Durban Beaches
The COVID numbers here are going down, but whether they will stay down is the question!
But it does feel different this time, or maybe it’s just me.
The last few weeks have been really difficult. Fighting off the feelings of being stuck, the isolation as friends retreated, the ineffective vaccine rollout and…what I realize is lack of anything creative in my life. For that, of course, I only have myself to blame.
I’ve filled my time with things that have to be done. The underwear site needs daily attention; Woza Moya doesn’t put pressure on me to do the photos and listings, I’m very good at doing that myself! But doing these mundane activities uses up time so the days go by, blending into each other so the only way I know what day it is, is by looking at my phone!
I don’t think I’m alone in feeling so unmotivated and dull; I’ve read about and heard of others feeling just smothered in these uncomfortable and energy-sapping feelings. And even acknowledging them doesn’t really help, just spreads a layer of guilt, heavy on the “shoulds” as in I should be doing this or that!
The bluff protecting the harbor entrance
But with the lifting of the latest lockdown measures, i.e. the beaches and parks are open and liquor no longer banned, I’m starting to feel more motivated. The beach this week was spectacular and Susy and I went for a walk, actually on the sand not just on the Promenade, paddling in the waves, which was so restorative! Next time, I want to swim as the water is really warm.
And just being able to meet friends for a meal and glass of wine, out on the beachfront, really brightened my outlook.
Then an email from one of my ex-editors at a magazine where I used to contribute contacted me about a sailing article I had written. Although it’s not being re-published (too close to the original publication date in a competing publication) it got me thinking about the lack of creativity in my life. I have reams of material I’ve written over the years which could be a book (or two) but there are so many memories that I don’t want to have to relive, so resist going there.
My lineup before the lockdown
Then I thought - OK, no cruising possibilities around here but the distilleries are opening up and I love visiting them and photographing the Rube Goldberg-style machinery and stills. The people who run these small distilleries are always so interesting and different, which makes the interviews fascinating. I’ve pitched a local publication to do a - probably/hopefully - monthly column and will have to see if they show any interest. It’s an industry that has really struggled (and is still struggling) through the pandemic and it would be great to be able to give them exposure.
But even if the publication doesn’t go for it, I am planning on picking up where I left off last year. There are so many new distilleries coming online, I think and hope it will keep me busy and engaged!
The first distillery I want to go to is in Durban and their gin is one of the first I checked out when I got here 16 months ago! And then I’ll figure out the next ones to visit, which will entail some travel, something I am really missing!
So there you have it…the country hopefully moving in the right direction and me, along with it.
