kill bill

i the spirit of rugby i decided to take up my boots and go play some rugby. man oh man. my body is hurting. knowing than i am a yappie. every tom dick and harry on the pitch tried to kill bill. every time the ball came my way there were four froggies on me. i think i will not be able to move tomorrow. and thats not all. here they do everything in one practice. hence the practice went on for what felt like a year. but in actual fact is was only three hours. contact non stop. apart from the eight laps we ran around the picth befoe we even started. the old will power is kicking. but the body is weak. and thats not all. i had to take the bus to the field. that took thirty minutes. then after three hours of murder. i had to walk that distance back. that was absolutely no joke what so ever. not to mention the ladies of the night that i had to pass on my way home. i had to walk halfway across the city about. all of that said. the biy in me feels good. shouting codes and moves in french is a new one for me. the only word i did understand very well was merde. no translation there. however it is good for my french. i enjoy making new friends. it is a bit weird to be standing next to someone in a line out or in the backline and be talking wine characters and the quality of the wine this season. but then again this is france and here nothing is normal. i wonder what will happen next. only time will tell and the anticipation is great. but all of that said it was a great experience and i can not wait for the season to start. no doubt i would be as fit as a fiddle come match day. what this space.

world cup fever

how can i not write something about the rugby world cup happening in france at the moment. this is not a sports blog or anything so there will be no opinions what so ever allowed. only propoganda. and we all know that realistically there is only one team that will win this world cup. ask england. thirty six plays zero. beautiful. who is next.

thunderstorm

hells bells. we had a thunderstorm tonight. it was so cool. it came and went in less than ten minutes. have not seen it like this before. drops the size of golf balls. lightning crashing. thunder rumbling. and the water was gushing out the gutters like a firemans hose. i was just crazy. the street light outside my window exploaded just as i stuck my head out the window. spectacular. the water flooded the street in now time. a couple with a baby in a pram tried to cross the street. as they did the wheels of the pram disappeared under the sudden flood of water. the man half leg in the water. finally they made it into the car. soaking wet. i think the baby made it too. and believe it or not. the sky is now without a trace of a cloud. peaceful and quiet.

french braai

i want to introduce you to two very special people in montpellier. brain. an american that teaches english at the university. and marie charlotte. of french origin and girlfriend of brian. they are my french family. they hosted one of my friends from the language school. stephan. and that is how i got to know them. when they heard that i was south african and a winemaker they were astonished. because they love sa and they love wine. not to mention the bubbly factor. two greater lovers of bubbly i have not yet seen. so after stephan left they have invite me for private wine tasting and dinner. so this past weekend i got invited for sunday dinner. i was great. lots of laughs. lots of jokes and funny stories. all in french i will let you know. and guess what we had for dinner. i had my first braai in france. and it was good. pork chops and wors accompanied by grilled potatoes and salad. not the same quality as back in sa off course. but a braai non the less. hats off to the friendly french people for making me feel right at home.

time flies

as you all know i have been sent to france to do some studying too. hehehe. so in two weeks time after i return from portugal my course will commence. the real reason i am here. i cant wait. to get back into the wine lingo. the tasting. i wonder what classes will be like. i think different to what i am used to for sure. but thats all part of the experience. oh the excitement is buzzing. grapes. vineyards. cellars. wine. here we go. went yesterday to sort out my accommodation. found a batchelors flat in one of the student residences. will be good for team spirit i guess. we will have to see. old man among the rest. at least i have my own bathroom and kitchen. and a balcony. bonus. will send pics as soon as i have some. in the meantime i will enjoy my last few days at the language school. cant belive that it has been three months alreay. i guess what they say is true. time flies when you are having fun.

holidays

guess who is going to portugal. yip. moi. i have booked my ticket. will be flying out of here. only at the end of the month. will be away for five days. in the douro valley. that is where my dad is doing his thing at the moment. can not wait to visit them. will be good to see the silwer fellow in action. the maestro that he is. should be a treat. the master at work. the picture is what it looks like there. this is what i expect to experience.

saturday afternoon

i spent my saturday afternoon taking pictures of my some of my favourite places in montpellier. it includes eating crumble avec fruit rouge and cafe at salon de the. then strolled past the english bookshop in the petite allee on the right to see if there are anything exciting. from there i made my way to the espalanade to see who is kissing who behind the fountain today. perhaps one day soon i will get my turn behind the fountain. hahaha. i also included place st roch. this is were the best wine bars and restaurants are. have a look.

