Africa, Jazz, and a Parka

Tonight was a treat as my friend Kgomotso (Go Mot So ) took myself and my good friend, Kit Karson, Cannes Film Festival best picture award winner for a movie called Paris, Texas ( "I had to brag"), out to what was going to be Soweto but the traffic would have been to much for us to take that journey.

Also, we needed to print some invitation papers to cross the border tomorrow, or Friday, into Mozambique at Kgomotso's office. She is a producer as well and has an amazing office in an industrial area that is perfect for a production company. Wouldn't you know it, right down the street, after we finished our work, 15 min of downloading, printing, and copying, laughing, and making calls at 11:30 P.M., was a jazz supper club that had an amazing straight ahead jazz group that was like being in The Blue Note Cafe in New York or The Baked Potato in Los Angeles. But here's the real deal hollyfiend, and don't doubt me when I say this will literally knock you out but people let me be the first to tell you that...

"IT'S FREEZING IN AFRICA"

Al Gore must be right about this global warming situation. Besides, how many times have we heard comedian, after comedian makes jokes about the heat in Africa.

"Man, it's Africa Hot,"

"You don't need a frying pan in Africa, Just throw it on the side of the road and watch it cook !"

I don't get it, I come from Switzerland and wore some shorts, a t-shirt, and my sandles. I get off the plane in Africa and I feel like I am in Chicago for the first time when I was shooting an R.Kelly Video. I mean the hawk was not only out but it was like bombing on my uncovered head with temperatures in the 30's and 40's taking no prisoners who foolishly didn't bring a hat. The documenatary I am working on in Mozambique told us to prepare for the winter but it would be close to 85 or 90 degrees. Well, I am here to tell you that if your coming to "The Mother Land" with some shorts...you better head to REI and pick up some thermals and a blanket.

However, the music, culture, and artistry make up for the cold in South Africa. And you have to say South Africa because you can't just say Africa. Considering their are different countries on the content of Africa you must be specific. Kit kept talking on the phone to his friends back in the states and was saying, " Uh, that's right, Yeah, I am in Africa." Kgomotso kept correcting him under her breath as if he was a gringo in Mexico trying to say "Por favor" in spanish (did I spell that right, don't comment on it if I didn't).

Some of you asked for pictures, and it's not like I am not taking them, and I will start sending some but I tell you it's hard to look out of your window and see any differnce between this and say, Chatsworth, California ( decelent valley town in southern california ). I know it sounds crazy, but if it wasn't for the compound like houses (large adobe fences surrounding the house), the weird bird sounds( ka ka, ka ka, ka, ka), no it's not like I am Imus saying I am in jungle watching the people run around and chase zebra's, but their are just weird bird sounds that Kgomotso even said she doesn't know what they are? And when someone who was born here says, "I don;t know what that is," you should shut your window and duck down. But seriously, it looks like a mountain, It looks like a tree, It looks like a street? Maybe I watched Lion King one to many times. But know this, bring your parka know matter what they tell you the weather will be, and get that Al Gore book. Maybe he has a section on Africa...Burrr.