Loving the blog! And in this post especially the new years message and the birthday-present thing! Hilarious and so true!!!
Author: Danica.H.
Contemplations of a German working in the travel industry, lover of travel and (air) yoga addict. Born and raised in Germany, currently living in South Africa and sharing my journey with whoever wants to read it but mainly for my future self when I am old and forgotten most of my adventures and thoughts of the younger me.
Stereotype: Pilot
When I saw this video, I was instantly reminded of my very first post: Stereotype Pilot!
Since that post was published, I have met the mentioned pilot for dinner and he insisted that I put his profession into a good light again..well, I hope the video does it for me. After all, I would have not agreed on dinner if I thought badly of them (or him for that matter)..
Language does matter
Somewhere sometime ago I read that language influences the way we think. I have read it in the context of a comparison between Asian and European languages. Meanwhile, I think that this also applies very much so to intra European languages. Even to the ones that belong to the same linguistic family.
I am talking specifically about English and German – both Germanic languages by the way.. so, you’d think that people speaking these languages should somehow think in a similar way. At least more similar than an English native speaker and a Chinese native speaker, or more similar than a German and a Vietnamese. Theoretically. Hypothetically. Wishful thinking.
I somehow seem to have a language problem with Continue reading “Language does matter”
Vicky’s “Hong Kong Survival Tips”
Recently, I found Vicky’s blog (Vicky and I know each other from yeeeeaars ago when we both lived in Saudi Arabia) and today I finally took the time to read through it. I think it’s brilliant! Especially the posts about survival in Hong Kong! Having spent some months in Hong Kong as a student a decade ago, I would like to return to Hong Kong as a professional now. Should this happen (I’m trying to work something out!!!) – I will listen to your tips, Vicky!!! Thank you.
Who ever is interested in Hong Kong… read this:
Semana Santa in Cartagena
Bushveld Get-Away
Taking the city girl into the Bushveld was a huge success. Mission accomplished. I will even consider going back. Given certain conditions are met:
1. no camping
2. running water
3. en-suite bathroom
4. mosquito nets
So, basically taking the “bush” out of the Bushveld, if you know what I mean.
Getting there was an adventure by itself. First time ever that I landed on a dirt-strip. Flying in a new but retrofitted aircraft, it felt like I’m playing a character in “Out of Africa”. Picture perfect start for a weekend in the Bushveld.
I have done a couple of game viewings since I moved to Johannesburg. So far only the one-day safaris just outside Jozi. This time we went to Royal Malewane Game Reserve which is adjacent to the Kruger National Park. Part of Royal Malewane is the so-called Africa House. A moroccan style riad in the middle of the Bush… I agree, it might sound surreal but it blended in beautifully! Equipped with 6 beautiful suits, it’s the perfect get-away for a small group of people.
- Africa House at Royal Malewane
This trip also marked another mile stone in my wildlife experience: viewing the Big 5 in one go! I have seen them before, but only in bits and pieces. This time, I have managed to see all 5 in one trip.
Buffaloes:
Leopard: usually extremely shy, wouldn’t even move when we drove close.
- Lucky to have spotted a leopard
Elephants: our vehicle was surrounded by a herd. I got quite scared at some stage
- That’s how close they came
Rhino: subject to Asian superstition.
Lions only showed themselves at night and my camera is not really suitable for nightshots, so you will just have to image the king of the bush.
All in all it was an amzing trip!
Transforming into a Sandtonista
This is my second post about Sandton in just a week!
The thing is that Sandton is actually not worth writing home about. Attributes like “boring”, “bland”, “unelectrified”, “unthrilled” (and so on and so on..) would have probably popped into most people’s minds (at least the ones I know) and I was certainly one of them. Until today! I was invited to a after work thingy on the San Deck at the Sandton Sun! What a stunning place! Wow!!
The view: just amazing
The set-up: interior (or rather exterior) excellence
The people: cosmopolitan mix
The verdict: the perfect after- work -drinks or weekend-sundowner-place!!
Sandton is really gearing up (with a lot of changes done and finished) and becoming a hot spot in the Jozi scene again!
Christmas Madness
It’s this time of the year again… shopping malls decorated for Christmas way too early. I really don’t understand why it is not early enough to start on the 24th of November.. A month of christmas decoration is surely enough time, or not?
So, this morning I decided to rise early and pay the newly opened Protea Court at Sandton City a visit. My curiosity won over my cautiousness (big mistake). I had actually decided to wait at least for two weeks and let the first hype subside before I expose myself to the masses. The first ZARA store in Southern Africa opened it doors a few days ago at Sandton City. I knew it would be madness to go there at the beginning…. But I just couldn’t resist this morning. Not only did I want to compare prices to a ZARA store in Europe (I knew that alone the 25% import taxes would be added on top), but I also wanted to see what other shops Protea Court has to offer. Firstly, I have to say that the architecture of this new part of Sandton City is really a highlight. The name reveals it already: the whole construction looks like a Protea – just beautiful. Secondly, I want to add that the new selection of shops is a valuable addition to the shopping scene in South Africa. Last but not least, I want to mention that the christmas decoration is well done – modern South African style! Not bad – compliments to the decorator!