a mission

i spent this morning watching and listening to clips of the movie. the mission. it left me with such an overwhelming feeling inside. the music just speaks to my heart. lots of emotions and thoughts. how is it possible that people can go through life without stopping every once in a while. to take a deep breath. to refelct. to see how things have changed around them. to appreciate the beauty. to see children grow up. to see their boy become a man. things we take for granted everyday. the freedom we live in. the right most of us have to practice our spiritual and religious views without persecution. most of us live in countries that are the result of colonialism. have we ever given thought to the impact it has had. it displays the arrogance and greed of humanity. its lust for power. and wealth. closets full of hidden agendas. but what about the opposite argument. is the world not a better place because of it. it has given meaning to many people. many lives. yes you can argue that the way it was done perhaps was wrong. but none the less. that was the mission given to us. to go into all the world. to tell them what we know. the truth that has been given to us. what truth you might ask. the truth of life. i will answer. but first you take some time out. take a journey back in time. look back and appreciate your experiences. they make you who you are. whether good or bad. you deteremine that. i urge you. if you seek for it. you will find it. i have.

the streets

as predicted. today was better. much better. i went to taste some new wines at a win bar i discovered some days ago. friendly patron and good service. i meet with friends. and afterwards we parted ways. thats when i decided. i will take a walk through the streets of montpellier. the dusk had set in on the ancient part of the city. the wind was blowing the first falling autumn leaves around the quiet back streets. i walk clutching my thoughts. what a magnificant old city. buildings that has years of wisdom and experience between them. it felt like is was being counseled by a wise old man as i walked the streets. i was simple. it was nostalgic. it was intense as i wrestled with my feelings. with my thoughts. the walls and doors seem to smile at me as i walked past. as if they are nodding at me. acknowledging my presence. and warm emotion rised within me. i felt at home. i felt a sense of belonging. i started speaking under my voice as i walked down the cobble stones. i turned past the old clock and on to the esplanade. i walk across the park and under the trees. the seasons are certainly changing. i remember the trees on the esplanade having a lot more leaves some weeks ago. the thought of change excites me as my heart takes a leap. i sat down on one of the benches and watched as a couple kissed behind the fountain. was a funny but good moment. then i just laughed out loud. as i sat there i watched as life passed by. a boy kicking his ball aginst the wall. another couple passed. the did not stop behind the fountain. i laughed again. this time louder. i got up. walk past the opera house and down towards the cafe. here i sat down and listened to the sounds of jazz echoing across the square. the cafe was empty and i had my first of three espressos. as i listened to the lady singing i observed the people passing. i love doing that. my thoughts wondered as i put each passing person in his or her box. funny game i like to play. perhaps it is my way of escaping. but still. the calmness and peace that was there around me was bizarre. it was a good evening. time of reflection as i sat there staring at the buildings. the people. the water sprinkling out of the fountain. the wind blowing. i wish you were here. to walk the streets with me. to experience the same. to stare at the people. to listen to the music. to feel the wind on your face. to watch as the autumn leaves dance in the twilight. can life get better than this. i wonder.

the following song is my modification of a bruce springsteen song. you will recognise it. it is not meant to be sad. those that know me well will understand.

i was bruised and battered

could not tell what i felt

i was unrecognisable to myself

saw a reflection in the window

didnt know my own face

left as if i was fading away

among the foreign surroundings

i walked the cobbled street

till i couldnt think anymore

heard the voices

of friends vanished and gone

i felt the wind on my face

whispering soflty

calling my name

among the foreign surroundings

i am not a regular anymore

trying to find my place

with differences so evident

and my skin a thousand miles away

now the night has fallen

but i am wide awake

i feel myself dreaming away

so except me city

with one last kiss

dont leave me out here

alone like this

among these foreign surroundings

some days are better than others

excuse the sad mood. i am just being real. bite me.

i remember someone singing a song that had these words. some days are better than others. thats where i was today. it will pass. the sun will rise tomorrow. the sadness will pass. and when i wake up tomorrow it will be gone. i just know it. why. because thats life. we all fall. we get up again. had situations to handle. things to deal with. that is life happening. then we move on. we look back. smile. shake our heads. and thats the end of it. i guess. not always that easy. but that depends on your attitude. and thats what i love about living the life i have been given. it is never sure. perhaps you have the unfair advantage like i have. and you know things in advance. but what do you do with it. today was a day where my mind played its usual tricks on me. and the memories kidnapped me. i hate those days. it makes me thinks of missed opportunities. lost chances. broken hearts. friends lost. people dying. as someone once said. there are plenty of ways to die but you have to figure out a way to live.

talk about it

this story is not for all of you who live in a black and white world. where everything is plain and simple. this is more for those who think about things. that challenge the physcological status quo. today ended being a sad day for me. i dont know why. it just was. so i will tell you what registered in this crazy head of mine. perhaps i received something i did not expect. or was hoping for sometihing i did not get. and. i have heard a lot of bad things happening around me. to good people. people that deserves more. we all feel. have good days. and bad days. but why dont we talk about it. why do we not talk about what we feel. i guess that is the problem in our world. women that are stuck with men without feelings. emotionally dead. afraid to express themselves. today it hit me again. it made me sad inside. guys. we all have so much to give. what is your reason for being keeping it in. what are you hiding. what are you running from. perhaps i just enjoy saying what i feel. expressing my emotions. nobody ever say what they want. it is always the candy coated version. should it not stop. but girls. you are guilty too. i am not sure of what though. perhaps not allowing us to be. creating too much of an expecation. or placing us in a box. having false expectations. and in the end it all gets twisted. turned. i vote for honesty. i vote for truth. la verite. but ok. lets chill out. i guess that is life challenging us. dont flip out. just keep it in mind. tomorrow will be a better day i guess. lets hope so. till tomorrow then. bite me.

