Tonight is officially the shortest night of the year and only the bravest dog lovers were out on Hout Bay beach this afternoon. We have six days of rainy weather predicted, and experience has taught me that the second half of winter lasts MUCH longer than the first half, but still. But still.
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This beauty has just left to replace the one that sold at the Top of the World exhibition. It's an upside-down globe with Cape Town cunningly placed on top - making us the coolest place - on top of the world, as it were. It has a large 75cm pilates ball inside it.
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The 2010 soccer world cup kicks of in South Africa in exactly one year's time. To celebrate this auspicious day - and the well known fact that Cape Town is THE coolest place on earth, a couple of enterprising locals have organised a really special exhibition called Top of the World. The idea is to turn the whole world upside-down to prove that Cape Town is, well, IT.
The venue for the exhibition is the Green Point Stadium, which is currently being rebuilt. We were invited to submit, and I'm pleased to say that our piece, the upside-down world that Mzo and Bongs are holding, was sold at the opening. The ball on the left also bounced into our lives today and just begged to be included in the picture. How can one say no.
In case you didn't know, luduuuuuma! is what you scream when your team scores - try it!
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Don't you just love it when this happens - you're cruising on the highway, minding your own business when far ahead of you you spot it. A pickup truck absolutely loaded to capacity with brightly coloured cooldrink bottles, each one jingling merrily all the way from the local cooldrink factory to its destined party, wedding or school fair. In a world dominated by huge multinational soda companies it's a relief to know that the little guys - the Coo-ees, the Bashews, the Marshalls - have survived... and long may they continue!
It's probably a sign that I still have some growing up to do, but every time an airplane flies right over my head, I have to gasp for breath.
Oh, and in case you were worried, I was the passenger, not the driver when I snapped these!
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This is vuyelwa's zigzag Majola snake. Beautiful, non? As I had hoped, its coils pile up perfectly on top of one another.
As I understand it, the Xhosa people are divided into many clans and Majola is one of them. The special animal associated with this clan is the Majola snake. It is said that Majola - which is thankfully not poisonous - likes to slither into a sleeping baby's bed and it is also not unheard of that you will find an infant playing with him. If this happens, it is a sign that the child is a true Majola and there is much rejoicing.
Have a happy weekend one and all, from a sweltering Cape Town that saw 90 different bush fires yesterday. Yikes.
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Remember the snake mentioned here? Well look at him now, thanks to Zanele, that Mielie whizz!
We made two - one in a zigzag shape and this one in a spiral. The idea is that you can sit on the floor and the spiral Majola can wind its way around you - just like the snake did to Mowgli in The Jungle book, remember, "Trussst in meeee"? If you place a cushion in the centre of its coils, you also have a perfect seat!
Hopefully Vuyelwa will bring her zigzag Majola on Thursday - I'm hoping that we'll be able to pile his zigs on top of his zags to make a snake puddle, if that makes sense.
Tomorrow I'll tell you the story of the mystical Majola.
On a personal note, I'm sick in bed with flu today. Yesterday we saw Daniel, my eldest, and our exchange student Gregor off for the German leg of their great adventure. Daniel will be spending the next 5 months with Gregor's family in Munich, and hopefully return home in July speaking German fluently.
This weekend was wall to wall with parties, operation mop-up, hikes in mountains, farewell braais with friends and family, packing hysteria and last minute purchases. Which is maybe why I'm feeling like I do today, coming to think of it!
Have a wonderful time, Danny boy!
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These beautiful ottomans are headed for the Moyo Restaurant store at Zoo Lake, Johannesburg. It's really hard to say good bye to them, because Mielie's clever weavers have managed to capture so many of us in them. Can you see Thunzi? That's Nomthunzi to us, and there's Marina - her Xhosa name is Zusake. Even I'm there - aka Anelisa, so is the one and only Zanele, sporting a fabulous hairdo.
If you are planning a trip to South Africa, a visit to one of the Moyo restaurants is sure to be unforgettable. It's vibey and noisy, it's spontaneity Africa-style with tastes and sounds from all over Africa. In fact you might wake up the next morning and wonder if it was all a dream. Have a look here to get their details (although I feel that their website doesn't do justice to the real experience).
Special Arnica thoughts to Marina who fell off a skateboard at the weekend and arrived at work sporting a spectacular roastie on her shoulder. Take photos, Marina - it's a great story for your grandchildren!
And finally, click here for a super-fun way to brush up your French!
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No prizes for guessing where these AJ beauties are headed... yup, to one of our favourite UK outlets, Fibre and Clay in Manchester.
The legs, wellies and the um, deconstructed tunic belong to the lovely Marina. Marina, even though we love your wellies, I hope they will be taking a little cupboard break, because this morning I saw this beautiful orb surrounded by some blue in the sky!
Also destined for Fibre and Clay is this beautiful flower power soccer ball, woven by Phumeza. The great thing is that it has a gym ball inner, so we can ship it flat which means it's cheaper to send. When it arrives at Fibre and Clay, owner Riana Martin can simply inflate it using an electric pump obtainable from any camping shop worth its salt.
Isn't it awesome? Well done, Phumeza!
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Remember the wave carpet first mentioned here? Well it's finished and it's
beautiful, don't you think?
Mielie had been quite quiet recently, so everyone wanted to do the carpet.
Sheila decided to draw lots, and Manyawuza's name was drawn.
Pictured above are Manyawuza and Sheila, who recently went to Norway
together, compliments of Springbok, one of Mielie's outlets in Oslo.
Finally I would like to say hi to all Elizabeths out there, especially my sister,
Liza, who lives in Taiwan. Did you know that your name has consistently been
one of the most popular girl's names for the past 200 years? That's something
to feel special about!
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This cheerful face belongs to Nolundi, who officially started
working as Mielie's shop manager today. We've watched Nolundi
grow up from a bubbly teenager to a graceful, bright and funny
woman. Her mum, Nomthunzi is one of Mielie's most fantastic crafters.
Nolundi replaces Widaad, who worked in the shop for almost four
years. Widaad has moved on to pursue a career as a travel writer.
Thanks for everything, and good luck, Weeds!
Isn't this Contour cube just the most beautiful thing ever?
It looks like a block of multicolour wood, or a semiprecious
stone cut into a block. It's destined for Sweden. Lucky Swedes...
* Wamkilikeli = Xhosa for "welcome"
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