We are the Wildflowers

vegan beauty & the little green box

One of the biggest concerns I had when I first went vegan was about the products I use on my face, body and hair. It sounds ridiculous, but in this day and age, most major cosmetic and skincare companies are still using animal ingredients in their products, and then testing said products on animals. For obvious reasons, these are not considered vegan. I am generally not a fussy person when it comes to my appearance or the products I put on my skin. In fact, I’m sure most of my more beauty-conscious pals are laughing at the fact that I am even writing a post on beauty when my beauty routine generally only involves remembering to shower every day. But when Peta from The Little Green Box invited me for a vegan and eco-friendly Esse facial, I leapt at the opportunity. It’s not every day that you get the chance to enjoy a certified vegan and cruelty-free facial. A part of me had resigned myself to the idea that I could never experience beauty treatments again after I went vegan, but it seems that natural, organic products are on the rise and that most of these are, by default, vegan.

On arrival at The Little Green Box, and after meeting Peta, I knew straight away that I was in good hands. A fellow KZN girl, Peta is so lovely and friendly and set me at ease right away. The Little Green Box is a bespoke and eco-friendly skincare clinic, and Peta told me that after she fell pregnant with her daughter, she felt the need to move away from chemically-rich skincare products and seek out more natural and environmentally-friendly options. The Little Green Box was then born out of this idea. Peta’s treatment room is cosy and beautiful and as soon as I laid my body down on her warm bed, I could immediately feel the stress begin to melt away. Peta treated me to a sixty minute Esse Balancing Facial which involved a triple cleanse, exfoliation and steam, a facial massage (and neck and shoulders and feet massage), a two-part mask and a toner, eye and lip cream, serum and Omega Deep Moisturizer. My skin immediately felt tighter (in a good way) and I’m gonna straight out tell you that the scents of the products were just delightful – not overbearing like most commercial and overly-perfumed products, but fragrant enough to make a delicious impact on the pleasure receptors with fresh notes of ylang ylang, spearmint, peppermint and palmrosa.

Esse is the brainchild of chemist, Trevor Steyn, and is made in Richmond, KZN – yep – it’s proudly South African, too! You know we like that! Passionate about sustainability and ethical living, Trevor set out to formulate and manufacture effective, organic skincare products and thereby promote awareness and conservation of Africa’s biodiversity. The skin is its own eco-system, with human skin cells and microbes co-existing and contributing to a ultimate skin health. Did you know that our skin can often have an even greater microbial diversity than our gut! So why would we put synthetic chemicals onto a healthy functioning ecosystem? It’s kinda like spraying DDT onto a grassland – yes you kill some weeds, but you also kill the birds and the insects and other important parts of a functioning and healthy environment. In that way, yes, the synthetic chemicals which exist in commercial beauty products may achieve achieve short-term goals like minimising pigmentation or wrinkles … but is your skin prepared for the long-term effects? These are the questions that prompted the birth of Esse. Accredited with The Vegan Society and Beauty without Cruelty, Esse is also a partner of Phytotrade Africa, which means it is committed to the Fair trade of natural products. The plants used to make Esse products are sustainable and its harvesters are all protected and supported in their work – from providing homes to education and medical care for staff and their families. Basically, Esse is ethics in a jar.

So how did my skin feel? Honestly… amazing. I left feeling fresh and relaxed and my skin was taut and glowing. I did wake up the next day with one little pimple on my forehead, but I was pre-menstrual so that’s totally normal for me, and my skin was likely to be detoxing too. I had a photoshoot that weekend for a project I’m working on and I don’t think my skin needed much airbrushing thanks to the Esse facial! Peta gave me some Esse samples to try at home and I absolutely adored them. The scent, the texture, the way my skin felt afterwards was all very convincing and after going back to my regular products, I could certainly feel the lack in my daily skincare process. As my current product runs out, I will be replacing it with Esse product. For me, it really is a no-brainer. Also, I’m going to be booking my next delicious facial with Peta. A cruelty-free and eco-friendly monthly pamper on her treatment bed is just what my face and soul needs! Now if only we could get a branch up in Stellenbosch…

