Dlala Nja - Just Play



Checking out the Skyline

There are some young leaders at the Iconic Ponte Tower in Hillbrow, they are a force of transformation using tourism as a catalyst for change. They run Dlala nje a place that allows children living in a congested inner city to be kids and play in a safe environment.  The business model is rather holistic as they also run tours that take people into the heart of the inner city to understand the famous skyline that makes Jo’burg the city of Gold.

Walking through Yeoville with the Bunny

The tours give one insight into the history of Hillbrow, Yeoville and Berea.  You get to see the place, walk with the people and see how it’s evolved.  You are given the opportunity to dispel society’s preconceived ideas and make up your own mind about these suburbs, whilst enjoying the delicacies that have been brought about by this melting pot of African cultures.

Viva Africa

 

Often when people venture into these suburbs they worry about their safety, well you have nothing to worry about.  Dlala Nje tours are well-known and respected amongst the community. Nickolaus is a great navigator as he leads you through the streets, bars, market and restaurants. 

Soccer keeping everyone entertained

The people are also very welcoming; we arrived at a Congolese bar to find men deeply engrossed in a soccer game taking place in Congo.  30 minutes later the same men were doing the Kwasa Kwasa after their team won the match,  it was time for all of us to hit the dance floor in celebration of the win.   For me it’s important that I take time to remove myself from my comfort zones and meet people from different walks of life, it gives me the opportunity to learn something new and also be part of a greater movement that’s creating good throughout the city of Jo’burg.

Taking some time to explore the market.

We explored Yeoville market that offers a large variety of produce from all over the African continent from yams to plantain you are bound to find it here.  After we had all walked the market and bought anything we fancied we headed to the Fish Lady for supper.   After being served lip-smacking fish and Chips cooked in Cameroonian fashion, I knew I would be coming back for more.

A view from rock bottom - Ponte, Hillbrow

Our tour ended off at the bottom or rather rock bottom of Ponte Towers staring at the Sky.  Wondering what people have been asking themselves for years; why would an architect build a hollow "toilet roll” building like this?  

Support responsible tourism by supporting guided tours like Dlala Nje, they not only changing perceptions but allowing you to play in back grounds you wouldn’t normally play in.   

Oh Fudge! I'm Locked in

 

33F! I won’t be forgetting that seat number very soon, in fact if I can avoid it all together I think it would be a brilliant idea.   I always prefer the window seat over the isle or the middle because let’s face it, it’s better than being sandwiched between two people, trying to muscle my way onto the arm rest.   My idea of tickling my funny bone does not involve being elbowed by the food trolley as it chugs past the isle seat.  So when I requested a window seat I had no idea it would be at the tail end of the plane.  Firstly I think this seat should come with a disclaimer for slow coaches. That should you get out at a relaxed pace, you might find yourself locked within the terminal.

When I discovered that the door to the arrivals section was locked, I ran back to the aircraft in search of help.  Luckily I was just in time, I caught the crew just as they were about to Disembark. 

Shouting “guys don’t leave I’ve been locked in I think we should fly to Mauritius”  Nothing like a bit of humour to turn a situation around and the best part was the crew played along as they contacted the authorities to open the door for me. 

From the Captain to the Flight Attendant,
all of them were brilliant at making sure I was taken care of.
 

 

I was really impressed with the whole team, not only did they entertain my jokes they also happily took selfies with me as we passed time waiting for the door to be opened.  In the age of selfie’s (Yes it’s the age of selfies when you have people dying in the name of selfies, it qualifies) getting some rocking pictures of the lady from seat 33F was certainly in order. 

That's Captain NomadicMichelle for you 

It's these random moments that make travelling an adventure, and having people to turn what could have been a very frustrating moment into a memory is priceless.   A huge Thank you to Captain Geyser and his team for excellent service and going the extra mile. 
 

The GERMS will take you Out

crushed?

Whilst most of us in South Africa are trying to escape the germs warding off the flu and common cold as if they were weapons of mass destruction, our brothers in Brazil seem to have caught a bad case of the GERMS.  When your opponent scores 5 goals within the first half, I can only imagine that they were suffering from body aches coupled with fatigue as they were assaulted by German efficiency.  This morning as I questioned my Austrian host at my B&B about the game he simply answered “Vorsprung Durch Technik” immediately I knew Brazil must have been annihilated.

