Lazy days and longer nights...

I’ve always known Cape Town to be something totally different from both Durban and Johannesburg, the cities I’ve previously lived in. And I knew that I was in for a totally different experience with my relocation there. But I really wasn’t prepared for the burst of life that living here has given me. It may sound infinitely lame and clichéd but you only have to walk around the city to know it holds something really unique. And for me that was what I’ve been looking for for quite some time now. As you may have surmised by now, I am a creative person by nature. It doesn’t even take much to get me going; a good song, sunny weather, a piece of fabric, colour, light. Even lint could inspire something out of me, although I cannot guarantee that would be something for general consumption, maybe just those with the acquired taste for odd things!

Cape Town consistently keeps me on my toes with its different offerings for any and every type of person. The first difference I noticed with moving here is the appreciation for the belief that there is life after work! People cycle home, some get home and hit the waves and others still enjoy lazy afternoons enjoying the late sunsets so characteristic of Cape Summers. Finally, I had found a place that is more my speed! Although I am here working full time, days are so long you even forget at some point you were at the office! For someone like me, who doesn’t define herself by corporate aspirations, it is a breath of fresh air after the rat race that is Johannesburg.

One of the first places that quickly became a favourite of mine was Bloubergstrand famous for its idyllic views of Table Mountain and Robben Island. Although the water is dreadfully cold there and swimming in the surf would be nothing short of an act of martyrdom, it doesn’t detract from the breathtaking beauty of the place. I think my favourite thing about that area is the lack of commercialization there. Sure there are the typical things you expect to be near the beach like some restaurants, ice cream shops, hotels and the like but the quieter nature of the area makes it an ideal place to enjoy a quiet afternoon after work, or a quiet read on the sand. It’s also a popular spot for joggers, cyclists, surfers, kitesurfing (which I’m determined to learn!) and skaters and often you’ll see the promenade littered with these different characters creating a lovely scene for photographers and artists who frequent the place for new ideas and inspiration. One other thing, if you love to look very together and love neat hair, make peace with the fact that the wind here will kill your couture in an instant. Some days walking the promenade is like fighting with a heavy magnet. So perhaps make sure your muscles are prepared for the almost "The Day After Tomorrow" (the movie) like conditions that you may find yourself in when visiting Bloubergstrand.

I may get shot for saying this but I really do believe the sunsets there rival those of the famous Camps Bay on the Altantic Seaboard but that’s just my bias speaking. It’s probably also because I tend to like the less popular places more simply because they are less overexposed. In fact, that’s how I am in all aspects in my life. Popularity immediately makes me wary. Blame it on my shy formative years. Maybe that’s what makes me so eager to take my time to discover this province bit by bit, I just keep thinking there’s so much ground to cover, so many places to get lost in and the best part is I can do it in my own pace!

Now to just buy a lifetime supply of sunblock, hats and sandals – my explorer’s uniform…

Home Re-discovered #2: Victorian Charm on a 21st Century Canvas

Before I even begin this new chapter of this series I must apologise profusely. Time, unforeseen circumstances and general laziness got in the way of posting here for a while – almost two months to be precise. And while my absence cannot really be explained or excused in any way shape or form, I can only hope to make it up to you all by posting a chapter daily for the next few days to make up for lost time and all the adventures I have kept locked safely in the cobwebbed recesses of my mind. I only pray that my meagre offering will satisfy the beast. (Ok, so you’re not a beast but hey, shoot me for trying to be poetic!)