Check out Peta’s service and price list on www.greenboxskincare.com and contact her on 074 816 7794 or littlegreenboxskincare@gmail.com to book your appointment.

explore: five reasons to stay at the thatch house

Remember those big old family holidays you used to go on with your aunties and uncles and cousins? The ones where all the parents were permanently intoxicated? Which, looking back now, you find totally understandable? Ah, those were the best days! A few weeks ago, we stayed the night at The Thatch House, a sprawling thatch villa located just outside of Hermanus on the R43 and overlooking the beautiful Klein River Lagoon. On entering the magnificent lobby and living area, I immediately thought of long family holidays and how much fun it would be to book out the entire villa for a getaway with all my siblings, parents, aunts and uncles, cousins and their various partners and children. With four luxury family suites and two garden luxury suites, the house can accommodate twelve adults and eight children – that’s twenty people all together! So, with the logistics underway, here are five of my favourite reasons to stay at The Thatch House:

It’s sooooo purdee

I never had a rich auntie with a mansion, but I imagine that if I did, her house would look like this. Words like spacious, luxurious, and even opulent, come to mind when you first explore the massive bedrooms, living area, games room and rolling green gardens. The great thing about The Thatch House though, is that while it’s all fancy finishes and posh polish, it’s also really cosy and homey. The couches are soft and expansive and on arrival I almost lost my soul in one whilst sipping on a delicious welcoming cocktail. The beds are huge and so comfortable and Sam and I made good giggling use of the enormous poufs in the tv room.

Space Out

If you’re anything like me, your alone time is very important. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good gathering of friends and fun banter… once a month. Family I can do a little more often, mostly because we share DNA and we still have to love each another EVEN IF SOMEONE FINISHES ALL THE SALT AND VINEGAR CHIPS, but I still need my chilled down time – whether it’s to read my book in peace and quiet, do a little yoga, or have an undisturbed snooze. The walls and doors in The Thatch House are thick and sturdy, and once you close that door to your room, it’s peace and quiet all the way. Also, the bedrooms are so large you could probably hold a yoga retreat in them without anyone else in the house ever noticing. There are so many other nooks and crannies about the villa and the gardens, that the child in me automatically thinks of all the mischief my little cousins (if they’re anything like I was) could get up to without anyone noticing. There is an entire treehouse. WITH A BRIDGE. I mean, the mind boggles.

It has a library

Need I say more? Ok. So, there is a landing above the living area which is filled with shelves brimming with books. From up there there is also a fabulous double view through massive glass windows of both the massive mountain behind the villa, as well as the lagoon which lies before it. It’s honestly breathtaking and I could see myself snuggled up there like I had already dreamed it before. Honestly, staying at The Thatch House, is one big dream.

So many activities!

If you’re not like me, and you’re into adrenaline and sportsing and getting your hair wet, pack your cozzie and wetsuit and prepare to get wet and wild. Jump on the boat for a leisurely ride while you sip on champagne (pick me!) or take a whizz at skiing, wake boarding and tubing (don’t pick me – I’ll take photos). There are also kayaks that you can take out onto the lagoon, a putting green, two swimming pools, a jacuzzi, table tennis, a gym, a games room, tennis courts, trampolines and, of course, the huge tree house made up of childhood fun and fancy. If you’re keen to get out and about, The Thatch House is situated in close proximity to The Whale Route (visit between July and November to watch the beautiful southern right whales breed), the wine route (Hermanus is famous for it’s pinot noir – I recommend Newton Johnson’s), beaches, nature reserves, hiking trails, golf courses and art galleries. If you’re into little road trips, venture out to explore the restaurants and history of the neighbouring village of Stanford. There is honestly so much to do. If you take your kids, ban their iPads. There is no need for it. I promise.

In-house Chef

Last, but certainly not least, is the food. Of course, I was straight into the kitchen when I got to The Thatch House and it really is magazine-beautiful and equipped with everything you need should you choose to go the self-catering route. But…. if I were you, I would put my feet up and get the lovely in-house chef, Terry, to worry about the food. I mean, no one wants to spend their precious holiday time in the kitchen, right? Ok, yes, I am vegan, and I do like to cook and play and experiment with food, but Terry absolutely had me covered in that department and met all my dietary requirements deliciously well while I was there. If you’re not in the kitchen, you have more books to read. And more wine to drink. Sounds like a win to me!