I would also be taking Selfie's after a win like that

Well known for their efficiency, determination, discipline and engineering it seems the German's came to Brazil with one plan in mind. To take the World Cup and remind everyone about their ability to make the impossible happen.  You have to love men who have a goal, prepare for it fiercely and then beat you on your home ground.  Its like a stranger walking into you home whilst you are about to tuck into your favourite meal , they take it away making you a spectator as they tuck in.   Leaving you with nothing but a runny nose and stuffy eyes as you absorb that sinking feeling of defeat.

The worst part about leaving the field at half time, without having scored and facing a mountain of 5 goals is seeing your #1 fan’s turning their backs on you. I felt sorry for them,  it felt no different than the first time I took ill whilst travelling, with no one to look after me I felt all alone and destitute (illness will do that to you).  

Meu Deus!

Clearly they are not as lucky as the Liverpool team whose fans seem to have mastered the art of loyalty.  Through thick and thin, losses and disappointment they sing to their players reminding them that they shall never walk alone.  Whilst the Brazilian’s singing died down pretty quickly as  they walked out by halftime, charged with the type of sentiments that one would experience after finding out that your husband had invested all your savings on a ponsi scheme leaving you with no choice but to walk out with the kids and his parents.

With no one to turn to, all their doubts were confirmed as the last few remaining fans applauded Germany on their 6^th and 7^th goal.  The world watched with astonishment as they asked themselves “what happened to the Samba Mamba’s?   Well it seems Kevin-Prince Boateng could have possibly been one of the factors,  after having said that Germany has a all-star cast but can never make the final step when something is at stake. It seems he inspired that German perseverance after Joachim "Jogi" Löw responded to Baoteng's mocking words by simply saying  that they would respond adequately to that in the World Cup.  Considering that Ghana and Brazil have both become bench warmers, I would say indeed Germany you have responded rather adequately. 

Now go on and win the game, so I can wish Jerome Boateng Congratulations because he is German engineering at its finest!

*Thank you to all the great photographer's out there for the brilliant pictures*

My Solo Trip…A journey of no expectation

NomadicMichelle

 

My most memorable journey’s thus far have been the ones that I have taken with no expectation in mind. I have a natural love for the road, my heart yearns to discover new places, tastes and people.  One thing I learnt at a very early age was that not everyone shared my passion for the road.  My parents, both avid travellers never discouraged my curiosity for the outside world and were the first people to encourage me to travel.  It all started when I was in grade 4, I returned from school one day brimming with excitement about my new hobby “land service”.   I informed my parents that it would require me doing community service every week, but once a quarter they had a camp that I would have to attend (emphasis on the Have).  At the time what had sold Land Service aka Lands Diens to me had simply been the camp aspect.  Fast forward to 6 months later, I had put in some serious hours of community service my glorious camp finally arrived.  All kitted out and ready for camp, my mother dropped me off at the bus for my first “Solo” trip.  Solo, even though my teacher would be our guardian for the duration of the camp.

My last National Camp in 1998

Arriving in Cedara I was completely alarmed when I realised that I was the only person of colour at this camp. I felt totally out of place and to add to my woes everyone spoke Afrikaans, a language I had only started studying that year. I decided that my mother needed to rescue me; I made my way to the telephone booth to call her and let her know about my predicament. Well the answer I got from her was a far cry from what I had expected. Instead of telling me how awful this was and that she was on her way to pick me up she said “You asked to attend camp, we allowed you. Now you want me to travel 4 hours to pick you up? I’m sorry, I cannot you are there now make the most of it. I love you” and then she hung up on me. Firstly I thought this woman is insane and does not love me after all actions speak louder than words, yet today I’m really thankful to my mother for having taught me the most important aspect of solo travel. “you are here now, make the most of the situation” This was a defining moment in my life as the choice to be happy and have a fulfilling time lied with me and not with anyone else.

I could not complain to anyone because if my mother would not listen to me, then who would? I instead chose to buck up and figure things out.



These are the 5 things that I continue to learn as I hit the road by myself.

1.       I do not need anyone to hold my hand.  I do not have to bring anyone along on my journey/trip/event and sometimes no one can hit the road with me.  You eventually find yourself in a position where it’s just you and a whole bunch of strangers.  At first it can be scary, where do you start? What has never failed me, is a simple hello coupled with a smile or a smartass remark about something to break the ice.



I met these amazing people on a study trip to Cape Town,
9 years later we still meet up for dinner.

2.       I don’t have to be afraid all I have to do is embrace where my heart has led me.  I have always had a thing for living, be it the outdoors, meeting new people, sharing food, getting lost in a new city. It all reminds me that I am alive and this moment is what it should be.

