Va Va Vintage.

Quote of the day...

“ For what we need to know, of course, is not just that God exists, not just that beyond the steely brightness of the stars there is a cosmic intelligence of some kind that keeps the whole show going, but that there is a God right here, in the thick of our day-by-day lives who may not be writing messages in the stars but in one way or another is trying to get messages through our blindness as we move around knee-deep in the fragrant muck and misery and marvel of the world. It is not objective proof of God’s existence that we want but the experience of God’s presence. That is the miracle we are really after, and that is also, I think, the miracle that we really get”

 - Frederick Beuchner in The Magnificent Defeat.

Markets make the world go round.

I have always loved markets and now that I live in Cape Town it seems that I have so much to choose from!

 On a Friday night I love going to the Hout Bay Night Market where there is always great music, amazing food and beautiful things to spend money on. Then I wake up early on a Saturday morning and head to the City Bowl Market situated on Hope street, where I can find huge bags of fresh plums for only R5, the best brownies and chocolate croissants in the country, and an array of trendy second hand and vintage clothes which are all sold at reasonable prices. Many people in Cape Town enjoy going to The Old Biscuit Mill market, and although it is amazing, I find it to be slightly out of my price range. I would much rather take a scenic drive to the quaint town of Stellenbosch, where every Saturday the farmers market is held. You'll find a selection of fruits, breads, cheeses, clothes, accessories and amazing lemonade all for reasonable prices - its a great opportunity to grab some goods and have a picnic under the mountains. Markets are my weakness, I just cannot seem to resist the pull of fresh produce, locally made clothes and accessories, and the relaxed atmosphere that seems to surround everyone.

Durbans Creative

Here are some photo's from my friend Mike van Heerden's exhibition at the Cape Town Design Indaba, where he won Most Creative Stand. He now runs his own company called " & Sons " and if you want to contact him or order anything follow the above link to his website.
He also designs logo's and invitations which you can view samples of on the website.




The beautiful wood designs he created for the Indaba
.

 

                                                                   {Images from Behance}

PUBLISHED

An article I wrote for Varsity which is the official UCT newspaper. Snaps for getting published and feeling mildy like a real writer.

It starts with a dream of being a rock star

Let’s be honest: we all desired, at some point in our childhood, to be in a band. Either that or we have attempted to form one, which usually fails horribly and ends up only looking like four kids banging on tins and singing notes that don’t even exist.

There are, however, those few lucky children whose rock-star dreams come true and who grow up ready to tackle the music industry.  The members of Bicycle Thief, a pop-rock band that has recently emerged from the quiet southern suburbs are among those lucky children who are now all grown up and trying to make a name for themselves and their music.

The band was formed in 2009 by three friends who enjoyed writing songs together. They managed to find themselves a drummer, and they were ready to show off their music to Cape Town. Front-man Tim Lester says: “We’re not necessarily the best musicians, but we’re songwriters, and we want people to hear our songs.”

Well, people definitely will be hearing their songs, because they will be holding the launch party for the release of their new EP on Saturday, March 24th at Mercury Live.
With their music being influenced by the likes of Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Biffy Clyro and local band aKing, their sound has received good feedback from fans, but the road is far from smooth.

Every unsigned local band will tell you that breaking into the Cape Town music industry is no easy task. Although the gig scene is significantly bigger than Johannesburg and Durban’s, “it still feels as if you hit a ceiling”, says Tim. “You can play at Ramfest, Synergy, Mercury and Assembly, but once you have played at Assembly you have essentially ‘made it’. Then what? How do you get bigger?”

There is no support structure for the independent music industry in South Africa. The market is just too small, so bands like Bicycle Thief really have to work hard at getting people to “take a chance on [them]”. They’re hoping that the release of the EP and the chance to play more shows will generate more support from fans and from gig venues like Assembly.

Their music is definitely distinguishable – because not many English rock bands have emerged from the southern suburbs – and they try to keep their sound as “South African” as possible. With an excessive number of indie bands to have graced the Cape Town music scene, Bicycle Thief is definitely going to stand out from the crowd.

So what lies ahead for this group?  “Well, of course I would love for us to go international, but first and foremost we want to make it in South Africa,” says Tim, who has dreams of headlining festivals like Ramfest, Synergy and Oppikoppi and going on tour with Zebra and Giraffe. The band also wants to start music workshops, which they will eventually introduce into the townships, and create better infrastructure for music in this country so that other local bands don’t feel they have to leave.

