Highveld Thunderstorms

The gentle pitter patter of rain is soothing and lovely to fall asleep too but thunderstorms are a leap up the ladder for me. The sound of all that electrical power crackling in the clouds and unexpected streaks of light appearing at random in a dark sky; it makes me want to cuddle up to whatever is closest...bed is best!:) and you know what...you just don't get them like you do in Joburg...add a bit of hail and you've got a perfect mix of weather for a highveld summer! High on my list of things to luv in Jozi!

Gautrain

So eventually...I took the Gautrain...and not to sound too clichéd but in South Africa it really is something to love! It makes Jozi peak just a little higher in ranking than the mother city...hehe! And even though it doesn't run exactly like clockwork; the doors open and close a few times to let stragglers in, it is still the best thing in Jozi transport since the updated version of the taxi... I suppose it doesn't take much to make it at the top of the public transport system in SA, but the Gautrain does provide quite a bit of distraction from the other issues at hand. Its sleek and it speeds through traffic, you cant help but love that!

There is no title because there is no reason for me to write...And that is the challenge right there...finding things to love, to be grateful for when life is speeding by...to sometimes get off the train and just sit on the bench and wait for the next one. To take the risk of being left behind and rather take the time to think about where you're going, why you're going and what you love about it...before you get there. So guess I can say I am grateful that in this place I call home I have people I call friends who also feel this way. We all want and need to take time this time. And some of my best moments in this city are when we sit on a Saturday morning in a bustling coffee shop and stop. Contemplation is often associated with serene locations and sounds of the gentle breeze and birds...but not necessarily in Jozi!

Tough Cookies

Joburg may not be New York but it is one of those places that makes you a little rough round the edges. I am not saying I completely love this hard, grating quality about the city, but on the up side it creates people with character and a story. You're forced to toughen up while living in Joburg.... There are plenty of cons but one thing to love is that if you think you're having a hard week, rather than gather sympathy, you soon realize you're not alone and life is treating you both worse and better than the man sitting on either side of you in traffic!

Newtown...Catching Football Fever

Not quite sure how to describe this years 2010 soccer world cup…I meant to write a blog after South Africa’s game last wed nite, but it was really quite depressing and I had absolutely no inspiration! 3-0 to who ever it was and the injustice of it all! And then I realized “wow, this football fever…it shouldn't influence my moods so much!” but 2010 really, truly, is a big deal for South Africa, even if it’s just emotionally! The vibe at the fan park in Newtown before the game and the vibe after were worlds apart! And then of course it dawned…isn’t that exactly what ‘fever’ does, it chills you to the bone and fires you up moments later! So we shouldn’t be surprised by unexpected twists around the corner, Football fever is gonna catch us unawares til the 11 of July 2010…try enjoy the ride!

Soweto

I realize it's 2010 and therefore soccer is all people are really talking and tweeting about, I'll get there, but first...Soweto! Besides being an acronym of sorts(South-West Townships) and housing most of Jozi's population...Most Joburgers (the white kind)know min about it and have yet to set foot in this important place! And so all I ask is; PLEASE visit, it will begin to give you a better idea of who and what JHB is. Besides the awesome yummy deal I got for lunch; Pap, T-Bone and Salad at 30 Rond, there is so much that Soweto offers of its self to Johannesburg. June 16 coming up is a great example! This truly is the heart of Jozi and I believe in the future that whatever happens in Soweto will have an impact on the rest of the city!

Movement

It's 10h30 and 1.5 hours till I am past my deadline...here goes my fourth blog of May which is very apt for this moment... movement! Its been a busy day, I have a never ending list of things to do and want to do, there aren't enough hours to do them in and its ALREADY (almost) JUNE! What is happening to this year? This is typical Joburg, and as much as we hate the speed at which it moves, we also love it deep down! There is always another day in Jozi, always another joy ride if you missed the first one and always something new to try! I love the fact that if you don't keep moving with it, it will leave you behind, I love that it keeps you on your toes, it keeps you alert, aware and in touch...there are times when I hate it (like now when all I want to do is sleep) but more times when I love it...