we all feel

the dawn is breaking.
a light shining through.
there is no time for talking.
i am tangled up in you.
i have opened myself.
you have closed.
i follow your ghost.
i worry i wont see your face light up again.
even the best fall down sometimes.
even the wrong words seem to rhyme.
out of the doubt that fills your mind.
i somehow find you and i collide.
i am quiet you know.
you made a first impression.
i have found.
i am scared to know.
i am always on your mind.
even the best fall down sometimes.
even the stars refuse to shine.
out of the back you fall in time.
somehow find you and i collide.
but dont stop there.
and i have lost my place.
and i am close behind.
even the best fall down sometimes.
even the wrong words seem to rhyme.
out of the doubt that fills your mind.
you finally find you and i collide.

howie day - collide

paella anyone

have ever seen something like this. a paella. the pan was

almost two meters wide. and the taste. absolutely exquisite.

the rhone valley experience

ok. so we decided to put our bravery to the test. what test you ask. driving in france off course. a country known for one ways and round abouts. mad men behind steering wheels and ladies living on the hooters. but our courage go the better of us and we set off for the rhone valley. three hundred odd kilometers north east of montpellier. not long down the road we hit our first hick up. pile up on the auto route and we travel ten kilometers in two hours. i thought that was the first and last time i drive in france. then struggled for another two hour to get a hotel. eventually at eleven friday night we land a winner and stumble into bed. not a good start at all. and the expectation in me starts to fade slowly. but also knowing that two days of intense wine tasting awaits us. that by the way takes serious courage. in a country like france especially. but obviously this was going to be a weekend of pushing ourselves to the limit. against the french beast of gastronomy. saturday morning we started with a song of joy in our hearts. taste some magnificent wines and i thought i could die right there and go to heaven. but unfortunately my travel partner decided to park infront of someones garage. so we got parked in. blocked. no way out. i thought. great. here ends our weekend. our bravery caught up with us sooner than we thought. but. now ways. we were not gonna give up that easily. so after pleading with the owner in our best french. he smiled. said something under his breath and allowed us out. we were back in the game. tasted more wines. more pleasure. drove up the steap slopes of the valley face and waited patiently as my travel pratner took picture of dead people at the local semitary. rest in peace. hehehe. headed down the river to find more delicate pleasures of the vine. and gold we found indeed at the end of the rainbow. this time to the delight of better value for money. cooperative wine at high quality and low prices. we just had to buy some. had to wait for a while here though. the staff was on siesta and we decided to pose in the vineyards for some pics. ate there grapes too. beautiful. anyways. thanks to good french service. we hit the road. winding down the river seeking lodging for the night. having learnt from the night before and being in high spirits we hit another wall. first five hotels all chock a block. this called for plan b. and we allowed the river to direct us. some miles down the road we found a bed for the night. only to find out that there is a wine festival in town. what. no. your are joking. nope. our spirits jumped. to the festival at once. and off we went. a night on the streets between the crazy french. street music and road shows. does life get better than this. the answer unfortunately for your reading this is a big fat yes. we are informed. there will be a wine market in the morning they tell us. no. your joking right. no. i am not. without knowing what the market will entail. we hit the sack early bells in hope of striking it lucky once more. and luck it was indeed. the morning we sleep through breakfast and hit the road two hours later than planned. we get to the wine market holding our breath. dont want to be disappointed. no chance. the top producers of the whole rhone under one roof. i am lost for words. my travel partner swallows a bag full of giggles and does not stop for the entire time we are there. we taste. we spit. we spit. we spit. we spit. we speak french. we ask in french. we laugh in french. we love the french. what amazing people. we leave the market in a state of euphoria. and no. not because of the wine. but the intense feeling of contentment. we pack the fiest with the winnings of our expedition and it the road down the river once more. the weekend will not be comlete without french cuisine and we settled for a little cafe on the river between the sunday locals. we sit there reflecting on a weekend well spent. good times. laughing about the courage displayed and what a good battle we have had with the french. victorious indeed. having time in the bank before having to return the little fiesta we decide on a victory lap around the country side instead of the boring auto route. and a victory lap it was indeed. the two hour return became a four hour one as we carved our names across the south of france. seeing little towns and vilages that would otherwise have been lost to us. as we sing and laugh with the french caberet music on the dial we are absorbed within a world of it own. the south of france. a world magical in its own. wine. food. people. friendly faces. old and young. a garden for all who are willing to let down their guard and play. come and see for yourself. experience the garden. come and play. and a footnote to my partner in crime. good job johny. till next time.