Cape Town - views from down here

David Donde is a self-dubbed coffee evangelist, eligible culture vulture and connoisseur of all things authentic who still skriks his broeke when the noon day gun sounds. He co-owns half of the African gourmet coffee phenomenon, Origin Coffee Roasting in De Waterkant, Cape Town, and proves it by shouting across the room a lot. Here are some of his thoughts on the city of pretty.

David marvels that we think of Africa as somewhere ‘up there’. “I think Cape Town has managed to stand apart culturally; obviously it’s the most beautiful city around. “Cape Town manages to pull off cosmopolitan – a cross-pollination of culture. It’s got a kind of cleanness, realness and wholesomeness at the same time.”

Why do you think Cape Town is so creative? “I think it attracted the creatives from around the country with its beauty and dynamics. You know - what has; gets.”

Give it a title? “Food and wine capital of South Africa.”

Favourite restaurant? “Depends on what you’re looking for.” Top would be Aubergine (impeccable service) or Ginja (extraordinary food). More accessible favourites include Vasco Da Gama Pub and Sloppy Sam, Greenpoint. For a real feel, Zarina’s in Loop st and that Lebanese guy on Long street who makes Mediterranean dishes at 4a.m.

What should we really boast about? I’ve been mountain biking all over, it’s got the best mountain biking in the world.

Something special to do while you’re here that the locals totally take for granted – “Take a car up Kloofnek Drive.”

Niggles?Gripes?

“Political pessimism – assuming that the bad that we’ve got is any worse than the bad that anybody else has. Crime. We sit in a dichotomy of 1^st world and 3^rd world and we somehow take the bad bits out of both.”

If you could stand in for Mayor for the day, you would…

“tear up lots of bureaucracy. We’ve taken it on without taking advantage of it”

Does Cape Town have better looking women than other local cities?

“Sexier women.”

Are Capetonians snobs?

“Cape Town used to have a reputation for being incredibly cliquey. I think it’s changing. Cape Town is becoming friendly and inviting. We used to think like Parisians –exclusionary and wanting to keep tourists out. I think we’re now in love with them.”

If you could build anywhere regardless of council law or existing infrastructure…

“There’s a trailer park just beyond Simon’s Town that has the most amazing rocks and contact with the sea. I’d build there.”

How many Cape Towns are there?

“The Northern Suburbs, the Southern Suburbs, and the Atlantic Seaboard (Cape Flats), and they are three separate cities - totally and utterly different, and they have no link with each other. I’ve lived in two”

Something that we probably all agree on? “The clarity of light in Cape Town is unbelievable. Almost like hyper realism”

Parting thought

Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you!

so wrong!

i saw it. today.in a sprawling mall. i swear. (sorry, Lord)

a religious bookshop called {drumrollllll}

(a subconscious acknowledgment that the faithful fornicate too?)

(no subject)

It's rude not to announce yourself.

Across the world, across history (and because of it), there are rules to meeting strangers and familiars alike. Whether you raise your hand or bow your head, give your goodname or the name of the your god(s), intentions are blessed with announcements.

Next time you're too lazy to think of a line for the subject field, imagine how you feel when you receive a call to your cell phone from an unknown number. Confused. Interrupted. Irritated. Curious. Suspicious. Bewildered. Distracted. whatever your level of paranoia or curiousity, it's wasted energy. In the age of excess information, it's proactive and self preserving to want to know in advance.

If you're at a complete loss, and the brain wont' do its push-ups, do like Bouncy Know-it-alls, and say my name.

big sister is watching you

i have been warned.

"Dear Jezebel,

Your complete lack of ardour, ferver and zeal with regards to braaing
is making me troubled and upset. should you continue with your snide
comments about our national cuisine i shall be forced to braai outside
your bedroom window for twelve solid days ensuring a complete and
eternally braai-smoke flavoured jess henson.

you have been warned.

regards
the patriot.

p.s. yes. they are serious. very. damn. serious."

(um, here's what they're talking about. Vegetarians, at least, might sympathise with my lack of sympathy for the event...)

kissing with your eyes open

Meta communication

Who’s saying what? And how?

Fusion. Confusion. Almost the same thing these days. Especially for what comes of human relating.

Women are working, men are rediscovering their inner children, and children are old before their time.

Not surprising, then, that traditional roles are taking on the tone of their darker, less practised understudies, and if you’re not engaging, you’re more than likely twisting your undies around overworked hands…. Because these days, casual sex can express love more aptly than commitment claims to.

You can see it (Lie With Me : Clément Virgo) and read it (Needle in the groove: Jeff Noon). These rarely mentioned, illicit encounters, occurring by accident or intent, undercover, form a subconscious dialogue that informs contemporary communication. Our lives are still fragmented, but now we use many mediums...

Love is as virtual as it has ever been, and lust as tangible. But our experiences are following suit, with a vast array of media rewiring the way we communicate.

licks like....

"Like groove to the hips
Like smooth to the lips
Like sugar in the mix
Like butter to fingertips"

michael franti
spearhead

paper and pen

(chat with another significant other)

i am resurrecting the sensual art of letter writing. no. that's not a group, goddammit! The real thing - paper and pen.

remember the depth and tone, the smell of it, and ink smudges? the curve and cut of HANDwriting? (do you even know what that is?)

erm. so. can i have your skype address so i can trace your email so i get to facebook and get your cell number so i can call your mom to find out what your postal address is? i know you don't know.

oh, you don't publish your cell number on facebook? me neither. well then, can i have your-

{other is offline}