Homeopathy and exploring Melville
My health is continuing to deteriorate without any signs of improving. After a month of coughing my lungs out, I felt it was time to seek some help. I decided to book an appointment at a local homeopath after listening to moms advice. It was homeopathy that helped me as a kid when I got tonsillitis six times in just a few months. Experiencing something similar but different now, going to a Homeopath felt like the right choice. Going to a conventional doctor would only get me penicillin at this point, something that would wipe out the little immune system I still have left. Dr. Jana Mostert greets me in the waiting room and as I sit in her office the smells bring me back to my childhood. Having been brought up with alternative medicine, the smells of herbs and incense gives me a sense of security.
Dr. Mostert is a soft spoken, present lady. Her questions traverse every aspect of my life, trying to get to the bottom of my imbalance. This is what I love about alternative medicine, knowing that they look at my entire being and life instead of just the symptoms of the disease. I leave with a bag full of homeopathic remedies, firm instructions and a sense of being seen. Everything will be alright. On my way out, I text a tourist that I met at the hostel to see if she is around to grab lunch. Melville, the area where the homeopaths office is, is a very cozy and bohemian area with lots of bars, restaurants and some random stores and thrift shops. It’s known for being flooded by students on any given party night. We end up going to Hell’s Kitchen for a glass of wine and some light lunch. At this point, I’m sure it can only help my recovery.
Kizomba Socials in Johannesburg
Sundays in Johannesburg should just be called Danceday instead, simple as that. Not having been in Jozi for several years, I was a bit unsure of where to go to get my dance fix. I reached out to my old kizomba teacher, Paciano, who hosts Kizomba Sundays every week at the Ethos Restaurant in Rosebank. Ethos is an elegant place, everyone is dressed up and I felt happy I put my only fancy dress on. The ladies look like something out of a fairytale as they gracefully dance through the magical room in their flowy, colourful fabrics.
I get to dance with Paciano and it feels so surreal to be here again. Paciano was one of my first kizomba teachers, he taught me when I was still stepping on people toes every other minute… it feels like a full circle moment as we now, years later, get to flow together. As the afternoon becomes early evening the dancers spill out onto the courtyard. It is a beautiful view and I would have loved to stay, but as I said earlier: Sunday is Kizomba day in Jozi. I have another spot to try out before this evening comes to an end. I catch a ride with a fellow salsero who is also on his way to the next place, thank goodness I did! I always forget how huge Johannesburg is until I get the taxi bill.
When we arrive at the new venue the party is already blowing up, people are dancing everywhere and the salsa songs that are being played are fire! Baila Afrika, a dance school in Johannesburg, host their monthly Sunday party at Pedro Portia and I felt lucky I was here for it! For some reason however, I am not feeling it, not yet anyways. If the previous event was best described as elegant, this one would best be described as alive! There is lots of people everywhere. I barely have time to take two steps into the restaurant before I get stepped on. Twice.
Feeling overwhelmed by the many impressions, people and noises, I get myself to the bar to order some food. The way I catch myself glaring at the happy, dancing people, was a clear indicator that I needed to refuel my system. The bartender recommended one of their wraps, but at that point, I would have eaten anything. The prawn wrap was amazing and works its magic on me instantly. As I sit and eat the last pieces of my meal I notice that I actually recognise some faces that are here. I danced with them at the Afro Latin dance festival in Cape Town just last month! It was the last thing I needed in order to shake off the sour mood and get up on the dance floor.
In the taxi home I feel the euphoria of having danced and shared energy with so many amazing beings. I feel warm in my feelings from the Baila Afrika event. Now, I have Johannesburgs dance calendar written down and I feel confident I’m going to utilize it to the fullest. The taxi ride goes quickly, partly because there is little to no traffic at this time, but mostly because we brush past every red light as if they were green. This is why I could never drive here. It is not about the left side traffic, although that for me is terrifying as well. It’s the fact that I would have zero to no clue about where it is safe to drive, at what times and where it is safer to drive through the red light. I would probably end up driving on the wrong side despite my best effort.
The city of gold sleeps but Curiocity is still awake. I am greeted by the normal Sunday buzz, a group is singing somewhere in the backyard and peoples faces look distorted as they laugh in the candle light. Load shedding. My favourite bartender sees me come in and invites me to join their conversation but I feel that the load shedding is all the signs I need. I’m off straight to bed!
3 thoughts on “Soulful Sundays: Kizomba Adventures in Jozi”
Tur att förkylningar inte hindrar dig fr att dansa o ha kul 😍 Det borde förresten stärka immunsystemet oxå…
Det tror jag också!!
<3