To find out more, visit www.thethatchhouse.com and to book your stay, contact Terry on +27 (0)79 041 4149 or email bookings@thethatchhouse.com.

Please note: our stay at the The Thatch House was complimentary.

holding the space between

It’s funny how the older I get, the longer it takes to settle back into my own skin. I fill the corners of the house with trails of myself after you leave… octopus ink slowly staining water silky-black. Exhaling the goose flesh and laughter and frustrated tears, I bite my lip until the blood comes. It tastes like relief.

Where are you, old friend?

You’re getting harder and harder to find every time. You mould and dip and fit into the sharp angles and deep wells of other hearts and foreign lungs. Sometimes I can’t recognise you. Sometimes I see glimpses of you and I don’t know whether to squeeze or shake you. Sometimes, after the rain, you shine through the clouds, and it was like we never were apart, you and I. You are here, all shimmering resplendence and brand-new familiarity. And it’s like you never left, we were never apart, and I always just knew. You are me and I am you and we are here on this sphere of light making every moment in love a miracle to behold.

I cling to you | don’t go.

I breathe you back in and hold you close beneath my ribs and deep in my womb. Because soon they will be back and you will start fading, and once again, I will watch helplessly, as you slip between my fingers and melt back into the earth.

Image: Death To The Stock Photo

black coffee

I haven’t done a chatty catch up post in a while (is it just me or does every blog post by every blogger start off like this these days? Sorrreeee.) so here’s a little of what I’ve been getting up to lately. I’ve just returned (with a cold to prove it) from a whirlwind ten days in KZN. It’s always quite a thing returning to your childhood home, especially when it’s the same place where you met and married your partner and lived in for a little while in your adulthood. Returning to the Midlands gives me that weird feeling you get when you’re at home, but feel homesick for some place you’ve never been… have you ever felt like that? And you’re all like, but why am I homesick?? I’m AT home! And I haven’t even been gone for that long anyway… perhaps in my head I’d left ages ago. Amongst the hen party and wedding madness, I managed to spend some very special quality time with my family and explore a bit. I even went for a run, which I’m still super-gloaty about, because who ever goes for runs when they’re away? Olympic athletes, that’s who.

First on my agenda was a massage with Colleen at Midlands House of Healing. If you’ve followed me and my blog for a while, you will know how much I adore visiting this earth angel. This is literally no one in Cape Town or anyone in the world, for that matter, that I’ve come across who can give a massage like she can. It’s not long into my sessions that I’m floating away in a state of bliss and I really, really miss my monthly meetings and massages with Colleen. She is now located on the Karkloof road out of Howick and if you are lucky enough to live in the area, I urge you to visit her. Your body and soul will thank you!

I met up with my friend, Nicola, and got to meet her little Ella child for the first time. What a cutie pie! With only eyes for her mommy, I might add. We did a little perusal around The Ruby Orchard (one of my favourite shops on the Midlands) and I bought her the cutest little owl beanie form Sugar and Spice. My heart – she looks so cute in it! I got to take a look around the new Yard 41 and the buildings, designed by Nick Crooks of Hillhouse, are absolutely stunning. The views from the upstairs balcony at the relocated Farmer’s Daughter is breathtaking too – such a pity about the lack of vegetarian (never mind vegan) options – had to settle for bland green leaves and french fries for lunch – the nemesis of veggies worldwide.

By day four I was itching for some good yummy plant-based fare and so my mum and I headed out to The Snooty Fox at Fernhill Hotel – one of the very few places (if not only) in the Midlands that provides vegan options on their extensive menu. My mom, godmother and I all feasted on the beetroot burger which was just sublime. The patty held really firm for a veggie burger and I smashed it in my hands and around my face like all good burgers should be smashed. For dessert, Cayley Slater prepared us the most delicious creme brûlée! Watch out for this young pastry chef – I have a feeling she is going to go places! Afterwards, executive chef and owner-partner, Alex Poltera, showed us around some of the newly refurbished rooms and they are looking so elegant and lovely. Next time I’m in the Midlands, I will be staying over for sure, because driving home with such a full tummy can’t be good for you!

