Thank you coming up

Åfter rehab in Ruidoso, NW playing 18 holes of golf for two days, eating great food at Cornerstone Bakery (359 Sudderth Drive, in Ruidoso) several times. The food is wonderful but the pies are to die for. The crust! Out of the world.

Okay, back to my train of thought.

The more I think about it our tour would not be complete without a "Thank You" to and our hosts and the nameless helpers that gave us places to sleep, eat, shower (yes, that was a wonderful experience when it happened) and meals to go.

Might even throw in a few other thanks.

I'm in the process, be it ever so slow, of going back and putting a Thank You together for and to them.

Hope you are are rested, happy and our health is great.

Coming soon.

"Thank You"

John Madden

Thoughts

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!

This trip has been a ball and I would like to mention to some of the things, people and events that have stayed with me.

In hindsight this blog was more difficult to pull off than I expected, much more time consuming, WiFi (McDonalds has Free WiFi- so I learned) was not as much a reality as I had been told, and thus generated considerable loss of sleep.

My goal from the get go was to:

A: Allow parents to make the trip with us thereby keeping up with what their children were doing;

B: Hoping people (in the countries we were going to) would find out about it and travel with us; giving people who didn't know about the Kwahadi Dancers the opportunity to find out and maybe want us to come there for them.

C: Generate some media awareness out there so maybe other Boy and Girl Scouts in our area would be interested in becoming a Kwahadi; and creating a journal of the trip for the Kwahadis.

That said,

First and foremost I want to thank Charles Ritchie.

He spend a couple of years putting this together by sending out more emails than most of us will ever know about. From what I understand, it started out with a parent/Big Red meeting two years ago discussing the idea of the trip.



As we moved from place to place and week to week, Charles would announce (to himself or anyone who might be listening/awake)what booked event we were going to next.

Everyday and everything was scheduled.

We can never say "thank you" enough to Charles and he wouldn't wanted us to (I learned he doesn't like the limelight or attention zeroed in on him).

Time provided schedules were made to be broken, but provided a backbone to build out tour on.

Still I had high hopes of finding something "golf" to take back to a friend (maybe that's not the right word as he's the bum who got me started playing golf after fending the fix until my sixty-fourth birthday). We drove past a couple "pitch and putt" courses (three hole par courses). That's about a close as I would get and we were in Scotland where it all started.

Did I mention no one in Scotland wanted us?

A reality we soon learned was "lines would become a way of tour life."

Taking the Kwahadi Dancers, their dances, talent, dedication, skill and numbers on a trip that will allow thousands to see something they've probably never seen and never would.

On a trip like this or any trip there are opportunities, adventures, challenges, ups and downs, personalities, schedules, schedules changes due to unseen events, sites to see, things to do, places to go, history to learn, history to make, time constraints, desires to see or do more, free time, not enough free time, and experiences of a life time all generated by long term and time planning.

While I'm thinking about it, the plane ride across the Atlantic waa long, tiring and very interesting. One the seats, in front of us, there was a screen. You could watch movies, listen to music and watch via a GPS our flight.

I've flown a lot but this was a first for me. Maybe it's a trans ocean thing. I've flown across both oceans, no not just before planes had jet engines.

Take a look.





Neat isn't it?

I'm more of a watcher, sit-back-and-observe person (a lot of it
comes from being raised in a military family and being in the military myself). I don't talk a lot, but enjoy what I'm doing now. Putting my thoughts, observations, experiences and life in writing (talk about my high school English teacher not believing this).

The people, things, and places following are not in any order than when and how they came to my mind.

Sign honoring Baden Powell first campsite.







A happy herd returns from Brownsea Island.









The sign explains the Wall of suitcases, we saw in museum.














Scouting for adults (18 years and older) is different in England. Don't know if it's the same in Ireland, Northern Ireland or Scotland. I do know, from growing up in Germany, that Europe looks upon drinking much different than we do. German scouts we camped with thought nothing of dranking wine or beer. It was no big thing.

