October: the month that was

As we roll into November, I sit back and reflect on the awesomeness that was the month of October 2011.  It was spring and the city came alive with Jacarandas, thunderstorms, sunshine and a hub of activity. I did mention some of the happenings, but there were a few more which slipped under my radar. Notably, Winesense (the annual wine tasting festival) and the Oktober Bierfest (the annual German beer piss-up). As a caveat to my readers, I do not drink alcohol and tend not to notice alcohol related festivities.  Though, I promise to be more vigiliant to give everyone a fair heads up if anything similar comes around.  And if the drinking fests are done, there is always Winesens in Melrose Arch to indulge in some winetasting any day of the week.  But back to the topic! These are some of the fun times that I had during the month:

The Lion Park

yes folks, I finally made it here accompanied by my fearless fiance and my two intrepid sisters.  We paid our R175 entrance fee, which included a guided game drive and a "lion petting" session, and headed off.  I must say, having a mini-game park in the middle of the city is a bit of a mind trip. One minute you are passing shopping malls and the Northgate Dome and the next you are driving up a dirt road which takes you to a large fenced off area with several animal enclosures. It was a beautiful, hot day when went and as it was a Sunday the lions had just been fed and were lounging in the sun. We went merrily on our game drive, and I use the term "game drive" quite loosely as it was a 40 minute drive around fenced paddocks with large areas containing certain animals.  All the herbivores were in one paddock, the lions one, then the white lions another, the cheetahs had one and finally one with a pack of wild dogs. The lady doing the game drive was really knowledgeable and good and it was interesting to get up close to some of these animals.  However, I must say the experience was a bit artificial, Kind of like a large zoo in which you can drive your car in (you can take your own car in for R120, but as my partner's car had very low suspension we opted for the guided game drive in the hardcore jeep/truck/railed vehicle.) I would recommend all you city slickers to try it out, especially if you have never been on a game drive.  There is still something majestic about seeing these animals, albeit in a post lunch nap. Another interesting and touristy thing that we got to do was touch a baby lion.  It seems like a cute thing to do, but afterwards I kinda felt sorry for the poor thing. It was just trying to have a nap and then the whole day it has people coming along and touching it. Here is a photo of my experience.  The lion is a baby white lion. I imagine it was thinking: yes, touch me now my pretty but when I get bigger I will eat you.

Coldplay

I really enjoyed Coldplay. I was a fan when I was in high school but my affection for them faded after a while and I only went to the concert as my siblings were amped to go and required my chauffeuring/chaperoning/payment abilities.  However, I am glad I went. To summarise the experience: I was blown away. Chris Martin has incredible gravitas on stage and Coldplay are a phenomenal live act. There songs are sweet and rocky and emotionally stirring and to actually feel the bass from the band playing and hear the voices of 60 000 people singing alone was a moving experience. The vibe was excellent and everyone was excited and friendly and ready to sing along. To top it off, the band shot part of the video for the single Paradise at the Joburg concert. The best song, however, was Viva La Vida. The crowd went crazy and in the end Chris Martin had to calm everyone down to get to the next song. After the concert, the crowd continued with singing the chorus and the happiness followed you home :) Here is a pic of the concert.  You can see the giant bubbles that were tossed in the crowd and pulsed up and down during the show.

Everybody, sing along:

Viva La Vida lyrics
Songwriters: Berryman, Guy Rupert; Buckland, Jonathan Mark; Champion, Will; Martin, Christopher A J;
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

[. From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/coldplay-lyrics/viva-la-vida-lyrics.html .]
© UNIVERSAL MUSIC - MGB SONGS;