The Cape of Good Fun!
Some Jozi girls decided on a roadtrip to ‘Slaapstad’ for their Xmas hols. Although after this review of the city, Cape Town doesn’t really deserve that name, but then again it was December, anything is possible, even in ‘Slaapstaad’. The girls thought the sixteen drive would wear them out (after they unsuccessfully tried staying awake all the way) but it was the buzz of the city that had them out partying almost every single day that wore them out… See the photos here.
“Ke Dezemba Bouwss”
We spent the festive season in Johannesburg last year, due to a lack of organisation on everyone’s part and even though we had a blast, we decided that when the happy festive ’06 crept in we would to jack up our acts and go somewhere different, preferably the beach.So me, my sister Gontse, and friends Lindi, Fulvia and Bantse decided to pack supposedly small tog bags and drive down to Cape Town.“Yes the Karoo is going to be hot, yes we will be changing driver’s every three hours, yes the passengers will not be falling asleep on the road (I think) and yes Cape Town is very far!” Shoo now that we were done with all of the lectures from everyone who kept advising us not to drive, we hit the Golden Highway on the way to the Mother City.
Trying to organise a trip with a group of very opinionated women is not the easiest thing, so even though it took about three months to get people to come to an agreement on where to go, where to stay and what to do I was just glad that it was finally happening.
One Blood!
According to me The Game’s “One Blood” is the song of 2006, I know they say you should dig deeper to find your song of the year because you might just find songs that you’re forgetting, but then there’s also the fact that some songs are just hits no matter what and I just think the Junior Reid and Game combo was just too seductive, and then I flipped through Game’s CD sleeve after I got it as a Christmas gift and let’s just say I think The Game is ehem, hot.
We stopped at the N1 Oasis to get the biltong, chips, drinks, water, sweets and other things that people felt would be necessary padkos, we filled up the tank and off we were. It was raining and we were all very tired because we didn’t get enough sleep but Gontse’s rendition of the old men singing “Take it slow” at the John Legend concert in Johannesburg earlier on in the year had everyone cracking themselves up.
Noah’s Ark on Y-fm was keeping us afloat with some old school hip hop and even though none of us had ever really listened to the show before (probably because it comes on at snoozing time) we were glad he was there to keep us going for the first few hours of the trip.
1219km till Cape Town
It’s when you read the signs on the sides of the road that you start thinking practically about the distance you’ve decided to embark upon and you think, “gosh, am I crazy?” But seeing that at this point it was about that time, the traditional road trip sing along time, the first CD was brought out and it would be, drum roll… Brandy’s “Never Say Never”. Oh no, here come the choir voices! From “The Boy is Mine” to “Never Say Never” we went though the entire CD.As much as I’m not an RnB fan this album reminded me of high school…
Sunrise
Half way through Ventersburg and we were greeted by a warm orange sunrise and beautifully ploughed open spaces- the joys of driving and better still being a passenger. The cows freely roaming around reminded me of ‘ko di plaasing’ which was the name my sister and I came up with for my late grandmother’s farm in Kgwadubeng. I mean cows are not a national treasure but an environment like that where they are just grazing and pooing freely is not something I get to experience every day in Jozi. Back then when we did the whole road trip with all of your cousins thing, we used to sleep on the floor in cow dung huts and we even learnt how to make a cow dung stoep- I guess I do have a bit of rural in me.
Bloemfontein
Next stop was Bloemfontein. This is really quite a sleepy town, yes every now and then someone decides to have a big festival or come and perform at a club somewhere there, but quite honestly I’ve never found it exciting.
We were famished though so we decided to stop for a bit of breaky. We had no clue where we were but we were driving straight and we figured we might find something along the way. As I said earlier though, everyone was asleep, the stores were closed and the streets were empty so we had to stop at a garage for some directions to an restaurant that could have been opened at that time.
After experiencing what I would call a whack macking technique by a dreadlocked local we got directions to a place that he assured us would be open for breakfast.
This was our first stop and it was actually quite far away, we were hungry and tired but as they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and that it proved to be just that because after we refuelled we were all energised and ready to face the rest of the trip.
