Happy Born Day Madiba & 18 Reasons to Visit South Africa

I long for another week of South African Summer. Two years seems like an eternity from my beach hopping, road tripping, party thumping trek across that beautiful nation. Today I attended the Congressional Celebration for the 95th Birthday of Nelson Mandela and was reminded of all the reasons why I want to go back and why South Africa should be at the top of your travel bucket list!

1. Deep House Music: If you're like me, the only African music you're familiar with in the US is likely from Nigeria or Ghana. And while I will "Ashowa" with the best of them there is a certain smoothness that comes with South African Deep House. Check out my favorite track by my friend Nutty Nys - "I've Been Waiting" and transport yourself to Durban this instant.

2. Township parties and BBQ:The last time I was in Johannesburg my friends were DJ'ing a party in a nearby township. This place was a literal hotbox of sweat and good tunes but the icing on the cake were the grilled meats right outside of the "club" (I use that loosely) - even the best halal chicken has nothing on this.

3. Civil Rights Flashbacks: South Africa is similar to the US in many ways, apartheid = segregation, youth led civil rights movement, etc. However, the one way they have diverged is in their use of the word "colored" - it happens all the time, among everyone although the usage is slightly different.

4. Rooftop Parties: It is easy to lose yourself and think you are in Brooklyn when in Johannesburg. Rooftop parties are always happening and with an eclectic mix of artsy folks are guaranteed good times.

5. Accents: A weird mix of British, Australian, and well "African" the South African accent is pretty distinct but awesomely lovely to listen to.

6. Poppin' Pino: South African wine is absolutely deeeeelish. Something about that climate makes these grapes go crazy. My favorites are a red regional grape called Pinotage and South African Gewurztraminer.

7. Roadtrips to Lesotho: I know you may be thinking that a country entirely within another country can't be that great - but you're wrong! Lesotho has three things going for it...skiing, sausages with french fries on top, and funny semi-asian looking hats.

8. Big Ass Lions: While I hope you spend most of your days with actual people, one cannot escape the magic of Kruger National Park. Don your linens and cap - you're headed on a safari!

9. Florida Rd.: Looking for a strip that feels like a mix of spring break and a Diddy video? Stroll along Florida Rd. in Durban and you'll get the best of both worlds, and maybe a good bite to eat. Need a night to soak it in? Stay at the Quarters Hotel - four Victorian homes converted to a place to rest your head.

10. Xhosa Lessons: Unfortunately many an African stereotype tried to mimic the clicking sound of the Xhosa people. See the real deal and learn about the important heritage of the Xhosa people along a backdrop of dolphins, golf resorts, and horseback riding.

11. Re-create the Dance Scene in Sarafina: Visit Soweto, the most famous township in all of South Africa and feel the spirit of the uprising there. If you visit during the warmer months, be sure to stop at a local shebeen for a cool refreshment.

 

12. The African Rodeo Drive: The Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre will quickly remind you that there is MONEY in Africa. From Louis Vuitton to other retailers the shop smells of extravagance.

13. Stars: Yes you can see stars from anywhere in the world but none are quite like the ones in the Southern Hemisphere. Unless you're planning an antarctic trek, this is as south as it gets and it is beautiful. On a clear night it looks like you can actually touch the stars.

14. Bunny Chow: No trip to Durban is complete without this famous curry. Get it in lamb for the best, most authentic taste and have a sample of the cities Indian heritage in your mouth!

15. World Cup: I know that the days of the first FIFA in Africa seem long gone but the vestiges are certainly ever lasting. New, world class football stadiums dot cities across the country and let you indulge in the world's most famous sport up close and personal.

16. South African Airways: A member of the Star Alliance, SAA will feed you even on domestic flights under an hour. Beyond that perk, you get the benefits of a global airline with direct flights to the US and some local flavor.

17. The Radisson Blu Rooftop Pool: Located in Sandton, one of Johannesburg's most swanky neighborhood's this rooftop pool is open all night. Trust me, I know from experience what kind of fun this pool and a few cocktails bring.

18. It is the birthplace of Madiba - that actually is enough:)

Weekend Shenanigans: Palaces & Hipster Hangouts

Finally a free weekend in India! On my fifth trip to the country I committed to exploring Delhi beyond the tourist spots and getting OUT of the city for at least one full day. Friday night I caught up with my friend Aneesha and her colleague Surabi and ventured into Hauz Khas, the artsy, hipster, designer district in South Delhi. Aneesha suggested Tibetan food which I must say I knew little about, in my head I thought that I would clearly need to eat again as I pictured some highly evolved monk's diet arriving to the table. Boy was I wrong!!! Yeti had an endless menu, a dope bar, and some weird hiking gone wrong movie playing on the flat screens. Beyond the last detail the food was phenomenal. There are tons of after-dinner haunts in India's version of SoHo, we opted for Amour a rooftop patio lounge with great drinks and desserts. After indulging on a chocolate lava cake and a bailey's martini I thought "If this is Delhi Belly I'll have it every time!" After drinks the girls were a bit worn out, but jetlag on my side. We'd found a poster for a reggae/dubstep night in nearby Sajat market and I headed there. Zook, the nightclub was dope it definitely is for the non-mainstream crowd introducing me to "reggae rajahs" and Indian men with Jamaican accents. DJ's came in from the UK and France and there's a wall of hip-hop/alternative megastars that greets you at the door. I ended up staying until the place closed with a newly acquired friend from Cameroon by way of Germany (more on this in another post, wink wink).

