Wonderful rain

Location:
Outside my room

What I heard:
I love the South African summers - it seems to rain almost every afternoon or evening, leaving the dry parched earth refreshed and renewed. Most of the time it storms angrily, with lightening and harsh drops. While trying to sleep last night, the storm calmed into just rain. I was warm and cozy under my duvet, and the rain was the best melody to lull the soul. It was one of those most perfect moments that seem to just happen.

A brightness in the dull grey

Location:

Driving home from S.O's house

What I saw and smelt:

There one thing I missed whilst in London was the fierce Johannesburg summer thunderstorms. It belts down angrily and suddenly then stops in a matter of minutes, leaving everything refreshed and anew. Today was one of those storms and the sun shone throughout. A fabulous rainbow eventually brightened the dull sky. And as the road curved slightly to the right pass the hills, it came into my line of vision. It was hard to concentrate on the road with that sort of distracting beauty. I think it was one of the best drives I have had in ages.

Monkeying around

Location:

On my way home from S.O's house

What I saw:

At first I could not be sure if I actually saw anything on the boot of the car we were approaching. As we got closer I realised it was a little stuffed animal teddy. Thank God the robot changed to red and we stopped behind the car. The little teddy was actually a monkey, seemingly lying down on the right hand side of the boot. I laughed out loud, realising what a quirky bunch South Africans are.

The Gods are feeling playful

Location:

Johannesburg, South Africa

What I seen and heard:

One of the things I really missed was a Highveld Thunderstorm. There is nothing like it. And today there seems to be one brewing. The skies grey rather quickly and it gets darker. As the mass of clouds get heavier and heavier, so too it progresses from grey to almost black. They rumble and growl, and it sounds like the Gods are play fighting, almost as if they are puppies. And then the heavens burst and rain plummets down furiously. And just as suddenly it begins, it stops with nary a warning . The sky is blue and the sun shines once more.

Fancy flowers

Location:

The Male Sibling Unit's Person's house

What I saw:

Being a bachelor, the Male Sibling Unit has a lazy boy. Much to my chagrin, I cannot help but succumb to its comfy-ness. It oozes enticement. So as I rested my laurels, I glanced outside and noticed a single rose on the rose bush outside. I knew it was not there the day before. Nature perseveres, even in the winter. It inspired me to march on, and be brave, no matter the external environment. It is survival after all.

The little pleasures

Location:

My room in South Africa

What I saw and smelt:

Besides the migraine pounding the front left corner of my skull, it was the floral fresh scent of flowers that tickled my nose. Still half asleep, I stumbled around for painkillers and crawled back under the blanket. As I waited for the pain to ease, I concentrated on that smell. Perhaps my senses were more acute, but it surrounded me in a bubble of bliss and the pain lessened. When I felt ready to actually start my day out of the bed about two hours later, I opened the curtains to find two kittens and a cat outside my window. They were enjoying the warmth of the early morning sun rays.The kittens were actually wrestling. I had a sudden flash of them competing in the WWF but they were far cuter and cuddly and without the strange body suits. I watched them for a while and I realised I am back in South Africa and so I shall be here with all my mind, body and soul.

Snow in the spring

Location:

In my kitchen in London

What I saw:

It was one of those Spring mornings when I felt quite un-spring like. Is it normal for people to be a tad blue this time of the year?! In any case, the blossoms were out in full force - bright and fragrant forcing a semblance of a half hearted smile. Suddenly as the wind picked up these white blossoms fell gently to the grass. It was so quick yet graceful and it was then that my lips turned full at the corners for a genuine smile.

Howdy Pardner! (said in a thick American accent)

Location:

On the train home from work 

What I saw, and er, smelt:

I seen him in the flesh...the Human Prune. Don't know about him? Read on, it may trigger something. 

Going home is a rush. I always want to make it to the sanctuary that is my bedroom as quickly as possible. Therefore I walk the London walk (very fast and dodging all those that are slow). As I reached the station to catch the train I passed by an old man with a dog, both walking really slow. I remember a cowboy hat and a tan jacket. As I sat on the train, lo and behold, in he saunters. Oh he made it, I think to myself. 

"Can somebody please give up a disabled seat for me?" he says quite loudly. I had placed my arse next to a disabled seat so the gentleman next to me hastily gets up and volunteers his seat. So Human Prune sits next to yours truly. I take a closer look. Yip, definitely a Human Prune. I have not seen dryer skin than perhaps on a piece of biltong.*

Along with the cowboy hat, and fringed tan jacket, he is also wearing cowboy boots. I can  immediately place him in a Western movie, where his wild cowboy ways are tamed by a Native American influence. Cliche after cliche run through my mind. Maybe he did screen hop from a movie into this reality?

Ever  so slowly he sits down and I notice his dog has a metal chain rather than a lead made from material. The doggie looks like a husky - big and proud. But he has that I-need-a-bath smell. Then my nose sniffs the Human Prune and there is a mixture of sweat and alcohol. Blech. They both have a I-need-a-bath smell.

Not wanting to be rude, I quit staring and happen to glance at a lady opposite me. Immediately, we both know we were both staring in fascination at this smelly wrinkled man and dog combo. She looks at me as if to say: Shame, you are stuck next to a weirdo. I shrug in reply: there is nothing I can do. And we smile at each other. Not a word spoken but a good conversation regardless.

*South African dried meat, similar to beef jerky. And yes, it is said to be dried in the sun. 

Only France

Location: 

Outside my hotel in Paris 

What I saw: 

A guy on a bike. In his left hand he had two French loaves. Till today I wonder how he managed to successfully  maneuvered his bike successfully. Skill he had. 

Such a typically French image. Pity I gawked too long instead of taking a picture. 

The little joys

Location:

On my way to work and from work 

What I saw:

I always pass a coffee shop on my way to the office. Recently I've noticed a man and his daughter there every morning. They sit on a two seater couch facing the street. He has his arm around her and he is always reading to her. They look so comfortable and cosy that it makes me so happy that I am able to witness it.  

One afternoon passing the same shop I glanced and saw a man sitting on one of the single couches. He had a slice of cake on a plate which he was holding up, as if he was about to serve it to someone. As I walked on he took the first mouthful, then paused to look at the slice and very slowly, he nodded approvingly.