Brick walls that became home in Zulu land for yours truly!
The Sails Apartments....5th Floor....my home away from home.
This complex has one of the best security team - they all make it a point to take regular patrols, keep an eagle eye on proceedings, greet with a smile and are quite helpful. The complex has a canal which runs alongside which makes for some amazing walks and you can also hire and go for a boat ride!!!
One evening when returning from work, I saw a young man propose to his girl friend on one such boat ride with a violinist on the bridge as well as a large banner saying "Will you marry me?"- and here my sceptical self thought these things only happen in hindi movies!
The complex also has a well stocked tuck shop and another one around 300meters across the bridge. Both are run by rather genial set of people. The lady at the tuck shop was from Chennai and when homesick, I used to order samosas from her shop!!You could also order the famed "bunny chow" - No mom it's not a rabbit sandwich. This unique pao adaptation came about when Indian migrant labour needed to hide / absorb the chicken/lamb/mutton curry in their lunch while they toiled in the plantations.
Bobby (bless you) from the Pakistani delivery /takeaway came through come sun or rain to deliver matar keema and chole puri.
South African food is quite flavourful and fresh seafood is divine, I cooked mostly at the apartment and enjoyed a relaxed dinner (and somedays a rushed break fast) while sitting in the balcony. The entire assignment was spent without the idiot box much to the chagrin of some of my office colleagues. They were intrigued by my ability to pass the time simply by reading, painting and walking which considering the pretty countryside and the soft sandy beach is a no-brainer.
The city is neat and clean with butter smooth roads and everyone is such a polite driver you hardly ever hear any honking or observe lane cutting. You often see people drive their vehicles in to the office parking with a canoe/ kayak/ surf board strapped to the car; some have a bicycle or a camping equipment / trailer. The thirst for thrill and adventure in South Africa is never too far from a true son / daughter of the South African soil.
One of the most annoying memories of Durban was that of the long curved beak Ibis -like birds. They would nest in the trees close to the complex and screech incessantly. It reminded me of the raucuous kitty party type aunties you see in Delhi - some days they really tested my patience and destroyed the peace and tranquility with their cacophony.
The bedroom was harbour facing and despite a rather busy harbour, one could sleep like a baby once the windows were shut. Quite often, I would leave the window open, switch off the ac and let the gentle sea breeze lull me to dreams unlimited and I would wake up to a lovely sunny morning. I do however also recall a particularly stormy night in April when the skies darkened in the afternoon , the wind howled in the eeriest of ways and the heavens opened up all night which led to flooding in some parts of Durban.
That being said, Durbz as the city is affectionately called became my home though for a short time and I will miss the warm and honest people I met (Thobe -bless you!!).
Here are some more stunning views from the apartment of
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| sunsets on the Durban harbour |
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| The canal leads to Ushaka!!! |
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| Moses Madiba Stadium during a particularly stormy evening |
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| The eye in the stormy sky! |
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