Mom and I also stopped off at Steampunk Cafe for what is widely considered the best coffee in the Midlands, and I was so keen for a strong cappuccino, but alas, no soya milk or almond milk in sight, which still seems to be a common thing in the Midlands – except for a surprisingly good soya milk cappuccino I had at Coffeeberry at Cascades in the ‘borough. Next time will carry plant milk around in my hessian bag… just so I can really stick out. The Americano at Steampunk was amazing though and rendered me upright and focused for the rest of the day!

Speaking of great coffee, we also ventured out to Blueberry Cafe for brunch and to check out their new bean roasting section. Josh Falconer is the barista and the man behind the machine and I made sure to take home a bag of the Cerrado beans to try in our own machine. They made the most delicious cup of coffee – I hit the prefect espresso range and it produced the best crema I’ve seen in ages! The resulting coffee was smooth, nutty and soft – just as the tasting notes implicated. Divine. Whilst at the cafe, I just had to treat myself to one of my very first favourite plant-based meals – the aubergine burger. It was just as good as I remembered and I was delighted to hear that they are introducing a vegan and gluten-free blueberry waffle to the menu! YUM. What great and positive changes.

My brother treated my mom and I to a meal at Tandoor Kitchen in Pietermaritzburg – a North Indian place he’s been wanting us to try for a while. Now, I can see (and taste) why he’s been banging on about it for so long. Indian cuisine is always great for vegans – there is a whole page on the menu dedicated to vegetarian curries and the waiter was happy to point out which ones didn’t contain dairy. I wish I could explain the flavours to you – they were just phenomenal! I wanted to sneak into the kitchen and steal the contents of their spice racks. The decor is seriously minimal and their four-and-a-half star Trip Advisor award hangs proudly on the wall – the place is clearly all about the food, and rightly so! I managed to convince my dad and stepmom later on in the week to get us takeaways, and it was just as mind-blowing again. Simply delicious! Also, get a load of that baaaaard.

The reason we were in the Midlands was for Gemma and Geoff”s special wedding day. For the first time, both Andrew and I were members of the bridal party, and we were so proud and happy to be a part of the union of two of our closest friends in the whole world. Gemma wore the most exquisite dress designed by Yolanda Wortmann (Geoff looked pretty dapper too and there was not a dry eye in sight when he watched his beautiful bride walk down the aisle) and all the food was vegan, including the most delicious chocolate, coconut and cherry wedding cake! What a delight to actually be able to stuff your face with everything on offer at a wedding for once. I was so full and thank god my dress was an oversized one with plenty of breathing room!

We headed home on Sunday happy and full of love and just a little hungover! It was so wonderful to spend time with the family and our special friends in the beautiful Midlands, but now it’s back to the fairest Cape for a good dose of reality and hard work for a bit. And, thank god, soya milk cappuccinos. I missed you so.

Image of Geoff and Gemma by Kristi Smith.
Wedding Cake by Alex Poltera.

the witching

I have a secret. And I can’t tell anyone. Not even you. It claws and gnaws and itches at my heart like a demon baby in my belly. Oh, sweet release. I taste the blood in my mouth, smell the bile in the air and I like it.

It’s Dark when I wake before the world. I slice a lemon. Unpack the dishwasher and stroke the dog’s head as I wait for the kettle to boil. I drink the sweet black coffee outside in the fresh morning air. There is a half moon hanging on the horizon, and it reminds me of you. Not full, nor empty. Taking the middle road. Minding your own business. Finding the balance.

Mediocrity killed the cat.

An owl swoops down to sit on my shoulder. Turns its head one eighty and watches you with cold, yellow eyes as you raise your arm to stab me in the back. Over and over again.