 

Meeting Faith resulted not just in 1 night in Itaewon
 but a weekend in Busan as well.

3.       I am never alone, life has an amazing way of making life ever so exciting.  I missed my last train in Korea I met Faith a fellow nomad who had also missed her train.  In minutes we put together an action plane for our homeless night in Seoul. I decided I needed to do Yoga again, in my solo search I found my yoga teacher who would later on gift me with a chance to become a yoga teacher.

 

4.       I do not need to speak a specific language to see the beauty of another human being.  In Cedara I learnt what a great connector language can be because even though my Afrikaans at the time was satisfactory it allowed me to break barriers and any hesitations people might have had about me.  In other countries my inability to speak their language allowed me to look beyond the words to see the person who is trying to express their kindness. I saw and felt love in the most humbling and beautiful way.
 

 

Lost in my own bubble

5.        I heard my own thoughts, ideas and voice without the muffling and often stifling intrusion of the world.  When you travel by yourself you have the time to just be, you do whatever you feel like doing without being worried if it will fit in with what other people want to do. 

 

 

Don't just think about it, Do it.

 

Emoyeni Retreat Centre - Discover Magaliesberg

Like an eager student, I’m getting really serious about ticking things off my bucket list.  In fact so serious, that I am becoming that annoying person always with their hand up in the front seat in class.  Last week I decided to outrun the cold front and head to Magliesberg for some time out.

I stayed at Emoyeni Retreat Centre, a simple charming establishment built and run on Buddhist principles.  Simplicity is always a great reminder that what we really need is silence, a library, effortless food and a REALLY good bed! When I am exhausted the best gift anyone can give me is a solid mattress, a down feather duvet and lots of pillows whispering sweet nothings to my face. The moment I saw that bed it was like Rumble in the Jungle I was KO, I slept like a drunk on the pavement with reckless abandon until the early morn.

I loved the morning pleasure of being woken up by a multitude of birds instead of some loud annoying alarm that intrudes on the natural process of waking up.  My mornings were for reading and writing whilst lounging on the stoep (front porch) with a cup of green tea.

The bed was so inviting that every morning I had a little furry visitor who was more interested in the bed than my lap. Mid mornings were set aside for exploration, this particular area is well known for its rock pools, as luck would have it the resident rock pool enthusiast offered to take me on his motorbike to the dome area in search of some Massive rock pools he had not explored yet. When he said bike… I couldn't help myself! Off-roading!?! of course I wanted to tag along.

My off-roading excitement died off an hour into the hike, we hit some heavy shrubs and as I was being bush beaten by blackjack, spiky grass and some funky thorns.  I thought about calling it quits, with no evident route markers leading us anywhere except an ambiguous path, I even hoped for Hensel & Gretel crumbs! 30 minutes further into the hike I was no different from doubting Thomas, “are you sure we on the right path?” the answer “the experts say it’s a 2 hour hike up”  In the back of my mind I was thinking  well those experts should have thought about inserting signs with directions and distance... just for control.

Eventually and much to my dismay as predicted by the experts we stumbled upon the first signs of humanity, a man made camp site with rocks seats which was pretty cool, as the clock hit the 2^nd hour we found the pools. 

The rocks were huge and impressive, the water was as crisp as the cold front that was making its way through the country. After slipping and sliding around those huge boulders we finally found a good spot for our picnic and just soaked in the sun.  I would have never thought the Maglies Mountains have such magnificent secrets, whilst I was merely ticking off a spot on my bucket-list I found treasure; as I lay there drawn into my surroundings, the bush beating was forgiven and replaced by a pirates glow.        

Africa Yoga Project - Be the YES in Your LIFE

Africa Yoga Teacher Training 2014

As I lay in savasana the posture of pure surrender, the few days leading up to this moment finally caught up with me.  Lying on my mat I was overcome with emotion, here I was on the floor with nowhere to go or hide. The past few days I had been submerged in an environment of open vulnerability, I was living with over 80 people from various parts of the world.  My ideas of what was and how it was were being challenged from every angle.  As the words of Jeff Buckley’s song Hallelujah filled the room…I cracked.  Around me 300 people, a packed community yoga class at the Africa YogaProject’s Shine Centre all of them yielding to their existence. In the middle of this moment, was me silently trying to control the feelings that were tearing through me.  Can I just mention that I simply hate crying in public, I hate it so much that when I was in my teens I took a vow that crying would always be a private affair (Funerals don’t count as public, considering its communal mourning)

It was a series of events that came together to allow me to attend the first Kenyan led Africa Yoga Project Teacher training.  I had heard about Africa Yoga Project before and would often visit their website for inspiration for my Ekasi Yoga Classes.  I was totally balled over when they told me I had made it through the application process.  Yoga training in Kenya the land of tea and the Masai Mara, I could not think of a better setting.  I like being part of firsts, there is energy around such historical moments; the sense that something is new and will never be new again.  As I lay on my mat, it was the cool, comforting smell of the lemongrass soaked cloth that was placed on my burning eyes that offered me relief from the tears that were flowing down my face.

