D34
Southern Belles, Southern Gentlemen, and Southern Living; we were sure in for a true taste of that life style this portion of tour before heading north to bring everything to an end. However, that was not before we stopped in Columbia, South Carolina, home of the USC (University of South Carolina) Gamecocks: the first and real USC. Nowadays though, the naming rights have been given to the University of Southern California, but South Carolina was the first USC and will remain that way in history.
Back in a college town, there is just a unique safeness that college town’s offer for some reason it is always evident. And within such towns there are always plenty of things to do to occupy your time along with numerous places to eat.
It was all about business for Viola Bernice though. All of her hard work was about to be displayed in her Pop-Love Fashion Show! Everyone was putting his or her best foot forward whether, it was walking down the isle or providing lighting or music or even the talent for the show; everyone had a part.
And I know it might not mean much to others, but we finally had our first travel day that started when the sun was still out! We only had one show on Sunday and that was the first time ever in the last two years that, that has happened! Needless to say, we were all a little overjoyed.
It definitely helped in our cause since we were on our way to Duluth, Georgia and the traffic there is horrendous. There were days that it took about an hour to either get to the hotel or arrive at the arena.
We were 11 miles away from the arena so that meant since it was such a struggle on opening day and we all got there just in time for class, that from then on out, the busses were now departing for the arena 30 minutes earlier in the morning and afternoon. That definitely took a toll on us having 7:30 PM shows at night and turning around for a 10:30 AM show the next morning.
However, we were trying to make the most of it practicing for In-Shows as well as enjoying some down time at the Norcross County Gun and Shooting Range and the Cirque Du Soliel show – Kurious. And when we were feeling like being a go-getter, we headed to the gym next door.
TAPOUT Fitness was home for the week it seemed. They offered a great deal to workout, $10 a day or $20 for the week. It was a friendly atmosphere and clean. Everyone was welcome and the majority of the equipment was brand new. I would definitely recommend going there if you are in the area and happen to stay at the same hotel we did, especially since the treadmill at the hotel malfunctioned and there were only two other pieces of equipment in the small area set aside for the gym.
Having everything completed for the week, we were off to Louisiana, but not before more complications with the bus company. It just was not our week for busses in Georgia. This time, instead of showing up late, they just didn’t come at all and we found ourselves hopping into Ubers to make the hour-long trek to the Atlanta airport. From there we took a flight to New Orleans and then still had to bus two hours to Lafayette and the irony of that was, we were staying nearing the Lafayette airport. Anyhow, we got through it and it turned out not to be such a bad travel day after all.
While some chose to venture back to NOLA (New Orleans) some chose to stay around town. There was a nice park not too far from the hotel, Girard Park that backed up against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette that made for a nice escape. However, make sure you stay dry here.
Not only was it really humid, but also the rain and storms just kept coming. Most places we have been seem to be able to handle all the rain, but Lafayette was not one of them. Flooding is a huge deal and happens all the time with long down pours of rain. The overflow creek beds fill, the streets become rivers, and the floor alert was evidently heard on everyone’s phone. Somehow there was peace at the end of the storm and we were able to continue our week as planned.
Just like the weather outside, it was storming inside with the nerves and excitement of In-Shows. We were finally at that point in tour and this was the week. Everyone displayed what they had been working on and everyone came together as one to cheer on their fellow co-workers. We made it! We all could breath a sigh of relief.
And just like that, we were off to our second-to-last city of the tour!
Here we come Little Rock, Arkansas.
“Little” was definitely right. There was that small-town feel where everyone knew everyone and we stuck out like we were foreigners. Anyhow, it was the ideal spot for our last company BBQ and elevator formal. It’s crazy to think that these things are coming to an end and it’s that time of year. But, not before we get our 850th show under our belts and of course we couldn’t get through the week without it being interesting.
We had to call an All Stop on opening night when we lost the lights. Luckily, the problem was solved relatively quickly and there were no catastrophes and just like that we were on with the show.
Just as if we were still jumping around at the trampoline park, things must go on. From perfecting old tricks to learning new ones we were all veterans now looking onto the last and final week of tour in Cincinnati, Ohio.
