Hanging Upside Down

Firstly, I must apologise whole heartedly for being so sincerely crap at this. Here's hoping for a better blog writing track record from now on.

So - I am officially installed in my new roost, hanging upside down in the southern hemishere.

I have been in Cape Town for a sum total of 3.5 months already, which seems to have gone excruciatingly fast. During this time I have moved twice, had one boyfriend to visit, reacquainted myself with the nuances of African life and discovered many a good place to consume beverages and satisfy my eager stomach.

The last few months of life in Cape Town have probably been like no other in its history. I personally feel very lucky to have been part of it.The 2010 World Cup, it has to be said, went off with a figurative and literal bang. Many, including me, harboured a slight sense of scepticism as to how the country would cope with such a high profile event. But they did it, and with some flair. Sure, there were a few hicups here and there.. But, if anything the event has buoyed the country with a sense of renewed unity - something that probably hasn't been felt since the release of Mandela in '94. I have one thing to be thankful for in that since the end of the World Cup I have not heard one single Vuvuzela blow. I think even the 'Safricans' have reached saturation point.

The visit of the boyfriend, lasted a wonderful 3.5 weeks - but I could have blinked and missed it.The event provided a sneaky way for me to satisfy the inner tourist in me (it becomes acceptable to ooh and ahhh and point your camera into every orifice once you have a visitor..? right. I have to say it - Cape Town is utterly gorgeous. I used to live in Johannesburg, where the Cape Tonians would be forever mocked for their relaxed approach to life (as a rule: you see a CA number plate, you hoot - because they will inevitably be going to slow). Its true. There are three reasons why this is the case. Mountains( more than you can shake a stick at), sea (a big blue one) and wine, everywhere you look, fabulous wines and wine estates. Not the crap stuff they sell in the UK, the real good stuff.

One of the standard touristy activities when in Cape Town is to visit table mountain, the imposing plateau'd mountain that defines Cape Town. The boy and I decided to walk to the top rather than catch the cable car with the hoardes. Even with the desperate panting and the searing heat (yes searing heat in winter), it was truly awe inspiring. The natural fynbos vegetation, which defines the biome distinct to this part of the world, offers so much for the biologists eye to explore. The boy complained that it smells a little of stinky feet, but I kind of like it. The hike was topped off by the most satisfying view from the top, and accompanied by a celebratory beer.

OK that's all for now - there are so many places, people and things that I find interesting and beautiful that I want to share on here. So, watch this space.

A Tribute

I am going to write this post in tribute to two very special people - Oriana and Dave.

After completing university in Edinburgh and returning to the states, Ori and Dave, along with their two (it has to be said - absolutely gigantic dogs) began plotting their next adventure, in a Vermont farmhouse far far away...

When A letter popped through the post, and in it a little business card reading ''CDT Trek'', I thought I had an idea what had been brewing all these months. One check of the website, and , suspicions confirmed. Ori and Dave were going to trek to entire US continental divide trail, for Charity.

This awe-insipiring trek will involve hiking over 3,100 Miles (that's five times the length of the UK to put things in perspective) from the Mexican to the Canadian border, over rugged and mountainous terrain with little more than a tent in hand. During this time, they will have to endure all weather, from probable snow storms in Colorado, to searing summer heat in the latter stages of the trek, due to finish in August. The pair will cross the borders of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Only a handful of people complete this epic trip each year.






As much as as this feat will be a huge personal achievement for both Oriana and Dave, you have to admire their commitment to the Environmental cause - all profits from donations will go to Environment North West (ENE), a charity which seeks to raise awareness for large scale environmental issues facing the region.

Speaking to Ori about her impending adventure has reminded me that really, nothing is impossible. We've only got one of these things called life, and we've all got dreams of adventures, however big or small. So just go and do it already. I wish them all the best and most wonderful times.

If anybody is out there - take a look at the website. It will be updated along the way with picutes and news. There is a particularly wonderful video of the giant dogs fully kitted out in doggy hiking boots and doggy backpacks.

Check out the website...Donate if you would like to help, $5 a mile.. And, If you can, join them along the way! I know I would if I could.

www.CDTTrek.com

''Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go'' TS Elliot

Hello World!

This is my first ever posting on my first ever blog - and this page does seem very blank...

but ''onwards and upwards'' as my dear Nan would say in that very old fashioned stiff upper lip englishey kind of way.

I guess a good place to start is to let you know who I am. I'm Kirsten, a twenty-something, with a passion for pretty things, and pretty places and a the environment in which we exist. I currently live in Edinburgh, UK, but will soon be relocating to Cape Town, South Africa.

I hope that this will provide me with an outlet to my thoughts and feelings along the way - however mushy that is. Someone to talk to when i'm temporarily friendless in a new city?

So..let's see where this takes us!