Warrior of light

Growing up my grandmother always used to say “ it matters not what you look like because your beauty does not come from there,  it comes from your heart.” It hit me that what she meant was that our beauty comes from the manner in which we deal with ourselves, our environment and with each other as beings sharing the same world.

Billy leading a session

At this point it dawned on me that this was not just yoga training, it was a community effort to create a wholesome existence for ourselves and others from all the different communities we stem from. That through seeing the importance of our existence, actions and the light that is inherent in each and everyone of us, we could choose a path of loving kindness in our interactions.

The first place I had the chance to put this way of living into practice was at the training.  I didn’t get it right all the time, there were times when I was in my umpteenth back bend and ready to throw in the towel, I would look to my side and see Rachel still holding on and I would think “dammit! Why is there no one in child’s pose already!?!  In that moment I would take strength from my community in Rachel’s persistence I would be inspired to continue.

Rachel Rae Shining Away

It’s harder to give up when everyone is shining their light because it takes you back home to the question, “Why am I here, right now, in this position?”

This little light of mine…

Here I was 5000km away from home and I was relearning the value of being accountable for my actions, of seeing the person and sharing. I fell in love with the people I met they were lifing (living, doing their best). Some of the highlights for me were watching the sign interpreters do their thing, meeting Kiragu, the guy who believed in me before he met me. 

learning to jump is a workout & a half

Learning to jump like a Masai warrior from Joseph a Masai Yogi, they have the strongest legs the secret is in the locks they use when jumping.  

I met the “first” sign language mother tongue speaker, a young man with sparkling eyes and a smile that can lift the roof.  

When I asked him what it felt like being a hearing child with deaf parents, he candidly shared how there was no one to complain about his loud music nor did he have to worry about leaving the room when receiving calls.  As with every thing in life there are pro’s and cons. 

I found people to share my love for tea with, every night we would gather around sharing tea, ideas and thoughts. There was the talented Jamo dropping profound, life altering one-liners that would have me thinking for hours. It was also through these tea discussions that I stumbled upon a brilliant massage therapist who solved a problem my physio had been struggling to fix for over a year.   

Finding your direction, opening up to the world - Beautatious

When I signed up for this training, I was looking forward to back breaking, barrier crashing yoga. I got that and the murky work of making sense of my emotions and the daily decisions I take in my life.  Nothing prepares you for wading through your own physical and emotional barriers, when you get to face your nakedness, your truth and your light.  When you get to ask yourself right now and this very moment “who am I being?”  This simple question had a huge impact on me, who am I being right now for myself, my community, for my country? When I ask myself that question before I make my decision it goes from being what does Michelle want? To how will Michelle’s want impact her immediate environment and community? It’s a whole different ball game when you stop thinking about yourself as an insular being you start living.  

Experiences like this remind me to always strive be the YES in my life.

Thank you Jamo Mweu for the Photography

Drakensberg a road trip for all seasons

Drakensberg 

South Africa has some of the most scenic roads, making road trips the ideal way to experience the landscape on offer. It has  never taken much to convince me to hit the tarmac  be it winter or summer I am always ready for the road; my particular favourite stretch is from Johannesburg to Durban. Regardless of the time of the year that route always leaves me in awe of nature and its rugged beauty. This was my motivation in taking up a post as a co-pilot for a 3-day weekend road trip to the Drakensberg.

Action shot - see what I mean, how can you sleep through that journey

Always seeking clarity I asked what were the conditions of being a co-pilot for a 3 day weekend trip? “To be supportive and show the way” was the response.   Perfect! I could do that, after all what one really needs in a co-pilot is a person who can make the journey as fun as the destination.   

In saying YES, I unknowingly opened myself up to learning more about the spirit of generosity that exists within the world.   When you decide you want to be spontaneous and travel the day before a public holiday, you enroll in defying the school of thought that proclaims failing to plan is planning to fail.

