Bloopers for the Holidays (Part 2)

This is a time of year when we think about what’s really important. One of my favorite thoughts: “These are the good old days.” Considering our beautiful lot in life here in USA 2012, I can’t imagine it getting much better. I’m making a point to enjoy where we’re at, to be thankful, and — as much as is honest — to give things a positive twist.

Below you can watch part two of the blooper reel from the just-completed new season of my public television series, Rick Steves’ Europe. Reviewing these clips, I’m reminded what a blessing it is to have work — especially work you enjoy and believe in — and how good it is to laugh while working hard with people you enjoy.

In this series of screw-ups, we see my producer Simon at work — carrying a huge tripod to the top of the Florence cathedral in case the cameraman might need it. While climbing, Simon repeats a phrase we all tell our children: “Pain is weakness leaving the body.”

While I still prefer no “product” or makeup while working, we have discovered hairspray. After 20 years of cursing the wind and dribbling water on springy hairs, we now pull out the hairspray when needed. To be able to work with the wind kicking up has saved our hides many times.

Whether savoring delicious food with local friends, teaching ancient history on an ancient toilet, demonstrating the importance of a helmet deep inside the mine, imagining barbarians from present-day Scotland storming Hadrian’s Wall, finding a piano to pound on, pitching hay high in the Alps at Gimmelwald, or skipping through the rain at Castlerigg Stone Circle in the Cumbrian Lake District, watching these bloopers reminds me how much fun it is bringing home the wonders of Europe — either with our guidebooks, tours, or TV shows. Thanks for traveling with us, and Merry Christmas!

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.

Comments

8 Replies to “Bloopers for the Holidays (Part 2)”

  1. Yes Christmas is a time of reflection and being fortunate.We are very lucky to live in Europe and even more fortunate due to there being no wars or deseases here in the EU and USA
    I BELIEVE THIS IS THE TIME TO BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE ALREADY POSESS AND STOP SEARCHING FOR THE EVER MORE,AND EVER WANT,WANT,WANT WAY OF LIVING

  2. Excellent site. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you for your effort!

  3. Now let’s face it -without regard for our personal prejudices, despite Rick’s agendas, and even if some of us might be castigated as, aarrgh, republicans, Rick does have good hair and if one of your tools is hair, you tend to see many things as SPRAY.

  4. Thanks for another inspiring year! We are lucky. We are having a great Christmas with all our family and on Thursday we are flying off to Paris to spend New Years with some great friends! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

  5. Hi Rick – thank you for your very informative and entertaining shows and guidebooks. Of course, I have to ask, what is the real name of the 2 men wrestling statue and what museum is it displayed in?

  6. hi again – never mind – I found it – Hercules and Diomedes, in the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, by Vincenzo de’ Rossi, part of the series “Le Fatiche di Ercole,” “The Labors of Hercules.”

  7. Rick,

    Your Doppleganger uses a clear liquid hair spray (Consort for men) but instead of spraying it I put a little in the palm of my hand and rub it in my scalp. It works great all day long.

    But don’t use it before going to bed or your morning hair will look like you are an actor in a horror flick!

    Happy New Year!

    Der Doppelganger
    WEDU Tampa

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