We had gone around the table, asking each of my cousins from the van der Weil family for one word to describe Oom Cees. Finally coming to Margaret, she proclaimed, without hesitation, “modern ideas”. Olga and I were in the Netherlands in part to meet with my relatives and to conduct some research into theContinue reading “Bricks and Souls”
Tag Archives: #africa
Keep your files thin
Alight at Freshfield and turn right onto Victoria Road.DO NOT cross the railway line.It is a 200m walk to Herbert House on the left. These are the last words of instruction on this now four and a half hour convoluted 354 km train ride from Heathrow airport involving six transfers and three different rail lines,Continue reading “Keep your files thin”
Wake me up before you go-go
What time is it? For that matter, what day is it? The flickering flat screen at the far end of the dining area suggests it could be Sunday. Images of gesticulating men and women, arms raised in praise, swaying to the rhythm of electric guitars, unheard voices singing in unison, a lighted cross in theContinue reading “Wake me up before you go-go”
Common People
“Can I take your picture?” The three young women responded with blank looks at me before glancing to each other, shrugging their shoulders, either for lack of understanding or for signs of agreement amongst themselves. They were sprawled alongside the curb, amongst empty pails and sacks of red onions, tired, exhausted, scarves wrapped tight atopContinue reading “Common People”
Money Talks
“Have you gotten over the culture shock?” We are about an hour into our drive to the city of Cape Coast, having woven through conversations about Ghana, Canada, and Sweden. Kwame picked me up from the hotel at 7:00 am before a quick diversion to another for Anna who had already been in the countryContinue reading “Money Talks”
Strange Things
Let me tell you about the strange things happening to meStrange things I wonder if the next guests of Room 716 will have a wash cloth. There was one when I arrived. It was tightly rolled, resting in the aluminum cradle atop the bathroom counter, waiting for me to wash my face. Which I did.Continue reading “Strange Things”
Scatterlings of Africa
We are on the road to Phelamanga*Beneath a copper sky It was an inauspicious start to the day, my last in South Africa. The 8:00 am pickup was delayed until 8:30; not a problem, more relaxing for breakfast. Out in front of the hotel promptly, I began pacing in the sun as each minute tickedContinue reading “Scatterlings of Africa”
Downtown
Things will be great when you’reDowntownNo finer place for sure The Playground, a market only open on Saturdays, is listed among a number of sights to visit in Johannesburg. My South African colleagues were not aware of the place, asking me to be more precise about the location. When I showed the map, they classifiedContinue reading “Downtown”
Wild Thing
You make my heart sing There was an understated anticipation on the mini bus. We exchanged the obligatory polite hellos, names and where are you from questions. Gerald travelled 30 hours from his home in Seattle to arrive in Cape Town before making a last second decision to join this tour. Sean is originally fromContinue reading “Wild Thing”
5 Days in May
My accent gives me away. People then leap to the assumption I am American, which I quickly correct before they ask if this trip is my first time in the country. My response immediately induces a smile and the understandable question: “So how do you like South Africa so far”? With a sheepish grin IContinue reading “5 Days in May”
Wonderings 