It’s not a bad way to go. I’ve had far worse.

eat: cosecha at noble hill

Autumn has settled into the trees, the soil and our early-morning foggy exhalations. For the first time in months, I feel at peace. I like the quiet that comes with winter; season is over, the grapes have been harvested, the tourists have flown north, things are slowing down and although I would love nothing more to do than hibernate, it is also time to explore this beautiful place of the world we now call home. I’ve been feeling guilty for ages that I haven’t been for dinner at, or even seen, some of my closest friends’ homes yet. Hell, I’ve lived here for nine months and I haven’t even been up Table Mountain for one bloody hike. My visions of farmers’ markets and cocktails on Camps Bay every weekend took a major back seat to the life and businesses we are carving out for ourselves here in the Stellenbosch winelands, and I’m starting to be okay with that. Having said that, we’re definitely going to be taking this lull period over winter to take time out for the two of us. It turns out that living and working with your husband on the same property doesn’t always mean that the time you spend together is quality time. If anything, it dampens the time at home, because in our line of work, someone could knock on your door at any second asking you to help them find their drunk wife or to warm up their bread roll in your oven (true stories… both of them). So, we’ve been given a kick up the proverbial backside by our chef and restaurant manager and a reassurance that everything will be ok while we’re gone for a few hours a week. Subsequently, ~~we’re~~ I’m planning on lots of date days and nights ahead this winter – probably just days for now though, because right now we can barely hold our heads up at night!

Today we went to Cosecha at Noble Hill for lunch. I’ve been there before for a solo drink and wanted to show Andrew the place and also try the food out. Also, I have been craving mexican food and guacamole lately and as it’s latin cuisine, it seemed like the perfect spot to try. Added bonus – it’s just down the road from us in case any of the kids needed us. Turns out they didn’t… who woulda thought? I loved guac before I went vegan, but I cannot explain the obsession now. It’s my crack and I will have it any which way. I love how the waiters at Cosecha personally smash and season your fresh avocado at your table with a pestle and mortar. Mashed in is also a sprinkling of tomato, spring onion, a little coriander, some spice and lemon juice. YUM. It’s practically a meal on it’s own!

Andrew had the chicken fajitas for mains and I had the roast vegetable quesadilla. I asked them to add some black beans to the mix, and they were happy to do so – just remember to ask the kitchen to leave off the cheese. Although this is literally the only vegetarian option on the menu, I was one happy vegan – it was delicious! We caught up whilst feasting and drinking, and took a little stroll to the dam. I also took loads of pictures, because I honestly think Cosecha must be one of the most stylish little eateries I have been to since moving here – although I may be biased due to my recent cactus problem. I’m currently on a finishing-detail-decor-mission for the restaurant, so I was mentally taking loads of notes! We eventually hobbled, fat and full, back to the car and finished off our date day with a very romantic sleep on the couch, Lulu’s rather guttural snoring providing the backdrop music to this passionate event. Perhaps we may need a little hibernation time, after all!

What are you planning on doing this winter? Hibernating? Starting an exercise programme? Reading actual books? Eating more mindfully? Exploring?

Cosecha is located on Noble Hill Wine Farm, between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek on the Klapmuts-Simondium Road.
Call 021 874 3844 to book.
Prices are very reasonable and portions rather large! We were pleasantly surprised when our bill arrived!
Please note that not all of the Noble Hill wines are vegan as they use animal proteins such as egg whites and isinglass (fish bladders) in the fining process. Be sure to enquire first as the vintages are all processed differently according to harvest.

holding on

We settle into this place easily. We choose our favourite spots on the sofa, our heads mould their imprints onto the pillows. We master the faulty tumble dryer and even re-fill the dishwasher with new salt and rinsing aid. We use the recycling depot at the supermarket and decide that the lady at the end till is our favourite because she smiles. no matter what. We recognise the local dogs and marvel at the caramel three legged one’s deft dodging of the too-fast buses. We know that 400 rupees for a taxi ride to Grand Baai is too much and 200 is just about right. We discover where to buy the ripest, yummiest local avocados and decide that six fifteen is the perfect time to grab a Phoenix beer and head down to the beach to catch the sun setting.