Thank goodness for childhood dreams of wanting to be rock stars. Sometimes, just sometimes, those dreams turn into great bands

The Road to Europe : Part 2

With just under four months to go until we depart on our very first Euro trip, my friend Wok (check out his rad photoblog: astorytelling.tumblr.com), has kindly drawn up a simply wonderful Itinery. Have a look at it, feel free to use it...its our very on contiki tour through Italy, Spain and France. We managed to get return tickets for R6500, and we are looking at spending approximately R10000, inclusive of food and accommodation, while we are there. Not too bad hey.
Anyway, enjoy.

EUROTRIP  of  Awesomeness!!!!!!!

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Sat 23 June

Arrive in Rome. Catch a train to Naples ( need to book that train).

Sun 24 June

Do whatever you want to do in Naples. Maybe  buy food supplies (breakfast perhaps) at a supermarket

Mon 25 June

Peruse around Naples. Go out for pizza and talk about the fact that we are in Italy!

Tues 26 June to Wed 27 June

Day trips from Naples!

- Pompeii / Herculaneum

- Capri

- Amalfi Coast

Pompeii

€11. Open every day from 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (last admission 6 p.m.)

By allowing 3-4 hours you will not feel rushed and will have an opportunity to steal some quiet moments. All the excavated stuff is in a museum in Naples… so we could check that out too, to get the full experience.

Alternatively, you could go to Herculaneum (or do both?). Pompeii is much more famous than nearby Herculaneum. Still, some people prefer Herculaneum as it’s smaller, less crowded, and has a bit more of what’s been excavated still on site (as opposed to in a museum somewhere else). For Herculanuem allow 2-3 hours to tour the site.

Capri

From Naples you can take a ferry (80 minutes, €11).

The most popular activities on the island involve the natural beauty of the place – hiking, boating, and swimming are all common ways to spend a day on Capri.

The most famous natural landmark on the island, however, is the Blue Grotto (The Grotta Azzurra). You have to wait in line to go on row boats… and pay around €15.

Amalfi Coast

The number one item on most agendas of people who arrive on the Amalfi Coast is simple – to relax.

If you get bored, however, there are other things to do in the area.

One of the best hikes in Italy is on the Amalfi Coast – it’s called the Path of the Gods and it’s easy enough that you don’t need to bring any specialty gear (other than good walking shoes). 2.5-hour hike.  Best in morning or late in the day.

Perhaps catch the train to Pompeii/Herculaneum in the morning… have lunch and then catch the train to Amalfi Coast for afternoon hike/relax?

Side note: Cinque Terre and Amalfi are similar in many ways. Both amazing scenery, but different in ways too.

The Cinque Terre is more "rustic and informal". The cuisine tends to be unique and of course emphasizes Pesto as this is where it was invented. There are no large Museums or Galleries, and the typical activities are hiking the trails between the villages, swimming and just relaxing and enjoying "Il Dolce Far Niente" (and of course the great food).

Thurs 28 June

Wake up and catch a train to Rome (1h20 trip). Eurail - need to book reservations. Fee = R100.

-  Say “When in Rome” a million times.

-  Hang Out in the Pantheon – Do what the Romans do.

-  Roman Forum + Colosseum + Palatine Hill (€12 for all of it)

-  Trevi Fountain people watching.

Catch train back to Naples (1h20 trip). Reservation fee = R100.

Fri 29 June

Vatican City - Eurail (1h20 trip) - need to book reservations. Fee = R100.

Need to dress conservatively for this one. No shorts or showing shoulders etc. Like if you were going to NG Kerk!

-  St. Peter’s Basilica

-  The Vatican Museums

-  Sistine Chapel

“For most travelers, touring the Vatican is one day out of a trip to Rome, and that’s exactly what I suggest when people ask me how much time they should spend in Vatican City. A guided tour is recommended. So you don’t miss the most important pieces (not to mention being told why they’re important) and avoid the potentially long lines at the museum entrance. “

Catch train back to Naples (1h20 trip). Reservation fee = R100.

Sat 30 July

Florence! - Eurail  (3 hour trip) - need to book reservations. Fee = R100.

Florence is best explored on foot.

Booking in advance to see Florence’s museums is highly, highly recommended.

Get a feel of the place. Check out some churches. Get some Gelato. Leave the art museums for the next day.

Will be best to stay in a hostel here. We found a R124 per night for 7 bed private (we must book ASAP). It’s 5 minutes away from everything and lots of free stuff. Instead of catching 2 hour trains back and forth to Milan (and R100 reservations for each trip)… and wastes precious time!

Sun 1 July

Florence Day 2 – Art Day (wake up and walk 5mins to art museums).

- Two main art museums (Uffizi and Accademia). MUST book in advanced!

