The power of a Hug ( Act 2)

Few months ago i wrote about the power of a hug, and how it can make feel people better especially when it come from a child.

I found out that greetings are important in South Africa, and people ( at least those i met) would go directly to a hug to make you feel comfortable and happy to be around them.

a hug will bring that security feeling that every single person would look for.
i'm happy that i found people that would react the same way as me and will make me feel normal and understood.

45 days in Johannesburg!!!

i've been far from any writting since my arrival to Joburg, i have a million stories to tell, a lot experiences, but sometimes inspiration doesn;t really follow.

the beginning was a little difficult , i had to understand the meaning of ta dry winter, i do remember studying this at primary school but i did not get it till i had to wake up in the morning in a freezing room ( -2 degrees) withh no heater ( which mandatory in my life) and a blue sunny sky!!! day after day for the first week , i've been waiting for the rain or the snow, then i had to face the reality it's going to be awefully cold, so first decision, change my hotel, and sometimes, irrationnal decisions end up being the best of your life.

after settling down in a better place, i could start having fun, spending some time with my techwomen family, visiting the city, cooking&baking, and somehow i felt home. and yes the moment i started cleaning and washing the dishes without complaning i understood that i just found my new home.

So every weekend, it's the tourist on me that appears, lion park, elephant sanctuary, cable car at harties, the red bus tour, sandton city, montecasino  or rooderpoort, when ever i can go for a walk i just don;t miss it.

i've been surprised by the diversity in Johannesburg, i was not expecting  it to be this much big, i came here 3 years ago, for a week, and i realized i did not see anything back then.

i've been to an amazing event atwits University where i've been lucky to attend a lecture given by Ms Graca Machal the widow of former President Mandela, the way she talked about africa and the situation of the countries, the rural areas, made me love my life way more and i felt really as an african citizen, and proud of it.
i've been around my ladies from techwomen for the Taungana project, it's going to be a one week event where high school girl from rural area from Zambia, Zimbabwe and SouthAfrica will have a one week exposure trip to STEM career. i'm so proud of this project and i believe it might bring a lot of understanding to all these girls...4 days to go #TaunganaAfrica

i feel happy here, and i have to say it started with a social dance evening at RoseBank, where i found out that i can register and dance with the best teachers of salsa, tango, tumba, foxtrot or EC swing, i had no idea that it's possible to have ballroom classes, and for sure i will be looking for this in my country, but i found a place where i can learn kizomba, that sexy passionate angolan dance, few years ago i tried to dance it but i did not understand the importance of  connection and loosing the control, the moment i got it i felt free i felt happy to follow the lead and enjoy.

South Africa is a surprising country, so many differnces and in the same time, it's a small world in one country, i hope i can have that chance to come back in here and visit other places.
i still have 3 weeks in Joburg, and am ready to enjoy the best of it!!

Last day at Cape Town

Here we are 3 weeks have gone and I'm getting ready to leave Cape Town.

I've been surprised by the city, it has been beautiful, with surprising people and amazing experience.

It felt weird every time I'm walking back to my hotel people would greet me even if they've never met me before.

It seems it's a quite city with no rush or stress, and in a certain way people are happy to live here or be here.

I've never heard anyone here saying I don't like the city I want to leave, and after three weeks I do understand that feeling.

I loved how the city might surprise you, I went from Windhoek to San Francisco just by visiting Cape Town, going up and down in the city, visiting table mountain or spending an afternoon in camps bay it felt naturally in a place I can call home.

Today am on my way to cape point that latest part of Africa, coming from North Africa, I would be able to say I've seen both of the side of Africa.

First stop is Hout Bay to spend some time with seals, next step the chapman peak let's see how it goes.

Facts about me

12 facts about me:
1. I love travelling, moving around the world, and getting used to new life
2. I enjoy walking for the whole day on sunny days without having a lunch break ( it’s a waste of time for me, especially if my schedule is tight)
3. My perfect week end, would be to stay in bed having a TV series marathon
4. I love Sushi, I can eat it 3 times a day without complain
5. I can get angry but the moment i say it out loud am fine ( forgive very quickly)
6. I hate picnics, or any events with food and nature ( don’t ask me why I have no idea)
7. I hate people asking questions when they already know the answer
8. The worst season for me is the winter, I get depressed and bad mood
9. Friendship is very important and doesn’t mean I need to talk to you all the time
10. I started learning different languages because it is a passion to understand people around me
11. Dancing is a second nature for me.
12. I’m African first, Algerian and Muslim.

Startup Women Weekend Maghreb!!

Have you ever imagine creating your own startup?
do you have any idea that can be a startup?
these are the questions you have to ask your self to be part of this event, and obviously you need to be a woman!!

I am in total admiration of these ladies coming from Algeria, Tunisia, & Morroco to be part of this first SWWM, to spend 54 hours in a room to develop their buisness plan, and pitch their ideas.
I feel i'm not courageous enough to put my self in this situation.
I can just imagine the pressure and stress that each one of them is feeling, luckily coaches and mentors are there around to meet everybody, to guide them and share their expereince.

After the SWWM, winning or not the competition, each one of them will feel grown up , each one of them will go back home with more knowledge, new friends and the satisfaction of giving their best in a project they beleived in.

I wish all of them a good luck for another sleepless night!!

Namibia the unknown country

Before to go to Namibia, all what I knew about it was that Frankie Frederick one of the best sprinter in the world is from Namibia.

I've discovered that Namibia has been colonized by German, Namibia has suffered from appartheid as much as South Africa, and I realized it is one of the youngest country that has got their independence , this year the 24th year has been celebrated.

I found out that in Namibia from which tribe you are from is very important, when I arrived many people were thinking that I might be a colored person ( a mixed person), and people would speak to me in Afrikaans first.

To be continued...

An afternoon under the sun!!

For a long time I've been traveling and trying to enjoy the best of each city or country, but sometimes planning to go out arrange accommodations etc.. It s just too much, when the best way to enjoy is most of the time simpler.

You just need to lay down under the sun and feel the warm feeling on your skin, you just need to put your feet in the pool and have that fresh sensation.

After a long tiring day, after some disappointment and stress, nothing can relax better that sitting under the sun and enjoying a fresh little wind.

I would agree that this moment would have been perfect if I could share it with important people in my life, but I cannot choose who is around me and who is not.

Am still enjoying even if I'm alone and I'm not saying I'm lonely!!

Happy late afternoon!!