Die Klein Karoo
I think I slept though Beyonce (no offence) I have a lot of respect for Miss B, but I couldn’t remember when I had dozed off, but when I awoke we had hit the Klein Karoo and it was drizzling. At that point I felt like calling up all the people that were laughing at us because they said we would be braai meat whilst going through the Karoo to tell them “guess what guys, it’s drizzling! Na, na, na, na, na!” but then I thought “arg I’ll show off when I get back”. I really enjoyed the drive through the Karoo and this time it was Lauryn Hill who was keeping us company, and I really felt blessed, I felt like God had definitely heard our prayers in the morning!
“Jaiva Soweto, and every other Ghetto, it’s time to let go and get your ass on the dance floor!” We were on a roll and we have moved to local music, all the mommy’s have checked in with their babies- it’s all our first Christmas away from home, so it’s quite a journey for all of us including our mommy’s (aga shame), everyone was awake and we were all in festive mode. We are playing Kabelo, then TKZ’s “Phalafala” and having a discussion about just how many “Mambotjie’s” (The Halloween album) have just disappeared into thin air, been bought and re bought and still not one of us has a copy! I guess that’s a good thing for TKZ- when your music just walks out of people’s cars you’ve got to give yourself props! As I was looking at the cover of Phalafala I really felt like I have grown- I realised that I had been following these guys since they looked like this? Oh my gosh!
The last lap
We were somewhere on our way to Paarl and the energy levels were back at zero, the last lap is always the most tiring and we still had to do some grocery shopping when we arrived (the joys of self catering). My eyes were burning, my nose was probably peeling, but we are almost there and it would have all been worth it! What really helped me to stay hydrated and energised was my latest discovery, it’s delicious, it’s long, it’s on a stick, it’s hard but it melts… a Paddle Pop Ice Lolly, it’s one of those things that everyone should try before they die!
Local music has become a general excitement in Johannesburg over the years and I think that the fact that a group of young women on the way to Kaapstaad can keep themselves entertained with music they listened to more than five years ago and for the artist to still be on the circuit means that someone out there is doing something right and it’s an amazing feeling to celebrate the music of our people! As we all listened to “Harambe” and dropped in the lines that we knew, I listened to the lyrics of the track and was completely moved- I am so proud to be an African!
“Sangena Sangena! Iyo Sangena Phakathi”
It was Fulvia’s first time in Cape Town and we really want to make it memorable, not just for her but for everyone, I kept thinking that a lot of us hadn’t been to a lot of places and that we all really need to travel more, like I cannot wait to land on Tanzanian soil soon (no more excuses!)
The mountain was finally is full view and the excitement levels elevated, after a sixteen hour drive, we couldn’t wait to exit our smovana, the tiny Peugeot 206 actually got us here all in one piece and in decent comfort. The weather was glorious upon entering the city and it was decided that our entry anthem would be Jub Jub’s “Good Time of Your Life” Somehow I had a feeling that it would not be the last I would hear of this track- after Bantse insisted that we search everywhere for it the day before- we finally found it in Rosebank and we were singing “Celebrate the Good Times of your life!”… nuff said!
We arrived at our apartment which was a lot bigger and better than we had ever imagined and it just kept getting better as we opened the sliding doors to the most glorious view ever. We spent R500 more than our already high grocery bill, but we all just ruled it out at one of those holiday oversights and quite frankly I was tired of standing around at Pick n Pay trying to decide whether Perinaise is a luxury or not!
e Gugs!
Day one was spent outside the city and “Yoh! Yoh! Yoh!” was pretty much the only way I could describe Gugulethu! I mean I don’t want to sound coy seeing that I didn’t really go into the township as a whole, but that is how I experienced it. Okay, after getting lost and ending up in Mitchell’s Plein which looked like a Hollywood set of a movie about drugs, we finally found Mzoli’s our chesanyama destination in Gugs. The first thing I noticed while driving down the long road was the number of churches on it, we passed about four of them and it just felt like a I had been there before- there seemed to be a lot of love- much like the feeling one gets when driving into Soweto on sunny Saturday afternoon.
