Arty and Crafty!

This past month, I've been road tripping around South Africa, introducing my BF to my roots and actually discovering places even I had never seen! We had such a jol (South African slang meaning "fun"). Within a month we drove 9000kms, no corner was left unturned, we basically saw everything there was too see - well almost we left a few places out for our next visit...smart of me hey, hehe). Anyways, along the road there were all these street vendors selling nicely crafted souvenirs. My boyfriend starts to bargain and I can't help but cringe as the prices keep getting lower and lower and lower. See I wasn't raised liked that, I can't bargain to save my soul, I always feel that I am cheating people out of their livelihood. So they finally agree on a ridiculously low price , and my boyfriend looks at me and says "Come on, don't be like that, he is still making a profit". That may be so, but I still felt uneasy as if we were cheating them. The funniest part was that along with the vendors I kept trying to get my boyfriend go up with the prices...Let's just say he was not very impressed with me! I'm a big softy - changes have been implemented to change that facet of my personnality.

Everywhere we went the same kept happening, he would bargain and I would hide, and so it went until we arrived at the Rosebank Craft market in Johannesburg, where a huge sign read "THIS IS AFRICA, WE BARGAIN"! Needless to say my significant other took great pleasure in teasing me.....-time to work on 'em bargaining skills!!!

Photos: Just some of the items we brought back!

SKIN

My last trip to South Africa was simply riveting but also very emotional as I was once again confronted to our past. Having lived in South Africa most of my life and being the child of a mixed couple whose marriage was illegal there was always an awareness of what Apartheid consisted of. However, after a visit to the Apartheid museum I found myself overwhelmed by emotions and could not contain my tears. I cried for my ancestors whose land was stolen, I cried for my grand parents who were removed from their homes and relocated in townships, I cried for my mother who suffered many humiliations, but always remained proud, I cried for both my parents whose love was considered immoral and I cried for my country, for all the bloodshed and violence, past and present.

If ever you are in the Johannesburg vicinity, the Apartheid museum is a worthwhile detour. Remembering the past is important so as to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself and hopefully South Africa will move forward.

Ok so I cried, but that's not really what I wanted to discuss. The reason for this post was to discuss a South African film I had the pleasure of watching. The movie SKIN recounts the true story of Sandra Laing, a girl born to white parents but because of her traits was classified as coloured. Her story unfolds and through it we are confronted to the historical and political past of South Africa. A touching and heartbreaking account of how families were separated as a result of absurd and hateful laws. The film is truly well made and stars british actress Sophie Okonedo (Aeon flux, Hotel Rwanda), Sam Neil, Alice Krige, Tony Kgoroge and young Ella Ramangwane.