- Christmas decoration at Sandton City
Although I’m already spending my 7th pre-christmas season in South Africa, I still have to get used to inverted conditions: hot, summer, parties, braais. It somehow messes with your system just like a jet lag does. Being raised in the northern hemisphere, pre-christmas time is indoor-time, family-time, fireplace-time and most of all: Christmas market and Gluehwein-time! This is something I really miss. How nice would it be to have christmas market huts all over Nelson Mandela Square, right under the Baobab tree??? Maybe not serving Gluehwein, but what about Icewein???
Proudly German #3… Palatinate Wine Selection
Quite recently I was part of a dinner party when the topic turned to wines. As the dinner party was hosted in South Africa the conversation was mainly about South African wines, then a bit about Spanish reds and on to Californian blends. I kept quiet and just listened.. listened to want-to-be sommeliers and just-for-fun wine-lovers. Maybe because I didn’t really partake in the conversation someone just wanted to be polite and involve me, or whatever the reason might have been, I was asked which kind of wine I’d prefer. I would have probably answered something in the line of: “a Merlot, Kleine Zalze, 2006 was a pretty good year”… not really interested in the conversation anyway and happy to have given a sociably acceptable answer. BUT.. Continue reading “Proudly German #3… Palatinate Wine Selection”
I Hate Packing
If someone had to ask my close friends what I really can’t stand, the answer would be homogeneously: “packing!!” I have probably mentioned it hundred of times in various conversations. To put some more emphasis on it, I want to shout out loud again.. I HATE PACKING!
Today I am busy packing for 3 upcoming business trips. All happening within the next 10 days…, Continue reading “I Hate Packing”
On my wishlist: Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik in Croatia is definitely in the top 10 on my must-see-places wishlist.
Since my job is to market an airline, I am constantly on the look-out for great opportunities to increase brand awareness. The last one that came up was to partner with a South African lifestyle TV show and to sponsor the flights to its travel feature destination. Pity, I wasn’t able to join the TV crew…
Here is a preview of tomorrow’s show.
The long-distance thing
I’m not sure about you, but I get to know more and more couples practising the long-distance kind of relationship. This made me think and the result of my week-long thinking process was quite surprising to myself: I actually think it is possible! Maybe it is not that surprising after all, since I am on the move all the time. Nevertheless, I’ll even go further and say that it might be the better way of executing a relationship… well at least for me and the way I am thinking at the moment (but as we all know life is work in progress and attitudes can change). Coming out of a relationship in which we have been too close (distance wise not necessarily emotionally) this might be quite a refreshing alternative to try. And here is why I think it might actually work:
Why it might work 1: a small world
In a world of the world wide web, emails, Skype, tablets, iPhones and what not it is reasonable easy to maintain a long distance relationship. Everyone knows the fun that comes along at the beginning of reach relationship when couples still send cute messages to each other, telling each other “I miss you” in a message or at the end of a call (because they haven’t seen each for more than 5 hours). So why not prolonging this phase for a little longer? Technology can make us feel only a few miles away while in reality it is hundreds or even thousands. Someone told me recently that she hasn’t been to her new boyfriend’s house yet as he lives a few hours away and he usually visits her, so they were skyping and he gave her a virtual tour though his house. Once you are tired of being able to talk but not able to touch, you quickly book your next flight and off you go. Even that has become so easy and relatively inexpensive.
Why it might work 2: excitement
Despite the saying that a couple spending time apart is a couple in trouble, I think it can very well work out the opposite way. Nothing probably kills romance more than living on top of each other most of the time (oh yes.. experience is speaking). On top comes the excitement of the travelling. Each visit feels like a weekend away, you make it special! Oh and this reminds me of another advantage: you can let your hair grow in the time between and have it waxed just before you go! Great!
Why it might work 3: Independence
Especially when both parties are pursuing a career, a long distance relationship might have its advantages.. no one at home who is nagging about office hours, even if you spend half the night there you won’t be accused of infidelity. No obligations in terms of household duties, like filling the fridge or cooking.. sounds relatively manageble to me.
Last but not least:
A long distance relationship is surely nothing that you want to keep up forever but I don’t see a problem in starting the relationship off like that. Of course, I won’t deny that there are also lots of cons but if both parties are committed then this definitely works out. Obviously it depends on the distance and surely not being spread over two continents with a possibly time difference makes it easier, too. Although even this might work. A prime example is my old flatmate from Germany who moved to India for her job and the love of her life is spending most of his time in the States (West coast to make it even worse; read: farther away). Perhaps, it is a new wave of attitude spreading through my generation: not necessarily seeing a relationship as a total symbiosis but whatever works best – even if it means jetsetting between two countries!
