Friday, September 11, 2009

Wittebrood.

It’s been about two months since I got married, so it’s about time that we actually got out of town on a honeymoon. We weren’t really expecting to take one—we spent the first three years of our relationship traveling, after all-- but the time seemed right to get out of town for a few days. We came really close to taking one retail space in August, and when we really decided that it wasn’t the right space for us and backed out, I think we were both pretty depressed for a few days. And a little traveling seemed perfect for lifting our moods. So on Sunday we’re leaving Cape Town to spend a few days driving around the mountains of the Overberg. I won’t be blogging next week, but hopefully I’ll be back the following week with some photos of beautiful South African landscapes, unusual small town architecture, and delicious Karoo food.

5 comments:

Miss Footloose said...

Wittebrood -- the word caught my attention. I am Dutch, and of course I know the word means white bread.

So, I'm reading your story and at the end I'm thinking, white bread, what does this have to do with white bread?

Until, of course, it hits me:

Wittebroodsweken, weeks of white bread, the Dutch word for honeymoon! I guess I'd better make another trip to Holland (or SA, even better).

Now, you might wonder about "white bread weeks" as a term for honeymoon and I never gave it a thought myself until now. I assume it originated in the times when white bread was a luxury and a treat and considered delicious, (rather than the unwholesome, nutritionless starch it is) and the first weeks of marriage are also a treat and delicious (afterward, who knows).

I'm a writer, so I love words. But never did I expect to be inspired by white bread, since I'm strictly a whole-wheat (whole-meal)girl.

I wish you mooie wittebroodsweken!

Miss Footloose
www.lifeintheexpatlane.blogspot
Tales of the Globetrotting Life

Miss Footloose said...

P.S. I did't mean YOU would wonder about the term wittebroodsweken. I was thinking of other non-Dutch/Africaan speaking folks.

It's early, I need coffee.

Hotel Villa Caletas said...

Congratulations ! hopefully that marriage is going to last for decades !

Monna said...

I so enjoy your blog. I love that you have managed to stay true to your own writing style and authentic voice... over time and your move from South East Asia to South Africa. I am now living in Bangkok and go back to your old BKK and Thailand posts regularly. Thanks for all of the good stuff, Xander!

David Brown said...

What I wouldn't give to have a couple of days in the Overberg right now!

Sitting here in Hong Kong, crowded, humid and HOT, waiting for a typhoon to roll in. I could use a Karoo break.

Just stumbled across your blog. It's up on my blogroll, I'm going to be a regular. And next time I'm in the Mother City, I'll come and have a piesang, so I hope you get your space sorted.