Mzoli’s is quite an establishment, it is huge, packed with locals and tourists and not only is it a chesanyama, it appeared to be afternoon club too. And although we placed our meat order when we arrived we got it three hour’s later because that is how long the queue for braaing meat was. For those you who don’t know a “chesanyama” loosely translated it means “burn meat”, so therefore a braai or a barbeque for some others. So what happens at Mzoli’s is that you buy meat (from a guy who was really so sweet to us and didn’t understand a word of Sesotho), then you buy spice and marinade and then you get a small slip of paper confirming your purchase and then you go and chill until your meat it ready.
Now as much as I don’t approve of the amount of drinking that gets done there- in the afternoon nogal I must say that this business is well organised, I could tell that the owner was making a killing and I can’t hate that- his system is very simple and practical and works for everyone- black business on the townships is growing and I am delighted about that!
Whilst we were waiting for out food we decided to walk around and just get a feel for the place. It reminded me of those old school shebeens with small round tables littered on the veranda outside the butchery, every seat occupied, there was even a DJ pumping it up and a whole lot of Xhosa people getting down to the music.
We wound up hanging out on the street because there was just no way of moving around that place, we hooked up with a group of very cute looking coloured guys who offered us a dop of locally produced tequila (which I could not stomach it tasted like what I would imagine surgical spirits would taste like). After snapping some photos with them we decided to check on our meat. “Yo Clint and Elwin… (forgot the other names, sorry) wssup playas?”
One really shocking thing about Mzoli’s though is the toilet. Now we all hate public toilets but this one was appalling! Not only was it pig dirty, but there was no door on it, so what happened is that if someone was in the loo, another two people would have to play door until the person was done. I’ve seen public appalling toilets, but never one without a door!
Gugulethu was a once in a life time experience, one I will never forget- am I ever going back there? Hell yeah!
Joburg!
Although we didn’t want to think about Joburg we were told that we needed to go there- the club on Long Street that it! Before we left for Cape Town we had decided that we would spend all our time outdoors when we arrived, so our first stop was the infamous Long Street.
The greatest part about clubbing on Long Street is that entrance is free everywhere you go (now that’s what I call good business sense). Joburg was really small and resembled a club one might find on 7th in Melville Johannesburg, but just a different crowd. I think we might have shocked some of the locals because as usual we were very loud and getting down to the hypnotic hip hop beats the DJ was dishing out.
25 December 2006
Christmas day was a beautiful day in Sea Point; the weather was just perfect, warm and bright. We were meant to go the beach at 05:30am to check out the sunrise- that didn’t happen as we were all totally exhausted from Joburg. It was off the hinges!
On our menu:
Leg of lamb roast
Full chicken
Mixed Vegetables
Baby Potatoes
Jelly and my family’s traditional Tennis Biscuit trifle (yummy)
Fulvia and I were responsible for the chicken and the lamb, Bantse was hooking up the vegetables, it was Lindi’s turn to make breakfast and Gontse was making the dessert.
The Christmas morning preparations had me thinking about the stressful early Christmas morning sessions we used to have with my mother. We would have to wake up so early to prepare everything, and I mean even when we were very young. I never really enjoyed the getting up part but I loved getting props for making a salad, someone would always say: “Hoo, kemang oentseng ena?” (Wow who made this one?) and I would smile with pride “Kenna” (Me).
We decided that we should go to Camps Bay for a swim at the beach so we left the food in the oven and on the stove (what would my mother say!) and headed out to the beach.
The water was like drinking a glass of freezing cold water and it hits that nerve that makes your brain stop functioning for one millisecond. I dipped my feet into there and instantly felt paralysed. I retreated to the sand for the rest of the time.
Heppie Christmas!
What was meant to be Christmas lunch turned out to be Christmas dinner, we gathered around the table, said a prayer and tucked into our delicious food! Everything was just too mouth watering and we chatted about life and a whole lot of other things, we all agreed that although we were not doing the whole family thing, we all loved being in Cape town together having dinner that we all helped out preparing.
