The Ficksburg Cherry Festival

I first heard about the 'Ficksburg Cherry Festival' in a heritage class that I took in university. 

I was fascinated to learn that South Africa is home to the 'Cherry Capital of the World' - Ficksburg. I also found it a bit strange that we have the world's best cherries right on our doorstep. As, from bitter first-hand experience, I had always thought the idea of a 'sweet-tasting' cherry was just a myth. After that day in class, I knew that someday I had to attend the festival, as this was a myth I had to dispel myself. 



Ficksburg is a small town in the Eastern Free State, situated at the foot of the Imperani Mountain, bordering the neighbouring country of Lesotho. I travelled for 6 hours over 400km, through 3 provinces and 5 painstakingly long road stops to get there. The country's oldest annual crop festival runs over 3 days during the third week of November, and is attended by over 25 000 people. I was thrilled to finally be one of them this year.

One of the highlights of the festival was visiting a cherry farm and going on a tour of the orchards. A tractor pulled us along through the scenic Ionia farm, where one of the farmers explained the entire cherry harvesting process to us - from root to pip. We were left to wander the extensive orchard and pick our own punnet of cherries directly from the tree. We ate cherries to our hearts content (and our tummy's detriment). What most people don't know is that the sweetest cherries you can find are the 'yellow cherries', which are not usually sold to the public. They look like a normal red cherry on the outside, but are a light yellow colour on the inside...and taste like a piece of heaven. Cherries are a rare and expensive fruit and most of them from this region are exported to the rest of the world.

The cherry frenzied festival grounds were abuzz with activities ranging from cooking workshops, game shows, sporting events, a beauty pageant, jazz and rock concerts and a cherry pip spitting competition (which we thankfully missed!). Any cherry-related product you can dream up - they sold it there. Cherry jams, syrups, drinks, cherry liquors, schnapps, cherry chutney, nougat, cherry pie and preserves. Besides for the perishables, there was cherry art to take back home as a souvenir. I was attracted by the pretty pink and red cherry blossom beauty products. Delectably scented perfumes, body butters, foam baths and soaps, all reminding me of my childhood cherry chapstick.





With Ficksburg being so far out in the middle of the country, I don't know whether I'll ever get an opportunity to attend the festival again. It's one of those things that you should do at least once in your life if you're living in South Africa. As you can imagine, I came home with a boot load of cherries - not that they lasted very long. These little red jewels are a rich part of our local heritage, and I hope that more people will become aware of it and also get to experience the joy of picking their own cherries. 



*All photos taken by me.

The Wonders Of My World

My monthly musings...

• South African fashion brand Urban Glamour have just launched their Spring handbag line, which has a trendy colour-block theme. This stunning high-fashion range is all made locally, and is also available in the US (New York), Germany and Italy. See the Urban Glamour website for more details. The designers have given me an exclusive sneak peek into what we can expect from the upcoming collection. 

• I'm thrilled to be featured on two lovely blogs this month. Makeup-loving Rakhshan asked me a few questions on her adorable beauty blog here. 


• Boston-based South African blogger Kbd asked me to share my favourite places to visit for her 'Tour South Africa' series. It's in 3 parts, which you can read on her inspiring travel blog here.


• I have discovered the cure for insomnia! It is completely safe and there is no hypnosis or pills involved. I can't believe no one has thought of this before! The key is...reading mind-numblingly boring business textbooks before you go to bed - it works like a charm. I guarantee that after the first 2 pages, you will be dazed into a deep slumber. I really should patent this idea...I could even lend out my books to start ;)


• I've noticed that you can tell within the first half an hour of meeting someone new whether you're going to like them or not and whether or not you would want to pursue a friendship with them. 


• It's always uplifting to see an outfit you've already bought in an 'exclusive' boutique for R500, when you've only paid R100 for the same thing somewhere else.


• I've been seriously addicted to Chai Lattes lately; so much so, that I've learnt to make it myself. It requires some effort but the end result is delicious. Try out this easy recipe, which has step-by-step instructions & photographs in case you get lost along the way. A good tip: you can replace the sugar with honey if you prefer.


• I read an interesting newspaper article this week that characterized Facebook users into 5 different categories. It gave me some insight into the social networking site, seeing that I am not a member of it. The political editor and author, Mr J Sikhakhane divided the groups into: 

1. Alpha-socialisers: men under 25 who use the network for short periods of time, to meet new people, flirt and for entertainment purposes.


2. Attention-seekers: mostly teen girls and women who constantly post provocative photographs of themselves with friends and 'customize their profiles'.


3. Followers: who join the network to keep up with their friends.


4. Faithfuls: men and woman who are content with their own lives and social surroundings. Being more settled, they do not crave attention and use the site to reignite friendships from school or university.


