To say that the week after our return home had been busy would be a bit of an understatement. Despite an overwhelming inbox (still not sorted), impossible deadlines, loadshedding, a book that needed to be sent to the printers and a funding application, I somehow managed to survive.
On Saturday, I even managed to finish reading a book, visit a dear friend for lunch and enjoy the magnificent ‘Meditative Guided Evening with Site-specific Readings, Dance and Music’ at the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden (a marvel in itself). Kirstin Wilson, John Maytham, Walter van Dyk and Anthony Marwood performed in the garden and it was soul-restoring, all the arts – nature, landscaping, sculpture, dance, literature and music – coming together to enchant the audience. Simply wonderful!
Sunday was household day: I continued with the excavations and cleaned parts of the house that needed it urgently. I am now sharing my home with two people (my lovely house guest and my love) until the end of March/beginning of April, so we need to keep some order to make sure that everyone is comfortable and happy. In the evening, I braaied for my love and a friend.
Today, I continued with the writing. Our writing group has multiplied. We started with two and now we are four. It’s fantastic. My manuscript is growing and every week I feel more and more confident about it, although it is not without its challenges – the ancient question of whose story is it and which parts of it am I allowed to tell … I don’t have answers, but I have enough experience to know what to do in order to safeguard myself against the pitfalls of writing such a story. I hope.
I was allowed my booster after the 23rd of February, when we were already travelling, so I could only attend to it after our return, i.e. today effectively, because last week had been insanely packed with commitments of all sorts. But this afternoon, I went to a pharmacy nearby and they were great about the whole thing. Did not see the needle, nor feel any pain, and now, a few hours afterwards, I feel perfectly normal. No side-effects whatsoever. Yet? Let’s see.
I am happy to be home. Super-happy to have had the booster shot of Pfizer.
Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local. Get vaccinated, please. Live.
“Physical distancing remains one of the key strategies to curb this pandemic.”
LitNet: You were a refugee, fleeing from an oppressive regime. Please share with us what those thousands of women and children who are now seeking refuge must feel like?
Karina Szczurek: I was a child when my parents decided to flee Poland in the 1980s. My brother was six and I was ten at the time. It was very difficult to comprehend what was happening to us, but at least we were secure in the knowledge that our parents were with us at all times and would take care of us, no matter what. Our lives were never in danger. Watching Ukrainian parents evacuate their children to safety while staying behind to fight for their future breaks my heart. I cannot imagine the levels of anxiety and distress this kind of separation causes for a family. These people will never fully recover from this, even if they survive.
LitNet: Do you know Ukraine at all?
Karina Szczurek: A little bit. I spent three weeks in the beautiful Lviv on a student exchange in 1997. We also travelled outside this historic city. It was a formative experience. During these three weeks, I experienced for the first time the real closeness of the two languages – Polish and Ukrainian – met Charlotte, who remains a very dear friend, and discovered my love for opera and ballet at the stunning Ivan Franko Lviv State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet (renamed since then). I specifically remember how friendly and welcoming everyone I met there was, and I will never forget their delicious black bread (I couldn’t get enough of it).
Keith Gottschalk’s poem “As the sun sets” ends with the following lines: “as the sun sets/ the astronomers eat breakfast,/ set off, start work.” It is one of the first poems in his recent collection, Cosmonauts do it in heaven. The few simple phrases read like an invitation to follow not only the astronomers, but also the poet, into the night sky in order to accompany the author on his quest to honour the scientists who, throughout the ages, have observed and studied the stars above us, as well as to expose the challenges and prosecutions they have faced along their paths to understanding …
After two years of lockdown, computer screens and impossible longing, I finally got to see and hug my family – on Mahé, of all places! My love had to travel there for work and The Family Island Reunion became part of the trip. To have the three people I love most in the world in one place for almost two weeks – it was beyond-words-marvellous! (So I will allow the images to speak mostly for themselves.)
The island
We toured Mahé with the most amazing guide – George – who took us to touristy and less touristy spots and told us about everyday life in the Seychelles. Meeting him and listening to his stories truly enriched our experience.
The beaches
I snorkelled for the first time in my life – not without difficulties, as I have a fear of deep (deep starts at two metres) waters, but it was amazing to do it, even if I chickened out of a few places where I did feel anxiety overwhelm me.