The Scouter I talked to, talked about teaching moderation and being responsibile. He had coaster that boasted a ale called "Amarillo." I told him I was from Amarillo, asked for it and he gave it to me. Cool.

Manchester United arena. I still can't get over not being able to find a t-shirt for my grandson, size 6.










Thatched roof. We saw numerous of these and they are such a part of history.










Signs made me laugh and look forward to the next laugh.












Most of us have come under the "talk - as I refer to call it" from Janet Janzen. Those talks have not always left me with warm fuzzy feelings. On this endurance tour I saw her in a different light filled with respect and glad I wasn't having to do what she had to do. She's a wonderful cornerstone that supports the Kwahadis, Charles and everyone on tour.

Don't get me wrong, she still can deliver a "talk" that will let you know just what whats.

This was my first time to meet and be around Loy Halley. I like this Lady. She always had smile, was quick witted, fast on comebacks and ready to do what ever she could for anyone.

These two Ladies will move mountains if needed. They'll do what needs to be done. Theirs is a value that does more than most people ever see or know.












Denys Sanders is one of the strong right hands of Charles. I don/t know how long he’s been active but I know he’s part of the glue that holds it all together. He drives the bus (I voe for someone else to count antelope). He’s one of several right hands for Charles (he overseas so many aspects of a trip I wonder how he ever keeps them all straight in his mind). He always has a smile and kind word close by.

Jolene Sanders (Denys better half) is a lady who has raised a family of strong, talented and gifted children. Her quite strength reminds me of my Grandmother, who was extremely influencial in my rasing. Like my Mama, as I called her, Joylene is a tower of strength that bends with the wind but never breaks. She’s always there, solid, quite, strong, and with a helping hand. A neat Lady!

David, Dustin and Doanh are three uniquely different individuals who add their skills, talent and dancing to the Kwahadiis.

David is outgoing, quite strength and a past Head Chief.






I really like this shot. Talked to David before hand as I had tried to get one previously.

Dustin works hard at being Head Chief and takes it very seriously. This is not an easy responsibility. Being Head Chief is an honor, as it comes from a vote of the Kwahadi Dancers. He does the captured eagle dance as a result of being head chief and does an outstanding dance.

Doanh overseas the difficult task of herd accountability, food distribution and is a Shawl Dancer. She also gave me a friendly, hard time, trying to get a photo of her sticking her tongue out at me. One of these days, one of these days.

Neat young lady.










Judy Dahl and Linda Wislon are two other cornerstones of the Kwahadis via the Big Red. Not only are they Mothers to talented dancers, they are positive forces silently, but constantly, supporting and defining that unseen spirit that is the blood line of the Kwahadi Dancers.










They have smiles that light up any room they enter. These Ladies are tops in my book.












Mike Atkinson was another first time person for me, to met. A smile was his hello. He took care of all the gifts we gave and received. I enjoyed watching him interacting with people. He's an asset that is the backbone of Scouting and adds that strength to the Kwahadi Dancers.

David Adler is a former Kwahadi Dancer who Charles says has made every overseas tour with him. He quietly went about watching and silently honoring those he saw doing for others. He told and showed how the Comanches honor someone, especially at Pow Wows. They drop money or a gift in front of a person/dancer and that gift is then picked up by someone, not the one being honored. It is then given to the one honored.





I was privileged to get "The Archer" as I took so many shots (photos). It sits in one of my glass cabinets. Thank you David.

Chris Redmon carried a box for the whole tour. It was full of gift he gave everyone, honoring the tour. He's also a former Kwahadi Dancer and has carried the Kwahadi of visiting Pueblos in New Mexico. His gift was more than the present, it was his love, experience and knowledge of Native American traditions.



In addition to their gifts and personalities both David and Chris were singers.

Jim Fletcher was/is one of my favorite people. He always had smile, "hello John how are you?", and a quite strength. Get to know this man and you'll understand.

I've mentioned Neal before. Just from first glimpse, he reminded me of some one who might be full of himself. I was so wrong! Instead he's a fun loving, confident, extremely considerate, outgoing and full of life young man. I told him if he ever needed a letter of recommendation to let me know.

