0 Happy Freedom Day South Africa!

Image credit: Eleanor Turvey Art Prints

Today marks the first Freedom Day that I have spent outside of South Africa. South Africa has a lot of public holidays. Often we find ourselves waking up on the day only to realize the day and its cultural or historical significance. But, I have to say, there are some days which are particularly special to most South Africans. Today, April 27th, marks Freedom Day. Freedom day commemorates the first post-apartheid elections held on April 27th 1994. The first democratic national elections, in which every South African, irrespective of race, class or gender could vote. It is my favorite public holiday. I was very young on that day now 19 years ago, but I can still remember watching it on tv for a few days on end. It was an exciting and rocky time in South African history, but it brought about a change to what I regard as the best country in the world!

In the past few days leading up to Freedom Day, my heart has been yearning for home. For some home comforts, that we take for granted. So I have listed some of the things that have niggled me recently:

1. I really miss people. I miss the cultural diversity, I miss the melting pot of different languages surrounding me. I miss "ja" and "kak" and "yoh" and "eish". I miss saying "now-now". The most difficult word, which I am still weaning my self off is "shame". "Shame man" has no legitimate usage outside the borders of South Africa. I also am yet to find an equivalent in any language. Anyone know of one?

2. I miss the expanses of green-ness. I miss trees. I miss our electrifying and brilliant highveld storms. I miss seeing the sky going on for ever over the horizon. I miss smelling clean air on an evening after an afternoon rain shower. I miss the yellow hazy nap-time of Sunday afternoons and sunny bright early mornings. Everything is still dark here at 8am. 

3. I miss driving my car. Yes, it is great to live in a country with a reliable and efficient public transport. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to walk everywhere while feeling safe no matter the day or time. But, driving a car on a highway, is a pleasure. Trust me! I don't miss traffic though - that includes the highway on Friday afternoons. Driving your own car also lets you buy really big things and transport them easily. This includes groceries which I now have to lug up a flight of stairs. 

4. I miss our food, this includes wine, rooibos tea and good old 5 Roses Teabags. Whether it is the delicious convenience of HEALTHY Woolies meals, salads, Kauai or the good old chicken pie. I miss Nando's. Did I mention I really miss Nando's? Easter was particularly bleak for me this year. I could not find a hot cross bun for the life of me anywhere! Add to that how affordable good, healthy food is back home. I think many South Africans take that for granted. When an average meal costs 10 euros, you may thank your deities more often in South Africa.

My new home has many positive attributes - It only grows dark after 9pm, shops close after 10pm, there is always something to do. It is relatively easy to travel to anywhere in Europe with ease and affordably. But, South Africa is still my home. Happy Freedom Day South Africa, I love you bru!

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2 Copenhagen, Denmark

Last week, I went off with the lovely group I am studying with to the beautiful city of Copenhagen, Denmark. Copenhagen has been on my bucket list of places to see before I die. Mostly because I really wanted to see the little Mermaid.

Harbour

Pulling bikes that fell into the river up from the water

Old library wing next to new library wing

The weather on the first day was remarkably pleasant, sunny, yet icy winds prevailed. However, as the week progressed, the weather deteriorated abysmally. We had rain, we had wind and we also had mist, and not much sun after that. At first I didn't quite like the city. It is a bit clinical. It's a perfect society. Perfect in the sense that they have very few poor people, clean city spaces, gorgeous architecture, a society that mostly travels on bikes everywhere (by choice, even in minus degree weather!) and impeccable services.

Bikes!

Danish Philosopher  Soren Kiekegaard 

Royal Palace

Kids dressed in layers to watch the ducks

That and that their current city goal is to be the European Green City capital in 2014. I think my feelings were spurred my African mentality. Being green is a twitter #firstworldproblems. Starving Africans don't worry about being green when our greater population cannot read or have access to simple necessities. However, I have to say my mind has changed.

Inside the national library

Parliament building

After talking to people that live in Copenhagen. Copenhagians (I made up this word, is it Copenhagenite?) are warm and friendly. Their unending happiness and caring society is actually admirable. Even in a country with the worst weather conditions imaginable, people are happy, hard-working and have cultivated a compassionate and interested society.





Maybe life can be that easy? Imagine if all the cities in the world and their inhabitants concertedly worked towards developing each individual to their highest potential. That everyone took a part in ensuring the maintenance and development of infrastructure.





Maybe a few more grey days do a society good! I joke! Copenhagen is also a gastronomic epicentre, and home to Noma, currently ranked as the best restaurant in the world. Scandinavian society is synonymous with using their resources and uniqueness to an advantage. We sampled some of the food at two of the ranked restaurants in Copenhagen, Restaurant Relae and Mother. As with their food, their design - the main reason for our travels, is unique. They have developed research and development into an art form. With a focus on innovation, everything is created equally and considered with meticulous attention to detail.

Sculpture called "Key to the Future"

There is a section of Copenhagen, that very few people know about called Christiania. Let's call it the blemish on Danish society. We did a short walk through it and emerged on the other side with our eyes bloodshot, having passively smoked weed for about two hours. Hey, if you're a tourist. It's worth a visit. Particularly for the strange architecture of the houses and symbol, which is an owl!







So in short, this blogger entered a cynic and returned a lover. Thank you Copenhagen, you are beautiful example of how life can be.

Den Bla Planet - Great new aquarium in Copenhagen

Fishies