Photo by Cooper Browning

While spending several months in South Africa, I had the most amazing oppurtunity to help a very special organization.  The organizations name speaks for itself “Siyanakekela,” Zulu for “We Care.”  Located in the heart of the Umlazi township on the East Coast of Durban, South Africa, the small yet significant organization raises through crime and poverty to aid the hunger of Aids/HIV inflicted children. 

Working closely with Cooper Browning, an American amassador of goodwill for the organization, I had the chance to experience the hardships and triumphs of such a remarkable foundation.  Browning, a US student with independant studies of Nutrition and Aids/HIV, discovered the organization while persuing her degree at Global College.  She worked alongside the organization for 4 months. In her quest to expand the organization’ s mission to relieve hunger, upon her return to America, shes has since brought the cause to international attention. 

Browning will soon work to develope a US non-profit oragnization that will aid Siyanakekela and her sister organizations.  The Spirrs Team will work closely with its progress. We are proud supporters of Siyanakekela and Cooper Browning in their efforts to end hunger amoung the growing Aids Orphans population in Umlazi, South Africa. 

Please stayed tuned for more posted on the developing organization and my life changing experince.

For more information on Siyanakekela click here.

Now, one of South Africa’s most popular snacks is something called Biltong.  If you don’t know what Biltong is, here is a beautifully depicted story of Biltong.  Much like beef jerky here in America, it is enjoyed by many through the country.  My personal favorite is the Ostrich Biltong.  And if your up for a more gamey taste, try the Spring Bok.  You’ll get the “essense” of South Africa.

These photo were taken in the famous Gateway Shopping Mall in Umhlanga, Durban.  Please note: You can get Biltong anywhere in SA…I mean anywhere. Also, just as a precaution. If you fell in love with the delicacy as I did, and you decide that it would be the perfect gift for friends and family back here, just be sure not to tell customs on your return trip to the states.  U.S. Customs regulations aren’t too found of foreign cured meats entering the country.  But I’ll tell you what…I know a couple Custom Agents who don’t know much about South Africa, and they LOVE Biltong.

Cheers!

You walk away a lot cleaner when you bath in the daytime anyway. Durban Beach.

This photo was capturedd on the boardwalk of durban beach.  Truely amazing how the the country’s sport can be so outwardly banned.  Perhaps its good intentions are reserved for “player safety.” I mean who doesn’t hate them damn “dogs fouling” ya!?

If you’re ever in Durban, take a stroll down Morningside’s Posh up-scale strip that offers fine dining, trendy bars, and extravagant night life. Florida Road will be the first place people will tell you to go, in order to ease take your mind off the settling crime around what used to be Durbans “go-out” central.  I would say Morningside would be your safer bet to experience night life your first time around the Durban city.

Check out the 8 or 9 block strip, and find practically any cuisine, hop from pub to bar and fine a scene for just any occasion, and ‘crawl’ from lounge to club finding the right music for your type of night.  I happen to find Florida Road quite interesting, large variety of places and best of all everything is in walking distance. 

A good example of the “look and feel” of Florida Road is captured in the photos above.  During the day time, you can take a stroll up and down Florida Road and notice the fascinating architecture. Amongst the double story house dressed with magnificent second story porches, you’ll find interesting restaurant, coffee shops, and pubs. As the sun goes down, the lights emerge and the growing vibe of the eateries, bars, lounges and club become more effervescent.  It seems as though crowds pool around local hot spots and all within close proximity. 

 Florida Road- Be ready for the super trendy, upscale, posh, New York elites attitude the seemingly shies many from stepping foot onto Florida Road.  The strict dress code, along with the often comparatively hefty price for a night out in town, have made Florida Road a less popular place for a lot of locals.  But i can say from my own experience, growing up in NYC…there will always be place like that.  Your best bet for any where you go: Get a feel for the local area, ask about dress code and price of drinks or entrance fees.  If it sound OK, try it. If not, then, maybe next time.

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Cheers! More to come with each bloody place on Florida where I spent many mornings watching the sun rise.

Stay tuned. And Please, share an interesting story about your experince on Florida.

After 4 months since arriving in Durban, South Africa we can finally see a crucial part of the iconic stadium set in its proper place.  Again, this photo taken just outside of where we lived only several blocks from Durban Stadium.  When we first arrived, only a glimpes of what to come was identifiable.  Now, the symbolic keystone sets the tone of a controversial buiding process of South Africa’s World Cup 2010 stadiums across the country, and makes a strong statement about South Africa’s rebuilding and reconstruction of a nation.

There has been a lot of speculation and talk about whether or not South Africa can pull together to complete the anticipated constructions, along with deconstructing the necessary social and political strongholds that cripple a great nation from progress. Current issues of concern include crime, unemployment and poverty to name just a few.  Will South Africa be ready? Are they ready to host a safe and prosperous World Cup?

What these stadiums represent is far from just a pitch that host one of the greatest games on earth, it does not just signify a host country’s new accessories to a world event, for South Africa, it symbolizes great political and social change that has potentials of setting a New South Africa on a different path.  Whether hopes and dreams can manifested immediately is yet to be seem, but one thing is for sure it shall be inevitable, because at the very least what the 2010 World Cup will ultimately epitomize is one world coming together.

Check out Livin’ in Durbs for more on where I stayed in South Africa.

Or Go to the South Africa section to learn all about what 2010′s host country has to offer. From things to do, living there, culture and language, food and drink, getting there and much more.

Cheers!