Nick Wilson is one of the best dancers I've seen. He puts himself totally into the dance.









He's a fancy dancer but also does the hoop dance. Many people look at a dancer like Nick and think he tries to steal the show. Not ture. He reminds me of a dancer called Comanche John. When you see Comanche John dance he's out front and you realize he's in a world of his own. It's not boasting when you are a dancer of that quailty.


Reed Wetmore is another outstanding dancer. He's also a fancy dancer. He puts his whole self into his dance and like Comanche John and Nick he's in a world of his own. He's not as out front as Nick, but he's of the same spirit. Not boasting, but being the spirit of the dance.









I really enjoy it when they dance at each other. Theirs is a dance of challenge and respect as they jump up and high five each other, with their chests. Pride and confidence are important no matter what one does in life.

Over the years I've been honored to judge dancers at Pow Wows and both Nick and Reed can dance with the best.

Collin Wilson is another dancer that brings his all to the dance. He's the yell you hear above the singers, the drum and the other dancers. He's good a painting his face and sharing that with any other dancer who wants their face painted.





Dylan Evans is the Head Chief of the Kossa Dancers. He's also a fancy dancer who gives his all. He's full of energy and his jumps are great. I never got a good shot of one of his jumps, but not from trying.




It's good to see so many young men, like him, in leadership roles.

Two exceptional young men are Matt Visel and Colin Lawson from Ulvalde, Texas and the Sahawe Dancers.
















Caitlin Dahl is the head of the Maiden Society and an award winning Fancy Shawl Dancer. She's also going to Texas A & M this year. My wife, Judy, and I love to watch her dance.



















A tower of strength and tons of possibility is Daniel Rigsby. He's chief of the Souix clan (traditional dancers) and an outstanding fluete player. This young man will go as far as he decides in life.



















Dr Glenn Henderson.













One of the most interesting individuals I've ever met is Dr. Glenn Harrison. He's so full of that line of baloney, knowledge, wisdom, calm, tidbits, humor, questioning and a proud husband, father and grandfather. He spend many years in the Navy as a Dentist and as well as many years in Scouting. He made the trip more enjoyable just by being around him. I would like to introduce him to many of my friends so they would know a man of such great qualities.

He's a long time friend of Charles. If I remember right they were college room mates and his son was a Kwahadi. If I'm wrong, it's "sum-timers."


Steven Johnson is Mr. Quiet.




Steven is often in a world of his own, but when it comes to dancing he's all Kwahadi. He has that cowboy silence about him and having been a cowboy as well as Cherokee/Irish I notice it.

We danced before 6,291 folks.I know because I was the counter and had to use every ones toes and fingers many times.




We danced with so many.








































My travel partners, Billie Jo Pettigrew (caution: do not sit next to or near Billie if she has a fresh cup of HOT coffee and you have new white sneakers on-trust me on this) and Melinda Wells. These ladies put up with me, worried about me and made my trip more interesting.











Thank you Ladies.








We danced for so many.
































A smiling Charles at a successful tour.



















Quoting his own words "check into rehab."














People (John Wayne use to say that in his movies) - it's been fun, it's been great and till our next adventure.



Thank you and enjoy the memories from my English Scouter friends, Tim, Simon (who stayed with Judy and I ten years ago when their Boy Scout troop came from England to summer camp in the USA. Their parents, Uncle David and Linda (both whom Judy and I have spent time with when they were in Texas) and Simon's girlfriend.











John Madden

Date

Last post is below "FYI" as I have not figured out how to change the date to today.

Must be as a result of working on it ALL day...I'm computer goofy from working on it.

Will get with my friend, Steve Douglas, tomorrow and see if he can change the date.

Night...

John Madden

FYI

I'm working on the last update so don't give up.

However, right now I'm doing what Charles said in his last itenary....his comment was "check into rehab"....so after an unplanned three day rehab when we got back I'm doing my rehab in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

I played 18 holes of golf today with my good friend, KP (Kenneth Poole). We were suppose to play with some of my high school classmates, but none of them showed up. We didn't think we smelled bad, we took showers before leaving our lovely wives (Judy for me and Carolene for KP) this morning.