Next Stop: Angola
It looks like I’m about to visit my third African destination. Considering that I am living in Africa this is actually a shame. Whenever someone asks me how many countries I’ve already visited in Africa, I always say the same thing: “I think I will come back to Africa to explore once I live in Europe again because at the moment I spend all my holidays mostly in Europe, mainly to visit friends and family”.
So, this morning I received the news that my visa for Angola was ready!!! After just 2 days!!! Record time, I believe! All ready for my business trip to Luanda and my visit to my third African country end of this month – to make it sound even more shameful: Angola will be my second sub-Saharan country (I’ve been to Egypt, but for some odd and unexplainable reason Egypt isn’t typical African to me).
I have no idea what to expect and to be honest I am even a bit nervous. It’s for the first time ever in my life that I’m nervous before a trip. It feels like I am going to the REAL Africa. South Africa is in so many aspects comparable to a first world country (at least the parts of Jo’burg I live and work in – coming back to my mission to make Jo’burg look more favourable) that I don’t feel like I am in Africa most of the time.
So, watch this space to hear more about Luanda after my trip..
Greetings from Cape Town (which also feels more like Europe than Africa..)
A piece of Berlin in Jo’burg
I spent last night with a great bunch of people at 44 Stanley Avenue. Whenever I’m at 44 Stanley Ave I get reminded of how eclectic Jo’burg actually is and to give the non-Jo’burgers a hint of this city’s vibe, I decided to post something about Jo’burg’s best kept secret. I was introduced to 44 Stanley Ave more than 4 years ago when I first moved to Jozi and fell in love with this hidden away piece of city straight away.
What was once a refinery and a series of industrial buildings is now a relaxed “Hinterhof-Culure” with boutiques, restaurants and design studios. Looking at it from the outside it does not reveal what’s hidden behind its walls: artistic flair, a meeting point for Jo’burg’s intellectuals, a trendscout’s paradise. Sitting under olive trees and sipping your coffee or a freshly-squeezed ginger-apple-carrot juice (my favourite at Salvation Café) makes you wonder if you are actually still in Jo’burg. For me, being a German, it reminds me a lot of Berlin, for a Dutch it could well be Amsterdam, and then there are two lanes to play Boule, lined with beautiful rose bushes and lavender, that makes you feel ike you are somewhere in France.
At 44 Stanley you can find a complete different vibe compared to those in Sandton, Melrose or Rosebank (Jo’burg’s other suburbs I usually find myself at). Some might call it more alternative, some others more intellectual, others say it reminds them a bit of the laid-back Cape Townian look and feel – whatever it is, it attracts more and more visitors and I fear that sooner or later it won’t be a secret spot anymore… which again makes me wonder if it is a good thing to post this post??? (I guess if you read this, I couldn’t hold back..) But then again, I made it my mission to show non South Africans that Jo’burg is a much nicer place than what the media portrays..
Boutique Hotels and Hip Hideaways
What’s a blog that is talking about travelling without recommendations for the most beautiful hotels and hippest hideaways? That’s why I just have to share my favourite website with you: i-escape.com A hand-picked portfolio of beautiful boutique hotels, B&Bs and houses for rent, in some of the world’s most stunning locations.
This site is more than just an online booking engine – it’s inspiration, it’s motivation, it’s stimulation.
Isn’t planning your holiday part of the fun? The anticipation, the excitement, the “looking at the pictures and day dreaming” – for me, that is all part of a perfect holiday. Of course a perfect holiday can also consist of the unknown, the “go with the flow” and see where it takes you. Packing your bags and just leave to somewhere is most probably just as exciting as looking at pictures beforehand for a lot of people. Generally, I am not a spontaneous traveller. I need to plan, knowing where I’ll be staying and most importantly getting excited long before the actual departure date. That’s why this website is one of my favorite ones.
- Images courtesy of i-escape.com
Proudly German #2
My dear colleague pointed out an interesting article in the Business Travel Now magazine today. According to the magazine “German tourism is booming! The destination has announced a record-breaking 60,3 million overnight stays by international visitors last year and expects the upward trend to continue in 2011…Germany ranks 2nd amongst the world’s top 50 countries in terms of image“
The article also suggests a couple of scenic self-drive routes. Amongst others, my home-route!!! The German Wineroute.
It is fascinating how you start to discover your country once you live abroad. It makes me want to go on a holiday to Germany!