Saturday began with "Zangoora" a mixed, medium musical showing at "Kingdom of Dreams", India's version of Broadway. It was sensory overload in every good sense of the phrase. The dances and music, especially the Punjabi inspired rhythms were phenomenal. Beyond that there was an interesting amount of mixed theatre and film being used, paired with the fact that all the songs were lip-synced (with fervor though!) it amounted to an entertaining if not weird experience at some points:) That evening we ventured out to Agni, the nightclub/restaurant at The Park New Delhi Boutique Hotel. This is where Delhi's hip fashionistas come to play. The DJ's plays a mix of hip hop, pop, electronic, and Indian tunes - I would put these dudes on tour any day. The Park also has a poolside bar called "Aqua" where you can do hookah and have cocktails as well. Aneesha and I outdid ourselves quickly befriending a group of Punjabi fellas, a hot British guy, and the DJ's too. If you're ever in Delhi on a Saturday night - get here! Be mindful, the party doesn't really get started until about 11:30PM and they can be a little picky at the door so have some rupees ready.

Opening Scene @ Zangoora

Leaving the club at 5:30AM you wouldn't have known that we were departing at 6 for Jaipur. But alas, I committed to getting out of the city so we quickly showered and hopped in our taxi for the day. A driver and car cost about 4,000 rupees (less than 100 bucks!) and gets you a decent, comfortable sedan and efficient service (w/ a few prods now and then). We headed out closer to 7am and reached Jaipur at about 11.Our first stop was the Amber Fort where we were greeted by some amazingly ornate elephants. Apparently there is an elephant "lodge" of sorts near the fort where the cities elephants are kept, we arrived at the beginning of their workday.

The driver insisted that we ride the elephant to the top of the fort, however elephants move just about as fast as a giant snail and at 102 degrees, my friend and I quickly opted out. We drove around the back of the palace and were amazed by even the scenery itself. Jaipur, also known as the "pink city", is surrounded by an amazing landscape of mountains, lakes, and beautiful earth tones. The state of Rajasthan translates to place of the kings and is dotted with the palaces and forts of India's pre-colonial empires.

Aneesha and I at the entrance to Amber Fort

The fort was AMAZING! I found myself daydreaming about life in a palace filled with jeweled inset walls, beautiful arches, and 3 public "entertainment" spaces. Here are some of my fave photos from the fort.

One could easily spend a full day exploring the nooks and crannies of the fort but with long work days ahead of us, Aneesha and I headed into "downtown" Jaipur to visit vegetarian/vegan hangout "LMB". A moonlighting "meatatarian" I was skeptical at first. A shopkeeper at the fort insisted we eat at the onsite restaurant for "1600 rupees" only (cue WTF face) but I went with Aneesha's advice and was not dissapointed. The place has a really chill vibe, there's a formal sit down restaurant side where we ate and a sweets and snacks shop that has an eggless bakery. Rajasthani cuisine is flavor-packed, cooked with all sorts of oils and gravies, these are not salad veggies. We went for the kidney beans, rice, mushrooms, peas, and gravy along with some mint naan. I think I just got hungry thinking about this. The service was excellent, they even accommodated my random craving for Atlanta style sweet tea!

Bellies full, we explored the surrounding market and I purchased more bangles than I care to admit here! We even caught a glimpse of the Hawa Mahal "Palace of the Breezes" where the special design allows wind to move through in specific patterns.

I've got a few more days left here until I takeoff for London. Happy Monday Good People!!!

A Taste of Nawlin's in Mexico City

My friends that have travelled to NOLA always scoff at the fact that I’ve never been. “You of all people should have been to New Orleans by now!” is the oft heard remark. Considering that the city is known for both rich culture and history, but also binge drinking and bare breasts I’m not sure which characterization they identify with me but I’ll go out on a whim and choose the former.

After 7 weeks of trotting across the pond and back again, I am finally home in D.F. (Districto Federal, the local name for Mexico City). I was well overdue for a girls night with my favorite chicas here. Not yet ready to dive head first into la comida Mexicana, I opted for more familiar fare in La Condesa. Zydeco has been on my list for some time, it's next to my favorite pub here and features creole and cajun cuisine.

We decided to order food conducive to rounding out the amazing Hurricanes and Martinis we started out with. I must say, I was skeptical of getting cafish fingers and crabcakes in a landlocked city that doesn’t eat this in the first place. The crabcakes left a lot to be desired…too much salsa picante, not enough crab, but the CATFISH?!?!?!?!?! I’m not sure who was in the kitchen mixing up that cornmeal coating but they were the BOMB.com! Add a little touch of Valentina (best hot sauce in the world) and you are in fried food heaven. We also ordered a side of Cajun fries which were also pretty tasty.

The music was interesting if not always good. The momemt we sat down they started a run of hip-hop mixes (rare for DF) the first of which was Jay-Z's "Who You Wit" over the "I Got 5 On It" beat - random.com but I appreciate Hov at all times. From 90's rock to 80's pop, by the end of the night they were playing TLC's "Ain't Too Proud 2 Beg" as the live band warmed up. Mexico City never ceases to amaze me.

Good drinks flowing, and bellies full, my British and French counterparts were more than satisfied with their new culinary adventure. I opted to fill them in on the heritage behind the food of the big easy and regional/cultural American food traditions while we were at it. 

Zydeco is definitely at the top of my pre-gaming hotspots list. Right on Tamaulipas in the heart of La Condesa you should add it to your list of places to visit if you’re ever among chilangos (after you hit me up of course).

Ciao!