No we did not play good, but as they say...at least we played. Yea, but playing good is better.

The ladies shopped and said they had a great time. Wonder how much their good time cost us?

We're going to try another 18 holes tomorrow.

Yes, the ladies are going shopping again.

Looking back on our tour, I tried to find a Manchester United t-shirt for our grandson, Harrison. He had a little time in the hospital getting his tonsils out, so Pops (that's me) thought - He loves soccer and I'll get his a t-shirt.

Strange by everyone must of had needed a size 6 t-shirt, as I could find smaller and bigger. So I had to settle for another team and I don't even remember the name.

So I'm thinking I'll look for a soccer t-shirt in Ruidoso. Maybe that'd be okay.

Had as much luck finding that t-shirt as I had on the golf course. Must be some kind of Karma at work.

I have enjoyed the opportunity to share my thoughts, our trip, our experience and photos with you.

Thank you to those who have made comments.

Just wanted to let you (hopefully there are still some of you out there wanting to see and read the last posting) that I'll get it donee as soon as I/we get back/out of rehab.


John Madden

Lueve

My Waterloo.

After the Eiffel Tower I had mixed feelings about the Lueve.

Would it be the attack of junk hawkers like the tower or the cultural, artistic, historical museum I had always heard about?

As the bus entered an underground parking place my mind hoped it would be the later.

No junk hawkers anywhere in sight, but we still had to exit the bus. Our long walk up stairs (have I mentioned I have developed at hate for stairs?), walking along an ancient wall and into an area of modern I felt a relaxation and an additional wonder.



Modern in the Lueve?

It was only a passage of shops reaching out to tickle your interest so as to dig into your credit card.

Suddenly you're in a room with an upside down pyramid. It's beautiful!



So many times during our tour we were struck with awe, beauty, amazement, surprise, mouth-dropping sights, and more historical reality than we had ever seen.

We were about to take that step again. Into the Lueve. History awaits us.



I'm an artist. Many people don't look at photography as an art form, but it is. If I had penny, no make that a nickel, for every time someone has looked at my work, asked about the price and then said "I have a camera, I can do that." I'd be a lot closer to being rich.

I smile and say something like, great or good and let it go at that. Sometimes I'm asked "How long did it take you to take that photo?" and I say "All my life."

When pushed into a probing conversation, I tell them to go find that place, wait for that scene, capture that moment, frame it before you take it, composition is vital, remember the rule of thirds, lighting, background, depth of field, horiznal vs vertical, see what no one else sees, lead the viewer into the piece, take more photos and then take more than that, travel to as many places as possible knowing you're probably not going to make any money on most trips, expenses will be greater than income for years, and spend your life developing your eye.

Somewhere, very early in the conversation, I lost them cause they have a camera and can take that picture.

So going to the Lueve was high on my "yes, list."

The herd moved forward. We had our tickets, went through security, and milled around tilled it was decided to divide into three groups of twenty.

Volley number one.



My new - good friend (whom I will talk about in my last update called "Thoughts" Doc and his grandson Lance) stood ready like a race horse to fill his mind with the Lueve.



Unknown to me this photo was very important. Why?

I'm in the Lueve, art is everywhere, it's an artistic Christmas, an artists holiday and my camera battery says "Sorry dude but no more go juice." What, this can't be, I'm at the Lueve and photos are allowed and my battery is dead!

Then I remember I didn't have a chance to recharge my battery last night. Surely this can't be happening. I look and it has captured 894 photos and apparently that was over my time limit.

Volley number two.

Okay, no problem, not the best choice but I have my iPhone and it has a camera. Drawing it out like an old west gunfighter I raise it as I frame a photo.

Click. No picture. You guessed it dead battery. Again my speedy brilliant mind puts two and two together that it if I didn't get to charge my camera battery I also didn't get to charge my iPhone.

Volley number three.

As these frustrations flood me they are joined by the responsibility of trying to herd a group of 20 plus, an interpreter that was hard to understand, from point A to point B in a given time frame.

