Cape Town is a little chilled city at the edge of South Africa. It is home to some of the world’s most talented people and industries alike. Cape Town is a vivacious and fun-loving social scene. It is social because we have friendly people that greet and acknowledge you (you could say its the Crème de la Crème of socialites in South Africa but hey, that’s just my opinion). Okay, so now that I’ve acknowledged Cape Town (as being one of the great Capetonians I’ve mentioned), Id like to pay a special tribute to a little- rather huge- place within Cape Town. My haven, Pinelands.
Pinelands is the longest I’ve ever been settled in one place (6 year residency within this beautiful land). I moved around a lot as a kid so staying in a place longer than 3 years was like, weird. Pinelands saw me through my awkward stages (Yup, high school). What made living in Pinelands ,not only bearable but in enjoyable, was the fact that it was a safe place to be awkward. Yes, some residents were a little hostile and reserved but they weren’t mean. Pinelands is a place where you can , when your stressed or feeling existential, just roam and take in the lush scenery of pine trees , maintained parks and just serenity. However, this does not mean Pinelands doesn’t get crazy. There is a colossal amount of parties that go on but unlike other places, we keep it quiet and safe(kinda boring, yeah).
The only bummer about Pinelands is that everyone is either super young (like primary school young) or super old (like old age home old). The rumours, which have been passed around the table, is that Pinelands has a great majority of teen “stoners”- which is not true. Pinelands is filled with Young hopefuls who will be, and do, something great one day.
Pinelands is my home. It might just be “for now” but it has afforded me many memories with kind, generous, loving and sometimes superior-headed people. But without encounters with them I’d probably have been a different person (cliché but true, kids).
Yes, I’m from the KIND streets of Pinelands. RESPECT!
