with Andreas, which is causing him a bit of a change. This morning, while having breakfast, he said to Andreas, -Shut the fuck up- something new coming from him, everything in a friendly environment.

There are few more and all of them from different places, India, France, Ireland, England,...even a Bad Boy, his name is Ben, Kiwi. He cannot spell please, sorry neither thank you, but well, is part of the mix.

  The next one, last but not least is Charlotte. A German girl, nothing in common with our previous German. Sadly, she left a couple of weeks ago, but still worth of mention. Another one I shared very interesting and nice chats with, a lot less than I would liked to tough. A compulsory reader and photographer, and yet, finding her way.

    
  A chica guapa that is more than just a pretty face. An intelligent girl that likes to use what she has in top of her shoulders, making her even more attractive. Generally shy, until the moment she gets confidence, turning herself into a 'Femme Fatale'. A point, she waits for unleash her most deadly weapon. Her smile, that she combines wisely and beautifully with a nice sound. Her laugh. At that moment, everything is loose for the opponent, and you don't have anything else to do, but show white flag. If you refuse to do so, she might execute a couple of Kung-Fu moves, and then the battle will turn into a bloodbath!! True story. I just can say, that hopefully, I will see her again.

This is a short review of people I'm sharing most of the time, life, worries, etc... with

'Welcome to HSOB'

 
  Yesterday, for first time in official competition, I pull on the HSOB jersey, my club, nicknamed the Polar Bears, the white jersey and shorts sure has something to say about it. The 10 jersey of High School Old Boys. Probably, the club jersey worn by biggest quantity of 'big' names in Rugby history. I make my debut with the Division 2 squad, against Linwood. We won 6-35, but that for me is nearly insignificant. What really matter is that, Joe Gee, my coach, and an institution inside the club, came to me during warm-up, shake  hands with me and said -Juan, Welcome to High School Old Boys- Well, THAT, is what really matters. after 16 years of playing rugby all over the world, with highs and lows, THAT is what I was chasing for. But I won`t stop here, as I said , I played for division 2. There is one more step to go forwards, Division 1 Rugby, the zenith, and my main aim. Rugby with All Blacks next to your shoulder. Yesterday, in Division 1, played two players from Canterbury Crusaders, the most successful Rugby franchise in the world.

  Talking about Canterbury Crusaders. To experienced a whole day, I went to see a Super 15 game. A Rugby competition, involving the best franchises from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Crusaders vs Stormers. The local team against the Cape Town and top of the league team. 15$, worth it every dime. The local team won, so at the end of the day everyone happy, and me among them.

   As a reminder to opposition teams, our club house changing rooms are decorate with copies of Polar Bears and an slogan underneath -Fear the Bear- Well, fear this Bear, because He came to RRROOOAAAAARRR!!

  

28 Springs

This, will never happen again. Was my 27th birthday, 

I spend all my previous birthdays in company of my beloved Family, never went to school neither to work, and if I was abroad, I made sure to be back for 'My day', till today.

The Stanleys

Yesterday night Antonio and Me were the guests to a beautiful soirée at the Stanley family house;

Anne & Greg Stanley, Liv and her boyfriend Nick, and Tom and girlfriend Candice, were the hosts.

Tom is 21, rugby player in High School Old Boys, and he just finish a degree in building engineering. Since I arrive in Christchurch, I met some outstanding people, and Tom and his family probably are on top of the list.

They gave me the opportunity to get an extra cash doing some work in their garden, and Tom act as my cicerone. He show me the city, the damage, told me a bit of history from the place, and drove me around Christchurch too. Something that I really really appreciate. like Tom says, 'someone has to do it'.

There is not too much to say about the dinner, -actually I am speechless- but that, it was a fantastic time. A very nice roast pork, Pavlova cake for dessert -they already know my weakness about sweet stuff, and they offer me to take away what was left after repeating three times- all of this watering with wines from the private collection of Tom's father, lot of laughs, and Antonio and me at our usual best. All of this make ours nights priceless.

Sadly there is not pictures from the night, but I recover this document from the dust that I want to share with you.

Highway nº 1

 To not bother you much with my Christmas trip, I decide to change the title of it.

On my way up to Wellington, Daniel and me took a bus back to Christchurch, and then another one from our beloved city to Picton. Town probably famous, just because is the port where the ferry towards Wellington leave.

Highway nº 1, this is the road, that links Christchurch and Picton, via Northwest coast, and surround by mountains, cliffs and beaches.  I have to say that, this is the most beautiful bus ride I have ever did.

Ironically another Highway nº 1, but this one in California, have the name for one of the most scenics road in the world. Me, luckily I had the chance to ride both, and I think the NZ one is considerably nicer. Probably the Californian one is more glamorous for where it is, and James Dean.

Judge by yourselves...

...This is it.

The move night ferry up to Wellington, the pass from 2011 to 2012 in company of a charming and bossy policewoman officer - No, don't worry Antonio, the only one with criminal records, are you and Alan still- and flight back to Christchurch, because a flight is cheaper than a bus, are not worth of deeper mention.

P.S. Wellington is a very nice, and lively city worth to visit one more time, maybe with you Antonio.      

'The Reason'

The pictures are not from the best quality, but good enough to see the Silver Fern in their breasts. 

That Silver Fern is the National emblem of New Zealand, and their Famous All Blacks Rugby Team. 

This guys, my friends, are my coaches, and yes, one time not long ago, All Blacks and legends of this Sport, and the ultimate reason that took me to this country 

Aaron Mauger, Nathan Mauger and Reuben Thorne.

This is actually the reason.

For me, at this stage, hearing from Aaron Mauger -with 46 caps for his country and two Rugby World Cups under his belt-  comments like 'good skills Juan'... are just priceless. 

Now, I'M ENJOYING, inside me there is a fulfilling feeling of HAPPINESS, much needed after a tough and sad end of year.