Much like trying to push a rope uphill or herd cats.

Volley number four.

As our guide moved us through the Lueve our group began to spread out like spilt
milk and as interested as staying together as the two warring armies. No they were not warring, just tired, wanting to find a place to sit (note: chairs and or places to sit in the Lueve are far and few between). They wanted to find some air conditioning and just have time that was theirs to do what they wanted.

Volley number five.

I talked to our guide and agreed to one more exhibit. The Mona Lisa.

Of course, why not after all I didn't have a camera to capture one of the most
historical pieces of art work in the world. Let's go and see it.

The crowd around it was akin to bystanders watching something you could only see from the eye in the sky. It's breathtaking, small, and awesome.

Some of my small herd try to part the crowd and get a few photos. Finally I get our guide to take us back to the upside down pyramid. We have some time before the whole herd gathers so our small herd gets time to do what ever they want.

Billie, Malinda and I grab a bite to eat, something to drink (there were THREE pieces of ice in my diet-coke: ICE!) and find a table to rest our bones. Slowly the herd begins to gather and before to long we start the journey back to our bus.

Walking down more stairs (I hate stairs) my left knee pops like a gun being shot.

Volley number six.

Helped back to the bus I focus on "tonight we're at the Radisson--a hotel, bed, shower and time to recoup."

Neal offers to gather my luggage train of three, backpack, and get them to my assigned room. We find it and he offers to come get them in the morning so I can board the bus to the airport and home.

He tells me "John, you've made it this far, you can do it." I smiled, thanked him for his help (did I tell you Neal was always watching and helping anyone at anytime and I don't remember hearing anyone asking or telling him to do so). This young man has been raised in a very good way.

As an adult - an elder aren't I suppose to be giving him a pep talk and encouraging him?

I spend the evening recovering, repacking, showering, not leaving the room so I wouldn't risk any more knee surprises and sleep.

In the morning my knee is better. I make it downstairs with my repacked luggage train, find a chair and focus on two bus rides, three airports, two planes and home.



As we ride to the airport we see history.



We arrive at the airport.



After we unload from the bus we begin what we know and do so well. Wait, move luggage, wait and move luggage.





The Lueve was my Waterloo, but I was still in the game.

These are the last of my 4,500 plus photos of our tour. We danced before 6,291 people, sharing our dances, talent of our dancers, support of our adults, prayers from parents, family and friends at home, made new friends, saw things, places and sites most people will never see, while being part of a chosen family.

My last post will be a combination of thoughts and other worthless things. Hope you stay with me to the end.

As before I invite anyone wanting an outstanding performance by outstanding Boy and Girl Scout to contact Charles at Kwahadi.com.

John Madden

Paris

On the train ride, I looked forward to the ride under the English Channel. It didn't take long and for some reason all the photos I took in the dark came out black/blank.

Wonder why?



To get something to eat or drink we had to walk through several cars to one that had a place to order and buy food or drank. It was like standing up in a roller coaster as the train speed towards Paris.

We were traveling over a hundred plus miles an hour so taking pictures of the landscape was out.

Then we're in Paris.

We step out of the train, not knowing what to do, which way to go and for some reason the signs are not in English.



The herd figures it out and we start moving, hoping our suitcases made the trip with us. We find our guide and she and Dennis start the exploration of locating our suitcases.



Finally we move towards our suitcases, find them, try to help this French dude unload them (don't know what he keep saying but it boiled down to NO help wanted) and found our bus.

Notice I said bus...being one not two. There's sixty-one of us an most have three bags, we had chartered two buses, but the French (in their wisdom) decided their 61 passenger bus could take care of us and luggage.

Charles stayed with the luggage and waited for the other bus. In doing so he missed the Eiffel Tower but caught up with us at the Lueve.

This bit of French thinking comes under the "Here's your sign."

Our plans are to see the Eiffel Tower, the Lueve, the Arch'd Triumph, view Notre Dame Cathedral and walk the Riverwalk on the Siene River.

