2009 WRANGLER MILLION DOLLAR TOUR
USA RODEO TOUR 2009
Folklore suggests that the rodeo in the US was born in 1869 when cowboys from nearby ranches, met in Deer Trail, Colorado to prove who was the best at everyday ranching tasks.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), under various titles, dates from 1936 and now has its headquarters in Colorado Springs. Apart from organising rodeos, the PRCA has donated more than $26 million dollars to local and international charities.
On-going in 2009 is the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour for the top PRCA cowboys. The tour has 17 rodeo events, with each rodeo designated Gold or Silver, depending on the amounts of prize money. The Tour culminates in two playoffs for the top competitors held in Washington State and Nebraska, with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada,on 3rd December 2009.
The Gold Tour consists of eight events and commenced with The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in Texas on 6th February. The remaining rodeo prior to the playoffs is The Ellensburg Rodeo in Ellensburg, Washington.
The Silver Tour has 9 events and began on 5th February 2009 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Remaining events for this season, leading to the playoffs are:
Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel, Sikeston, Missouri on 5th August.
Carr Pro Rodeo, Lovington, New Mexico on 5th August.
Farm City Pro Rodeo, Hermiston, Oregon on 12th August.
Kitsap County Stampede, Bremerton, Washington on 26th August.
For the uninitiated, these are the traditional and exciting events at these spectacular rodeos,
Bareback Riding. A wild 8 second ride with the rider holding on by one hand. Both horse and rider are judged on technique and performance.
Bull Riding. Another 8 second ride with man versus a beast weighing over 1 tonne, with a risk of goring if dismounted.
Tie Down Roping. An event from the Wild West where calves had to be roped and tied for branding or medical treatment. Requires skilled teamwork between man and his horse and the calf must remain tied for 6 seconds.
Saddle Bronc Riding. Evolved from the Old West seeing who could ride the wildest horses.
Steer Wrestling. Bulldogging is bringing down a 450Kg steer to the ground by a team of two cowboys and two horses.
Team Roping. The only team event where a header and a heeler catch and rope a steer.
Barrel Racing. A timed run around a clover leaf course marked by three barrels.
Today’s professional cowboy is somewhat different from the 1800’s version and although he may travel between rodeos in a custom built rig or private aircraft, his standing in the rodeo community is still dependent on his roping skills and ability to ride a bucking animal.
Enjoy the remaining events of the 2009 Wrangler Million Dollar Tour.
FRENCH FOOD FESTIVAL
FESTIVAL OF THE PIG (LA POURCAILHADE)
In this, the second of our articles on unusual Festivals in 2009, we feature La Pourcailhade, which is a French Food Festival devoted to the humble pig, dating from 1975.
On 9 August 2009, the little hamlet of Trie-sur-Baise, located in the Haute Pyrenees, indulges in the nicest form of swine fever. This is the largest pig rearing region in France and the town has the one remaining, pig only market.
On Festival day, the supposedly cool French inhabitants let their hair down and dress up with piggy snouts and wear belts with piggy tails. Local shopkeepers decorate shop windows with cartoons and figures reflecting the theme of individual shops. Stalls displaying all manner of pork products line the streets. One Festival saw the creation of a world-beating sausage 500m in length.
Apart from gorging on pork dishes in the Old Market, visitors can enter the sausage and black pudding eating contests. The British version of black pudding pales into insignificance against the local Boudin Noir. The record for consumption of this blood-filled delight is over 1 metre in 4 minutes.
Apart from eating contests, there are piglet races and prizes for the best piggy-dressed person. However, the highlight of the day is the famous Cri du Cochon, or the pig imitation contest. Competitors have to mimic pig noises. Not just a general snort or grunt but the actual sounds a pig makes, at birth, feeding, reproduction, castration and even as it leaves for the Big Pigsty in the Sky. This is serious stuff and contestants come from all over France.
After all that there is drinking and live music and if you are still hungry, you can try the French version of a Hot Dog. After the Festival you can walk off the pork in the scenic Haute Pyrenees Region adjacent to the Spanish border.
LA TOMATINA FESTIVAL
UNUSUAL FESTIVALS 2009
In this article, the first in a series, we feature La Tomatina Festival, held on 26 August 2009.