- Chill after museum madness, get some more Gelato and wander a bit.

- Hike up the hill to the Piazzale Michelangelo… a lovely place to watch the sun set over the city.

Sleep the night (R124)

Mon 2 July

Tuscany Tour

Depart from Florence. 80 euros.

Visit Siena. Free time for shopping or relaxing in an open air cafe. A Tuscan lunch at a Chianti vineyard. Visit the enchanting hilltop town of San Gimignano. Scenic country drive & Pisa.

Go straight from Pisa to Cinque Terre and stay the night in a Hostel there (R250). Because it takes 3.5 hours to get there from Florence, and that’s wasting precious time – you really don’t want to rush things. The tour allows you to bring your bags for that purpose, so rock it! Also, Cinque Terre has lots to offer and you’ll want a whole day. So go straight to Cinque Terre, have dinner and sleep over.  

Tues 3 July

Cinque Terre!

Wake up. Hike between the villages, swim, eat the famous Pesto Pasta, relax, wander around, get lost… amazing.

Sleep the night (R250). You’ll be buggered.

Wed 4 July

Train to Milan - Eurail  (3 hour trip) - need to book reservations. Fee = R100.

I think we going to have to just drop bags and leave and rush off to Bergamo… google it.

A fantastic day trip from Milan is Bergamo. Takes 1 hour to get there. You use a slower regional train that runs between the two cities, so no reservations are required. If you’ve got a Eurail, all you need to do is hop on board!

The city is divided into two parts – the old high city (alta città) and the newer low city (bassa città). The newer parts of the city aren’t horrible by any stretch, but the historic and more pretty areas are in the alta città.

The main thing to do in the Bergamo alta città is just wander, so do yourself a favor and try to get lost. It’s virtually impossible to do, because the old city is encircled by the old city walls – so if you stray too far in any one direction you’ll just bump into a wall at some point and have to turn back. The streets themselves aren’t often flat, but if you’re letting the bus or funicular get you up and down the hill then a few little climbs on the streets of the alta città shouldn’t be too much trouble.

Thurs 5 July

Day trip to Venice. Eurail (2h30 trip) - need to book reservations. Fee = R100.

Eurail back to Milan (Reservations – R100)

Overnight sleeping train to Paris (R739). Leaves Milan at 23:38 and arrives in Paris 09:29.

Fri 6 July

Paris! Read this http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/paris/travel-tips-and-articles/69987 (Advise for one day in Paris - rad).

Sleep over in Paris Hostel. (R250)

Alternatively: Spend 2.5 days in Paris or spend 2.5 days in French Riviera. Instead of spending over 5 hours on a train between spots… and rather giving time to fully appreciate, go at own pace and not rush. Just a thought.

Sat 7 July

Train to Nice from Paris. Plus/minus R250. 5 hour trip. Nice seems to be the preferred option compared to Marseille, but Marseille is a closer 3 hours trip from Paris.

Will get there at about lunch time.

OPTION 1: Train to Nice. And stay there for the night. (R250)

OPTION 2: Train to Marseille, stay in a hostel there and day trip along the French Riviera.

Sun 8 July

French Riviera vibes.

Afternoon it’s time to make your way to Pamplona. This is the tricky part!

It used to be the case that you could take an overnight train to Pamplona that would get you to the city in the small hours of the morning just in time for the bull run. But alas, this is no longer possible.

So, taking a bus to Pamplona from Barcelona might be the best option.

The bus will take like 6 or 7 hours. So if we leave Barca at 11pm, you’ll get there at a good time to get ready for the bull run at 8am. Plus you’ll have some sleep on the bus on the way there. Optimistic, I know.

OPTION 1:  Catch a train to Barcelona. Then catch a bus to Pamplona through the night.

OPTION 2: Stay the night in Barcelona. Then the next day catch a train to Pamplona after lunchish. Join the party. Sleep somewhere close to Pamplona. Arrive in the morning for the Bull Run on Tues 10 July.

Pamplona hostels are over R600 a night. So you will need to find something outside…

Mon 9 July

8am Bull Run in Pamplona

Vibe the streets afterwards

Party and fireworks start at 11pm.

Or OPTION 2…

Tues 10 July

8am Bull Run in Pamplona

Vibe the streets afterwards

Head to Barcelona for the evening.

Wed 11 July to Fri 13 July

Barcelona for 3 days (perhaps a day trip somewhere).

http://www.spaintravelguide.com/3-days-in-barcelona-itinerary-ideas.html

Sat 14 July

Train to Madrid Airport and fly home! 

Watch this space for more wonderful posts about how great Europe is once we are actually there!