What Freedom Means
Well, it's a beautiful day. Finally. We've had some grey weather the last little while and I have been suffering with a bit of vertigo so it feels like the world has cleared up as my head has. But now I'm happy, warm, and apparently on even ground again.
Thanks to everyone who has let me know that they are still hanging in there and reading these sporadic messages. It's very nice to know I'm not hollering into the void.
It was a quiet week. Partly because I couldn't seem to stop the world from spinning (don't you hate it when you can't control the universe?) but also because I am so reliant on other people to get out there and this particular family seems to have it's own definition of time. I did manage to get my cousins to take me out the other night - we did a bit of bar hoping before ending up at a great little jazz club on Long Street. There is so much great music here and I have been craving just such a hit. I will pick a cd and share the tunes when I get back.
We (my dad and I) are heading off to Durban for a few days on Saturday and then I am on to Jo'Burg and a four-day safari. Durban is where my dad grew up - specifically in a place called Cato Manor which was one of the first areas affected (and destroyed) by the Group Areas Act of 1948 (or '49?). It will be a intense trip I think - it's so hard for him to experience these places and articulate what he's feeling - but a necessary one. Then he comes back to Cape Town and I go on to Jo'Burg (All by myself! Wow!) for a quick one-day tour of the crucial sights before I whisk off for a four-day safari. I can't believe I'm going on safari! Then it's ten more days in Cape Town and home again, home again.
Yesterday was Freedom Day here - the first time all South Africans were eligible to vote - and guess where I spent it? In the mall, of course.
See all those little things that look like people at the bottom? Well, they are people. Thousands and thousands of people. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and hot but with a bit of a breeze. And this place (seriously one of the biggest malls I have ever seen in my whole life - kindof reminiscent of Las Vegas, all crammed inside a sprawling stone box) was PACKED! I looked everywhere for a "Freedom Day - the Freedom to Shop" sign, but I guess there's no place for irony in a consuming world.
Such is our experience of the New South Africa. No - not completely - just a part of it. As for other experiences in the last week, I went to temple again - this time for Kavadi, which is the Hindu festival of atonment.
On this day people walk across fire and spear themselves with things in order to atone for past sins. No fire walking at our temple but there were a couple of people going into trances and pushing pins through their toungues, and of course lots of singing, tablas and food. An interesting day all 'round.
Also had a family dinner.
Me and dad with uncles and aunts.
And that about does it for now.
Love to all,
s.
Thanks to everyone who has let me know that they are still hanging in there and reading these sporadic messages. It's very nice to know I'm not hollering into the void.
It was a quiet week. Partly because I couldn't seem to stop the world from spinning (don't you hate it when you can't control the universe?) but also because I am so reliant on other people to get out there and this particular family seems to have it's own definition of time. I did manage to get my cousins to take me out the other night - we did a bit of bar hoping before ending up at a great little jazz club on Long Street. There is so much great music here and I have been craving just such a hit. I will pick a cd and share the tunes when I get back.
We (my dad and I) are heading off to Durban for a few days on Saturday and then I am on to Jo'Burg and a four-day safari. Durban is where my dad grew up - specifically in a place called Cato Manor which was one of the first areas affected (and destroyed) by the Group Areas Act of 1948 (or '49?). It will be a intense trip I think - it's so hard for him to experience these places and articulate what he's feeling - but a necessary one. Then he comes back to Cape Town and I go on to Jo'Burg (All by myself! Wow!) for a quick one-day tour of the crucial sights before I whisk off for a four-day safari. I can't believe I'm going on safari! Then it's ten more days in Cape Town and home again, home again.
Yesterday was Freedom Day here - the first time all South Africans were eligible to vote - and guess where I spent it? In the mall, of course.
See all those little things that look like people at the bottom? Well, they are people. Thousands and thousands of people. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and hot but with a bit of a breeze. And this place (seriously one of the biggest malls I have ever seen in my whole life - kindof reminiscent of Las Vegas, all crammed inside a sprawling stone box) was PACKED! I looked everywhere for a "Freedom Day - the Freedom to Shop" sign, but I guess there's no place for irony in a consuming world.
Such is our experience of the New South Africa. No - not completely - just a part of it. As for other experiences in the last week, I went to temple again - this time for Kavadi, which is the Hindu festival of atonment.
On this day people walk across fire and spear themselves with things in order to atone for past sins. No fire walking at our temple but there were a couple of people going into trances and pushing pins through their toungues, and of course lots of singing, tablas and food. An interesting day all 'round.
Also had a family dinner.
Me and dad with uncles and aunts.
And that about does it for now.
Love to all,
s.
posted by The Finding Princess at 3:23 p.m.
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