Jenny Jump

Here are two very important lessons we learned about buying a tent. One: always get a tent with aluminum poles - they are much lighter. Two: always get a tent with a fly covering the tent all the way down to the ground – no cutouts which expose the inner tent to potential rain. Because: as so often with Murphy’s Law, rain will find you as soon as you set out for a camping trip!

Our experience at “Jenny Jump” wasn’t any different. We got to the beautiful campsite in the morning, set up our newly purchased tent, went for a hike, got back and started a campfire! Dinner took a while to be served (well, our baked potatoes turned into charcoal but the corn was incredible!) and just as we got ready to have a marshmallow dessert, the rain set in.

Escaping into our tent was not much help. Rain was pouring in everywhere dripping onto our feet and heads! Wet sleeping bags on non-inflated (since broken) self-inflatable mats. I still wonder how we were able to catch some sleep at all that night. It must have been the monotonous drumming of the rain.

I love listening to the rain in a tent. No matter if it’s inside or outside or both. Part of the camping charm!

Cirque du Soleil

When was the last time you’ve been stunned and enchanted like a child? I guess it’s been a while, huh? If you are looking for that feeling of holding your breath in disbelief of what you see, go and catch one of Cirque du Soleil’s shows!

I was captured by the costumes, artistic, music, and incredible stage design during Manila’s “Varekai” show. The story reminds of Icarus. Flying to close to the sun a young man loses his wings. He crashes and wakes up in an enchanted forest. He meets various creatures, falls in love with one and…?

The whole story is told by artists swinging on ropes, bending their bodies in the most fascinating ways, or flying through the air like cannonballs. I was amazed to which perfection a human body can be trained and trimmed. I asked myself what kind of personality it takes to push your body so hard to be among the few top artists out there, to devote your life and work to a traveling show, to find your life’s goal in perfection and the applause after a successful show.

Whatever it is that drives them, I owe them my highest respect! Thank you Glenn for an amazing birthday gift!

Drums on Fire

The passion for fire reignited... My first public fire spin in ages! I almost forgot how much I enjoy spinning Poi!

Kylie rocks!

... or not as some might (and did) argue. Admitted, she doesn't rock in a musical sense but she sure rocks the crowd with a stunning stage show, costumes, and her incredible voice! Kylie is a great singer, an actress, and an entertainer.

Not many good acts find their way to Manila. If they do I usually find out the day after reading the local newspapers. This time I had a two day knowledge advantage! The choice between the few remaining tickets was either very expensive (15K Pesos - roughly 250 Euro) or really budget (800 Pesos - 15 Euro) . I went for the latter and prepared well by bringing my binoculars.

Kylie's "Aphrodite Tour" lived up to its name! Diva Kylie stepping out of an open shell, Kylie on a winged horse, and Kylie on a carriage drawn by two muscular guys strapped in leather... Provocative dance choreography and daring outfits including gagged guys and half naked women. The whole show was sexual and sensual.

I was impressed and at the same time pictured the critical headlines in the papers the next day for "undermining the Philippines' Catholic moral". Well, as a gay icon she attracted a diverse audience and catered to all of us.

After a 1.5 hours non-stop show a complete different Kylie appeared on stage. No fancy outfits but simple shorts and a shirt. Engaging the audience she sang her old old songs, laughed hearty, and was as natural as she could be. One could feel she owns the stage even without a show around her. She is the show. A refreshingly natural one, too.