Another day in ... Africa
I am awake before sunrise at this time of the year and often am opening up my office and assuming the desk position as the sun rises.
This is what greats me every morning as I open the curtains on the dawn.
So it was yesterday: Africa day.
I do love the sunrise glow on the aloes and plumbago in our mostly indigenous, waterwise front garden. The Aloe ferox in tubs and which will be replanted when they have finished flowering, and the quiver tree (kokerboom)has become the feature we planned it would when we planted it 10 years ago.
I didn't spend much time contemplating Africa yesterday, but did this morning when I started this post. There's no place - continent - in the world I'd rather be. I had to leave it to find that out. That happened more than twenty years ago and when I landed back on African soil, I knew I was home. The languages around me, the people and the friendliness. That same sense was reinforced on a short trip to New York. We had a Senegalese cab driver who drove us from JFK to our hotel on Madison Avenue, Manhattan. He was thrilled to have a bunch of African visitors and gave us a private and generous tour of his adopted city. I've never forgotten either his pride or his genuine delight.
Africa has her problems. Profound and seemingly insurmountable. We are, though, resilient and, I have no doubt that somehow, Africa shall prevail.
Finally, and absurdly, after contemplating the content I call home -
Comfort food pasta at the end of another long day. The sauce was very basic: fresh tomatoes, skin off, chopped and reduced to a pulp with a pair of bay leaves and a clove of garlic. It was finished off with crispy bits of bacon and a dollop of Tzatziki. Speaking of whom, I was torn: her dishes for the pasta or the salad?
The salad won!
Until next time, be well
Fiona
The Sandbag House
McGregor, South Africa
Photo: Selma
Post script
I am participating in @traciyork's twice-yearly Hive Blog Posting Month. Join us?
If this post might seem familiar, it's because I'm doing two things:
- re-vamping old recipes. As I do this, I am adding them in a file format that you can download and print. If you download recipes, buy me a coffee. Or better yet, a glass of wine....?
- and "re-capturing" nearly two years' worth of posts.
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- Join Hive using this link and then join us in the Silver Bloggers' community by clicking on the logo.
Original artwork: @artywink
- lastly, graphics are created using partly my own photographs, images available freely available on @hive.blog and Canva.
I would eat that pasta for breakfast too... 😁
Indeed. I have not been to the Cradle of Mankind for more than 30 years...
Am glad you are enjoying yourself. The sun will be nice to you, the wind will keep you cool, the weather will make your skin glow. These and more are the things you will appreciate in Africa.
Welcome to a warm continent with love to go round.
Cheers 🍻
Thank you. I have lived in Africa for 56 years and am a citizen of my country.
I am sure it will.
God knows how much I love to travel and see other places. And if I had the resources, I would probably go now and explore some of the destinations on my list of wishes. But Latin America is home, where I always feel comfy, despite all its problems, we are full of beautiful places and friendly, cheerful, and resilient people.
Have a lovely afternoon 🤗
And how I would love to visit your part of the world. I believe that South Africans and Venezuelans have much in common. Perhaps one day!
Good morning 🤗
I would love to have you here. And yes, perhaps someday.
I also believe that despite the difference in our language, we have a lot of things in common. And a lot to share from our experiences to move forward despite the chaos. 🤗😊
Indeed!
That pasta looks fantastic!
How long does the Aloe flower for I wonder.
All aloes flower once a year and most in winter. The quiver tree has flowered only twice. I can't see buds this year, I shall have another look. The ferox is not yet in full bloom - that'll be in June into July.
We have some hybrids in our back garden. I'll take some photos. Their buds look like triffids...
haha triffids now I want to see!
Wishing you a fantastic Friday, wonder if you will spot a Noob in the pub tonight and hopefully you have a rocking Saturday tomorrow!
I shall show you... Noobs have nothing to fear. No pub for us tonight: we have/had an 80th birthday celebration 😀
ah a noob free zone, I hope you had a braw time at the 80th :)
Aye, that we did, thank yee!
hehe that is good to hear :)
You live in a perfect paradise. The vegetation and climate is something I can only dream of. 😌
A visit on your bucket list?
In my opinion, the salad won too.
The sight that welcomes you every morning is breathtaking.
And I like that Africa feels like home to you, and you often want to return to it no matter where you go.
Thank you. I am glad that I live in Africa and have done for 56 years. Happily.
Those colours can only be seen in Africa! The aloes are flowering beautifully everywhere we go, just love them! And here's me, living in Africa but not even realizing it was Africa day!
But...you are so right, everyone is running away but despite all our problems, I believe this still is the best place to be on earth; the diversity of our people and our land!
A long time ago, someone said to me that once Africa is in your blood, you will always long for it when you leave!
...i mean, do you get Koeksisters anywhere else in the world?