5. Functionals: who use Facebook for a particular reason (ex. work-related), and who are unconcerned with socializing, meeting their soulmate or viewing comments and photos.

• Studying in a creative field, I've been wondering how university lecturers grade exams and assignments for art and design subjects. How does one measure 'creativity', when the concept of what it is differs so vastly from one person to the next? My idea of a beautiful piece of art/writing/prose/poem/architectural or advert design could be substandard to someone else. 
  
  

I would love to hear your thoughts on the last two.

The Wonders of My World

Just wondering...

• Isn't it really depressing when you've paid a ridiculous amount for a stunning dress at an 'exclusive' boutique, only to find that a month later it is available from a franchise store at one tenth of the price?


• I think I've been brainwashed by the Neutrogena advert that's played 120 times during Gossip Girl on Vuzu. I know this because when I was shopping for a new skincare range, the only thing that I could see in the entire beauty aisle were the bright orange and white boxes and flashing images of Vanessa Hudgens saying 'Now I have one less stress to deal with'. 


• My search for the perfect créme brulee recipe has ended thanks to Masterchef Australia. I have tried to make many-a-brulee before, but the results were quite hazardous. This recipe is so simple, if I can make it, I know you can. Try it here.  


• This has been such an intense week in the land of Vampire Diaries (for those of us who don't have copies of the entire 2nd season). Lots of unexpected twists and turns - Stephan was the 'bad' brother back in 1864, Bonnie's powers were stripped, Damon was duped twice, Alaric's failed heroic attempts, Elijah met his ashy dagger end (which I was sad about), Uncle John was being his usual scheming and annoying Uncle John self and Katherine made an unwelcomed return. Can't wait for next week's episode.


• It's been one of those chocolate-dessert-for-dinner kind of weeks. I don't even like chocolate that much - but Ultra Mel's Delight chocolate dessert is pretty hard to resist.


• I must admit that I did not vote at our municipal elections last week. My political expectations had been let down before and seems like it will be for another four years. Here's looking forward to more empty promises, misused funds, unfinished roadworks, bribery and corruption. ;)


• Earlier this month, we were treated to a girls night out at a Honey Jewellery launch, arranged by the lovely Ms Slick. All the ladies in attendance perfectly played up to the 'Bling & Heels' theme. Thanks to Ms Slick for being such a gracious host and organizing the entertaining evening. The latest Honey collection glitters with glamour, visit their website here to view the catalogue.


• To the next person who asks me if I have a Blackberry (and you will be person number 5388), I would like to say: No, I don't have a Blackberry because I'm not interested in your incessant updates about what you're doing, where you're going, what you having for lunch, what mood you're in - or not in, your weather reports (there's a news channel for that) and I am really not interested in the egocentric profile pics you put up of yourself every hour. I actually worry about the people that are interested.

The Wonders Of My World

• Some things are just not fair. Like how Durban experiences 29 degree Autumn days, while the rest of us in Small Town, SA shiver in the 10 degree cold.


• I can't believe that I hadn't discovered the joys of red velvet cupcakes before this weekend. If you've never had one before, try making them with this easy recipe. You can thank me later by sending a batch ;)


• This post was meant to feature the pics I took of the beautiful boutiques and shopping havens at the coast. But sadly my camera mysteriously disappeared in one of the malls, (probably because I was too distracted by all the pretty clothes). It freaks me out that some stranger may have found it and is now holding my photos ransom somewhere on the internet. 


• I've never been scared of watching horror movies, I find them to be laughable and far-fetched. What I am afraid of watching is gory episodes of Doctor 90210, Joburg drivers and anything that Lady Gaga wears and does.


• While some people use hair extensions and expensive medicated hair growth formulas to get thicker, fuller hair - farmtown folk use horse shampoo. Yes, for humans. Strange thing is, it actually works. Don't ask how I know this.


• On a recent family road trip, I found out that it takes about 10 people to change a tyre. One to hold the spanner, another to hold the jack, one to delegate, two who pretend to do the work, three who actually do all the work and a few glamour boys who stand around, refusing to get their designer clothes dirty.


• I used to make fun of people who speak in SMS abbreviations...but now, as hard as it is to admit - I have now become one of them. OMG!  


• I don't get why people wear their sunglasses indoors, at night. Are they afraid that the fluorescent lighting in malls are going to emit harmful UV rays?


• Last night I caught the new Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler movie, Just Go With It. It was really funny and enjoyable, with stunning views of Hawaii. Definitely worth a watch for the Hula dance off between Jen and Nicole Kidman. 


• I'd like to thank Megan from Second Floor Living, who asked me to do a guest post for her blog on Autumn and Winter fashion trends. You can read it here