So after spending the previous week lost down memory lane down by the beach, my travels took me to a place I have rarely seen spoken about on any tourist pamphlets or sites and yet we have to go through it to get to the lovely ocean. Regardless of the mode of transport you use to get yourself to the golden sands, it is inevitable that you will pass through the colourful streets of the Durban City Centre. Now when I say colourful, I don’t mean that typical scene in a movie where the carefree lead actor/actress walks around with that goofy self-assured smile and the florist magically gives them a huge bunch of flowers just because he or she’s feeling especially generous that morning. I’m talking more about the way in which you can feel the pulse of the city, from the vibrant fashions that reflect both the Zulu and Westernised cultures most dominant here to the layout and feel of the streets and buildings. There’s something about walking down West Street (now named Pixley ka Seme Street, but I’m just stubborn like that. Blame it on my Zulu heritage.) and happening onto that lovely piece of history called the Durban City Hall. Bear in mind, I’m a huge history geek and along with that obsession comes my fascination with architecture rich in the stories that make up the story of man. So this little treasure in the middle of the noise makes me squeal inside with excitement. This is probably the best place to witness the juxtaposition of old and new – in every sense. The Victorian buildings making up the old town square have now been interspersed with gym complexes, shopping centres and my personal favourite – a flea market. While walking around learning more about the people immortalised as statues in the well kept gardens in front of City Hall you see the how the old toads of the place enjoy a contemplative game of chess right alongside the young couples who chance a quiet moment together before rushing off into the throng of the rushing crowds. School kids run noisily playing that last round before it’s too late for them to go home while the older ladies loudly comment on how what a well behaved lot they were in their day. Of course we allow for a certain amount of liberal story telling at this point. Nobody has the strength, stamina or heart to take them on anyway. Whichever way you look at it though, being around such an environment does wonders for the imagination – not to mention inspiration for whatever quest you may be on.

Now while the City Hall may be a place of mixed vibes now, a place where you just instantly connect with the modern feel of the city would be the Durban ICC Centre. It’s named for the late Chief Albert Luthuli but that isn’t as far as it goes with the history lesson. Bear in mind I didn’t go inside otherwise this wouldn’t be a true ‘roaming the inner city’ piece. Quirky, bright and educational street art was probably the first thing I saw that struck me as uniquely refreshing. It wasn’t just that it was positive images of hope that were rendered on this wall, it was the fact that these walls also remind us of our duty as citizens of the world to treat each other with the dignity, respect and love that everybody deserves. And that’s what makes this wall creative genius – it’s the thinking man’s approach to street art.

 Tucked in all along the major walkways of the city are quaint little buildings from Colonial South Africa commemorating one thing or another be it wars, political movements or popular figures in history. Some aren’t even that busy. They are simply left there to be admired by passersby, a harkening if you will, to a bygone era. And again in these instances that odd but perfect juxtaposition manifests itself. My personal favourite to see was a political museum sitting not 500 metres from the busiest McDonalds there, and oddly enough, no other eateries close by.

Another favourite of mine I discovered happily while walking are all these wonderful sign posts scattered across the city and major and minor landmarks titled “Walking Durban”. You can already guess why I loved these so much. So either way, local or not, Durban City has made sure it is tourist friendly, helping you discover parks, stadiums and other places of interest at your leisure.

Now since I am a self-confessed lover of all things couture, this place just fascinates me when it comes to self-expression. I’ve always maintained that Cape Town is the hub of self made style, followed closely by Johannesburg. But in no way can we put Durbanites down. The styles here are distinctly their own. And while there is the obvious touch of care-free bohemian living, it is done in their own unique way. I’m a firm believer in that generally South African fashion has its own niche on the world stage. Sure there are the global elements that testify to universal trends that govern the world but what I love most about this place is that we can take a universal trend and make it work with our African textiles. Tribal patterns on formal clothing which is now such a huge trend globally had been mastered and perfected here many moons ago. After all, what are we without colour, texture and patterns? I’m already armed with my Zulu necklace and headpiece. Now I’ve only to bring on the modern. So as a nod to the vibrancy all around us and my way of embracing our own version of loud, I think a skirt or two will be joining my 2013 wardrobe roster – it’s about time I hopped on this fast moving train anyway!

