Countdown to Curtain Call #1

This is on a break. Our cast is big on massages. Hey... I'm not complaining... be jealous... very jealous. This was taken on the drive into our CI the other week... I thought it was such a beautiful little scene... it was this meandering stream.. and just lush grass that opened into the mountains. Sadly, only feet away was the damage of that fire...
On the way to CI (it was a long drive...) many games were played. This bunch (who sat directly in front of me... what entertainment)... decided to give themselves tattoos and indicate whether they won or lost games by doodling Ls and Ws on the heads of all participants. Do note that this was all done in permanent marker.
This makes me smile. Too fun. I could try to list everyone's names, but I know I'd spell most horribly wrong. But.. instead I'll list some countries I see represented. We have a Dane, two Mexicans, a Brazilian, two Germans, A Belgian, and a Swede...we also have someone from North Carolina, from New Jersey, Connecticut, and one other... but I forget where she is from... Texas?
Another picture of that pretty-as-a-picture view we got out of our bus windows on the way to our CI.

Well everyone... its almost time.

All month we've been working hard- for this coming Saturday.

I can only hope we pull together the passion and energy that our cast is capable of to deliver an amazing show...

Rehearsals have been long this week.. but there were a lot of really positive moments and breakthroughs.

Our staff has really been pushing us to explore our emotional boundaries. Our performance quality has enhanced so much... as each person has really taken that mission to heart... to try and convey through their voice, their face, and their body the essence of why they are here, in this Cast...

Today, we had Steve Faber ... a realllly awesome guest speaker. He speaks on Extreme Leadership... and is also the stepfather of one of my castmates - Kelsey. His annecdotal stories were so awesome and inspirational - as was the speech of Ms. Lee earlier this week.

Today, we caught the WATERBALLOON BANDITS!! Yay for Celiana, our Business Manager on the road - she caught them (with photo documentation!)... and instead of getting mad, helped the cast to get EVEN. So... today at wrap up, she called out Jenny and Maggie and pretended to be thanking them for their hard work with the send-off committee. For their surprise, they had to close their eyes...

And Matt, and I believe Rafa, proceeded to dump buckets of water over their head. There was no escape. They were drenched... but they deserved it, lol. After all the nights I walked to the train station all the way through the 16th street mall in my wet clothes, or damp sneakers from their shennanigans... you bet I was lovingly laughing as they stood dripping like wet little noodles!

Also today, Jochem treated about 8 volunteers to a "Dutch taste test"... What a cultural experience that was, as they bravely tried the Dutch drop they were given. The reactions were priceless. Overall, Europeans loved it, North Americans were split, the South Americans didn't like it... and the Asians/Africans didn't really care that much for it either. I had tried a Dutch drop previously courtesy of Mayke... wasn't a big fan. Its basically like licorice...intensified.

Colin's mom and cousin were nice enough to send the entire cast COOKIES... yep... all the way from Texas, we received a package of snickerdoodles, biscotti, and a chocolate brittle type treat. Loved it. The perfect end to a long day.

Our new venue is beautiful. I am excited to have our first show there. They estimate about 1,000 people will be in attendance.. mostly host families who will be preparing to say goodbye to their "kids" for the past 4.5 weeks. No doubt Monday's host drop off will be difficult. Its hard to change - but on this tour, I suppose we will soon become accustomed to it. It is how we live. Like global hobos with a mission. It is so different than what I am used to. And yet, its nervewracking, and thrilling all at the same time.

For now I will leave you with some cute little pictures (above) that capture the craziness of our cast.... enjoy.