rough cuts
Take a look at the lighter side of our travel video filming moments from around the world. Our Rough Cuts series contain short vignettes (look out, fancy word) which will entertain you, make you laugh and occasionally put you in awe. It is unedited, unpolished raw footage that will take you behind the scenes. Come back often as we will be coming out with them frequently (we have lots of footage). So, sit back, click and enjoy!
the latest
The “Red Jackets” of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
The all volunteer force of the “Chaquetas Rojas” or “Red Jackets” welcomes and greets the weary pilgrims from the Camino de Santiago. They help people who have been hiking or biking for weeks find housing, find the Pilgrim Office or whatever else they need when they enter the city. They are only around during the summer months. But, they are a much appreciated resource for travelers needing to get oriented to the city of Santiago.
The Sweets of Santiago de Compostela
While out filming in the streets of Santiago de Compostela, Spain I was invited into Pasteleria La Perla, a great bakery and chocolate store serving traditional Galician sweets. I was first shown the Pedras de Santiago, or “rocks of Santiago”, which are chocolate covered almonds. The other highlight for me was the traditional Galician cake with its characteristic powder sugar Galician cross. The sales woman told me that their cakes are eaten by the royal family of Spain and sent to the Vatican.
Blisters on the Camino de Santiago
Blisters. No doubt that they are the bane of every pilgrim’s existence on the Camino de Santiago. But that’s part of the travel adventure, right? Anyone planning on making the journey must plan for them. While following our pilgrim, Noemi, on her adventure, we watched while she treated her blisters one night at the shelter (albergue). This may be a little hard to watch for some, but you gotta be prepared. For most people, it’s not a question of if, but when, you get your blisters. And, if you’re walking for 30 days or more, you better know how to treat them. We’re not doctors, but storytellers. So, make sure you do your own homework on how to treat the blisters that you WILL get.
Since this is a Rough Cut, I decided not to translate. I think the action speaks for itself.
Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa
Do you know where the southernmost tip of Africa is? Most people mistakenly think it’s Cape Town or Cape Point. They would be wrong. It’s actually about 2-3 hours to the southeast of Cape Town in a little tiny fishing village called Cape Agulhas. The coastline goes from rocky to the west to white sandy beaches to the east at that point. It’s also where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. I’ve spent a lot of time in this little village and nearby Struisbaai. Even if you aren’t going to stay for the night, drive through and make your stand on the true southernmost tip of Africa.
Springtime in Namaqualand, South Africa
In northwest South Africa, the terrain is desert. And while it’s dry and parched for most of the year, spring rains bring out a different side of the arid surfaces. Bright colorful wildflowers fill desert floor of this area known as Namaqualand for as far as the eye can see. Although it depends on the year, you want to plan to be there roughly in late August or early September. Always check with the local authorities to find out when the peak blooming season will run.
Just African Ostriches
They may not be the prettiest bird, but ostriches are fun to watch. Throughout southern Africa you can often see them at the farms eating, hanging out, even making love as we showed you on a previous Rough Cuts video. These two were filmed in northeast Namibia on a game farm. They were remarkably tame and couldn’t have been bothered in the least by me.
Just African Penguins
Most people would be surprised to know that there are penguins in Africa. If you head south from Cape Town out to Cape Point, you can go visit these guys and get surprisingly close without interfering with their daily routine. In our video clips today, you’ll see these guys just hanging out, sunning, not bothered us at all.
Taming a Warthog
While touring around southern Africa, we made a quick stop at a game farm in Namibia owned by some family friends. They had a warthog named Canon that they had raised since he was a baby. I don´t remember the story, but he was orphaned and raised by the farmers since he was a baby. He was quite tame and very playful. I had a thought to get him with me in some promotional shots. But, Canon had a mind of his own. So, all I got were outtakes. Now I understand why they say animals are hard to work with. Here´s a small bit of me playing with him and trying to get him just to chill and hang out so I could film my piece.
Ostrich Love
Going on safari never gets old because nature is so unpredictable. I took some time out of my filming in South Africa to show my parents around. We went on safari at the Addo Elephant National Park. Of course, I had my camera at the ready to capture some b-roll of the animals. One morning on our way out, we caught these two getting busy. The audio is low so be sure to turn the volume up to hear the conversation in the background. I think this video really speaks for itself. My favorite part is our guide´s pithy observation at the end.
Atlas, the Ape, Interrupts My Interview at Monkeyland in South Africa
Outside of Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. While filming our episode on Monkeyland´s volunteer program, Tom and I were interrupted by one of Monkeyland´s favorite inhabitants, Atlas, a white-handed gibbon. When I realized that he wasn´t going to stick around very long, I quickly got behind the camera to catch him swinging away. Tom told me that gibbons are known as the ¨little men of the forest.¨ And, after seeing him swing away (and earlier walk away from us on the ground), I saw why. You just want to go up and give him a good hug. But, these guys are fairly strong and it probably wouldn´t have ended pretty had I done that. So, I am grateful for the footage I got during my shoot, and for hearing him sing throughout the day from afar. Atlas just might make another appearance on CareerBreakSecrets.com