My skin is tan and my eyelashes encrusted with sea salt as I do my last sweep around the apartment that was our home for two weeks. How funny it is that we attach ourselves so quickly to bricks and tiles; how quickly we learn where the tea cups and pots and pans are stored. How easy it is to melt into island life. I smile at the memories we have made here; the dance offs in the kitchen whilst waiting for the pasta to boil; the fights we had over who ate the salt and vinegar chips; that night the mosquitos fed on our blood like as if they were the direct descendants of Dracula;, the games we played at the dining room table, the birds we fed, the laps we swam, the baguettes we ate, the movies we watched, the books we read.

We leave the yellow lilo for the next visitors to float and bob on the turquoise ocean with.

I envy them.

nomad – a passion project

I write this in another world from the one I’ve been moulding myself to for the past seven months. Away from jagged mountains, cold seas, soft sand and fields of fruit; the air here is warm and spicy; the ocean gentle and healing, the landscape green and lush. My bones relax, and I get the inevitable sniffles as my body slows down and reassesses the past few months. Takes a deep breath in and out. My shoulders un-hunch and I like what I see in the mirror. The rounded belly, strong, wide shoulders, wild hair, slim legs. I sleep in, read, swim, sleep some more. Isn’t this how it should be, every day? The reflections begin. Where we’ve come from, what we’ve done.

In six months, we’ve started renovating an extremely run-down and out-dated guesthouse. We still have so much more to do there in the quiet winter months. We’ve put up new fences and gates and signs and cleared forests and made gravel and brick paths and fixed broken borehole pumps over and over again. We’ve had to learn how to navigate the pipe and electrical systems. We’ve fixed broken geysers and installed an extremely expensive air-con system which, annoyingly, ended up not working. We’ve had workmen in our ceilings all night, guests throwing chairs into swimming pools and spraying red wine on ceilings and into kettles. Guests stealing towels and sheets. Lovely guests bringing gifts and coming back over and over again. It’s been a roller coaster ride.

And then a couple of months ago, we started working on and planning our new baby. A passion project, a restaurant we’ve been dreaming about for a long time. A place where we both could eat, being an omnivore (Andrew) and a vegan (me), a place with options and choices, a place where everyone is welcome and made to feel comfortable in their individual lifestyles. A place where food and its origin is respected and where we try to keep our produce as local and sustainable as possible. What would we call this place? I liked the concept of travel, fluidity, food in flux with the changing seasons. I opened up my thesaurus and came across the word Nomad. I wrote it down and it spoke to my heart. That day we took a drive to Somerset West and Andrew pointed out the word “Nomad” written on a building near the N2. We paid for our smoothies at Kuaui with our cards and the machine displayed the word “Nomad” as it processed our payment. It was surely a sign and we both burst out laughing. We enlisted the help of designer extraordinaire, Andrea Barras, to conceptualise our branding and she came up with the moons in phase in our logo. I’m obsessed with my brother’s tattoo of a compass on his arm, and so she incorporated that into our branding too. It all fit together so wonderfully: our concept, the words and the imagery. We got Chef Marile van Niekerk on board and set to work renovating the restaurant building on the property.

We opened on the first of February, my birthday. There’s still much to do, including a large amount of landscaping and a dam to fill with water. But we’re happy and excited about our passion project and everything that we’re going to learn and experience on this journey. We also have the most amazing team helping us every step of the way – Klaries, Marile, Ray and Keenan are all unbelievably hard-working souls and we are so thankful to have them! Having vegans come up and thank me in in the restaurant for having a choice of pizzas, platters, mains, starters, salads and desserts has assured me we’re on the right path. Making a lactose-intolerant little boy his first ever “cheese” pizza with vegan mozzarella made my heart all mushy. I know the pain of having to go to a restaurant and ask if there are any vegan options, or having to order a tasteless green salad with french fries again. No more. There is no eye-rolling at Nomad from our waiters or chefs about vegans and vegetarians – we are prepared and happy to feed you – and all your omni friends and family! Nomad is about having a good time and celebrating in comfort with your loved ones. We’re about no judgement, good food, good times and flowing wine! I hope you come and pay us a visit.