The blue
Sailing with Basil, our great skipper
Spent two nights sleeping on deck – loved it, especially the waking up with the first light in the middle of a calm bay.
The deck was also the perfect ‘home’ office. Fortunately, I could relax most of the time, but a little bit of work had to be done.
My love has sea legs of note, and he and the Skipper had the best of times, but I got horribly seasick (not unexpectedly). It turned out that all three Szczureks, despite being water rats, turned out not to be sea rats. We suffered. But! It was so worth it.
The tastes and scents
Local cuisine is divine! The local red snapper was a hit. Loved the mango salad, too – Basil taught me how to make it myself during the trip. Together, under his guidance, we also prepared a feast from a fresh bonito (bought in the middle of the ocean from passing fishermen) on board the boat. Probably the best fish meal I ever had.
Family
Mom brought a wine from Italy with her that has her name on it – Roma – so we had Roma with Roma :) We also celebrated all the big birthdays which we missed celebrating together during lockdown with a ship-shaped cake and all the candles. To have coffee with my Mom on a beach in paradise is a memory I will never forget. She loves coffee as much as I do.
The light
Ukraine. The day Putin invaded Ukraine, we were at Hindu temple in Victoria, Mahé, and I couldn’t stop staring at the candle lights in the temple as a darkness was descending on the world that none of us could grasp or comprehend …
The books
A taste of local literature I am looking forward to exploring.
Going home
We flew with Ethiopian Airlines (excellent!) and on the way back during the day, mesmerised, I watched Kilimanjaro from the sky – the closest I will probably get to the majestic mountain.
There is not enough of me. A week of coming and going. I have been trying to squeeze the work of three weeks into one (not very successfully) in order to co-organise a trip of a lifetime (much more successfully). And while this was all going on, important visitors kept arriving in South Africa and there was no way I was going to miss seeing them while they were here. I have a Lovely Houseguest and it is wonderful to share my home with her. And I have reconnected with dear Norwegian friends who used to be regulars in the Cape, but have been prevented from coming for over two years (you know why). Now, they are here, and their beautiful daughter, who was born in Cape Town and whom I first held in my arms when she was six hours old, is now as tall as I am and simply wonderful. It was amazing to see them. Writing has continued and by tomorrow I will have a quarter of a first draft of my next book ready – if I continue at this pace, there will be a book by the end of the year. Easily! Finally! We had a Karavan Press book launch, some great reviews, a new Karavan Press title is nearly ready for printing, and another Karavan Press author finished her next novel. Other work has been done. I am packed and ready for my PCR test. On Wednesday, I will be having dinner with the three most important people in my life: Mom, Krystian and My Love. And that’s enough for me. Guess who is the Happiest Woman In The Universe?
Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local. Get vaccinated, please. Live.
“Physical distancing remains one of the key strategies to curb this pandemic.”
Elgin Valley, my happy place. We spent the weekend in Elgin, indulging in the beauty of the valley, where the grapes and apples and pears are ripening at a different speed to other parts of the Cape because of the cooler climate of the area. Time feels different in the valley for people, too. It slows down. Everything is calmer and better when we are there. It’s the place and the locals, a closely-knit community that always makes us feel welcome. We stayed in one of the cosy Cheverells Farm cottages and dined nearly exclusively at the newly established Cheverells Farm Shed, the home of the Country Café & Gift Shop, a Wellness Studio and a gorgeous Glass Greenhouse nursery, which made me wish for green fingers.
We attended a food and wine pairing at the Shed on Friday evening. Everything was so tempting and delicious that I overindulged in white wine and paid the price the following morning. I have always known that I need to be careful with white wine and the evening reminded me exactly why (but it was all worth the next-day-suffering).
The Shed is one of the places in the area where you can buy Lester Walbrugh’s bread. It is absolutely delicious and I brought two of them home for myself and bought one for my lovely neighbours.
The Baker of Grabouw
On Saturday morning, Lester and I watched the film he co-produced and starred in, 2 Thirds of a Man. It is the coming-of-age story of Justin, a talented but guarded teenager who leaves his home in Beaufort West and returns to Cape Town where he was born to navigate the challenges of being a first-year student at Rocklands University. He moves in with his mom’s brother and meets G and Bronwyn who both change his life in remarkable ways. Together they explore the ups and downs of friendship, what it means to trust and to love someone.
