Toby“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” — Robert Louis Stevenson Sorry, Robert Stevenson, on two counts. First, […]
Tag: cape town
How I’m Overcoming the Tension of Teaching Storytelling in Africa
In my first workshop meeting, I share a TED Talk by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and she discusses how throughout history those in power—especially […]
When the World is in Chaos: Dance
“Yougottadance. Aslongasthemusicplays. Yougotta dance. Don’teventhinkwhy. Starttothink, yourfeetstop. Yourfeetstop, wegetstuck. Wegetstuck, you’restuck. Sodon’tpayanymind, nomatterhowdumb. Yougottakeepthestep. Yougottalimberup. Yougottaloosenwhatyoubolteddown. Yougottauseallyougot. Weknowyou’re tired, tiredandscared. Happenstoeveryone, okay? Justdon’tletyourfeetstop.” ― Haruki […]
White Spaces: Combatting Racism with Subtle Awareness
Late December, Sea Point, Cape Town The walls and tables are painted a matte black, with the name of the cafe written in white. The […]
Playing Tourist—Because, Penguins
More tourist-ing on the way to the Garden Route. Sometimes, it’s fun to play tourist in your own town—or, you know, any town.Funny, coming from […]
Cape Town Snapshots
Street art near Assembly, Cape Town. Are these snapshots I share so often an exercise in lassitude or creativity? I’ll admit I write them when […]
One Reason I Am in Love with Cape Town
South Africa—Cape Town included—is a complicated place. It is complex, fraught with tension and not particularly safe. It is fascinating, for this half-anthropologist, half-writer (and […]
Minibus Freedom: On Risk and Reward
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (well, kneel-up paddleboarding) in Smitswinkel Bay. “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t…” The sun beats down on my left […]
High Security
The view from my patio, Hout Bay, Cape Town. Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa “You need to watch that the gate closes to make […]