When I first went vegan, I received some nasty comments from people, saying I shouldn’t promote veganism whilst living on a cattle farm and being married to a man who owns a meat-serving restaurant. But being vegan is so much more than black and white, and in these shadows is where most of the work is done. Removing yourself from life is not the solution. Even before then, the cogs were in motion to set about a new way of making a living. While I would obviously love to be involved in a vegan-only restaurant, I think it’s also important to start incorporating more vegan options at omni restaurants. Although it won’t happen most of the time, now and then, an omni might choose a vegan starter or pizza or salad and to me, even that tiny choice, can make a difference to our planet’s health and the lives of people and animals around the world. The more vegan choices there are out there, the more able we are to start making a real change.

So I sit here on this little tropical island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and I am at peace. This year has been crazy-hard-fun so far and I know I need to go back to a bit more balance – more yoga, more massages, letting go, trusting people, writing more, opening myself up again, allowing myself to be vulnerable. And most of all, finishing up my next passion project… which I can’t wait to share with you all soon! But most of all, to continue living, as best as I can, without judgement, and in alignment with my convictions.

xxx

Nomad is on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – follow for news and updates.

the rain will come

On Saturday we have been in the Cape for six months already. Sometimes it feels like a lifetime, sometimes it feels like a dream. I know all the short cuts now and neighbours wave to me on the road. A cashier in town the other day was chatting to me merrily in Afrikaans; I even managed to string a few sentences back to her, and guess what? She replied back to me in Afrikaans! This has never happened before. (It’s normally at this stage, that they recognise the completely awkward and slightly blank look on my face and switch to English.)

One of my favourite things to do is sit at a sidewalk cafe and watch people go by. The women in Stellenbosch are all daringly stylish – just as chic as their Parisian counter parts, but far more eccentric. Pink hair, white hair, orange hair, red specs, high heels and bright patterned clothes. It’s really quite beautiful. And the students are my favourite… walking to lectures, to the shops, to the bars, in their carefree dungarees and dreadlocks, carrying their backpacks and water bottles. I sneaky-listened to two young girls sitting next to me the other day, drinking bottomless coffee and discussing the various moves and messages of one of their love interests. I remember that time… the days of analysing the every word of someone you hoped so much would fall in love with you and never let you go. They made me nostalgic for my days as a student, where your worries consisted of passing exams and how many packs of cigarettes and two minute noodles you had left for the week. Perhaps I’m being silly. I’m sure there were a lot more worries than that… but they seem less scary now looking back with these rose-tinted big lady glasses.

The sun is up until late here, but the days are short. Or maybe they just seem to go quicker. The mountains burn and the grapes are full and fat with sun-ripened sugar. The ground aches for rain and it will come. Everything is going so fast and in a blink of an eye, I know it will all be over and it scare the bojangles out of me. I flit between wanting to spend every minute with all the amazing people I love and wanting to run to the hills and retreat to complete the things I set out to do in this life. This vocation I’ve chosen requires quiet and solitariness, but my heart and soul is also rejuvenated by time spent with others. I feel there is a solution coming soon… I wait and trust in the process. The rain will come.

love song

There was a time when he wrote her letters. God, his handwriting was terrible. But there was something endearing about a big ol’ burly doorman writing her love songs (as he liked to call them).

His love songs weren’t for her though. Not at first. He must have thought that she was fancy hot-shot in a suit with connections who would maybe make him famous for his poetry. And she played along because she loved reading them.

I’m working on a book, darling, he told her. She smiled and didn’t have the heart to tell him she that worked in a bank with no literary connections whatsoever.

His words were all about a woman, of course. and she fantasised about their love; where he grew up and where she grew up; the fields they made love in; what colour hair she had and the shape of her ribs under her translucent skin.

she didn’t notice when it was that he began writing for her. she didn’t notice how the woman in the love songs became her. she didn’t notice the new life he fabricated for her; the travels he dreamed up for her and the man he created for her. he wrote to life the places they grew up in and the fields they made love in, the colour of her hair and the shape of her ribs under her translucent skin.

you doing anything for the holidays, love? he asked as the snow began to fall, handing her the new love song he’d kept safe in his pocket all day. probably not, she smiled, just staying home.

Image: Death to the Stock Photo