Home Re-discovered #1: Reminiscing along the Golden Mile

After many false starts and hiccups that seemed to be blocking me from pressing the ‘start’ button on my journey, I’m happy to say that I have finally left cold, dreary Jo’burg for the sunny, balmy weather in Durban. I must be honest and admit that my relationship with this place is somewhat highly involved. Before I was a cement pounding, smog-addict from the plateau, I called this majestic place home. There’s something about this whole province of Kwa-Zulu Natal that lifts my spirits just that much higher as soon as I see the sign saying: “Siyakwemukela Kwa-Zulu Natal!” (For those who don’t know, that’s Zulu for: “We welcome you to Kwa-Zulu Natal!”). As soon we start climbing up into Van Reneen’s Pass and marvel at the first sight of these ancient valleys, my face lightens up and a wide grin threatens to split it open. That’s been happening for the last 18 years. I doubt it will ever stop too. That’s just what coming home does for you. My loyalty to my birthplace is something I cannot explain and I really don’t think too much about. It’s just one of the many things I am blindly loyal to. Just think of me as its trusty Golden Retriever - lolling tongue, wagging tail and jubilant barking included.

So deep is my love for this place that I have decided my next few posts will be a series unpacking all the gems, hidden and discovered, found here. From the typical and expected to the little known and rarely seen waiting to be discovered. Now before I get lost in the intricacies as only I know how, I thought it best to start off with a very typical look – the tourist’s perspective. Through my eyes naturally so that means no cars, taxis or all-knowing tour guide. You’re stuck with me and my ramblings I’m afraid.

Now when we talk about the Golden Mile, I’m sure there is a picture of absolute sandy bliss painted in your mind and far be it from me to correct you. The stretch is as world class as it gets. Beautiful, bright, never ending ocean met by golden sands that are like ice cream for your toes on one side (and a very effective exfoliant too, ladies!), collides with the mix of culture, commerce and couture decked all along the promenade from its beginnings a little further than Suncoast Beach all the way to its colourful tip beyond uShaka Beach. You really can spend a day just traipsing on this walkway taking it all in. As a child, we used to come to this very place to enjoy a fun filled day at Mini Town, Sea World and Funworld. And yes, as random as it may sound, to a child each of these places really was a world on its own, so different from the last. I blame it on my over active imagination. But while some of the features have either shut down or relocated, it’s good to know so much has stayed the same. So many of my fondest childhood memories were made here, walking through the pint-sized city or taking a leisurely drive through it in the kiddie car with siblings. And it hasn’t changed one bit. The buildings are still as tiny in Mini Town, although much smaller looking courtesy of growing taller. Those delightful chairs that took you over the whole of the beachfront at Funworld still work up to this day. As a child, that was singularly the scariest ride you could put me on. Bear in mind that a) technically it’s not a ride and b) people frequently went on it to relax and enjoy the view of the beach from above. Over the years it stopped being a death trap in my eyes and turned into one of my favourite pastimes. I recommend it highly to anyone who finds themself here. I also recommend you bring someone along with you. You don’t want to look like the lonely sap on the hovering benches, trust me. But all in all, it’s an experience you won’t regret. Especially if your entourage includes anyone aged ten and under.

While the cultural variety is as vast and as colourful as the day is long, the one common thread you find is that everybody is so relaxed; life is moving at its own comfortably steady pace. Joggers, cyclists and trainers running the same route as the sweaty high school boys kicking around a rugby ball before going home. Friendly photographers taking in all the imagery - animate and inanimate subjects alike, for a small fee of course. Surfers young and old mingling with the odd fisherman, everyone with their specific big catch in mind. Couples taking a long walk on the beach with happy dogs in tow, barking at the frothy waves (this is where you actually see the line is not a crock!). The most heart warming thing to see though is how families still take trips to the beach together; all huddled under an umbrella or the free standing beach shelter, food and laughter flowing freely. It’s that kind of warmth and bond that keeps me coming back after all these years. For those who aren’t really fans of getting knocked senseless by the waves and fooling yourself that you were swimming, there are pools of all kinds there too; for the young and young at heart to the professionals who want to perfect their technique and timing. Although beware, the water is really salty here and you have the risk of walking out the pool area looking like an extra from a B grade horror movie. You’re also welcome to let your inner skater loose as you’ll find the walkway teeming with skateboards, bikes and dare I say it – rollerblades. But hey, to each his own I do not judge.

