Reading is FUNdamental

DAY 143: Every now and then I need a day to just chill out, catch up on Blog duties, do a little freelance design work and -- one of the favorite pasttimes of the backpacker set -- read a book. Reading sure does stimulate the mind when your body is still sore from a bike ride the day before to do anything else.

I did managed to move my body outside and walk around for a while. It was a beautiful sunny day, the kind like in Ferris Bueller's Day Off where Ferris says, "How could I possibly be expected to go to school on a day like this?" I walked down Long Street and the outdoor esplanade known as St. George's Mall. On the way, I ran into two film shoots, one for some South African television cop drama (I missed all the action), and the other for a commercial for France. Crew members were simulating street steam with dry ice.

"Too cold [to shoot] up there?" I asked a crew hand.

"No, it's just cheaper here," he answered.

FOR A CHEAP LUNCH, I stopped at one of the many shops that sold the popular snack found all around town, pies filled with various meat fillings: minced curry, pepper steak, chicken, peri-peri chicken or the one I had, steak & kidney beans. After that and an iced coffee at a sidewalk cafe, I walked up Government Avenue, passed the Scandinavian(?) tourists in awe of seeing squirrels for the first time, and parked myself on a bench with a book.

Before I never understood why travellers "wasted" time on reading while away from home. On all of my previously rushed, two-week corporate American vacations, I'd see readers and wonder, "Don't you guys want to see stuff?! Do things?! My God, we're not gettin' any younger here folks!"

But now with time to just chill out, I just sat there on the park bench next to a classical-looking building with the international edition of Michael Moore's Dude, Where's My Country?. (Michael Moore books are huge on the backpacker trail I've noticed.) Coincidentally, when I finished a couple of chapters and went to investigate what the nearby classical-looking building actually was, I discovered it was the Centre of The Book, a really ornate and beautifully constructed literacy center that promoted reading (picture above).

I WASN'T A TOTAL BOOKWORM ALL DAY. C'mon, that's crazy talk. Later on, I enjoyed the other favorite pasttime of the backpacker set: drinking beer! The bar at The Backpack was in full-swing and it was there I sat over rounds of Castle Lager with Richard, a paleontologist studying at the museum; Jason, a British Airways employee from Rhode Island that got airfare at an amazing 94% discount(!!!); and others that I don't remember for obvious reasons. Drinking beer is just like reading because it also stimpulates the brian... stiumpulsates... sitmeu stimulates FUCK I mean, the braaiinnnnnn... the MIND...... al;akjf;alk
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NOTE TO SELF: Don't drink and blog.

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Posted by Erik on March 11, 2004 11:36 AM
TrackBack | Category: South Africa

6:55 am our time.. FIRST (your dad tipped me. he is already in the office, I guess nothing to do yet.
woke up on a low 30's temp. Hard to get up in the morning.
Dad & are are running off to puerto plata for a few days to catch some sun- mar 25 to 29.
enjoying this very historical blog. don't worry about finances. do whatever you wish there & we will back you up. tita josie is already waiting for you in PI for very good treats..
God bless. we love you & we miss you..

Posted by: Love, Mom on March 11, 2004 05:12 AM

how is that michael moore book? is it good? i was meaning to read it but never got a chance to pick it up. i am also falling behind on reading my dan brown books.

Posted by: alice on March 11, 2004 08:50 AM

Erik, I was worried that you might not be getting enough alcohol while you were on the trip. The liver is a muscle, old friend. Work it out whenever possible.

Posted by: matto on March 11, 2004 09:37 AM

Erik: i'm so excited that your in a different place, i was getting so "tired" of So. Am", so 142 days ago! Anywho, i would totally LOVE it if you could send me a post card or high res image of a baboon or a baboon's Ass so i can use it for my desktop picture!!! thanks!
n :)

Posted by: nikkij on March 11, 2004 11:37 AM

ALICE: The book is great... it's a follow up to Stupid White Men. I heard that he's making a new movie, similar to D,WMC? to be released just before the 2004 election, which states with evidence, how W. used 9-11 to police the world.

Posted by: Erik on March 11, 2004 11:37 AM

Hey Erik!

Just wanted to say hey, and I'm still lovin your trip and writing! Also, some really great pics lately!

BTW, Bootnsall just posted up an article I had sent in. My 1st published work! lol...

I wanted to add to it how your blog was my fav, but I didn't on that one, so just wanted to let you know that it is!

Stay safe and have a blast for me too!

Posted by: Harry Z on March 11, 2004 11:48 AM

E-Rock.

I just sent you drinking money. And I don't want a stupid postcard. But since I just GAVE you money (even though I'm unemployed) I feel I have the right to demand that you only use that money for drinking (the extra 2 bucks is for tipping).

Also, next time you're in a bar, drinking off MY money, you have to find a local girl, go up to her and say "Some unemployed dude in New York wants to buy you a drink." Then buy her one. And keep me posted. If it results in a hookup, I want my money back.

Posted by: matto on March 11, 2004 12:21 PM

MATTO: spoke to erik about 2 hours ago waiting to go out to get FUNDAMENTAL, so your request will probably have to wait till tomorrow nite...

I, on the other hand, will use that line tonite, and say I'm unemployed, but would love to buy you a drink... (doubtful that'll work in nyc of course)

HAHAH..

Posted by: markyt on March 11, 2004 01:09 PM

haha...

I'm going to Montreal for a STAG this weekend. How does this one sound?

"Hi, I have a job, but I'm saving ALL my money for my 6 week trip to Asia next month... ALL except this $5.50 that I would like to use to buy you a drink."

But I'll have to say it in French.

Posted by: Td0t on March 11, 2004 03:47 PM

It's pretty obvious to me that Mom & Dad are wise enough to pay for their own vacation... and are likely to not stay in hostels or become BLOG writers. They leave that craziness to you!

Posted by: Christy on March 15, 2004 03:14 PM