ChristofAppel.com

Wow, this place is ridiculously beautiful… I’ve spent the last few days roadtripping through the rockies with none other than my Mom! She works overseas and we don’t get to see each other a lot so this trip posed as the perfect chance for us to unwind and catch up. Added to that she’s a legend, so easy going and probably one of the coolest people to travel with, ever!

We’ve traveled through Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise on our way to Vancouver. It’s summer here at the moment which means day time temperatures have reached as high as 32′C and as South Africans we’re feeling at home! Apparently the winter turns ugly when temperatures can dip down to -30′C in the Rockies. Are you freakin kidding me?!!? Summer sees most of the usually snow covered Rockies exposed and the Bow river is flowing strongly through the valley…

Everyone who knows me knows that I’ve never been religious, I do believe that there is some form of higher being but I just think that people/religion try to define him in a way that  suits them, sadly it causes judgement and has caused a large part of the conflict found in the world today. No before things get heavy, I’ve always felt an amazing connection with nature, from surfing the oceans of the world through to hiking up mountains, this amazing planet and it’s natural wonders have always been ‘my church’ the place where I feel closest to ‘that guy’ (or girl, in fact I wouldn’t be surprised if a she runs the show)…

This is no more true than in Canada, Banff & Jasper National Park are probably in the top 10 most beautiful places one could ever see. I went for a run through the mountains and a I kid you not, I got goosebumps just by looking around me. Canada should be on everyone’s list of places to go and the Rockies provide the perfect chance to camp, canoe, white water raft, hike, enjoy the snow and just sit back and revel in how lucky we are to be…

written by \\ tags: travel life

Last night I placed 2nd in my semi-final. Which means I don’t qualify to go through to the final of 10 people on Saturday. It’s a huge disappointment but quite honestly there’s nothing you can do about it, except hope that you’re having a bad dream.

Statistically the winner comes from the 2nd half of the draw, I drew speaking slot number 1 - many people consider it the unforgettable/slot of death, not a good start. Funny enough, the 1st place and 3rd place went to the speakers who were in second to last and the last speaking slot. Imagine that. It also helps to have a large contingent of your countrymen in the audience, the large group of Australians were there, were loud and even brought flags.

It’s doubly as bitter because this is the second time I’ve placed 2nd (placed 2nd in Washington DC in 2006 as well). Too many 2’s there.Who was that guy who finished in 2nd behind Lance Armstrong 4 times? Oh, no one cares.

Well, not really talkative right now…

written by

I arrived in Calgary last night, due to the time difference from London I decided to try and stay awake on the plane in order to avoid jetlag. Effectively I was flying back in time, I left London at 4pm (Monday) and arrived in Calgary at 8pm (also Monday) but 9hrs had passed so when I arrived here it was effectively 3am for me. The Canadians must be the most polite, hospitable and kind people I have met in a sleep deprived, drooling state…

It’s 6:30am here now which makes it 2:30pm in South Africa. Later this morning I’m heading off to the Telus Convention Center where The Toastmaster’s Annual Convention is being held. My World Championship Speaking semi-final is only at 7pm tonight but we have a few briefing/admin meetings we need to attend before then. I will also be meeting up with the other South Africans who are attending the conference and sampling some good quality bacon, flapjacks and maple syrup! Apparently, when in Canada, do maple syrup…

I’ll be writing on this blog every few hours to keep all of you up to date with the happenings and my semi-final result!

Later, ey!

Yes, this is my ‘I’ve just woken up’ look! I’m wearing my lucky hoody so today is going to go brilliantly!

written by \\ tags: speaking travel life

Some people say that summer in London has come and gone…that means it was two weeks long! I love London, the history, architecture, sophistication, first world public transport, football games, Hyde park, the Thames, Trafalgar Square and catching up with all my South African friends who live and work there! Note, I’ve never had to spend more than 3 weeks at a time in London so whenever I’m there the rainy/cloudy weather is a bit of a novelty…

I spent some time in Windsor along the river and also visited friends in Putney, Fulham, Wimbledon, Piccadilly, Hyde Park, Notthing Hill and Soho. I caught up with a good friend who works in Finance in the Royal Exchange Building. This building is absolutely beautiful inside and out and it shows how a well revamped building can showcase a perfect mesh between historical grandeur and sleek modern style.

I had to travel through Terminal 5, the infamous terminal which caused so much havoc for passengers and their luggage when it opened a few months ago. It’s a ridiculously modern building with glass and steel everywhere making it somewhat cold but show me an aiport that isn’t.

I am somehow jinxed by airport security. On my first trip ever to London someone was caught with a fake passport 1 hour before I arrived, the surname he used - Appel. As soon as my passport was handed over I was escorted to a room by two stern security officers and I needed to use all my persuasion skills in order to avoid a cavity search. This time round things were going along smoothly until a little Police dog literally ran across an entire customs area to jump onto my laptop bag. On any other day I would have considered him cute. Not today. Apparently his sense of smell was so amazing that he could smell the biltong I had in my bag 3weeks ago…well this is what they told me after my hour delay!

I’m off to Calgary in Canada tomorrow and the time difference will make things interesting…

written by \\ tags: travel life

Earlier this year I won the African Final (District74) of The World Championships of Public Speaking. This entitles me to a semi final spot at The Toastmasters International Convention in Canada in August. Should I win my semi final I would proceed on to the Finals where 10 contestants will compete for the title of World Champion. The finalists have managed to make it through at club, area, regional, district and districts not assigned to regions rounds all over the world as the annual contest draws close on 30 000 entrants every year.

It’s an amazing honour to represent my country and continent at an event of this magnitude, the live audience for the Final has been anywhere up to 2000 people and the Final is televised in certain countries.

My semi final will take place on 12 August at 7pm (which would make it 3am SA time) and I will be presenting a speech based on my experiences in South Africa with friends, family and every person’s ability to defeat their greatest fear and not to let anger or judgement cloud their vision of others…

I will be updating this blog with details from the contest and conference a few times a day so check back here for all the details!

I’m off to London tomorrow and then on to Canada on Monday!

written by \\ tags: speaking travel