La Tomatina which is a tomato fight festival, is held in the small town of Bunol in the Valencia Region of Spain and ranks alongside the Pamplona Bull Run as one of Spain’s most popular events. The Festival honours the town’s patron saints of St Louis Bertrand and Mother of God the Defenceless.
First held in 1945, no one is certain how the event originated. Theories include a fight in a restaurant, attack on a carnival parade or disgruntled townsfolk attacking city councillors. Banned by General Franco, the festival was reintroduced in the 1970’s.
The week-long festival has music, dancing, fireworks and parades and culminates in a ferocious street fight with ripe tomatoes. The tomatoes are trucked in from Extremadura where they are less expensive, poor quality and grown specifically for the event. The little town’s population swelling from 9000 to 30000 on the day.
A Paella cooking contest takes place on the eve of the tomato fight and on the morning of the fight an attempt to remove a ham from the top of a greasy pole takes place. Once the ham is removed the ammunition of ripe tomatoes is released from trucks in the Plaza del Pueblo.
The Bataila is an hour long, chaotic, tomato throwing affair. The firing of a water cannon signals the end and fire trucks commence the street cleaning. Needless to say the participants are left in a sorry mess.
If you are tempted to join this madness, rules include the fact that tomatoes must be squashed before throwing and only tomatoes may be thrown! Amazingly, there has never been any kind of mishap during the battle.
Worth a visit? Do take a change of clothing with you!
AIRLINE SAFETY
WORLDWIDE AIRLINE SAFETY
Recently, Yemenia Airlines Flight IY626 with 153 persons on board crashed on a flight from Sa’ana, the Yemeni capital, to the Comoros Islands. The aircraft crashed into the sea near the island of Grande Comore. Subsequent enquiries revealed that the 20 year old Airbus A310 had been banned from flying into France because of faulty maintenance issues.
This fact has reignited the debate on possible safety and maintenance deficiencies in the world’s airlines.
Despite efforts at creating an international list of rogue airlines, the European Union is the only body to produce a blacklist of carriers and ban them from entering European airspace.
The EU admits that the list is not exhaustive and has been subject to political interference. Certain airlines have circumvented the ban by leasing aircraft from approved carriers.
The current list shows 215 airlines banned from entering European airspace, with a further 3 carriers allowed in with certain operational constraints.
The list contains mainly minor Asian and African airlines with 55 per cent being from the African continent. Garuda, the main Indonesian carrier has recently had its ban lifted.
The following is a summary of banned airlines per territory:
Democratic Republic of Korea 1
Republic of Sudan 1
Afghanistan 1
Cambodia 1
Rwanda 1
Ukraine 3
Angola 18
Benin 9
Democratic Rep of Congo 57
Equatorial Guinea 10
Indonesia 48
Kazakhstan 45
Kirghiz Rep 18
Gabon 6
Sierra Leone 8
Swaziland 6
Zambia 2
Certain airlines from Gabon, Aruba and Bangladesh are subject to specific operational constraints.
The list is not exhaustive and I must say that we have travelled in some aircraft that would certainly merit inclusion. Some trips in Nigeria and China were without doubt, white knuckle rides.
Aviation safety standards in Europe are some of the best in the world. Perhaps it is time for international action in this matter.
AIRLINE PUNCTUALITY
Chaucer once wrote that there are lies, dammed lies and statistics. However, recent statistics on airline punctuality and baggage losses have shown that the current recession and associated downturn in passenger numbers and cuts in airline capacity, has meant an improvement in punctuality and less baggage losses.
The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority reported that in January-March 2009, around 80% of flights arrived early or within 15 minutes of scheduled times in the UK. These are the best ratings since the mid 1990’s and may be linked to a 9 per cent cut in the overall number of flights by ailing carriers.