Our lodging is at the Radisson Airport Hotel. Yes, a hotel. That should mean BEDS, BATHS, AIR CONDITIONING and some down time. Talking to a couple of old timer tour, past Kwahadi Dancers, a hotel stay is a one-of-a-kind stay.

Sounds great to me!

I've been in Scouting since I was eight and that was several life times ago. In those years I've hiked, camped, visited, and Scouted all over many states, countries and have loved ever bit of it.

It's been a wonderful experience and those years have given me the privilege to have forty scouts to earn their Eagle Scout, numerous to earn their religious awards, lots of Order of the Arrow members and many other Scouting gifts.

In the process I find I've gone from being able to do anything, go anywhere, climb any peak, hill, mountain or challenge and all with a great feeling of strength and independence.

My how time changes things. In my Native American travels I have come to view the "elders" with a greater respect and honor. They have had their time and their lives are filled with memories, accomplishments, adventures, and pride.

All of a sudden I seem to have stepped into their circle. When did it happen, how did it happen and why did it happen?

So why this message?

I have found out camping in a tent is not my thing anymore. Sleeping bags are great, but my bed is better. Coffee in the morning makes me a happier person. Sitting down at a table to eat, fits my body better. Cots over air matteress and backpacker foam. Air condition is a wonderful invention and privilege of comfort. TV is optional, but enjoyable. Showers are gifts from the Greek God of water - Poseidon. Music is nice and it fills my mind which has a tendency to take a temporary vacation as to why I'm where a am and why am I there? Brushing me teeth makes me feel human and washing my hair (the little I have left - when did it leave and where did it go?, not just getting my hands wet and wetting it down) is a luxury I enjoy.

Stairs....I have learned to hate (maybe that's do hard of a word, but it's close enough) stairs. Give me an escalator, moving sidewalk, elevator/lift or something that will transport me upward or downward. Especially when I have three of the heaviest suitcases, a camera bag, computer bag and me to get from point A to point B.



So here we are on another bus, going to the Eiffel Tower. I have no idea if there is a lift, but walking is fast falling into the same arena as stairs. I've already decided if their is no life - I'm going to pass going up.

The walk from our bus to the tower wasn't very long, only about ten miles in my mind. It was hot, humid and there were more people than live in a ant colony.



We had advance reservations so the wait was only suppose to be thirty minutes. It was longer. Two and a half hours if you walked up to buy a ticket.

The junk hawkers attach you like a swarm of bees. Walking through them is a kin to running the gauntlet.

Then you're there at the bottom of the tower. It was built by an man who got the idea from employees and took two years to build. It was suppose to last 20 years as he thought it would take that long to recover the money he spent (the vast majority of funds were his own) building it.



In a year he had recovered his investment and was a wealthy man.

Where are my employees with an idea like that?

Wait a minute - I don't have any employees. So I need to get busy on the one year to be wealthy idea.






It's magnificent and dirty. The grounds around it and all around it are full of trash. What a shock. Why?

All of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England we had seen were clean, the people were very friendly and almost postcard in appearance.

Here the people were not friendly, we had seen so many dirty streets, alleys, homeless with their belongings all over the place on our bus ride to the tower.

I had heard this before leaving, but didn't giver it much though.

Seeing is believing.

After a lift ride to the second floor Paris opened up to be seen from a friendly and more beautiful view.



The view is spectacular, even on a less than clear day.





















Going down I looked around and noticed armed military and police. They were moving through the ocean of people slowly, as if they were looking for something or someone in particular.







Back on the bus and driving through Paris we saw some grand buildings.





More police.



From the tower we went to the Lueve. That is a reason to go back, but the Lueve became my Waterloo and that's for another update.

Our ride to the hotel was longer than my tired body wanted. I think I was getting tired.

Folks, people, Scouters, friends of Scouting and anyone else. Think about the Kwahadi Dancers coming your way. As one of our hosts said, "It'll be the show that is taken about as having missed and they'll wish they had come to see these magnificent dancers."

Contact Charles Ritchie at Kwahadi.com


John Madden