rodeo.jpg Its been a while, maybe it was around 2005. I had a trip to visit one of my brother who studied at Nevada College of Pharmacy (ACPE). Things that thrilled me is this trip would be a wonderful journey of mine. Along the way from South East Asia to Nevada, the home of Vegas, the capitol of casino city in United States, but it doesn’t mean that I would go gambling there, not enough cash by the way. It was just like a dream came true, visiting Hollywood famous places, that often showed up in every TV series and movie theater.

After arrived for few hours at my brothers apartment, I just sit back for relax and read on a magazine, I forgot what magazine it is, There was a special review talking about the NFR, the National Finals Rodeo. Since I was a kid, being a cowboy is one of my favourite character beside superman, that’s why I really exited about it and continue to read all the stuff about the big rodeo tournaments that met the best cowboys around states. The good news is came after, the tournament were held here, in Vegas, the place that’s just give me a nice welcome on the airport.

As I read along, I agreed that this big event should be the most extravagant show on earth. Could you imagine, the battle between human versus wild bull? Even, no sport could matches the adrenalin that would pump up during the show. Maybe only the NFL Final that could match this show a little bit, since it is also involve an “animal instinct” on it. From the picture, I saw, even cowgirls, instead just cowboys also join the show, riding an untamed horses and wild bulls. It really make me stunned.

After make a very annoying beg, I successfully drag my brother to attend the show, I don’t know where he grab the National Rodeo Finals tickets. It really uneasy things to do for an overseas student that have limited budget. But since I really insist to attend the show, my brother gave up and took me there. At that time, I even make a promise that I will pay him back after I return home.

One things that I really remembered about the show was the atmosphere of the people that crowding the places. There was a big screens every where, all people dressed like a cowboys. It was just travelled back trough time, to the era of White Earp and Billy the Kids. People are talking, laughing and drink  a lot of beer. Everybody’s talking about the upcoming event and what kind of surprise that maybe happen during the show. Then, I got surprised to see lot of familiar faces surrounding the show. One of them is a famous face from late 80′s TV show, although I cannot remembered who was he, but still I had a good time there.

Then suddenly, all the audiences were stood up and took their cowboys hat off, I was late to responses, until the man beside me, looking at me in a weird way. Then, a lady riding away to the arena with flag. Ah.. I know what’s happen, so I jumped right away from my sit. My brother also didn’t know the custom, since although he had already study in US for 3 years, he never attend to this kind of show. All people there singing the national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. After then, the big show is started.

Rodeo show was really special, we were sitting with thousand of rodeo fans, old folks, young folks, yelling, screaming and clapping for the brave action, give the cowboys and cowgirls an extra spirit to continue the battle. It was the best experience ever. I came here along the way from Asia, the place with no such similar show like this. Every picture that I took and filmed should shocking all my buddies at home. Not many people in my country could have an real experience watching a rodeo show live.

But actually, I was little bit upset with the opening show, which used some helicopter and a group of soldiers that falling down to the arena. I was thinking that such kind of show was too modern. I though they will presented some wild wild west entertainment, with some fragment and drama about cowboys and indian bang each others. Just like the show that I have shown on TV. But despite all those things, the rest of the show still taking my breath away.

Sadly, it should be my first and last rodeo in my live, the next years, my bother finished his study and going home. Means, that I cannot go visit him again in US, but who knows what would happen in the future, maybe I will have a chance to experience the feelings once more, the extravagant of rodeo tournament. After I came back, I suddenly loved the hear country song… LOL

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