…the Naked Barista 18 July 2016
Still in Pretoria and we were superblessed as we had a lovely weekend with Juan (son) before he took an airplane back to Palma.
He arrived in Pretoria very tired on Friday, as he was in Cape Town for a week only, sorting out a Visa and obviously had to see many friends.
We decided to just chill and spend some quality time together as I had already prepared a spinach dish for dinner.
On Saturday B had to sort out the workmen on his worksite and Juan accompanied him. Afterwards B brought Juan back and we spend the day in Menlyn Shopping Centre as he needed a haircut before flying out.
We are both not so crazy about shopping malls anymore and it tired us out completely. We went for a late lunch at Parrot’s Restaurant and this is where B came to fetch us.
Afterwards we all just had to take a nap…
Napping turned out to be a very good idea, as we had an awesome evening together, just the three of us, cooking and drinking red wine in our family’s perfect kitchen.
B could have a sleep in on Sunday morning as he gave his workmen the day off.
We lazed around and ate a hearty breakfast which Juan prepared from the leftover food of the previous evening.
We were also superblessed to schedule in time for Juan for an Angel card reading . At this card reading we had a discussion about our challenges as a family when they (Juan and his sister, Maryna) were growing up. We reminisced as to how life has turned out for us after all of these challenges…
We were superblessed when…after our ‘reading time’ spend together, Jeremy (cousin) came to call us to show us his wall covered in photos from when he was a little boy and visiting us in Sedgefield. Our family, who we think of as quite dysfunctional and challenged, meant a great deal to him as a boy growing up…
…Jeremy used to come visit and stay with us during school holidays as a little boy and I didn’t even realise that he had those photos.
All those memories came flooding back and made me realise just how very connected we are.
Jeremy has become quite famous as he has been voted ‘Mr Pretoria 2016’. He is an amazingly well rounded handsome young man…and single…
…just saying.
Our friend Ruan, had booked us a table at Tings and Times which will unfortunately close down soon. Sunday afternoon, we went to see Piet Botha and the show was one for the books.
Cousin Jeremy also went with us to the restaurant and when it was time, he took Juan to the Guatrain to transport him to the airport…and once again our son was off to work to take on some new adventures…
…Three years ago I met a lady, Nira Sklair by ‘coincidence’.
We were at our favourite restaurant Cocomos in Wilderness one evening with many friends. It was packed as usual – as Cocomos offer live music, lovely food and a great vibe – but I degress.
We were sitting down when this beautiful lady, Nira and her partner came into view. I cannot even explain it, but we locked eyes and I just knew that she would be a part of my life. As there were no tables available, we made a plan to have them sit at our table and we could chat a little bit.
Juan’s, 21st birthday was coming up the following Saturday and I invited them to join us. They did and enjoyed it, even took photos.
So why am I telling you this?
When we posted on facebook that we were coming to work in Gauteng, Nira send me an invite to get together and yesterday we did. It was such a weird thing, to get together with someone you spend so little time with three years ago, but it felt so absolutely right.
The day was perfect, everything just flowed for me.
I made plans to travel to Rosebank with the Gautrain, but being superblessed as I am, I was driven by car…
I was ready to go to the train station and waiting for B to take me. Stefan, who lives in the flat at our current accommodation was still at home and happen to mention that he was going there anyway. I would have missed that opportunity if his car’s battery didn’t die and he had to wait for the AA.
Everything worked out perfect and I was delivered to Rosebank mall. I send Nira a message that I was there and went in search of a Health shop. Since my recent health issues, I have been avoiding chemicals and have had a challenge sourcing organic Earthsap Hair products.
As I could not even find these products at such a big complex, I decided to visit Woolworths to have some Chai tea and a sit down to send Nira a message telling her that I have arrived. I haven’t even sat down, when she was right there with me. We hugged forever and three years just melted away…
…oh yeah, the photos Nira took at Juan’s 21st birthday, she burnt on a cd and was now a gift… how very special…
We chatted, getting to really know each other while drinking chai, hers with Soya as she also had issues with milk as I am now believing could be a part of my challenge as well.
The day continued to just get better and better… Nira spoiled me by taking me to the Standard Bank Gallery where they were show casing the work of Henri Matisse.
Interesting that this exhibition opens at a time when debates about the relationship about local and foreign in South Africa’s cultural landscape have never seemed more pressing.
For me the Gallery as well as the exhibition were an amazing experience and I felt superblessed just to be there.
From there we went on to a busy health shop named Fresh Earth where we had delicious butternut, cashew and coconut soup for lunch.
After lunch, I purchased healthy raw honey, almond milk and another organic hair conditioner as again, I could not find the Earthsap I was looking for.
Luckily, I had my leather backpack handbag (a gift from my friend, Aneta) with me fitting all my purchased goods neatly as I was to travel back on the Gautrain. This was exciting for me as it was my first time on this train. I have been superblessed to travel on the underground in London though.
Jetting off on the Gautrain with the sun setting I felt so much gratitude for this life and very much loved to have such jewels for friends.
I feel blessed to live in an era where this generation of young men seems to be keen to experiment in the kitchen as Jeremy and I also prepared a few good dishes together while we were staying there.
Our friend Jannelie, who creates beautiful jewellery, and I were very blessed to join in on the fun at a “secret sunrise“.
All I can say is that if ever you have an opportunity to do this, do yourself the favour and go for the experience…
…You would be superblessed if you did…