I'm not one for roughing it. Having just returned from staffing at my fifth New Warrior Training Adventure (a programme offered by The ManKind Project (www.mkp.org.za) held at Boys Town in the Magaliesberg near Johannesburg, I'm searching for creature comforts. The difference in the way men live is, perhaps, more acute to me now than usual. On Wednesday I spent the night at The Westcliff, arguably one of the most luxurious hotels in Johannesburg, while on Thursday night, sleeping in the dormitories where the Boys Town children usually do, I was so cold that my minus-five degree sleeping bag, track suit and beanie didn't keep me sufficiently snug for a good night's sleep. Earlier that day we'd visited the museum nearby at the Sterkfontein caves at The Cradle of Mankind and I felt a connection to the earth and my ancestors who millions of years earlier, had first walked there..
I learnt some things about myself this weekend. My minimum requirement for comfort is warmth, two-ply toilet paper, water and soap. This surprises me. I'd considered myself spoilt after nearly a decade of living well - knowing how to determine the thread count of one kind of linen over another or working to hone my senses to determine exactly what defines luxury. While that skill is a source of income for me (and I'm guessing an amusement or vicarious pleasure for you) in truth it is nonsense. I'm not an apologist for the rich as I have every intention of joining them but I find it more difficult than before to revel in my comfort when men; friends - not strangers by the side of the road - have to live like I did for one night, for most of their lives.
I was struck by one diorama at the museum in particular of man and his mate defending against the predators. I may well be able to live on much, much less than I do. What I cannot live without - and I'll bet this applies to you too - is love and support from other men and women - despite how much I may pretend to the contrary.
7-10-2006-10-07
Hi Brian,
I eat out on a far to frequent basis and have never given a restaurant a second chance, one bad experience, write off and go elsewhere.
Due to the extensive coverage that Café Alo received from yourself and others I thought that a second chance would be in order.
On Thursday 5th October I found myself and a colleague in town at about 08h45 and a breakfast would be of the order, so, off we went to the celebrated Café Alo.
Being the only two guests we thought that it would be an in and out satisfied in no time experience, but, this was not to be (no further people arrived till we left at 9h41.
Our waitron just started that morning and was totally lost by what appeared on the menu, we called the other waitron and he knew what a muscle protein builder was and explained to our waitron that it was on the menu ~ the coffee was more of a problem after my 3rd request and 15 minutes later a cup of black coffee arrived as ordered 3 times with (cold milk) a further 35 minutes later our breakfast arrived after I broke up an engrossed conversation between the 2 waitrons and the “cook”. As an aside the water with mint leaf was great, but, are mint leaves not green ours were brown!!
There was little harm that could be done to a health breakfast, but wow can they screw up a cheese burger. I watched with interest how the cook first microwaved the pattie, then a little later the roll and ultimately the finished product to merge the tasteless items together. Twice the owner/manager left his office walked into the store looked around with a vacant stare acknowledge nothing and retreated back to the cave at the rear.
It is really that I find a meal so bad with untrained staff and a non caring manager, I suggest a course in front house management from Dale at Driftwoods, Mark at Maestro’s or JP at Blowfish would help them.
Best wishes to you
Maxleigh Derman