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First Thursdays

Two post day – not even going to apologise. So on the First Thursday of every month in Cape Town the galleries are all open until 9pm. There are maps around and about to give you the places to go shopping, the galleries to visit and the restaurants around too. It is all along Bree Street and a few streets off as well. Easy enough to keep to the main streets. The atmosphere is great, one massive party. However I will advise – crowded, so don’t take anything you don’t need such as phones or excess money. I headed down about 6:30pm, just to get my bearing before it got too busy, and even then it was bustling with people. There are so many options it is hard to know where to start really. Calu, a lady from the hostel took us into some places, hidden bars and galleries. It is so surprising what can be found behind and in between shops. It was just amazing. Some lovely pieces around, pretty little things and more complex images. We had some in depth conversations regarding art and what it means to us and what we saw in each picture. Not over analysing but enough to cause a discussion. It was lovely to share this experience with others from the hostel – getting to know some new people. Relaxing with them. They are so many different people, and stories, tales to be told and experienced. Too many different perspectives not to share them all. We soon explored the different galleries we could find, going from mix media, that seemed to confuse us all, to abstract with a mix of photos, sculpture and canvases in the middle as well. The amount of people just wondering and talking was lovely to see such appreciation. It turns out many of the paintings were on sales – none that took my fancy that far. We stopped by a street food place to get a hot dog and fond a ledge to sit and chat and watch the world go by. No qualms, just honest good conversation. No social media – there is no need for it. All it takes is an open person and a good conversation. A worthwhile event if you are in town for it. A real cultural experience.
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Tweede Nuwe Jaar

So for those of us who do not know what this means. It is also called Kaapse Klopse. None the wiser…. Let me show youa glimpse.


Strangest thing. Comes from the time of the slaves when the owners gave the slaves the day off to entertain the slave owners. It was quite the party. This tradition has been maintained all these years.

People have been setting this up and lining the streets for the last day to gear up for this. Gazeboes going up alongside the barriers, picnics arranged, tents and blankets the whole hog!

 

They used to dress up with tall hats, long tailed jackets, the whole shabbang, intended to make fun of the slave owners. Now although the oufits are much the same, the making fun of the owners is no longer there. The outfits are so bright and sparkling. There is music, played by each troops accompanying band as they work their way down the street, troop after troop. It is very much a sight to see. Very lovely. See for yourself… A real life experience.

It shuts down the entire city one troop at a time, roads are closed when they pass through and only some reopen between them. It heads from Grand Parade to Bo Kaap. You can’t miss it. The barriers and hordes of people give it away really. It is a lovely festival something to remember. So if you are here on January 2nd it is something not to be missed. Especially if your into your cultural events, music and or dancing.