It was our last stop. We were performing our 877th show to finally close for the last two years. No one could believe the time was finally here and with one last big hurrah from the boys and girls, it was time to hang up with skates for a six-week break before we head overseas. However, a few of our family members will not be joining us next year and a huge thank you to them. You will all be missed dearly and we know that at some time we will see you down the road. Your D34 family loves you!
Tila Tilley – Line Captain
Meagan Midkiff – Training Line Captain
Mel Clysdale
Kailee Sawatzky
Becky Bereswill
Ian Waldman - TBM
Places to See:
Columbia – USC Campus, Five Points
Duluth – TAPOUT Fitness, Cirque Du Soleil Kurious
Lafayette – University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Girard Park, about two hours from NOLA (New Orleans)
Little Rock – River walk, Benihana, Mugs Coffee Shop, Trampoline Park
Cincinnati – Americano Burger Bar, Rock Bottom Brewery, walk over the Bridge into Kentucky, River Walk, Cincinnati Reds Baseball Hall of Fame, Yard House, Underground Railroad Museum, McCormick’s and Schmicks
2016-2017 Tour Season Begins:
And just like that we were back on the road again. Our time had come to pack our bags and take to the skies, but this time we were on our way to making our worldwide show debut. Our first stop was Japan!
While we all set off on our own journeys, we all managed to commence together in one place to make the final stage of the journey together. This was the longest break we have had since before the show opened in 2014 so it was nice to be reconnected. So of course, the hangouts and sightseeing days were well looked forward to especially being outside the states this year.
However, we had to make it through rehearsals first before we could go explore. And one thing that stood in between us and lacing up our skates again; an earthquake, yes you heard right. We were not even able to start our first day back without having a minor earthquake. Minor or not however, it was the strangest feeling if you have never experienced one before. Everything starts swaying and at first you think its just you, but then you realize that even the walls are rattling and everything in the room is swaying and then it stops just as quickly as it started.
We were off to a great start already, but it was back to the ice and this time was the first time that we had ever rehearsed in an actual ice rink instead of an arena and once we started shows we were definitely wishing that we had the coolness of that rink back again. The arenas definitely were a little steamy to say the least and cool air was hard to come by, but we were making it through.
We were given a little treat after surviving and making it through not only our first week of rehearsals, but also our first week of shows, we had about five days off including one travel day. It was a nice surprise considering we never even dreamed of seeing that many days off in the states. However, it was still the calm before the storm here in Japan. In a few weeks we were in for a real treat, but until then, we were off to go exploring and wow the sights you can come by here just a short ways outside of the city limits. From beautiful castles and parks to islands and waterfalls. Japan really had a beautiful countryside from what we could see here in Sendai. Soaking in all the sun and tranquil vibes we could before it was time to head to the country’s capital of Tokyo.
And if you thought NYC (New York City) was busy, well you were in store for something of a different kind of craziness.
Some of the locals joke about how instead of walking through the Shibuya Crossing you are pushed through and just trying to get on the subway train; it’s like a stampede. You can only hope that you are going in the same direction as everyone is pushing and that you are not trying move in the opposing.
However, even though Tokyo’s population is larger than all of Canada in a much smaller area, the people are very friendly and nice; even in places like Rippongi Hills, the Beverly Hills of Tokyo. The same cannot be said for the real Beverly Hills in California though.
And to think that after all the famous designer places to shop in the Fashion District, Harajuku Street, and all the places for night life, that there would even be a quiet place close to the city, but to our surprise we found one.
A short ways away in Odaiba, we just happened to be in town for the annual lantern lighting. We were right along the water with the Rainbow Bridge illuminating the background as the laterns were scattered in numerous patterns on the sandy beach. Who would have ever thought that after three shows, we would end up on the beach at night in none other than Japan?!?!
I guess crazier things have happened…like the next 11 days of 29 shows followed by a similar schedule the next week, including the climbing of Mount Fuji in between. I think its safe to say that the dictation stands true, “You have to be a little bit crazy to do what we do,” and well we just have officially proved that time and time again.
Well, here goes nothing. If we can survive Philly then we can do this and if we can do this, then we can do anything. Here we come Nagoya!
