Mi Amigo - Murray Anderson-Ogle

Mumbling Murray, Mojo, Muz, Moj, Creature, Zebra, Pet - whatever you like to call him. The man nicknamed by many people for the various hilarious stunts he has pulled or stories he has told.

Murray was my second friend when arriving in South Africa, and like Inge he took me under his wing. I can honestly say Murray Anderson-Ogle is one of the most intelligent men I know. After a month of knowing Murray, I moved in with him and Tanya. We would sit for countless hours talking about anything and everything - important and meaningless. Murray taught me so much about this country, and even things about my own. He is a walking encyclopedia, or should I say a shoe-dragging encyclopedia (I live with this man, so I know he has flaws too!). Three years later, Murray is my housemate again (with a few different moves for both of us in between). Roger, Murray and I definitely enjoy our great chats, and have specific tv nights that are ritualistic for the three of us. Roger and Murray have "being fit" & "watching sports" in common. I just try to impress them with my great cooking skills since I can't relate with either of those things.

Did I mention that he runs (I am talking 90km runs)? and takes stunning photographs? and writes beautifully? A man with many qualities. Murray is someone that I am definitely proud to call one of my best friends.

I came across a folder of his beautiful photographs on my computer the other day, and I felt that these portraits deserved to be shared with the world. Murray can capture a persons soul like no other photographer.

Read some of Murray's blog entries about running comrades, Running And Me: A Late Blooming Love Affair, Running Crazy, Rain Running and Silliness, Facing the Gym, Searching For Buns of Steel, The pursuit of rest and by default success and happiness, Night Swimming, & A Journey Complete.

Read about Chelsea's experience with Murray at Comrades this year on her blog.

You can also find Murray on Twitter being the witty character that he is.

the secret spot

Just before New Years 2010, I arrived back in South Africa after a semester at home and Christmas with my parents in Calgary. Roger being the smoothy that he is, decided to take me for a flip in the helicopter (he was still doing his license at this point, so he still had hours he needed to acquire in a chopper - the luxury of flying where we want to fly, is no longer). We found this absolutely magical spot on the river where we spent the day swimming, eating and getting ridiculous sunburnt (do you see a theme here?).

Flash forward to this year January. Roger and I decided one saturday that we HAD to find this spot via car. We played around on google maps, and found the sweet spot. We packed some beers, along with Gareth & Meyer into the back seat of the bakkie and off we went.

After driving through pine plantation after pine plantation and finally hiking down into a valley, we found it! Pure paradise. Location: our secret spot. We spent the entire day swimming down the crystal clear river, completely alone - just us and nature. Our little piece of river paradise.

side note: I can't wait to be swimming in the Nanaimo river with my familia in 2 weeks time!

Avocados

Is it strange that I decided to do my first post on Avocados?.. probably. I know they aren't indigenous to here, they are actually from Mexico where I probably had my first avocado when I was young. However, when I think of avocados, I think of here. Maybe because Roger grows them here? and I did live on the farm for a while? Maybe!

I LOVE Avocados. Avocados in salad, avocados on toast, just plain-ol-avo with salt, pepper and lemon juice. They are fantastic... except they may possibly be the cause of my weight gain?

clockwise: Dunstan farm sign | sushi | Edranol cultivar | the farm | avocado-on-toast | Roger | avo on fresh bread | Hass cultivar

I love food! I love FRESH food, and a huge part of what makes me enjoy South Africa is how accessible fresh food is. From Roger growing fresh fruit & vegetables on the farm, to buying meat at the local butcher, to buying butternut squash on the side of the road - the fresh local options are endless. My tastebuds are satisfied!

dōmo arigatō misutā Robotto

Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto.
Thank you very much South Africa.

I think this is a perfect way to start my blog - a thanks for all the good times, great people and many adventures (with many more to come). I am starting this blog to share all the exciting experiences I have had in this beautiful country... and of course the not so great experiences too. I have met amazing people, seen amazing art, eaten delicious food and had TOO much fabulous wine - so this blog will also be a place for me to share all these FANTASTICAL things. Stay tuned. I will try my hardest to keep you somewhat entertained.