We went out to a place called Baraza in Camps Bay that evening and it was just not our scene, so we moved to our beloved Long Street, peeked into Joburg and danced to some RnB and then someone suggested that we go to Cool Runnings which was also the one, really fun. There is a part right at the back a real sweat box full of people jaiving under one of those electric fans. It looked like a Latino music video. People were really having a good time.
What I found to be quite surprising in Cape Town is the number of inter-racial couples, I mean let truth be told Cape Town is known for its tendency to be a bit on the ‘un integrated’ side of South Africa, in fact all I have ever heard about Cape Town ever since the first time I fishited was how irritated I would become with the people because they just do not coexist one group recons they own the sea and the other is just too run over to realise the power they have.
I agree to a certain extent but I have seen so many young couples kissing and gyrating in public that I wonder what is really keeping these two groups so separated. But of all the tales about Cape Town I love the one where the sun never seems to set in summer because it is spot on- you could look at your watch at eight o’ clock at night and you could think it’s broken because sun will still be shining and the weather as sweet as ever. I could spend all my summers here any day!
The Rule of Thumb
On our itinerary for the day after Christmas was a four hour climb up Table Mountain and funny enough ever since the first day we arrived we have woken to the most beautiful sunshine, but today an attack from Thumb is upon us, the day we decide to climb the mountain there is a huge white puff over the table top. Don’t despair we thought and headed off to the next place on the list, Hout Bay.
The only Blacks at the lunch table
If you’re looking to relax and just take it easy whilst in Cape Town, then a tranquil drive to Hout Bay is a good idea. It’s like driving through a jungle of long (not sure what types) wavy trees and they go on forever and ever and then you finally get to the little town surrounded by the ocean. If you’re in Cape Town and have never driven to Hout Bay, do it this weekend!
You know I really didn’t want to turn my holiday report into a political debacle, however I guess there is no way of avoiding the facts when you are a group of black people having fish and chips in Hout Bay.
Seeing that we couldn’t climb the temperamental Table Mountain we decided to get some famous fish and chips at a restaurant suggested by Bantse. We discovered just how famous it was when we saw the queues for the food extending to the outside of the restaurant. So we moved along to the next joint which was a quaint little place right on the edge of the sea.
When our food arrived it was a really huge piece of deep fried fish and huge chunks of chips. We were hungry so we dug right in and as were chatting and laughing and doing whatever a group of girls having fish and chips do we realised that everyone was staring at us, and I guess what made it worse is that we were situated right at the centre of the restaurant- perfect view for starers!
As we looked around we realised that we were literally (and I kid you not), the only black people in the restaurant. Now that had happened to me before in Jozi but this time I got the feeling that it was something rare around those parts.
It only when a family of five (including kids) started pointing and cupping their mouths that I felt slightly offended, I mean I guess I understood why they would point and stare, it’s simple: They never see black people! Now the question is, why?
The fish and chips cost under R30, so it was definitely not a price barrier, and I don; think that getting there was a problem either, (I mean I’m not sure but the distance between Gugs and Hout Bay would not keep me away) especially when you get to do so much more when you are there!
My plea before I get too involved in this debate is that the black people of Cape Town come out a bit more. I know there are people who do go out to places like Hout Bay and Camps Bay etc. but clearly we need more of you guys (especially the locals).
Seal Island
Even though we must have had holes in us after the staring competition at that restaurant, we decided to stay and wrap the day up with a boat ride to Seal Island. We got onto one of those glass bottom boats and were whisked away into the sea.
As I was day dreaming on the boat it hit me for the one thousandth time just how beautiful South Africa is, and I looked at the little homes and some really huge homes that were scattered along the coast I realised that waking up every morning to such a view must be the most amazing feeling on earth.
As the water swept the boat along its path the sun was beaming down on us causing me to feel really drowsy. Not because I was bored but because I was so relaxed. When we reached Seal Island that stinky seal smell that we are accustomed to was no where to be found, it was just fresh sea air and seaweed floating around the little piece of seal paradise.
The seals were just chilling as seals always do and we even saw a cutesey little baby seal flopping around trying to find its feet. The boat stopped for about ten minutes and then we headed back to shore.
