A very long day, we quit around half past 2, since we had a birthday party to get to. I was like a cook in bag chicken by the time we were done. I had my son with me, and another guy by the name of Kevin had his, similar age. Of course the 2 kids hit it off and were inseperable for the day. Throw in cameras (thank you Makro) and the event was WELL recorded!!!
We started at theFreedom Square Hotel in Kliptown, Soweto. Firstly, well done to the staff. The 50 odd bikers present were treated to a 5 star start to the day. Their enthusiasm and support of our delivery run was phenomenal, and they added a very memorable experience. The Freedom Square itself was astounding, i'll post some pics later, but the architecture was so fresh and alive it took me quite by surprise. Textures everywhere, the walls, the fencing, the paving, metal inlays in the walls, it all just took your senses in a whirlpool of visual texture technicolour.
Oops, i forgot the pics at home. Here's a web advert view.
That brick tower contains a freedom charter wall map thing. The whole square contras so greatly with the other side of the road, where fruit and veg sellars ply their trade off broken tables. The hotel doorman had a vuvuzela (not going to say it) and when he blew on it ... well it echoed, greatly. I had the impression the entire soweto could hear .... *chuckle* but the bikes made their own bid, and left pretty circles on the street outside, so all's well.
Riding around is eye opening. I realised with a light start that i'd never been into soweto in summer before. Now i've been there a whole bunch of times, for many different reasons. Most memorable was the truth commision, at Regina Mundi church, in the dead of winter, and i didn't have transport every day, so had to catch taxi's. It was cold and miserable, and generally that's soweto in winter. As the Transvaal highveld is, dead as land an be. Drab and dull, and generally burning ... but in summer a new face presents. I was surprised at the greenery. Certainly there has been a lot of effort to green the area.
One of my little observations ... in soweto, all the children's parks are clean. In nearby Eldorado park, they aren't. Our travels took us through some of the poorer areas, and it was heartbreaking. It's always the kids though. These pikkanins, all less than 5 or 6 years old, who stare at you as you go by. There faces full of wonder and amazement at the bikes. I imagine a similar response we'd have to seeing an angel float down the street.
High's and lows. Highs at the orphanages, lows in the street. Throwing toys out the back of a pickup truck, and watching both children and adults running for all they are worth. I dunno, intentions were good, and i wish to hell i could do more for them. All the kids loved their little presents so much. It was emotionally quite rough.
Kudos to every single biker that gave. All i can do is urge every single person who reads this. Buy something. A toy, a make up kit, some crayons, sports toys, whatever, and go give it to someone. Here in sa it's easy, poor people on every street corner. I saw a kid begging yesterday, a sunday, on a major intersection. The guy was about 8? And he had his cardboard sign and a cup. No adult to be seen, but i think they would have been in the shade. That's my next mission i think. Drive around and find kids begging, and give them something. Not money, toys, crayons, anything that is for THEM.
peace and love
1 comment:
Mmmm you have sparked another idea. I think a call to Russell is in order, hopefully it's do able and soon.
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