Tag Archives: adventure

Naturale Chronicles Goes To South Africa

Bucket List, Life, Travel, Wanderlust, , , , , , ,

O N E  D R O P

My favorite purchases from last year were my red Hershel dupe knapsack and my secondhand cafe-brown Levi jeans. Naturally, I brought them with me on my week-long vacation to South Africa last week. The cafe pants a great staple piece in my closet and were very comfy to walk around in through the city. My knapsack held all my essentials (passport, money, IDs, water bottle, sunscreen, etc) and allowed me to explore the city hands-free. I will let these two items tell the story of my trip to South Africa.

JOHANNESBURG (JO’BURG)

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When we first landed in Jo’Burg, the first thing I felt was how much I had missed the African sun kissing my skin.
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There was art and beauty around every corner.
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There was so much to do and see but most of the time, I was content to just sit still and be present.
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Every inch of the city paid homage to history’s greats.
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Each neighborhood reflected the interests of its eclectic residents.
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Depending on where you stood, and from who’s perspective you were looking from, the city looked completely different.
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Despite years of adversity, the African pride could not be smoldered. It was prominent in every space we entered.

 

CAPE TOWN

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A greeting is enough to spark a friendship
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The weather in Cape Town does as it pleases– sun one minute, wind the next.
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The streets were marked so that no one could erase their history.
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I could never take for granted the kindness of strangers (especially the ones letting me take pictures in front of their houses)
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I allowed myself to relax in my new surroundings
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I witnessed the nostalgic blend of the old and the new.
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I experienced the adage that “it’s not the destination, but the journey that changes us.”

Special thanks to Bonnie, our tour guide in Johannesburg from Curiocity Backpackers. Stay tuned for my part II of this post, giving more details about the places I went, things I did, and people I met in South Africa.

Have any of you traveled to South Africa? Leave me a link to your blog post below. I’d love to see what you saw!

(Photo cred: Jennifer Osias)

My 24th Birthday Week Lineup (April 29th-May 5th)

Events, Things to Do in Houston, Thought I'd Share, , , , , , , , , , ,

 

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Next week on May 2nd, I am turning 24 years old. I usually don’t make a huge fuss over my birthday but this is going to be my last birthday for a while in Houston. I need to spend it with the people I love, doing things I enjoy.

I am the type of person who loves birthdays but I spend most of my time planning for others and making sure people enjoy their birthdays that my own birthday often gets overlooks. This year, I’m not going to wait for someone to surprise me or throw me a party.

This year, I’m going to avoid those incredibly mundane birthday dinners. I’m using my extreme over-planning skills to plan myself the most epic birthday week I can think of. Why? Because I can finally admit to myself that I deserve it.

Here’s a peek at the schedule (below). Click on the picture for the Google Doc for the birthday week lineup. Yes, it’s that serious.

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The document will be updated periodically, with times, prices and locations in the document.

If you’d like to see new places in Houston, feel free to come with us. All you need to do is comment with an RSVP on the Google Doc. If you have any events you thing I should add, let me know!

** warning: when you see the Google doc, you’re going to think I’m anal retentive. I am, about certain things. I hope you enjoy my birthday as much as I do!