Blowing in the wind
Did I tell you that I love wind? Did I tell you that September is my favourite month of the year? Do you know why? Because it reminds me that I belong close to mountains and ocean. Today there was almost a hint of ocean in the city air. I closed my eyes and thought of the winter walks along Sea Point. The feeling when the ocean crashes against the shore line casting a spray of water up the boardwalk. Oh, and the salty smell. I wish I could hold the air in my lungs forever.
It reminds me of when I was little. My dad lived on the west coast in a small house he rented on a man’s farm. One Christmas my dad had caught a lobster. I pat its jagged back and sealed claws before we boiled it alive. Today its shell is pinned on a board hanging on my dad’s living room wall. Speaking of my dad he is here in Stockholm visiting this weekend and yesterday me, him and twelve friends from the Cape Town crew met up for dinner.
The Lebanese restaurant had the best meze buffet ever: halloumi, hoummos, pita bread, tabbouli, falafel, olives, spinach pastry thingy, garlic marinated tiger prawns, couscous and God knows what…it was so good I made sounds with every bite. What was more fantastic was that my friend Paul from South Africa also is visiting for the weekend. The evening before we were at an outdoor terrace with rain pouring down the roof top and an African band playing inside. Then there was reggae. So much for showing him Sweden.
This weekend is all about friends and family. It just so happens that my brother, one year older than me, and my sister, nine years younger, also are in town. Think I’ll take them to Vinterviken tomorrow and the garden café where I’ve become somewhat of a regular.
My status of living is that I sleep on Ida’s couch in Solna. I wasn’t that familiar with the northern parts of the city and had no idea that the subway, the commuter trains and the buses all run from different places. I’ve been late for work every day. What’s even funnier is that I went down the wrong subway last week when I was still living with Sophie. I stood there for a minute before I realized: I’m not on the red line anymore! With a slightly embarrassed smile I shook my head to this whole situation, and changed to the green line.
It is definitely fall. My last swim for the season was at a friend’s summer house in the archipelago. At 5.45 in the morning when everyone else was still snoozing the beer off I saw the sun rise from the cliffs and said goodbye to the summer and a thanks, no matter how strange it all turned out.
I still don’t understand a God damn thing. Maybe I never will.
Maybe the answer
is blowing
in the wind…
wow.. det är verkligen så.. spetember är någonting alldeles specillt! Jag älskar hösten med! Längtar efter alla färger och lövhögar som man bara måste hoppa lite i.. och havet.. jag förstår dig precis! När det luktar hav.. då e jag hemma.. då får mitt hjärta vingar! 🙂
Ha en fin vecka! /Anna
WOW, so many thoughts this overcast morning in the Northeastern US when I read your post…………. the air here is damp, a bit of a chill, and when I was walking our doggies this morning, I was deeply reminded of walking by the ocean when vacationing; the dampness and cool air; the breeze that comes off of the water…….I hungered for it deeply.
I also have sensed the ending of summer and fall right behind; we already have leaves changing color here; I guess the seasons run much the same there for you?
And, this weekend has been all about family for our little family of three. Extended family, friends of family, gatherings of food, love, drink and connection. Absolutely incredible; life is indeed good.
And, I really think that I only have to have the answers that I need for today, because tomorrow will bring its own set of questions…….why skip ahead to the next chapter????
Always a pleasure…… Vanessa
WOW on you too Vanessa!! Your gratitude post today BLEW me away like the wind that I love so much! 🙂 THANK YOU for reminding me to be IN the moment, to feel each breath, to push harder even when it feels like my lungs are about to burst, even when it hurts…
The answers will be revealed as the story continues, but for today, this is all I know; Life is good and I choose to see it that way!
Smiles,
Helen
http://vanessaleighsblog.wordpress.com