When we got off the boat we were welcomed back on land by the vibrant song and dance of the Cape Malay. (I could be wrong that they are Cape Malay, but that is what my Afrikaans teacher taught me so because I can’t do any research on them right now, please forgive me if I am wrong).
It was a grand day in Hout Bay, even with all the drama.
Intaba Ye Tafile
The next day we decided that we would conquer the temperamental mountain and because we woke up late we arrived late (you know you would think we could master this concept, but hey).
Intaba Ye Tafile, that is the Xhosa name for Table Mountain- I thought that that was pretty cool, I saw it written on the wall as we exited the cable cart, the weather was much better and although we were meant to walk up it was late and we were advised by a know- it- all man who ensured that we knew that we were an all woman crew and that the cloud was over the mountain and we were vulnerable women who would probably get lost up there on our way back, so we used the cable carts, we were too tired to walk anyway!
Going away with friends and doing unfamiliar activities such as being thousands of meter above the ground will teach you a couple of things about yourself and your friends, that might have had no idea about. Like I had no idea that we had such a scardy cat on our hands (we won’t say who), but when we decided to walk to the edge of the mountain we encountered a very strange reaction from one of the ladies, and I guess had to leave her behind where she felt safe and sound. It was quite funny because it’s just strange how walking to the edge of a mountain can be effortless for one person and such a big deal to another person- interesting human behaviour.
Tourist prices
Here’s a tip for anyone wanting to go up the Table Mountain- it is beautiful, in fact you could be in the middle of a cloud that is passing right by and brushing against your face (believe me it’s worth it) but you might want to eat something before you go because we paid a fortune for a big fat oily piece of fish and huge chunks of unappetising chips, but what really killed me was the R14.00 that I had to pay for an Lipton Ice Tea! I kept the can in the hopes of framing it but it got lost somewhere along the trip. All I have to say it that I think we need separate queues in tourist destinations- I mean as a local paying R14.00 for a 340ml can of ice tea is just ridiculous- so I would say don’t bother to buy food up there or listen to your mother’s advice never leave the house without eating something!
When we arrived home that evening we discovered that there is a 60’s Party for Cape Town now, the line up sounded great, but it was a little bit far, (the concept of driving for miles to go to a party just doesn’t seem to register as a good idea in my mind, I’ve to Mafikeng once and I made up my mind that it just didn’t make sense to me). So in the mean time for now I decided to have a cup of poison (coffee) and take a serious nap (coffee puts me to sleep, weird but true).
“The cover charge is fifty rand, there are three of us, I gave you two hundred that’s fifty rands change!”
The move for the evening was Fashion TV Café. We had actually spotted it whilst we drove around town earlier and we thought we should definitely check it out.
Now here’s the thing, the FTV in Cape Town is huge compared to Jozi’s one- no comparison style wise as they were about to prove to us…
There is really nothing more irritating than waiting outside of a club, in fact it is probably the one reason why I would go back home on a night out, but hey, we were in Cape Town right, so what the heck?
Bantse and Lindi managed to slip in just before the rest of us and we were stuck outside with the ban at the door. We were getting really pretty pissed off with the management because they were letting their peeps in first and claiming that it was too full, I said to the chick at the door “If you’re so full, then why are you letting more people in?” and she just shrugged her shoulders. I didn’t know whether that meant that she didn’t know the answer to the question or that she didn’t know anything at all because when we finally got in we paid R200 for three, the cover charge being R50. So I stood there looking at her for about ten seconds with my hand out and she just blinked blankly back at me till I said, “Hello?” in my snottiest accent “The cover charge is fifty rand, there are three of us, I gave you two hundred that’s fifty rands change!”
Now, it was not exactly the best way to start a night out, but as soon as we hit the floor. Okay, here’s the other thing as we entered we realised that the club definitely needed some brown sugar, it just really seemed strange not to see and brown people. So anyway, we decided to represent as we were pouncing around the dance for attracting so much attention that the manager kept looking at us and getting a bit nervous, at some point he looked as if he was going to walk up to us and ask us to calm down, but none of that happened.