And if like me, you know hunger has the potential to ruin your day, fear not. From the typical fast food burger joints to the laid back bars where you can enjoy sundowners with friends, you are totally covered. Oh, and you have to try a bunny chow at least once. I won’t go into much detail except to say you will never look at beans and bread the same way again, and that I really love Indian people for introducing this wonder into our lives.

For the consummate shopper in all of us, four words. Mile-long flea market. I will leave the rest to your salivating imagination and the holder of the holiday budget plan. Did I forget to mention that there are two fabulous malls on either end too? Consider yourself fully armed and ready. On that note, wear comfortable shoes. Nothing ruins the walking adventure like crying in your heart when you think about the long walk back and toes are already starting to sing for their freedom. But take heart, you can always make your way back on a rickshaw.

I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t throw in a comment or two about the fashion here. Compared to Jo’burg it’s much simpler, more bohemian and it totally makes sense. Wearing anything other than sandals to the beach is either really brave or really ambitious of you. Other than that it’s the typical clique divides: Skaters with their shorts and enormous sneakers, Hip hop heads with their luminous clothing, glamour pusses and their itty bitty clothes and mammoth sized bags. Pretty predictable really. But as with everything I love about home, I like it better when the worlds collide. Mix all your favourite things about style and come up with a look of your own that’s indigenous to the place. Hmmm, that got the old cogs spinning up here.

Maybe it’s time I put my sketchpad to work... If only someone would be so kind as to buy me some earrings or a neckpiece to start me off. And yes, that is a shameless hint!

On the Latin side of life...

This April has been something of an upheaval in my life.... It’s the first time in four years that I’m not waking up in the morning, convincing myself that yes, it is good to be awake. The first time I haven’t had that self-depreciating  talk with myself about not being collected and organised in the morning. The first time I can actually wake up and really enjoy the little things that make the days so enjoyable. Of course, I would totally lose my mind being stuck at home all this time with nothing productive to do, which is why going cross-country is on the cards to begin with.

To mark the end of an era, I decided to invite all my closest friends, friends of friends and other loved ones to celebrate my emancipation by having a night out doing something we seldom do when we are out – eat (Usually our outings consist of long drives, dancing and having a drink or two and then running amok for the rest of the evening as only we know how. You’ll be seeing the evidence of this very soon). After a long and almost desperate search for somewhere to go, the choice was finally down to Rodizio, a Brazilian Restaurant in Fourways, Johannesburg that specialises in the two things us African folk love most – meat and dancing.

I don’t know about the other people I was with that night but, I was positively surprised upon arriving at this place. It really is a well rounded, warm and inviting place but with the distinct feeling that you will be leaving there with some memorable moments that will colour the days when you feel a bout of good old nostalgia coming on. As lively as the restaurant is, they definitely do cater for more intimate settings too. Candle lit tables; warm and friendly staff who make you feel relaxed and catered for. Check. Now onto the important things – the first of which was meat. Therein lay the crux of the matter.

Now when I say never ending parade of all kinds of meat that you can imagine, it’s not an exaggeration. This is how the system works: It’s a 3 course meal where you start off with salads (to ease the diet conscious policeman in all of us) and end off with ice cream in rich chocolate sauce. At this point of the night, you’re not really keeping score of the calories you are consuming. How, you ask? Well let me tell you all about the main course. Three words.  Robot- controlled meat. If the robot on your table is green, all you will see is spit upon spit of sizzling lamb chops, delectable roast chicken, lip-smacking spare ribs and many more meats surrounding you. The only words you’ll hear yourself say is “yes please” and “more please” for quite some time. Once you are okay with your loaded plate, you must switch robot from green to red and you are left to pig out in relative peace. The cycle will continue for as long as you wish it to. Red to green.  Green to red.  Round after round of proving your carnivorous skills. An organised buffet you can say. One where there is no obnoxious person in front of you who takes every last piece of chicken, and leaves you to lick dry lips waiting for the next tray of meat to arrive. This was definitely my kind of place. Organised madness.

