SLOW

Una vida mejor es posible

 

 

If you can walk you can dance;

if you can talk you can sing

– Zimbabwe

 

 

Today we’re on a go slow and I have a bit of time to reflect.

Over the last 17 years we have lived in Zambia, Japan, U.K, U.A.E, Kenya, Indonesia and South Africa. I would never be without these years of experiences; the people we have met along the way and all the travelling in the regions of the world where our work took us.

We’re both glad that we didn’t stay in our home country, though without doubt, that would have been the easier option. And I’m forever thankful that this journey brought us to southern Africa, where we have been able to make a home in the most beautiful city in the world, Cape Town.

About a year ago I started this site and this blog. I was inspired to start by a few good people but especially by an old, Zimbabwean lady who used to do our airport transfers to and from CPT airport. Every time we met, we would all chat ten to the dozen, exchanging ”Africa tales’ and she would always say “you people need to write about your travels”. Some years later, I began.

For anyone out there who has created a website or written blog posts, you will know what I mean when I talk about the nerves before you publish for the first time. Have you done something similar?

I wrote the ‘Mother City Time’ piece, the first blog post, in October 2017. It took me a few weeks of revisions before I finally hit the ‘go live’ button. In that moment, you half expect some kind of tiny explosion. Of course there was none.

But that was also the exciting thing. After 13 years of working in media industries and 17 years of working in media education, I welcomed the challenge to try something completely new. It was time to bite the bullet and go for it.

There were many reactions, from friends and strangers who bothered to read, like and comment on posts, and this has continued over the past year.

There are a lot of spectators out there in social media, which I will never quite understand; those who observe but never interact. They live carefully behind their screens, silently sharing others’ words, never revealing their thoughts on anything.

That’s weird, right? Kind of anti-social. On social media.

Thankfully lots of you use these platforms to share your feelings and experiences and to all of you I say thank you for joining in the Mother City Time conversation. I have learned things about people who I have known for years. And I’ve come know complete strangers too. All through this little blog.

I was chatting with a friend recently, who was saying how social media can bring more of the right people into your life. Over the last year, I’ve connected with many like-minded people; others who value experiences over stuff, people not defined by money or so called status and many fascinating nomadic souls living simply. My friend summed it up perfectly, when she said, “you can certainly find your tribe online”.

Mother City Time is a year old. It was the beginning of a time of big life changes. We’ve had some fantastic people in our corner, encouraging us, so thanks to you too. And if the last year has reminded me of anything it’s this; una vida mejor es posible. A better life is possible. Just have the guts to go for it.

We can all try new things, develop new skills, branch out in other areas. “If you can walk you can dance; if you can talk you can sing”. We can all do more and be more if we choose to. Which dreams do you want to pursue?

We have finally been able to fully embrace SLOW living in this spectacular corner of Africa. Life revolves around the big outdoors, lekker food, and fine, Western Cape wine. We are happy to welcome visitors at MAGPIE, our vacation rental here on the Cape Peninsula. And of course, we live to travel.

The blog will continue to focus on Food, Travel and all things SLOW.

Thanks to all of you who have been following Mother City Time on the FB page or on Instagram. Keep enjoying! And lets keep talking!

What new thing do you want to try?

 

 

©Maggie M /Mother City Time