UK PUNCTUALITY
Figures for scheduled flights to and from the UK, show the average delay in minutes, percentage of arrivals and departures within 15 minutes and the number of flights involved. Airline rankings for the period January - March 2009 show:
1st KLM 5.6 mins, 90.9 5881
2nd bmi 5.9 mins 91.3 4874
8th Lufthansa
12th Delta
14th SAS
19th British Airways (67049 flights)
21st Air France
22nd United
23rd Easyjet (40273 flights)
27th American
31st Virgin Atlantic
33rd Continental
34th Air Canada
35th Iberia Only 59% within 15 mins
Low Cost Airlines
1st bmi baby
2nd Ryanair (33382 flights)
3rd Flybe (24147 flights)
4th Easyjet (40273 flights)
Figures for the USA in 2008, show US Airways as the most punctual of the big six US carriers. 80.1 per cent of the airline flights arrived within 15 minutes of schedule which was an improvement of 16.5 per cent on 2007 and ranked US Airways above American, Continental, Delta, United and Northwest.
In general, punctuality improved across the USA with the 19 largest carriers recording on time arrival of 76 per cent compared to 73.4 per cent in 2007.
Delayed Baggage
Overall the number of missing bags was 13 per 1000 passengers, compared to 15.5 in Winter 2008. The best performer was Turkish Airlines with 4.5 bags per 1000 with Iberia, the worst at 19.2. Virgin Atlantic was the best UK carrier ranked third with British Airways at 22nd.
We hope that on your next trip you arrive on schedule and of course with your baggage!
TRAVEL JOKES
1. On a plane bound for New York the flight attendant approached a blonde sitting in the first class section and requested that she move to economy since she did not have a first class ticket. The blonde replied I’m blonde, I’m beautiful, I’m going to New York and I’m not moving. Not wanting to argue with a customer the flight attendant asked the co-pilot to speak with her. He went to talk with the woman asking her to please move out of the first class section. Again, the blonde replied, I’m blonde, I’m beautiful, I’m going to New York and I’m not moving.
The co-pilot returned to the cockpit and asked the captain what should he do. The captain said, I’m married to a blonde, and I know how to handle this.”
He went to the first class section and whispered in the blonde’s ear. She immediately jumped up and ran to the economy section mumbling to herself, Why didn’t anyone just say so?
Surprised, the flight attendant and the co-pilot asked what he said to her that finally convinced her to move from her seat. He said, I told her the first class section wasn’t going to New York.
2. From a Southwest Airlines employee…. “Welcome aboard Southwest Flight San Diego to Las Vegas. To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt, and if you don’t know how to operate one, you probably shouldn’t be out in public unsupervised. In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with two small children, decide now which one you love more.
Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but they’ll try to have them fixed before we arrive.
Thank you and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Southwest Airlines.”
3. I once was on a plane where I was served by an obviously gay male flight attendant. At a point during the flight he went over to the PA and announced, Hello this is Dick in the rear, the Captain has asked me to announce that he will be landing the big scary plane shortly, so if you could just put up your trays, that would be great.
I did as he had instructed but the woman sitting next to me did not. A few moments later, our flight attendant came back and said to her: Ma’am, perhaps you couldn’t hear me over the big scary engine, but I asked you to please put up your tray so that the Captain can land the plane. She still wouldn’t comply. Now he was getting angry and asked her again to put up the tray. She then calmly turned to him and said: In my country, I am a Princess. I take orders from no one.”
Dick the flight attendant replied: Oh yeah? Well, in MY country, I’m called a queen and I outrank you, b i t c h, so put the tray up!
4. The Lufthansa flight to Sweden had an engine fire and the Captain decided to ditch in the sea near Arlanda Airport. After a successful crash landing he addressed the passengers on the PA system. We are about 500m from the beach. Will the swimmers please occupy the seats on the right hand side of the aircraft and then leave the aircraft and swim ashore. To the non swimmers on the left hand side of the aircraft, Thank you for flying Lufthansa.
POPCORN FESTIVAL
VALPARAISO POPCORN FESTIVAL, INDIANA 11-12 SEPTEMBER 2009
Popcorn is an international , favourite with 1.5 billion lbs consumed annually in the United States. The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival has been held every year since 1979. Valparaiso claims the title of Popcorn Capital of the USA and its festival honours a native of Indiana called Orville Redenbacher who became The Popcorn King of America.
The festival offers family-fun activities for all ages with over 500 food and craft booths in beautiful downtown Valparaiso in Porter County, Indiana.
After the opening ceremony on Saturday, 11th September, the fitter ones can compete in The Popcorn Panic, five mile run or for the less fit, the five km walk. Kids, aged 2-9 can get in the act with the Lit’L Kernal Puff Race which is one block in length.
