One show down....3 to go (Parte A)

Note: I have done so much in the past couple of weeks that I need to split this update into 2 parts. This is the first.)

So I made it through the Opening Ceremony of the PanAmericans here in Guadalajara. Not sure if anyone managed to catch any footage of the show itself, but just in case you didn't....

Some footage of my favourite part

It is relatively ironic because I thought the Nortec bit with the tubes was really lame in rehearsal. But the night of the show it was amazing. Gotta love a good audience participation moment. Here are a few more photos from the show itself:

Opening Segment el corazón de México

Nortec Pyro Moment
More Nortec
Team USA Arrives
Pyro exterior
More Pyro (best pyro show ever!)
Flying Bits
Juanes sings Es Tiempo de Cambiar (It's Time to Change)
Me in my horrible show uniform
All our boys under the stage

Then in about 20 hours or so, it was all gone and ready for the Football. Here is a photo from the load out. Gotta love a forklift full of crew:

I did manage to make it to Mexico City for a couple of days. One of the guys we work with, Ian, lives there so he brought myself and Adam Lenderyou along for on a lovely road trip. Ironically I ended up doing most of the driving (both Adam and Ian were a bit too sleepy to drive), but it was a good way to see the country side of Mexico.
We spent an afternoon with Ian and his brother Bryan at Teotihuacan (pronounced Te o tee wha caan). These are some ancient Mayan ruins including 2 pyramids El Sol (the sun) and La Luna (the moon). They were spectacular. We probably should have got a guide as the boys kept telling us they were built by aliens, but it did become quite the joke in the end...and a bit eerie as you will see from one of the photos later on. You can't climb to the top of La Luna, but we did climb El Sol (233 ft/71 m high!). Was glad I made it to the top. Here are the photos:

The UNESCO sign on arrival
Ian, Adam and I
The boys in their pano album cover at the base of La Luna
Me and the boys at the midway point of La Luna
Me and Adam on La Luna (he was the chosen one we decided - check out the creepy glowing orb! Aliens really are there I guess.)
El Sol - all 233 ft/71 m of it
All 4 of us on the top of El Sol
Me on the descent of El Sol

We spent a bit of time just hanging around in the City since Adam and I were staying in the centre of town. We saw some amazing bits of architecture and the like.

Our hotel
There are homes like this everywhere

City bike rental
The Metro in Mexico City
Catedral Metropolitana (built over a temple - Spanish Catholic converters!)
A model of Templo Mejor that it is built over
Zócalo (the city centre square)
My Breakfast (Divorced Eggs!)
Awwww....how cheap the Corona is here!
El Ángel de la Independencia
A Beautiful Mosaic tiled building in the city

We also spent some time at a Basilica near Ian and Bryan's house called La Basilica de los Remedios. Obviously there are basilicas and cathedrals everywhere thanks to the Spanish. But they are pretty impressive.

The Basilica itself
Entertainment at the Basilica
A courtyard area
An offer plate that says they don't accept bills!

Interior of the Basilica

The Basilica also had a little street with market stalls and the like. We stopped and contemplated (but DIDN'T) eating crickets. We did manage to get ourselves some Gomichelas which are drinks made with Corona, flavoured syrup, chili and filled with different gummy candies or jelly babies. Really yummy!

Ian and I with our Gomichelas
A bowl of chili flavoured crickets for eating

So that is about all I can write about for now. I did hit a couple more interesting places in the last week (including a short break to the beach), but I figured no one would read an extremely long update.
More to come in another day or so. I am still uploading the photos..
Sxo

Melbourne whirlwind and back onto a plane...

So my time in Melbourne was extremely quick. I primarily came home for Bianca and Jez's wedding and to pack for the next gig. However, I did manage to cram quite a bit in.

Before I get to the wedding, I did get myself along to the MCG to watch my beloved Collingwood play in the preliminary final. I was convinced they would win because there was no way I could attend the Grand Final as I would be in Mexico. Ange and I went along. We didn't think they would win, but it was great to see them bring it home in the last quarter. Sadly, we didn't beat Geelong in the Grand Final, but just seeing a game at the G was enough for me. And what a fabulous game it was!

Me and Ange at the Game
My Beloved MCG in Footy Mode

The wedding was absolutely lovely. The ceremony was in Edinburgh Gardens and the reception was at Fitzroy Bowls Club. I did seem to bring with me some lovely weather as since I have left, it has been pouring with rain. Good thing we got Bianca and Jez's wedding in on the loveliest day I had in Melbourne. I helped out with the flowers which was quite fun!

Flowers on the Gate at the Pavillion
Kaelen
The Flower Girls
Jez sings his vows!
Bianca and her dad
Bianca and Jez
Me just about to start a game of Lawn Bowls
Me and Bianca

I did manage to catch up with quite a few people as well which was nice, but then it was back on the plane to Guadalajara, Mexico! Since the show is not very far away at all, I have really only been working and sleeping, but in between the shows I am hoping to see a bit more. I will also be here for the ParaPan American ceremonies as well, which means I will be in Mexico for Dia de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead). This is a huge celebration in this part of the world, so look out for those photos in November. I have been using my Spanish which I haven't really used for at least 15 years. The locals are helping me to remember and apparently I keep getting better! I definitely understand a lot more than I can speak, but by the end I am sure I will have improved. The stadium where the show will be is called Omnilife Stadium. It is pretty much brand new!

The view from my plane on the way here (just had to take a photo!)
Omnilife Stadium (during a previous event)
The stadium from the outside (real grass on the building, artificial turf on the pitch!)
The concourse
Athlete's Village - pretty much within walking distance to the stadium

We did manage to have 1 massive storm since I have been here. Unfortunately for us, we got trapped under the stage as it was during rehearsals. It was crazy! So much hail. We made it out after about 20 minutes, but the rain continued into the night. It wasn't the only rain I have seen since I have been here.....reminds me a bit of Delhi!

The road out the front of my hotel upon arrival
Adam and Julio have a hail fight!
Cris and Lisa show off the hail
The storm video footage


The pool at my hotel (not that I have used it!)
My Hotel

So I will be here in Mexico until the end of November. Will surely have more photos of Mexico soon. Hopefully I will see more than the stadium and my hotel.
Then I will head to Seattle for the holidays (and my quick jaunt back to Vancouver to see Kanye!). Then Aussie summer...until I find the next job.
I did forget to publish a fab video from New Zealand. Me on the Segway during load out. I would like to get one, but I heard that the CEO accidentally died falling off a cliff whilst riding one so maybe not...it is pretty fun though!

Hope everyone is well! More news from Sarah vs the World soon I am sure.
Lots of love,
Sxo