More scenic routes:
Romantic Road (www.romantischestrasse.de)
Alpine Route (www.deutsche-alpenstrasse.de)
Castle Road (www.burgenstrasse.de)
Proudly German
With shame I admit that there was a time when I wasn’t proud to be German. For generations my family has been of German heritage. We come from the southwest of Germany, close to the French border. There might have been times when the region my family comes from belonged to France and then to Germany again, then France fought back for it and so on until it became permanently German after WW2. The family history goes back to the 14thcentury, wow, we even have a family coat of arms (which hangs on a wall in my grandparents’ house and since we were kids my cousins and myself have asked ourselves why there is an elephant represented??? We haven’t figured it out yet!).
I became more conscious of my heritage after the 2006 FIFA World Cup which was held in Germany and left a rather positive image of Germans to the rest of the world. The more recent events of the Euro crisis and Germany being seen as the economic power house of Europe and possible saviour of the Euro made me even more proud of being able to call myself German. Also, my last few trips to Germany made me aware how beautiful this country actually is, how efficient everything works, how I identify myself with the social virtues and the values lived. Although I’d describe myself as a cosmopolitan, having lived in a few countries, deep down I am carrying stereotypical German values and morals, like being on-time, hard-working, pragmatic, conscientious, etc…
Experiencing this new sense of patriotism, I was deeply touched by an article I read in the lasted edition of the Time Magazine (Volume 178, No 13):
In the article the question comes up why Germany is so reluctant to take the lead? “The answer is rooted in history. German leaders’ attempts to control the country’s neighbours haven’t ended well, and Germans are wary of being seen as trying to dominate Europe diplomatically or economically even today… Yet, if anyone likes it or not, Germany is dominating Europe.” says the journalist.
Is our historical background the reason why I wasn’t proud be German for about half my life? Having lived in Saudi Arabia for 5 years where Nazi-Germany is still glorified, might explain why Germany’s history has always been very present to me. Something no sane German is proud of, I am certain. So, I am proud that my fellow countrymen and -women were able to revise the general perception of Germans during the 2006 World Cup. I hope that I am able to portray a friendly, nice, generous, funny image of the Germans to all the people I have met and to the friends I have made across the globe.
I don’t know where my future will take me to – maybe I’ll move back to Germany, maybe I’ll get posted to another country first, maybe I’ll get married to a man with another nationality and follow him into his home country.. no matter where I’ll be, I will always be proud of my German heritage and culture and will take it out there into the world!
(Vicky Cristina) Barcelona
I FINALLY managed to watch “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” last night. Thanks to a nasty cold that robbed me off my voice I decided to spend another Saturday night on my beloved couch and get a DVD. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (VCB) was high up on my list since I watched “Midnight in Paris” recently. Some might like it, some don’t, I do – Woody Allen’s virtual city guides covered by romantic love stories. Just like Midnight in Paris, VCB shows you the most famous sight-seeing spots of the respective city.
I love Barcelona! I love the Barri Gòtic with its gothic architecture, I love El Raval with its medieval character and I love Baceloneta with its baroque charm. I have spent the first 8 summers of my life in Barcelona. Then, after a long time of absence, I returned when I was in my twenties and since then I keep on coming back on a more or less regular basis.
My last visit to this city was somehow surreal and just like Vicky and Cristina I fell in love. Needless to say that just like Vicky’s or Cristina’s love story mine didn’t end with the happy end of a fairy tale either. Is it the influence of the likes of Picasso, Miro and Gaudi that shapes the way love goes in Barcelona? Thinking back, I realise that I already fell in love on the way to Barcelona in the plane (I can actually picture the exact moment). Not yet noticed by me back then, I was under the impression that it knocked me over at Parc Guell (Gaudi, another feature of Barcelona that makes it so unique compared to any other city). I finally melted away at the bar of the W. Where, in the spur of the moment and both of us already quite tipsy from all those Mojitos, I hear him say that he thinks he is falling in love with me. If he had only known that this had already happened to me (he would have probably not said anything at all ;)).
- W Barcelona
I have a feeling that the hotel we stayed in played its magical part, too. The baroque building with its pompous entrance hall, heavy curtains in the rooms and yet mixed with temporary furniture makes you feel you have entered another era. Centrally located, it is definitely a place to stay for lovers! Totally romantic!
When I watched VCB yesterday there was something Maria Elena said that just wouldn’t leave my mind throughout the night: “Only unfulfilled love can be romantic”. ..No matter how my story ended, this trip to Barcelona has been the most romantic trip of my life. I was never so happily in love before; I don’t want to miss those spontaneous kisses in the streets, spending the mornings in bed and the feeling of being in love in this magical city. Therefore I can truly say that it was definitely one of the best trips of my life!
My conclusion: I have only the fondest memories of this catalan city and I will definitely go back. Next time, I will visit my childhood love: Floquet de Neu (Snow Flake). He is the attraction of the Barcelona Zoo, a snow-white Gorilla. I remember nagging my parents every summer we were there to visit him in the zoo. I would like to know if he is actually still alive?
Confessions of a Traveler 