GREETINGS FROM JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA!!!
A special word of thanks to Mimi at
LOVING FOR A LIVING
for her wonderful wand of magic in the design of this blog!
A special word of thanks to Mimi at
LOVING FOR A LIVING
for her wonderful wand of magic in the design of this blog!
Don't you just love weekends!?!
Weekends, to me, means 'family time' and an opportunity to catch up with my loved ones, to absorb my environment and to simply enjoy the company of humans and animals alike. Often my weekends are really busy, as I try to juggle between the needs of my family and my own. We all get rationed with computer time as we have to 'share' our internet connections.
Sunday mornings however are usually "chilled out" - we all just go with the flow...
Our dear "KING TOFFEE" takes 'chilling' to the extreme!...
This morning we had a few errands to run at the shops. As usual, I took my camera along.
Hawkers are out early and congregate around busy traffic intersections and bombard motorists with their wares. It seems that world cup fever is also taking hold on our streets. Some intersections are swamped with hawkers...
"Parking lot attendants" are evident in most open parking areas - desperately trying to eke out their own living.
For those who are unfamiliar with our culture:
"Parking lot attendants" rely totally on 'tips' (cash handouts) from folk who park their cars at shopping centres around the country. They supposedly 'look after' your car while you are shopping, but really are quite ineffective in terms of security. Some times they become a real irritant as they pretent to direct the traffic. Many of these attendants are immigrants from neighbouring countries with no clue whatsover of road rules.
The "Parking lot attendant" concept was an initiative to try and create employment in our country, but it has become a controversial topic - some feel that it's "begging in disguise". In some cases these 'attendants' can become quite threatening if you elect not to give them a 'tip'. My own approach is...if they help me carry my shopping bags, I will tip them.)
All places of business (including hospitals) are becoming decorated with Soccer World cup paraphenalia...flags, Shirts, Zakumi characters (Official mascot) etc, etc. At one of the shopping centres which I visited this morning, they had set up a mini soccer pitch for children to practice their goal kicking and keeping...
Today's newspapers are filled with the political dynamics of outspoken leaders and the murder of the extreme right wing leader, Eugene Terre-blanche...
Outside and away from the political tensions, us normal citizens search out for inspiration...
Have you heard of shopping therapy?
Well there are some really inspiring shops around...
I just love this particular florist...
One of our South African delicacies is 'biltong' (a kind of jerky...basically dried meat).
If you visit SA, you have to try it!!...together with an array of our delicious nuts!!!...
Then there is always my favourite second-hand book-store...
...with it's high shelves and narrow passages.
The ambience in the store is endearingly archaic...
Don't you just love their quaint little stools...?...
...in other parts of our city, we have some amazing buildings which shine out our pride...
(Insurance Towers - Johannesburg)
...and all around us are the vibrant changing colours of early Autumn...
After that little sojourn, there is nothing like the sign of home and a welcoming, familial cup of tea!
Wishing all my readers a happy, peaceful, pain-free and restful Sunday!
Lotsaluv
7 comments:
I am SO in ♥ with those little stools at the book store! Uhm, I think I am going to have to make some this summer when I can paint and work outside and not have to breathe in fumes from paint and lacquer.
Thanks for another great tour. Going to do a little grocery shopping today. Maybe I'll take my camera along!
Love the blog, the look, and the photos. Am hoping that both sides of the 'song' contest are backing away from the brink!
I love old bookstores and libraries. It's the smell that gets to me. I am going to have to try to make some stools like that!
Here we call it retail therapy, and I know exactly what it is! Perhaps too well!
I know what shopping therapy is...LOL... I use it all the time! It is cheaper than a therapist...sometimes :)
I love the stool too and I also love going into flower shops! They always smell so good!
Have fun!
xxoo
Deborah
Ah I just love keeping up with what you have going on! Love Valerie
We love to window shop and just look and stare. That feels like a therapy too.
That was very interesting to read about the ones who are supposed to watch your car while you shop. I think I would feel pressured into using their services just to keep peace. I hate confrontations.
A camera is a must at all times. YES.
The vintage book store was awsome. A whole day could be spent just looking around. And when I leave- i feel refreshed,
Your new blog is lovely.
Mimi is always so helpful and giving
love
tweedles
Wow, King Toffee can chill with the best of them.
Biltong would be my hubby's absolute hang out.....I'd be found in the book store. What a cute stool.
By the way, your web site is as cute as can be.
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