We came across one Justin Thembalakhe (although we decided that he was actually much better looking than Justin Timberlake and he was so charming as well, smiling and chatting to us in what I assume are the few Xhosa words he knew, I just kept thinking we’re in the same boat white boy I am not Xhosa and I also only know the words you know!). He was really cool though shame!
We spent the rest of the night dancing as if we were somewhere far away where no one knew our names- oh wait a minute we were! We danced holes into all three dance floors.
It turned out to be a really crazy ladies night as some of Bantse’s friends joined us later. The the thing with clubbing with an all woman squad is that when the main consensus is that some one needs to be told off (usually an unsuspecting male) then there is no use feeling sorry for him because otherwise you will be attacked, so as all the boys approached someone made sure they knew that it was ‘girls only’ night, some claiming that others were their lovers, it was just too funny, one of those unforgettable nights out with the gals!
Unfortunately one of us lost a phone so we had to abandon the idea of spending the rest of the morning on the beach.
Robben Island
The next days plans involved a history lesson, we were off to see where some of our leaders that were considered political troublemakers were sent to during the struggle.
On a lighter note we decided that because my brother and his girlfriend had arrived, Bantse’s friend (now located in London) was there with her sister, one of Gontse and I’s childhood friends was down with his girlfriend and one of my friends (my brother from another mother) had all arrived the day before or on the day we would all get together for a big bonding braai. (I’m not sure why it didn’t happen but I guess it’s the thought that counts). But it was clear that it was that time, the Jozi people had arrived and there were more to come!
After we were told that the Robben Island trips were fully booked until the 6th of January we decided that maybe some retail therapy would heal the wounds of the disappointment. So we went to Access Park in Claremont (a factory shop haven) to do a bit of shopping- the bit part became quite relative because when we first arrived we were moving in a group, but when we realised that we were waiting for each other while the other did this that the other we decided split agreeing that we would call each other when we wanted to leave.
So we shopped and hooked up at the end of the spree because we were all hungry and we wanted samoosas. When we realised that the samoosa store had run out we were forced to go into the city on our way back to buy some.Lindi and I had to run the errand this time and even though we tried to ask for a “pasella” (that is a small free gift in the tradition of the festive season) the young Indian man who served us was not having it, instead he told us that we were from Jozi and that we should spend all our money with him (the cheek!)
Three A’s and Three B’s
After hearing that Bante’s little sister got three A’s and three B’s and an A aggregate for her matric results we were all quite excited so we decided that we would celebrate!
After a little tiff with Lindi because she told us she was sick and no one believed her we left one soldier behind and headed out for the night and if you ever want to feel like you are at a party in Alex (those seem to be very popular these days) then you should head over to a place called Pata Pata, also in the city, on Bree Street.
They played kwaito and house music and the beautiful Xhosa girls came out to play, I must say that Xhosa women really are stunning- the scene however was just not for us, so we headed back home to get some much needed rest.
Marvel:
This was one of my favourite clubs in Cape Town, Marvel. You will marvel at the way this club is. There was a hip, hip hop DJ positioned at the corner of the club in a very small little space (none of that Jo’ burg fly guy DJ with a canister of water and someone tending to his beck an call) this guy was there to entertain us and he did a dang good job!
When we arrived it seemed full to absolute capacity and we thought we would never last, but when the DJ whipped out those tracks, you know those that make you accept that the person next to you is just as crazy as you are about the song and is ready to sweat it out? Next thing you knew the club was getting fuller and fuller and honestly if there was a fire hazard I don’t know what would have happened, but luckily all was well and no one set themselves on fire.
But we decided to stay really close to the door anyway, but that also meant that we were hugging people as they entered because the whole of the Jozi party scene was there too and because we had enjoyed having Cape Town to ourselves for so long, we didn’t really feel too enthusiastic about sharing, but I guess they brought the Jozi to Cape Town so after a while we didn’t mind bumping into a whole to lot of people we knew.
Hermanus
It was definitely time to take it easy and the next day we decided to hit Hermanus. There is something about that name that just draws you to this town, and when you arrive it almost feels as if you’ve in a small village filled with really cute little village people.