During all the carnage, the night’s entertainment, a lively Latin dancing duo stepped out to show us their best moves. Don’t worry if you find yourself going quiet during the performance, it happened a few times to me. Something about seeing Latin dancing done to perfection makes you want to sign up for lessons at the first opportunity and these guys did not disappoint. We were all cheering and screaming for them to give us more every minute, even in those moments when you were afraid they would come and grab you off your seat and make you do a spotlight dance with them. Check out the video I uploaded if you want to see more, complete with captioning and banshee like screams from our table.

The good thing about going to places like Rodizio is that there is so much freedom to be you. As much as the dance floor was completely destroyed by Jesse and Chante (the Latin dancers), when it was open to the general masses you felt right at home. Nobody there was trying to outdance the next person, everyone was just there to have a good time with friends and I for one seized the opportunity to throw my two left feet into the mix. If you’re a fan of dance classics, 90’s contemporary coupled with songs from this era making up the soundtrack of your life, then you will be on your feet the entire night. On that note, wear some comfortable shoes; you’ll hate yourself if you ignore this.

All in all, I would say that the 26^th April 2013, was a fantastic night. Memories and new friends were made, stomachs were full to bursting and I walked out carrying my heels in my hand.

I’ll definitely be coming back to this place when I’m back in Jo’burg.... maybe a welcome back dinner next timeJ...

The Beginning...

As I begin this blog, I must be honest and say I'm not really sure what to say, only that I'm sure this is the first post of many to come where you will learn of my very shall we say "quirky" nature, but honestly, these are the things that make me who and what I am so I can't really say I'm not thankful for them.

Before I go very far, I should begin by giving you a general idea of what this blog is really going to be about. Surely by now we have all come across the standard lifestyle/travel/food/fashion blog that encompasses all the glamorous things we aspire to do with our lives and in a way this will be one of those. Except I'm not a lifestyle guru, I'm not a travelling journalist and I'm not a chef (although I have friends who are).  I just happen to love all three a lot and they tend to inspire me when it comes to my true passion: Fashion, Styling and all things Glamorous. It may sound extremely random but yes, sometimes eating a very fulfilling, decadent cake can inspire the most lavish designs I have sketched out to date. So in essence, Gingham Trails and Concrete Tales is my little four headed prodigy. I get to go out and see the world, sample the wonders it has in store for my taste buds and let my creative juices run free afterward and see what depths they can all take my designing to.

This journey begins at the most interesting time in my life. I've taken time off work to stop and smell the roses, or more accurately hibernate for the winter peacefully. I'm exploring the direction I want to take my future in and I'm going to be criss-crossing the country in this spirit. Armed with my camcorder, notebook and sketchpad, I'm going to be creating a mental snapshot of each place I visit and track my adventures here each week and (hopefully) build an impressive portfolio of attire in the process.

As most resident South Africans will tell you, there is nothing like exploring this wonderful country of ours and experiencing the different lifestyles you come across in this versatile country. Being from Johannesburg myself, I can tell you that I sometimes think of it as little New York - the place where everybody comes to fulfil their dreams. You can feel the difference when you are here. But I won't be cheesy and say the place is practically alive, powered on the dreams of its residents. Honestly, its mostly covered in a fantastic layer of cement from one end of the metropolis to the other and there's the standard stench of unwashed hobo lurking in most corners, but that's just part of the charm really; that's the stuff you miss about Jo'burg when you're away. That and the pace of life here. We live on fast forward but amazingly squeeze in fabulous lives into those crammed calendars of ours.

So anyway, before I ramble on and bore you all, let me conclude by saying I hope this blog will inspire anyone who comes across it. Also, I'm open to suggestions for places to visit, things to do, food to tastes and so on so I'd appreciate any input.

Till next week, when the journey officially begins....