New Water Bottles

Over the holidays I was thinking about what would be a great gift that I could give to my friends. Thanks to my recent find, I knew exactly what to get. Last year I acquired a glass water bottle that has since been with me. I have grown quite attached to it and would really be pissed off if anything were to ever happen to it. 

The idea of using a glass bottle is pretty simple. Firstly, it means that you don't have to keep buying water that is afforded to you for free at your nearest tap. Secondly, it takes a lot of energy to manufacture plastic water bottles, and the water used is unregulated proving to be a significant strain to the environment. And lastly and more importantly even if you reuse a water bottle you run some health risks caused by phthalate a chemical substance that is used in the production of water bottles. This is a cool short video about bottled water... Worth a watch.

 

On a less serious note, I got my order of bottles today, from a friend who gave me my first water bottle, Andrew. Bottles be has been collecting from Club Mate, a company that sells iced tea in glass bottles. Drew has been giving them away for people to use as replacement water bottles.

My order of glass bottles that I received today

I had asked for only six but instead I received twenty, and being such a great guy he gave them to me at no cost. I cant wait to start personalising each bottle and giving them to my friends.

My first water bottle, great investment

Using glass bottles is a great idea and I hope that more people will get into using them. Its easy, inexpensive, and great for your health. Read this interesting article for more on bottled water.

Skates and All...

Relative standing outside the post office in Ga-Rankuwa Complex, or Sutang as called by the locals. Sutang one of the oldest surviving shopping centres in the area, where the shopkeepers are practically family to me now. 

For those who don't know, I am from Ga-Rankuwa, a township in Pretoria North. Like its City, it is relatively quiet. But it has a typical 'kasi' air about it. I was born and raised in this area. I have seen a lot of change... mainly for the better. For example infrastructure improvement, such as the installation of new water pipes, working street light, public parks, public bins, and one thing I thought I would never see, the laying of tar roads.  The government is still working on putting the township on official maps, technically Ga-Rankuwa does not exist.

There has also been a change in culture, especially in young people. When I was younger it was typical to play khati, legusha, letlapa, etc. Street soccer and cricket were also very popular. As time passed by there were little changes, where playing out all day has been replaced by more and more kids playing on their game consoles. Where instead of hanging out with your friends on the street corner or someone's house has been replaced by hanging out at the nearest mall.From changes in religious orientation, and wider acceptance of the other. To changes and diversification of dance, where now pantsula, is mixed with hip hop dance; and rock and indie is as common as house, kwaito or RnB. 

It has been exciting, at times frustrating, but in all exciting to be able to live through these changes. It warms my heart to see people happy about the state of home, and being able to proudly say that they live in Ga-Rankuwa. I say this because, not only has there been such an emergence of a unique culture, but it has pulled many young people out of negative situations, such as drugs, gangsterism, and put them in a place where they are able to express their own interests. But not saying that it is no longer a problem. 

One such interests is skateboarding. An activity that will surely take home by storm. It started with a group of believers, a group loosely calling themselves Nonchalant, and of recent Zooloo. This is a group of very unique characters from different family backgrounds, that found one another through their love of skateboarding. A certain lifestyle has emerged from this interest. These are some of the documented works by my brother, also part of this group, giving a glimpse into their reality....

The original and official Nonchalant Works symbol. A symbol that I have seen develop as the group developed. Now one can be found graffitied around town, on t-shirts and skateboards.

My brother has a serious love for the arts, like myself. His is  quite different  from mine. I love it and take from it. This was just a few of his works.

Still life

All my life all I have know is travelling. My mother always says that going places broadens a persons world view and brings a sense of understanding. I am thankful to my parents for affording my brothers and I such a grand opportunity.

Now, travel is accompanied with photos, and I would like to think that its because of my travels that I am fond of taking pictures. Photography, like for many people, is one of my past times. I really enjoy being behind the camera and capturing precious moments. Though I might not be a professional or the best, I am really proud of my 'work'.Here are some of my favourites taken from some of the places that I have been.... unedited!

