I bless the rains down in South Africa
One of the things I keep hearing from people who have seen my photos from South Africa is that I look happy, and that's because I was! South Africa cleared my head, repaired my heart, I was free!
I met some amazing people there and learned more about this big beautiful planet we live on!
The Story Begins:
I found out that I was going to be traveling to South Africa for work in mid September. I was elated, but I was also faced with a work dilemma. You see, I had signed on to work on a pretty high profile film in Cleveland, but who doesn't go to South Africa when presented with the opportunity, especially on someone else's dime.
I knew it my gut that everything would turn out as it was supposed to, but I still had decisions to make.
I attempted to replace myself on the high profile movie, but that quickly became not an option, and I had no choice but to work on this film. This resulted in me feeling trapped, unhappy, and ultimately kinda depressed.
Don't get me wrong, the movie job wasn't that hard and it was a nice income to end the year with, but I didn't want to be there, and that messes with your mind.
Thanksgiving arrived (the day I was leaving for S.A.) and I should've been thrilled, a part of me was, but I was also going through a minor break up as I was leaving the country.
Now, let's fast forward through 4 different airports over 24 hours of travel-I met with some of my show co-workers at the Johannesburg airport, we flew into George. We all piled into the van and my first drive through the beautiful country side would begin.
South Africa is a beautiful place. As we pulled into the game reserve where I would be staying I saw my first elephants, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeasts galore!
On our first work day we geared up and got ready to go out and Recce (scout the location and go over how you are going to film it), and the adventures began. One of our locations is where our star rappel's into gorge filled with water...which required we wade out to this spot. The first step I took into the water I slid on a seaweed coated rock, and from there embracing the swimming was on! The water ended up being more than waist deep, there were spots where I couldn't touch. The water was brisk and the air was warm and the swim was just the way to begin the adventure!
The next place we went that day were the twin towers, where I proceeded to navigate the Via Ferrata! A via ferrata is a protected climbing route found in the Alps and certain other locations, built with a steel cable rail fixed to the rock, metal steps, ladders, suspension bridges and zip wires This was my first time doing this type of cayoneering, and I absolutely fell in love with it! Over the course of the shoot, I did this particular climb 3 times, at three different paces, with 3 different safety guides.
The next days adventures were at the coast! The crystal clear water, the crashing waves, the shining sun! And the riot on the way home.....But first, back to the water.
We followed the path that goes along the water, past a high end restaurant, and along the path again. We climbed about 75 stairs and came out on the other side of a sea cave. A cave that led to a beach surrounded by rocks and vegetation. The type of place where you could lie out at the beach alllllll day!
We finished our recce early and were headed back to the lodge when we came to a slow on the highway. Our driver, Ranier, told us that it was a riot and our caravan turned around and regrouped at a gas station. After many phone calls to production and trying to find alternate routes we decided to drive into the nearby town and go to a coffee shop. The coffee shop we went to just so happened to be across from a sports store, so I scored some water shoes which would come in handy the rest of the trip. After about an hour the riot was cleared and we headed home, showered and had an amazing dinner.
After our 2 days of recce, the next day was shoot day number 1, and I was reminded just how difficult this particular show can be, but it's worth every second of struggle. The experiences I had will change me forever. The animals I saw (can't post photos because of poachers) were majestic. Words can't describe how I felt when I saw a pack of elephants walking across the plain towards us. Words can't describe how free I felt on the Via Ferrata, and words can't describe just how much I needed this.
Leaving you with more photos, and this little word of wisdom- don't make eye contact with Water Buffalo's when trying to find somewhere to go pee ;)
I met some amazing people there and learned more about this big beautiful planet we live on!
I found out that I was going to be traveling to South Africa for work in mid September. I was elated, but I was also faced with a work dilemma. You see, I had signed on to work on a pretty high profile film in Cleveland, but who doesn't go to South Africa when presented with the opportunity, especially on someone else's dime.
I knew it my gut that everything would turn out as it was supposed to, but I still had decisions to make.
I attempted to replace myself on the high profile movie, but that quickly became not an option, and I had no choice but to work on this film. This resulted in me feeling trapped, unhappy, and ultimately kinda depressed.
Don't get me wrong, the movie job wasn't that hard and it was a nice income to end the year with, but I didn't want to be there, and that messes with your mind.
Thanksgiving arrived (the day I was leaving for S.A.) and I should've been thrilled, a part of me was, but I was also going through a minor break up as I was leaving the country.
Now, let's fast forward through 4 different airports over 24 hours of travel-I met with some of my show co-workers at the Johannesburg airport, we flew into George. We all piled into the van and my first drive through the beautiful country side would begin.
On our first work day we geared up and got ready to go out and Recce (scout the location and go over how you are going to film it), and the adventures began. One of our locations is where our star rappel's into gorge filled with water...which required we wade out to this spot. The first step I took into the water I slid on a seaweed coated rock, and from there embracing the swimming was on! The water ended up being more than waist deep, there were spots where I couldn't touch. The water was brisk and the air was warm and the swim was just the way to begin the adventure!
The next place we went that day were the twin towers, where I proceeded to navigate the Via Ferrata! A via ferrata is a protected climbing route found in the Alps and certain other locations, built with a steel cable rail fixed to the rock, metal steps, ladders, suspension bridges and zip wires This was my first time doing this type of cayoneering, and I absolutely fell in love with it! Over the course of the shoot, I did this particular climb 3 times, at three different paces, with 3 different safety guides.
The next days adventures were at the coast! The crystal clear water, the crashing waves, the shining sun! And the riot on the way home.....But first, back to the water.
We finished our recce early and were headed back to the lodge when we came to a slow on the highway. Our driver, Ranier, told us that it was a riot and our caravan turned around and regrouped at a gas station. After many phone calls to production and trying to find alternate routes we decided to drive into the nearby town and go to a coffee shop. The coffee shop we went to just so happened to be across from a sports store, so I scored some water shoes which would come in handy the rest of the trip. After about an hour the riot was cleared and we headed home, showered and had an amazing dinner.
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| Seasons Greetings from SA |
Leaving you with more photos, and this little word of wisdom- don't make eye contact with Water Buffalo's when trying to find somewhere to go pee ;)
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| On the Via Ferrata |
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