We were ready to start our crazy two weeks in this city with show after show after show. And even if we weren’t ready, we didn’t have a choice because it was going to happen one way or another.
We hit another milestone; show number 900 and we were still trucking along. Its crazy to see how far we have come and how much adversity we have been through to get to this point, so of course we made some time for ourselves. Whether it was out sightseeing or a night out on the town we needed some downtime. Everything is pretty closely located around the hotel so you are able to find places to eat, shop, visit, and even escape to in the parks. And just as daunting as 29 shows in 11 days sounded at the beginning so did hiking up Mount Fuji, but that’s what we were off to do. Some say that you have to be crazy to do it, but that was before they met us, who were hiking after 29 shows in 11 days and before 25 shows in 10 days. Here goes nothing! See you at the top for sunrise and then off to Osaka following!
That was definitely one of the hardest things that many of us have done and the last 200 meters were by far the longest 200 meters I have ever walked, ran, or hiked in my life. However, it was probably one of the best things that we have ever done. Not only do you benefit from it physically, but the climb can also teach you a lot about yourself, and the view definitely doesn’t hurt at all either. The peace and tranquility at the top as everyone gathers in silence followed by a large applause is something that you have to be there to experience as the sun rises. It is such an accomplishment making it to the top. Yay! We can say we did it!! Now onto these 25 shows in nine days.
I honestly don’t know how our bodies handled all of this and in the heat, but we did. Somehow, we are still going strong and even had enough energy for a BBQ and our annual formal. What? You thought that just because we were international, that would stop us from our elevator formals?! Well, guess again. We may not have been at an elevator this time, but it was a formal nonetheless.
Somehow, things here never seize to amaze me. And while some people slept their last day away here or spent it by the pool or even went Kyoto, we were still here in Japan! Sometimes, I don’t think it really sets in until you think about it; we are international and we do this for a living.
Snapping out of it though, it was back to reality taking the bullet train whisking us away onto Yokohama.
Where we sang the night away, almost got blown away in the typhoon, almost melted away in the arena, got lost walking in circles in the circular hotel, relived our childhood memories playing four square and wanting to ride the Ferris Wheel, and tried to stock up on our American favorites before moving on to Fukuoka.
Giving some of us a taste of home, we went to a Japanese baseball game, but to surprise some of the favorite traditions were not to be found. However, a few from American football were strange additions.
There was no 7th inning stretch with the singing of “Take Me out the Ball Game”, instead large yellow balloons were released and cheerleaders made their second appearance of the game while each team’s band battled it out. Luckily, the home team (Softbank Hawks) won so that in the 9th inning there was another balloon release, but this time of large white balloons.
Nearing the end of our time here in Japan we have a few more cities to go until this portion of the 14-month tour is complete.
However, before we close, it was time to a pay a tribute to the Peace Memorial that was built to commemorate Sadako Sasaki along with all the other young lives that perished due to the detonation of the Atomic Bomb over Hiroshima. This very city lye in ruins all in a few short minutes after the explosion, but the after effects that followed were heartbreaking for anyone to see and relive. No matter what race, religion, gender, and nationality; we all paid our dues and tributes. Thanks to the assistance at the “Cranation Station on D34” we made 1000 paper cranes to show our support and grant one wish in hopes to gain World Peace and the abolishment of nuclear weapons just as in Sadako Sasaki’s last wishes.
After hearing all about her tear-jerking story, standing on the very soil that lye in ruins after the bomb detonated and seeing the ruins that it left the A-Bomb building in, it was time for something a little less depressing and sorrowful.
We were off to the “Deer Island” otherwise known as Miyajima where the deer roam freely and even wonder into the local stores and restaurants. And if you time it just right, you will be able to see the Floating Gate both in the water as well as making your own way out to it without getting your feet wet. It’s amazing what Mother Nature is capable of and the rule of the tides demonstrates this very clearly here.
And if the islands and historical museums aren’t your thing, then you can definitely something to hold your attention in the Arcade, whether it’s with shops or eateries or even the arcades themselves with their challenging games.