We decided to have some lunch and then head of to the seaside and even though Hermanus is known for its whale watching we knew that we were probably not going to see any because we were not in whale season, (which is in July by the way). So after lunch we headed out to the sea but as we were leaving the weather was in the mood for yet another freak show; all of a sudden it was pouring and because were all looking forward to Hermanus we were really disappointed but we thought positive thoughts and drove around the town taking pictures from the car.
When we suddenly got a lucky break, it stopped raining and we flew out of the car and walked down a cobble way to the seaside.There were little fishing boats and funny little restaurants and no whales at all. On our way back we spoke about coming back to Hermanus the next time we go to Cape Town and spending a warm summer’s day in the coastal town.
007!
The night we had all been anticipating had finally arrived, New Years Eve was finally upon us and as usual the confusion of where to spend the first seconds of the year had hit us. Cape Town had been so warm (besides its weird tendencies to rain and then suddenly stop) until New Years Eve, then it was freezing cold with a vengeance none of that drib drab stuff, it was freezing full force.
We had spent the day at Canal Walk; shopping and having lunch and if you’ve ever been to Sandton Mall in Johannesburg and hated the amount of traffic that passes through there is just one hour then you should definitely stay away from Canal Walk- it is ginormous! I mean this place is a monster of people waiting to tramp all over you (what I consider malls to be really).
After a long day of walking around I really needed a nap before the festivities, but that was not going to happen because I decided to go and see my brother. My sister and I got the most amazingly beautiful bags as a gifts, it was sure worth the sacrifice of my nap! As we drove back to our apartment the streets were littered with people preparing for the evening, the locals didn’t seem too phased by the weather as they walked around in their party dresses in the freezing cold.
All the gals looked fabulous and we had decided we would go to a Liquor brand X party that was being hosted right next to Canal Walk. After being pushed and shoved around at the entrance I thought I might survive the night but as soon as I entered through the gate I realised that I had made the wrong decision. Firstly, they were playing house music and secondly it was wild, just very very wild, that is the only way I can describe it and lastly, I will mention again- it was freezing!
5…4…3…2…1!
It was too late to move because the countdown was upon us and as the DJ counted the seconds to 007 down we huddled together and hugged and jumped around like crazy people. It was a really special moment for us all, the beginning of a new year and the continuation of an almost eight year old friendship!
Even though we had a bit of a quarrel about moving we headed over to the chilled but hot and happening Long Street to a place called the Long Street Café. The rest of the night was spent hugging and wishing everyone a happy new year.
It was a hectic but beautiful night!
First day of the year at Llandudno Beach
The first day of my 007 was being spent soaking up the sun on a spectacularly beautiful white sandy beach called Llandudno, exquisite!
We decided to get some umbrellas and take a nap before the long drive back home and even though it was a bit windy, it was warm. The sound of the water splashing in the foreground was disturbed by some foreign chitter chatter as group of adult males (I couldn’t figure out the accent) decided to dig a hole right next to where I was lying down and I really don’t understand the game, but they kept jumping in and out of the hole? I mean if it were a group of five year olds I would understand, but grown men? I didn’t get that. I guess boys will be boys!
I managed to shut the sound of their giggling out and as I gazed out at the turquoisey blue water I finally fell asleep and when I awoke it was time to leave. This was such a fabulous way to start the year, peaceful, clean and relaxing.
A reflection…
When we set out to plan this trip and spend Christmas away from home we all had our reservations, however I never thought that this trip would turn out to be such a huge bonding session for all of us.
We learnt so much about one another, about who would most likely not want to cook even if it was her turn, which one of us can wake up have breakfast and get straight back into bed (a literally sleep hey!), who snores, who you could definitely trust to keep the house tidy and clean up after everyone, who wakes up in the morning and just feels like crap, who is the new mack of the year (hee hee), who will always ease the tension amongst us, who will ensure that she talks to her mommy every single day, who will dance the night away, everyday (okay we knew that one already), who will get up first thing in the morning and watch MTV, who will always leave their drink half finished no matter what and most importantly who will try by all means to keep the love flowing (that’s all of us).
Palesa