I was moved by how a story that has been told many times became unique by confronting and escaping the pitfalls of stereotypes throughout the film. The mundane became special, the ordinary worth telling, and all of it was filled with a gentleness and tenderness that touched me.
The music – all original – was stunning. Towards the end, Justin goes on stage and sings – it is a powerful sequence and Mario Ogle shines in his role here. It felt as if the actor and the character were simultaneously coming into their own in that moment.
No visit to the Elgin Valley can go without a stop – or a few stops – at Liberty Books. On Saturday evening, the bookshop hosted another remarkable event: John Maytham performing Finuala Dowling’s script, ‘Valentine’, an early Valentine’s Day treat that had us thinking about love in its many manifestations, tearing up and laughing, and going home feeling nourished by Finuala’s and John’s love of words.
On Sunday, my love and I returned to Cape Town to have lunch with dear friends at Blanko. Even though, I have been to the other restaurants at the Alphen Hotel many times, this was my first visit at Blanko and I cannot wait to return. Beautiful food, great service and the outside tables under the trees perfect for a summer’s day afternoon. We were celebrating a birthday and had the loveliest of times.
Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local. Get vaccinated, please. Live.
“Physical distancing remains one of the key strategies to curb this pandemic.”
Excavations at home continue. I have a lot of stuff. My house needs urgent TLC. In the last two days, I have carried so many books from one place to another (rearranging bookshelves etc.) that my body is broken. I feel worse than after climbing Table Mountain without any preparations. But: the results are great. And I am finding the most fascinating things – long forgotten or never remembered – among my belongings. It all feels good. The house is sighing with relief. I am getting rid of things that need to go. This is the year of dealing with the past, and of renewal.
Yesterday, my counsellor and I had another breakthrough. The excavations are not only physical.
After the session, a dear friend took me out to a birthday lunch at the Hoghouse. I am still smiling.
I have so much literary work to plough through, I don’t know which way to turn first, but this too shall pass, this chaos. Bird by bird …
Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local. Get vaccinated, please. Live.
“Physical distancing remains one of the key strategies to curb this pandemic.”
Too much to do, not enough Karina. The last few days, I was drowning in emails, admin, board and other meetings, discussions, decisions and announcements. All of it with wonderful results, but not enough time to sit still and relax properly for long enough to think and write daily.
Apart from the work on my latest manuscript – that is continuing with strong determination, even on a Sunday.
We announced the 2022 Philida Literary Award: Mary Watson. She was interviewed by AJ Opperman about the award and commented later: “I told AJ about how André Brink and I used to meet in garden cafes and talk about stories and writing, with cake. How a piece of advice that lingers is how writing also happens away from the desk, how stories grow when we’re not looking.” This is exactly the legacy that the award is celebrating and I know that André would have been thrilled with the choice.
The 6th of February is never an easy day for me, but having the award announcement on this day keeps me focused on all the memories that make me smile.
The 7th was my Mom’s birthday. And the greatest news of this year is that I am going to HUG MY MOM – !!! – before this month is over. Despite the distance between us, we have always managed to see each other at least two times a year, and the last two years and a bit have been the longest we have ever been apart. But now, finally, we will be in the same space at the same time and will be able to hold each other. And: my brother will be there too!!! To say that I am happy would be the understatement of the century.
And today, by the way, is the 18th anniversary of my first visit to South Africa.
It is J. M. Coetzee’s 82nd birthday, too.
Lots to remember, to contemplate and celebrate.
What else?
My love and I discovered a great new restaurant in Muizenberg.
It could not have been any better, my birthday weekend. Bubbly birthday perfection. Bubbly joy on all fronts.
Even Topolino marked the day!
At 45, totally unfit, one is entitled to a bit of a midlife crisis and the wish to climb Table Mountain without any preparations on one’s birthday. Fortunately, I have the loveliest, spontaneous friends – two of them, visiting from overseas, agreed to accompany me on my mad quest. They’d been up Table Mountain many times during their regular visits to our beloved shores in the last two decades, but they’d never climbed the Mountain. What we could not predict was that we would be sharing it with well over two hundred matriculants and way too many boomboxes, but the kids were quite polite and turned down the volume when asked. ‘Let the tannie pass,’ one of them said when I was attempting to crawl past a group of them resting … ‘Enjoy those fit, young bodies while you can,’ I thought, ‘they don’t last forever.’
