Table Mountain made in China

An intriguing phenomenon- the curio trade. A tourist destination offers a range of items, often made in China, as being representative of its people, history or natural beauty. Who decide on the products that will have the honour? Has every popular city or site its own curio committee that convenes regularly to determine the stock for the tourist season? That will explain the absolute duplication to be found in the different shops.

Why do tourists buy them?

Do locals also buy curios? To remind them, not of having been there but of being there?

“Who are we, Darling?”

“We are South Africans, living on the African continent.”

“You don’t think we should buy a picture of the Big Five to indicate that we have been to South Africa?”
“We haven’t been to South Africa. We are in South Africa.”

“But will people know that without us having the curious to prove it?”

“You have a point. Throw in an ostrich egg and an African drum and I believe we have ourselves a statement.”

It would be sad if one day we discover that curios are poor substitutes for what is to be experienced through conscious living in the places we visit. Sadder still, if we don’t.

George

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Vanuit Die Restory - Gesprekke Tussen Reisgenote (110)

Die Week Na 'n Dood Sebastien op sy gelukkigste - by water, besig om vis te vang Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Musiek Sebastien het altyd gesê, "I like old music.' Hy het. Billy Joel se Piano Man was vir baie lank die ringtone op sy foon. Dat ons só gelukkig kan wees, dankie Sebas. George & Matilda

Vanuit Die Restory - Gesprekke Tussen Reisgenote (66)

Retreat Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Musiek Met ons liefde. George & Matilda

Vanuit Die Restory - Gesprekke Tussen Reisgenote (99)

'n Duisend Hande Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek ~ ❖ ~ "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative [or creation] there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise never have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man would have believed would have come his way." W.H. Murray, Skotse ontdekkingsreisiger ~ ❖ ~ Cause of Death Uitstalling Ariana in vervoering Musiek Wanneer jy dinge nie so krampagtig probeer beheer nie, jou oorgee aan die vloei van gebeure en oop is vir die onverwagte, kan jy saam met Ian McKellen sing. Ian McKellen gee nie om saam met wie hy sing nie, solank hy dit net kan doen.

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