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 state...
The Restory is a Retreat Centre nestled against Tafelkop, a singular mountain head near Wakkerstroom, South Africa. Here we live a simple life as contemplatives. It is a place of re-connection: with ourselves, people, Nature, Silence and Creativity. Our retreats are aimed at this. Our conversations, writing and art centre around the univocity of life. We need a place that reminds us that we are all one. The Restory hopes to be such a place and space.