Sunny Namibian Coast (2005)

Mediterranean Fisherman, Egypt  (2007) 

Dusk on the Nile, Egypt (2007)

Unidentified spider, Durban (2008)

Crab of the Rocks, Durban (2008)

Shedding the Christmas 'bug' weight (2008)

Springbok in the distance, Namibia (2008) 

My kicks and Etosha, Namibia (2008)

Lilac-breasted Roller on a Tree top, Namibia (2008)

Golden Orb on a sunny morning in  the Seychelles (2009)

Peeking La Digue, Seychelles (2009)

Green Gecko in Valley De Mai, Seychelles (2009)

Cute Dassie on a Sani day, Lesotho (2010)

Dew drops, New Zealand (2010)

Sunset in the Kgalagadi (2005)

Every moment is precious, why not take a picture or two to remember them....

My Reads....

Three books that have currently graced me with their presence. 'How on Earth? Answer to the puzzles of our planet' by Terence McCarthy, an easy to read book set to answer questions about the natural environment with the use if different disciplines such as geology and astronomy to name but a few. It's also written by a dear Professor of mine, Spike McCarthy, a proudly South African book that tells wonders of the Earth.

'Are you there Vodka? It's me, Chelsea'by Chelsea Handler; I stumbled upon this book by accident, well more like curiosity of a neighbours bookshelf, and I have to say Chelsea has written a hilarious and sassy memoir of her life, a good book if you want to laugh your ass off.

Portrait of Mao.Taken at the MET

'Mao: The Unknown Story' by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday, an interesting book I picked up from a sale yesterday, I have only begun reading the captions of the picture in the book, but even with only that I can say that this will be a heavy, dark and serious read. A story that exposes myths and secrets and tells of other awesomely disturbing accounts of the life of the once Tyrant of China.

Visiting Ours....

Three clues to where I've been over the December holidays.... miniature Yellow Taxi on Brooklyn Bridge, Fluorescent American Flag in Time Square, and a Tow Truck on the way to the great city of Philadelphia... All I can say is that its nice to say 'I've been there' when watching all those shows, seen all those postcards, and heard the endless talk about these places. My younger brother and I spending time with the older brother and his wife, exploring what we could of the states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania...

Yellow taxi

Lit American flag on in Time Square

Big ol' red tow truck

There are many Places that one should really visit, I mean if one appreciates nature, history and culture, when in New York. I was a typical tourist and went to all the city highlights, did Broadway, Rockefeller Center, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Wall Street, Central Park, Time Square, Ground Zero (9/11 Memorial), to name those places I remember...

A day in Time Square with Rando and bro

Awe struck at the 9/11 Memorial

On my way to the raging bull of Wall street

The headquarters of NBC and GE

Lady Liberty 

 I have enjoyed and highly appreciate many of these places, one of which is the Metropolitan Museum of Art,or the MET. Immensely diverse art in a rather large place. From historical artifacts of the Greek, Japanese and Egyptian Empires, through the Renaissance,  to the modern day contemporary pieces; even those who thought that they would never even give a second glance to such a collection would thoroughly enjoy how playful and yet profound the exhibitions are...http://www.metmuseum.org/

When it comes to food, I am front and centre for any chance to try new things, and explore the cuisines. I had to try out the typical New York style takeout, We had turkey burger with sweet potato fries and a side of buffalo wings. Also tried all the famous fast food joints, White Castle, the Cheesecake Factory, IHOP, Dunkin Donuts, to name those I remember. Even had to compare hot dogs from the hot dog stands and delis, tried soft pretzels, corn dogs and pizza. The famous Philly cheese steaks were also on the table, and I must say they were really tasty, and southern fried chicken with mash, collards greens, biscuit and gravy, its true what they say about soul food, hands down the best food I had in the states. Of course we also had home cooked meals, which is what we mostly ate during our stay;)

One of the two places we had pizza, the other was Papa John's

Did not eat here

Hotdog and pretzel stand

Can you say Philly cheesesteak?!

Christmas dinner, prepared by brother and sis-in-law, includes glistening ham

There are many places that I would like to mention in detail, but then this would become endless instead as the year progresses, I will post up some more pictures of the lovely visit.... if I do remember. All in all, it was a lovely time spent with ours, and I came back with new and much appreciated experiences.