1st night in Johannesburg -- Kaizer Chiefs game

Most of our team arrived Saturday for the long week ahead. Everybody was definitely in good spirits right from the start. The entire week was set up incredibly well, and it all started off with a live football game at the Soweto hometown favorite, Kaizer Chiefs.



Before boarding the bus at our hotel, we all gathered for a group photo in our brand new, embroidered Kaiser Chief jerseys.



We had a tour guide (pictured below) on the bus on the way there to help acclimate us to our new surroundings and to the South Africa football culture. Here, he is seen instucting us on the use of the Vuvuzela (i.e. a yellow plastic horn) that is an ever-present part of the football scene in South Africa. These horns would be more useful than we knew, as they became the official calling to resume our meetings in the coming week.



Bert, our new Football GM, was definitely enjoying the scene and looking forward to the coming week's events.


We arrived at the stadium to an energetic scene, to say the least. The Kaiser Chiefs have been struggling as a team, but there was no sign of that in the fans. For most of us, it was our first real insight into the South Africa football culture.

Many fans were definitely curious about the load of foreigners who had just pulled up in the bus, and our team did not shy away from engaging in the opportunity to learn a little more about the culture.

We had box seats in the stadium, and our local Nike South Africa teammates were sure to get us involved in the experience.

Our Nike team, flush with football experience, took in the scene

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...but unfortunately, the quality of the game failed to match our expectations. Supersport Utd (currently the #1 team in the SA league) eventually beat the Kaizer Chiefs 1-0.

However, all was not lost. The most entertaining part of the game was yet to come -- watching the fans exit the stadium!?!?!

For whatever reason, most of the entire stadium was forced to exit from the doors just below our box, so we were all a close witness to the passing enterainment.

Virtually every fan has a Vuvuzuela, and despite the loss, they were all compelled to show off their horn skills upon exit. Given the losing circumstances, the scene was quite electric; their American counterparts would have simply bowed their heads, and walked to their cars.

The dress of the fans, especially the hats, was quite unique. Most of the hats have two extending horns, representing the SA pride in the Springbok -- i.e. a small brown and white gazelle.

Importantly, the Chiefs are sponsored by Nike, and this offers many of these fans their initial experience with the brand.

This guy had it all going on.

..and the horns continued to play.

Leisure Day -- Elephant Park

After our introduction to South African culture the night before, we enjoyed an entertaining 'Leisure Day' on Sunday, packed with a visit to a Game Park, an Elephant park, and culminating with drumming on the hilltop -- why not?!?!

I unfortunately missed the visit to the Game Park (due to some extended festivities after the Chiefs game), but was able to meet with the team for the afternoon adventure to the Elephant park. Our guides first taught us a little about the elephant, and the respect they have for their intelligence. We all had the chance to get acquianted up close. Colleen was certainly not shy about making a friend.



Daniel almost lost his hand here.


Sue was shy initially, but she couldn't resist. The few tons of friendliness won her over.

David's smile was contagious, as I think I see a little smirk from his new friend.

Tony did not quite know what to think about getting a kiss.

These animals are huge, as this one towers over Arjen.

I don't believe these creatures are that common in Brazil, so Tiago was certainly amused.

A close-up -- hey buddy!

...and the whole group in front of our new friends.

Next part -- learning to walk with the elephants. Interestingly, each one has their own unique style of being led. Tony led his without issue.

I think this one might just be following David.

Chris' walking partner needed to be led by the inside of his trunk.

Stacy was clearly enjoying herself with the same animal.

Sure enough, my elephant was probably the most unique of all. Our guides instructed us to make a loop with our arm, and our friend would put his trunk directly through. (see below for the fun part!)

Sue had the same.

Sure enough, his nose became a little curious. For whatever reason, this cracked me up.

Next venture -- riding the elephants around the enclosed fencing; first up, Daniel...

..and company.

Look -- Phil found a friend!

..as did I.

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At first, Carmen was adamant about not getting on the elephant, but Nike peer pressure can be overwhelming. After she got on, she was all smiles! ...

..as you can see.

Bert was a natural.

Mountain View Drumming

This, for me, was absolutely one of the highlights of the trip. After a relaxing day on a mini-safari and at the elephant part, we walk to the top of a small mountain, where few of us had any idea what was in store -- a full bar, a popular drum group (Drum Cafe) was awaiting, and a breathtaking view all around!! Before getting down to the drumming (..and dancing, as you will see!!), we took in a few drinks and absorbed the incredible view from the mountain-top.

Andrew and David were clearly enjoying the scenery

A few of us strolled up to the top of rock plateau to get a better view of the landscape. Sue was all miles :)


..and then assumed a more 'model-esque' pose ..with a glass of wine in hand.


I decided to take part as well. Absorbing the sun, drink in hand, and in the midst of a great group of people, it was a memorbable experience.

Chris and Tiago, I'm sure, were feeling the same.

Despite the view, Phil, who was preparing himself for an extraordinary dance display (see video below), was consumed with the tastiness of the the South African beer (Windhoek, I believe)

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After a chance to down a few drinks, we all headed down to a nearby patio set up on the mountain-top. ..and we were in for a treat! Drum Cafe (http://www.drumcafe.org/), who we later learned are quite famous for team-building activities in the Johannesburg area, met us on the patio, with ~20 individual drums in hand, one for each one of us.

The girls, including Deanne (middle) and Zareen (right), were clearly enjoying themselves with a glass of wine.

With no instruction at all, we started banging away to the rhythms set by our 3 drum leaders. They kept it simple enough, so we were able to keep up ...for the most part.

Our Sports Marketing gurus were all over it ...

...and the rest of the team were clearly enjoying themselves as well.

I think a few of us were trying to get a little fancy here, or maybe Phil just needed a little assistance.

Bob was intently absorbing the instruction from Drum Cafe, while Sue (in the background) was setting her own rhythm!

Tony's smile captures the enjoyment from the entire experience. Great sounds, quality team-building, and simply, a fantastic way to spend an afternoon in South Africa ..in preparation for a long week of meetings.

The drumming went on for ~30-45 minutes

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..and then the dancing begun. The instructors pulled out a few instruments, and encouraged the members of the group to strut their stuff. Sue and Carmen needed little encouragement

..and soon enough, everybody was in the mix.

Phil, who was strutting his stuff in the clubs the night before, was warmed up and ready to take the lead. To the amusement of the rest of us, our Creative Director is not at all shy about taking stage on the dance floor.

The dance grooves continued for about 2o minutes

Still-life photos don't do Phil's rhythm justice; you must see the video below