
Me, holding roses I was allowed to pick from The Company Gardens because they were pruning them anyway.
I used to be a travel photojournalist. People used to go greenish when I told them this and say, That must be the best job in the world! Because I was a very contrary travel photojournalist, I quit. (FYI, being a travel photographer and writer is not necessarily the best job in the world. The best job in the world probably doesn’t exist, but I’ll settle for one that doesn’t cause my editor to offer me free psychotherapy.)
I now work for another magazine company, but most of the people there don’t know I used to be a journalist. Actually, most of them don’t know who the hell I am. I know this because they look confused when I get into the lift with them. I’ve started taking the stairs.
My new job is all very orderly and regimented. I’m not allowed to rock up at the office at 10.30 with no excuse. I’m not allowed to stay at home in my pyjamas all day and claim to be writing. However, I am allowed to take a lunch break. This is a great novelty.
Whenever 1pm rolls around and I remember this incredible fact, I descend the stairs, give the security guard a cheery wave and step out into the heady swirl of central Cape Town. I reckon there must be at least 100 spots to get a spot of lunch on Long Street (preferably in the R30 to R40 range). I plan to explore them all.
P.S. I have another website, alisonwestwood.com, where you can find all my ‘real’ writing and photography.
Good blog 🙂
Oh Ali I love you so…..one of my favourite Sausage Pants….x
heeeeyyyy, aren’t you whatshername, who showed up with T.N. at a house in obs the other night. Anyway, just wanted to say, how bizarre, after years of freelancing, I now stay in the office for most of the day, and don’t find the lunchbreak to be novel. Weird.
hey Alison. very cool blog. look forward to the rest.