Fit or not, we made it to the top where we were met by drizzle and the Table Cloth on full display, so it was a change of clothes, hot chocolate and the cable car (free ride in one’s birthday month!) back to the city. Five days later and my legs are nearly pain-free again, but the huge sense of accomplishment persists.
The rest of the day was about resting, Skyping with my family, preparing for the weekend away and, happy as a bee, I went to the last of the UCT Summer Lectures on social insects presented by Karen Jennings. It was wonderful.
In the evening, my love and I went to the only restaurant I wanted to celebrate at this year: The Hoghouse, of course!
It was the first time I had their chocolate cake – and there is no going back. This is the ultimate chocolate cake (I will somehow have to break it to Bill when we return to Oudrif, but his is still the best chocolate cake baked on a braai!). I went to bed a happy woman.
The next day, my love arrived on my doorstep, ready for our bubbly birthday adventure. We were invited to spend the weekend on the Graham Beck wine estate near Robertson and it was an adventure of a lifetime. I have known many happy days in my life, but this was bliss on a different level. I had always wondered whether there is a point when one does not want to drink bubbly any longer – when enough is enough – and now, I can tell you: not for me! It will never ever get boring.
It’s harvest time at Graham Beck and the excitement is in the air. We visited the cellar where for the first time I was able to taste wine in the making, only a few days old, fermenting happily away in all its magical glory. I had never tasted anything like it – it’s very difficult to describe the textures and flavours of this incredible process. But if you ever get a chance, it is an absolute must.
But then, the real tasting began … of the bubblies that have made it into bottles and have been patiently waiting to showcase their sparkling beauty. The Maestro himself – Pieter Ferreira – and his amazing wife Ann Ferreira, also known as Bubbles Ann, guided us on this astounding journey through method, dedication and excellence.
I learned so much that it is difficult to capture in a few words. What fascinates me the most is that even someone like me who just loves drinking bubbly but knows very little about it can recognise the difference in taste and smell of the various approaches to bubbly making. An experience like this makes you look at corks and oak barrels with new eyes. Fun fact: corks have memories, and they can lose them :)
But this was only the beginning …
We had the enormous privilege of staying in the Grace House on the farm where a more leisurely celebration continued in the company of our wonderful hosts and their friends. There was no end to the beautiful bubblies, local and foreign, and no end to light, laughter and stories.
All of this and – after some deep sleep, no hungover (!!!), and another fantastic bubbly meal – a mousebird, and Rafa’s 21 Grand Slam.
Three lovely friends who joined us for the Sunday afternoon arrived with a mousebird they were nursing back to health after s/he had fallen out of the nest. I never imagined I would get an opportunity to hold and stroke and feed a mousebird, but there s/he was in my hands, chirping and stretching her/his wings which are nearly ready to fly. I was so happy! I will always think of her/him when I see my favourite birds – with their great hairdos, mouse tails and fluffy chests – in the air.
And then there was Rafa. What can I say? I am ecstatic, no?
Best tennis birthday present imaginable :) Vamos indeed!
There is no rest for the wicked, so we joined the midnight harvest for a while – even Pieter, who by then was on crutches, because of a bone fracture in his foot (which happened just when we arrived on Saturday before he even had a sip of any bubbles!) – in the vineyards and in the cellar, before getting a little bit of sleep and heading home on Monday, bubbles still – or not so still – on our minds.
Karina (45)
Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local. Get vaccinated, please. Live.
“Physical distancing remains one of the key strategies to curb this pandemic.”
Headless chicken day, but I made it and saw amazing people and made good plans: new books are being designed, rewritten and conceived. And the path of social insects into scientifiction (yes, that’s an early, correct term!) has been fascinating to follow in today’s lecture. For most of the day, mud flowed out of our taps (repairs down the road from us – had no water at all last night, so mud is better than nothing, I suppose) and I could only shower in the late afternoon. A few of my taps had given up their ghosts already before the mud slide through the pipes, but the plumber was finally here to assess the situation and will sort everything out tomorrow. He doesn’t know it, but it is going to be a birthday present to myself – having functioning taps. I don’t ask for much … :)
But a birthday plan is in place and I can’t wait. The adventure starts early, so I am off to sleepland for some rest.
Good night!
Karina (still 44 tonight)
Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local. Get vaccinated, please. Live.
“Physical distancing remains one of the key strategies to curb this pandemic.”
