I’m leaving this weekend for a much-needed break. As much as I love Jozi, I’m ready for a temporary change of scenery. I’ll keep my holiday destination a secret for now. Be ready for lots of photos when I get back in January.
A few odds and ends before I go:
Thanks to everyone for the nice comments on my post about Jon. On Wednesday afternoon I went to the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens with my friend Nina, as a way of remembering Jon. We almost didn’t make it into the park – it closes at 5:00 p.m. and we got there at 4:55. But Nina sweet-talked the security guards and we managed to gain entry. It was nice having the park almost completely to ourselves.
Instagram of the waterfall at Walter Sisulu.
The clouds cleared a bit just before we left, allowing for a nice sunset.
I was happy to get this shot. Jon loved clouds.
On a completely different note, a story that I wrote about the Hillbrow Boxing Club was published this week in a new online magazine about Jozi called Gummie.co.za. I’m really pleased with the story: Please check it out, along with the rest of the magazine. It’s a nice publication with lots of great tips on off-beat things to do in Jozi.
The header at the top of the Gummie homepage links to my story. Cool, huh?
Lastly, there is an article about Jozi Instagrammers in today’s year-end issue of the Mail & Guardian. One of my photos is featured.
My photo of Hillbrow is on the bottom-left. Cool, huh?
The article itself only appears in the hard-copy paper. But there is also an online gallery with several photos by each of the Jozi Instagrammers who participated in the story. Check it out.
That’s all I’ve got for 2012. What a year. I’m glad I survived. I’m glad that the world didn’t end today. I’m grateful for this blog and everyone who reads it. Thanks again for your support and see you next year.
Final cloud pic of 2012.
Oh, and the Melville Cat asked me to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I’ve been trying to explain to him that I’m leaving for ten days but he just ignores me. Hopefully he’ll forgive me when I get back.
Meow.
How have I never blogged about 44 Stanley Avenue, the coolest shopping and dining complex in Joburg, which is only five minutes from my house?
I guess it’s wrong to say I’ve never blogged about 44 Stanley; I’ve mentioned it countless times over the years (see here and here) when writing about specific restaurants or shops that are there. But I’ve never written a dedicated post about 44 Stanley as a destination and it’s about time I did – especially now, with the holidays upon us.
I’ve been dreadfully uninspired lately, struggling to think of anything I want to blog about despite having a long list of great ideas (many of which you, my readers, provided in September). I’m finding it hard to feel positive about life at the moment. But on Saturday Thorsten and I got the chance to visit Indwe Park, an indigenous garden and sculpture park in Braamfontein, and I knew I had my topic for today.
Given this week’s political nuclear bomb blast, it feels like a weird time to publish a light-hearted post about my recent (pre-election) jaunt through the United States. But I’m hoping you’ve have had enough of the U.S. election horror show – I know I have – and are ready (at least temporarily) for some wholesome American travel adventures. If so, please read on about my four-day visit to Maine, the northeastern-most state in the lower 48, with my sister, Susanna.
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It makes me smile, when I see it.