After calling every place I could find in the Berg seeking a cottage with 2 bedrooms and braai area, I realised that I was in for a challenge; all the places were fully booked.  In a final attempt out of sheer desperation I asked the person I had on the line, if there was any place they could suggest? “Central Reservations” he suggested “they know everything.” 

These rather human-like, smiley gnomes can be found at the central reservations office

I called, still hopeful because you cannot give up without knocking on every door.  A delightful woman answered the phone; she exuded happiness that permeated through our conversation.  She explained that she had only been working there for a week and didn't know if she could find this rather complicated request at such a late hour.  She asked me if I was travelling with kids that I needed a 2 bed-roomed cottage.  I explained that we were friends; I was met with odd silence that was followed by short giggle, “well, I hope I can find you two little friends a suitable place, I’ll be in touch within the next hour.”  An hour later like clock-work Magda emailed me 2 places that she had found, a miracle worker indeed. She had found a quaint little cottage that could accommodate us.  I didn't expect Magda to go above and beyond for a stranger who was asking for an arm and a leg in accommodation but she amazed me in her willingness.

#1 Trust in the power of asking for help.

Now that the accommodation was done, my mind was on the road.  I enjoy being behind the wheel, but since my job was to show the way I had the luxury of taking in every bit of scenery.  There where huge fields with sunflowers that extended beyond what the eye could see, cows grazing in huge open fields and the panoramic mountain views.

 I even decided to indulge my curiosity about a Honey-comb looking building on the side of the highway, that I had passed several times but had never stopped to see what was inside. Whilst my friend worked on building a relationship with what looked like an ostrich, I discovered that they created interesting preserves and mouth-watering baked goods.  It took a whole lot of discipline for me to walk out of there without something for tea.

#2 Drop what you know and Indulge your curiosity

When we arrived the first thing I saw was the parking area, it dawned on me that the rental of the cottage was something our host had fallen into and not a business venture that they wanted to grow. It was a cottage with all the amenities we needed but none of the charm you would expect from a professional establishment.  It still contained family pictures and Christmas cards dating back to the 90’s. The host though was soft spoken, pleasant woman who brought us farm fresh milk for our tea.

#3 Let go of what you must to open yourself up to possibility

Whilst I finished unpacking, my friend started a fire to prepare our supper.  Besides the salad he cooked a scrumptious feast that left us satisfied in happy silence.  Not only could he make a "fire-lighter free" fire and cook he also washed-up afterwards.  It was a pleasant surprise, a real all-rounder.

#4 You discover things about people when you travel with them, things that you would not necessarily know in the convenience world of city life.

Retreating into nature can only be therapeutic for the soul, to get the most out of this trip we decided to go hiking the next day.  It was a perfect day, warm enough with clear blue skies.  Even though I have been to the berg several times I was blown away by its enormity and magnificence.  So blown away that mid-hike I felt like losing myself in its glory, plonking myself on the side of the path, I soaked in the silence, slight breeze and the feel of it against my skin.  A memory that I could never capture with my camera, beauty that can only be appreciated through the connection of being there with no distraction.  

#5 Generosity of spirit allows you to make room for each other’s quirky ways.

Along the way I felt myself heating up at the next stream I decided to dip my wrists into the mountain fresh, cool water.  What a welcome relief, I could feel my body temperature drop down to a more agreeable degree. 

Nandi Falls

Once we arrived at Nandi falls, I was enamoured with the coolness that I insisted on us eating our lunch under the spray of the falls. Luckily he was not going to allow me to get away with this one and found us the perfect and most probably the most scenic spot. The melody of the stream and tranquility of the area was a welcome reprieve

This was such a beautiful spot, it was not easy to reach but worth the trouble

#6 Great scenery, simple food & good company are the essentials of life 

The beauty of being in nature is it allows you to reflect, with no need to fill the silence with small talk, you get to be present. I was aware of how helpful my partner in crime was, how he always offered a helping hand in places that were precarious.  He was not upset when I rugby tackled him after thinking some wild animal (baboon to be exact) was launching at me.   It was not just me that he looked out for, when I was doing a final look around as we were leaving, I found some new additions to the bathroom and kitchen. It made me think of my Land Service days, that we are here to look after each others interest.  When you leave a place better than you found it, you in turn honour the person and encourage the spirit of generosity & kindness. 

I suppose part of a successful nature inspired road trip is having a person who is pleasant to be around and makes the experience one for the books or blog in this case.

#7 Leave things better than how you found them