Originally posted by Gay-Guy+Feb 17 2005, 11:44 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gay-Guy @ Feb 17 2005, 11:44 AM)</div>
@Feb 16 2005, 04:52 PM
I love many things NZ, from the culture of the Maori, to movies that brought me to even know about things like this (Once were Warriors for instance).
Wow..I heard Once were Warriors was released in the States but I didn't think anybody would watch it. Let alone believe the lifestyle was true.
In some parts in NZ what was portrayed in that movie is absolutely real.
If you ever come to NZ then you could stay at my place. I could give you a tour of the places where they filmed it...the house with the tree, the bridge where the Street Kids hung out, the place they used to film the pub, etc. As well I could introduce to a lot of real life people who lived that life.
But not all Maoris are like that...nowadays things have really changed and the Maoris are growing in mana every year. The days and areas of Once Were Warriors are diminishing.
And I'll take you to Eden Park to watch the Blues....the AB's tickets are a bit to hard to come by
Always good to see another US rugby fan. As I've said in other threads........the world is so lucky that America hasn't seriously taken up rugby....it would be game over for measly small NZ. [/b]
Man I dont know where to start, I may go into a bit of a rant, if so hehe....forgive me.
I was born and raised here in California, but I have always loved Rugby, and more specifically any and all things Polynesian.
Been to Hawaii when I served in the Marines, came back home and started learning more and more about Rugby, and Poly culture throughout all the world. (Dont ask me why it intrigues me so much, but ask my wife or son if ya dont believe hehe, it does!)
Then years and years ago, I saw Once were Warriors, and even in modern times I've seen movies such as Whale Rider.
It may sound silly to you, but I fealt "at home" when watching those movies, and reading about NZ Maori culture, and NZ Rugby (my favorite kind!).
I went this past week to the Home Depot Center to watch the 7's, NZ lost last year here to Argentina in the finals (I was not there). But this year I took my son to see the All Blacks in all their glory, and yes! They won the L.A. 7's here last week.
Anyways, I'm starting to rant as I knew I would, bottom line is, I've saved enough (man flying to NZ is insanely expensive from L.A., CA.) But we are going to do it!
Not sure as to the exact time, but I know it may be in the next two months for sure (gotta square away some things at work before I go).
I've as since been ordering alot of Super 12 stuff and anything AllBlack on DVD, and go to AllBlacks.com a ton as well. Hell I've been such a homer for NZ, that I've even memmed the Haka they perform (call me a nerd, it's O.K. mate). My son is damn near getting it down as well.
Bleh, I'm really sounding nutty by now no doubt. But Oh well, it's who I am and how I feel. Your post sounded great to me so it inspired me to type all this heh.
As for you telling me we wouldn't beleive the lifestyle in OWW, trust me, reason I feel so at home in that movie is that, I grew up in the streets of East L.A.
And I am sure that even people as far away as NZ have heard of the L.A. "Gangbanger" type of lifestyle. I've "been there & done that" (My "Tats" prove it hehe).
I just got more in touch when I see the culture, I wish my culture (Latino and Mayan) was more like the things I see the Maori do. I see things like the Haka, and other rituals, and it gets me emotional at times (and no I'm not a wimp). Just very proud is all.
I know that when I do go there (A guy I work with is a Kiwi and Maori) he tells me the "North Shore" is beautifull to go see.