The highlight on the Saturday is the unique Popcorn Parade which was attended by Orville Redenbacher until his death in 1995 at the age of 88.
The 19th Annual Kiwanis Hot Air Balloon Show has launches, morning and evening on the Friday and Saturday at The Porter County Expo. The evening launches are the most spectacular with the multi coloured balloons set against the evening sky, accompanied by synchronised music. Visitors can also enjoy tethered balloon rides.
The Main Stage at the Central Park Plaza and The Front Page Stage at Lincoln Way provide music for all tastes from 1200-1830 daily.
Meanwhile, the kids can be left safely and entertained in The Kids Poppin and Play Place in Franklin Street
Popcorn is planted in the Spring, grows in Summer and is harvested in the Fall. The seed are sizzled in oil, blasted in microwaves and cooked over campfires. If there are ways to cook popcorn, someone has already discovered it.
Valparaiso celebrates this universal comfort food and whether you are a popcorn lover or not, the place to be for family fun is the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival in September 2009.
PET AIRWAYS
It appears that pets travelling by air is very much in the news. In the US a new airline called Pet Airways, designed to fly pets exclusively, will make its inaugural flight on July 14th.
Pet Airways intends to operate flights to and from Baltimore/Washington International, Midway in Chicago, Rocky Mountain Airport near Denver, Hawthorne Municipal in LA and Republic Airport on Long Island. Fares range from $149 - $299. Many of the inaugural flights are already fully booked. Expansion from one to 20 aircraft is planned for the end of 2009.
The airline will use a modified Beechcraft B1900, 19 seat, twin engined aircraft with all human passenger fittings removed to make room for special pet carriers fitted with special restraints. A climate controlled system will ensure pet comfort and attendants will make 15 minute checks on the ‘Pawssengers!’
Although UK based specialist companies exist, pets must travel in the hold. The Spanish budget airline, Clickair, will be the first European carrier to allow pets in the cabin. From July 2009, dogs, cats and rabbits may travel with their owners in the cabin in suitable containers. There is a weight limit of 17lbs and fares will be £19 for Spanish internal flights and £33 internationally.
Despite this breakthrough in pet travel, it seems that the jury is still out. Humans travel safely in a pressurised cabin with human interaction and ample food and drink. (If some airline food can be so described) Pets however are normally banished to the dark baggage hold with noise, lower air quality and often low temperatures. Airlines have also been known to lose Fido.
Certainly, Pet Airwayshas solved these problems and without passengers the allergy problem will not exist. There are no size restrictions and both Mastiffs and your Chihuahua can travel in the cabin. Nor will there be any moron wanting to take Tabatha for a walk or Buster for a potty break.
In conclusion, a personal opinion is that if you have to transport a pet, it deserves to travel in a safe, humane and stress free manner. The animal welfare groups will applaud, the environmentalists will cry, increased carbon emissions!
PET TRAVEL
FLYING CATS AND DOGS
Our readers who are pet owners may be interested to learn that Air Canada and its subsidiary Air Jazz is now allowing passengers to bring a cat or small dog into the cabin of the aircraft. Pet travel is set to become the new airline gimmick.
The cost will be $50 for flights in North America and $100 on international sectors. Guide dogs will travel free.
Depending on the type of aircraft only 2-4 animals will be allowed per flight so as not to upset passengers with allergies.
The cats or dogs must not weigh more than 22lbs or 10 kg, including the transit box and must fit under the seat. This rule will obviously rule out Great Danes or German Shepherds!
Personally, I am not sure of the advantage. Most dogs and cats travel quite happily in the pressurised baggage hold. I suppose Fido or Tabby could enjoy some tidbits in-flight from their owners food tray, then they too could turn their noses up at air line food!
Allowing only a few dogs or cats on board is supposed to be a help to those with allergies. I really don’t think enough thought or research has gone into this. Most people with allergies would find even one animal enough to trigger rashes or asthma. If the person either side of you is transporting a pet you are going to have one miserable flight. I just don’t see it catching on. Apart from the allergic aspect of the new travelers what about the barking or yowling from terrified pets. What with crying children, games machines, mobile phones and the general hubbub of the passengers, flying is definitely not a relaxing pastime. I expect the new pet travel scheme to make the travelers life even worse!
