This past
weekend was really, really awesome. It was filled with music, friends, dancing,
good food, and happiness. On Friday, a couple of friends and I went to
Long Street to have lunch and go shopping. While perusing the streets, looking
for somewhere to grab a bite, a woman approached me. While I normally
brush past people begging on on the street, I happened to stop this day and
listen. She was so thankful that I stopped and gave her a chance to speak to
me. She said that most people walk right by her, and she feels like she is
invisible. Then she asked if I would be willing to buy her food at a mini
market down the block. I said yes, and we walked to the store. Inside, she
picked out a big can of porridge, the kind you just add water to, and a massive
box of cereal. She barely believed me when I said I would buy both for her, no
problem. She said it would last her and her daughter 2 months! That really
affected me, and I gladly bought the food for her. Then we said goodbye and
parted ways with a smile on both our faces.
Right down
the road we went to lunch at a place called the Neighborhood, which had stellar
burgers. Just as good as ones from home. The burger and drink I got cost
R85, while the food I had just bought (that could feed 2 people for 2 months)
cost R170. I felt a bit weird thinking about how I could get 2 burgers and 2
drinks for the same price as food for 2 months, at places right down the road
for each other. It made me feel a bit wasteful; things like that really put how
lucky you are (an maybe how ignorant you are) into perspective.
Later that
night, a group of friends and I went to a venue in District 6 where a band
called Desmond and the Tutus were playing. We met local kids in the crowd who
raved about how awesome the band was and said that we were in for a treat. And
they were right, the band was awesome! They were so interesting to watch live;
they have a weird, energetic, and funky way of performing. The energy in the
place was infectious. We even managed to get right up to the front of the
stage! We all had a blast.
The next
day we had tickets to Ultra Music Festival. This was going to be a completely
new type of experience for me. The reputation in the US of Ultra had me a bit
nervous but definitely excited about what the night would bring.
When we got
to the location, we saw two stages set up on the edge of a wide open field.
There were also a bunch of local food trucks selling really greasy, delicious
food.
At the
stage we saw DJs like Galantis, Dash Berlin, Zedd and Skrillex. I don't
particularly like EDM, but dancing to it at Ultra was a whole different
experience. The crowd was massive and amped. The music was loud and infectious.
We met really awesome people from all across the globe - Germany, South Africa,
and The United States! I even met a kid studying abroad at UCT who goes to
Williams College in Massachusetts and knows a girl from my hometown. Small
world!
 |
| Desmond & the Tutus |
No comments:
Post a Comment