With all of this in mind, it is astonishing to think that for a city that has seen so much devastation at one point, it has made such a bounding recovery and is a very large tourist attraction today.
And even though our time here was done, we will never forget what happened here. It will travel with us no matter where we go. For now though, Shizuoka awaited.
A little more laid back than some of the recent cities that we have been too, but the main attraction here was Round 1. So of course we were all off to that as soon as we arrived.
It was a three-story building that not only had casino games, arcade games, table tennis, pool, and darts, but also a full bowling alley; where we spent most of our time. The even better part about it was we were able to get there for free! Yes, that’s a right; there was a bus that took us there and back for free!
Anyhow, after a little bit of work, we off for four days again! I don’t think I ever thought that the words “us” and “off” would be in the same sentence.
And after splitting the days between Shizuoka and our new destination Saitama, it was time to head to Tokyo Disney Sea and Disney Land to use those tickets that Chukyo had raffled off to thirty of us. It was a grand gesture that was definitely appreciated especially to those that had never been to theme park before. Some of the rides and characters were very similar to what you are able to see in the states, but the shows were amazing. In Disney Sea, large boats and the water that flowed through the entire park was utilized and the final performance of the night, “Fantasmic” was absolutely amazing.
Before departing to last and final city, it was time for us to complete our 1000 show! Yes, you heard right, in a little over two years, we completed 1000 shows!
(A few tour stats to joggle your mind:
We have
Worked 639 days,
Had 107 days off,
Traveled 52,159 miles,
Been to 4 countries,
Seen 87 cities,
Completed one 15-pack,
Five 12-packs,
Eighteen 9-packs,
Fifty 6-packs,
182 three-show days,
123 two-show days,
144 one-show days,
Had 2 all stops,
99 cast members,
48 crewmembers,
And 17 staff members.)
So, it was time for a little celebration for the girls and well, the entire show cast, crew, and staff before our last stop, Matsuyama.
Its hard to believe that the time had come and here we were in Matsuyama before we fly home for a two week break. And of course, like always, we tried to cram as much into this last week as possible before some of us parted our ways.
Japan will definitely be missed, but it was time for a
little break away. However,
besides how hot, humid, and cramped it had been the safety and politeness of
every passer-by will definitely not be forgotten. We had our fair share of ups and downs here, but we finished
on top and we can say that we survived the Japan tour. Just like surviving Philly our first
year, if we can do that and Japan; we can do anything!
But, we wouldn’t have been able to do it without the amazing
Chuyko staff and breakworkers to help save the day.
Special Thanks to all of them! You will be missed and we will see you down the road again
someday!
Places to See:
JAPAN!
Sendai - Karaoke, Darts, Korean BBQ, Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle), Aobayama Park, Company BBQ, Akui Falls (waterfall), and Matsushima (islands), the Arcade (shopping and places to eat), Sendai Station (shopping and places to eat, train and bus station)
Tokyo – Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku Street, Ferris Wheel, Giant Robot (Gandamu), Roppongi Hills (Beverly Hills of Tokyo), Latern Lighting at Odaiba, Rainbow Bridge
Nagoya – 900th show! 29 shows in 11 days, Nagoya Castle and Temple, Daiso, lots of shopping a short walk from the hotel, Shooters, numerous places to experience nightlife, small parks scattered all around (prime spot for Pokémon Go players)
Mount Fuji
Osaka - BBQ, Kyoto, Annual Formal, Osaka Castle
Yokohama – Shopping around and in the hotel and train station, Romen Museum, Hard Rock Café, Yokohama Port, Hard Rock Café, Krispy Kreme Donuts, Karaoke
Fukuoka – Softbank Hawks Baseball game, Canal shops, Momose Beach
Hiroshima – Peace Park Memorial (hanging of 1000 paper cranes), Hiroshima Castle, Miyajima Island, shopping (Arcade), Sam’s (must go to!), Kymbi’s (American Food!)
Shizuoka - Round 1 (Bowling, Arcade Games, Pool, Darts, Photo Booth)
Saitama – Disney Land, Disney Sea, Tokyo, Rotating Sushi Bar, 1000 shows!
Matsuyama/Ehime – Matsuyama
Castle, Arcade, Last City!!
