The butterfly effect

It is time for a paradigm shift in country

Please don't misunderstand me, I am incredibly fortunate to study further (#feesmustfall) however lately my cup has been pretty empty. I have enjoyed my academic terms because of the creativity and diversity of information it brought. I also found a way to make things interesting and dare I say fun with the help of my friends. Toilet humor for example wasn't vulgarity but rather jokes about dual flush systems. The list goes on.

This afternoon I decided to go to the bakery close to res for a treat. A "life can be sweet" treat if you will. I walked in and the attendant immediately recognized me when I walked in 
" You haven't been here in weeks, where have you been?" she explained. I had been trying to be good. For some odd reason I spent fifteen minutes trying to decide what to get. Even the baker came to the front. I'm the butterfly girl, I should get a butterfly pastry( it is rolled puff pastry with sugar in the middle and brushed with syrup). The friendly attendant laughed at me and half-heatedly tried to sell me other treats, but kept telling me that we both knew I wanted the butterfly pastry. When I eventually bought the butterfly. Then I was scolded for depriving myself and invited back next Sunday.

Butterfly pastry or Varkoortjie in Afrikaans is a delightfully light pastry perfectly accompanied by tea on Sundays.

The point of my story is not to convince you to buy baked goods, but my experience brought on the realization of the reason for my deflated attitude as of late. I am concerned about the treatment of workers in our country especially in the hospitality sector. Like the attendant the universe keeps telling me that I should do something about it, but I guess the fear of ridicule has stopped me till now.

My idealistic heroism of those in management positions in this industry has been lost.
I used to look at these suited men and women and secretly adore them. I guess this makes me a hospitality nerd but I knew departmental heads statistics as if they were sports people. I used to collect property information, Eat out magazine was a manual to life  and I read Trip Adviser more than Facebook ( for a personal my age that is quite intense).

It was a slow process, which I fought for a long time. I had stars in my eyes, why would I resent a position I being groomed to fill?

Call it fate if you will, but one day I ended up in housekeeping department running some head offices errands and accidentally fell into a deep discussion with some laundry attendants. It all started with asking them how they were and wanting a real response.

Their concerns and grievances were all things I had noticed before however my enthusiasm and positive attitude wasn't going to help them. They put it rather bluntly, they will work hard for the rest of their lives never to attain a fraction of what the guests have. They explained the fear they felt of guest, who at the slightest complaint could place their positions  jeopardy. They feel as if they are going no where in their careers. 

It all became apparent to me. The hospitality industry is growing and thriving in Africa. Many of the basic skills involved in service can be taught without the need of tertiary education. Surely this is a means to help relieve the unemployment rates drastically.

We have a problem with entitlement in our nation. The poor want grants but often without contributing to society and the wealthy hate any threat to their monopoly on opportunity.

About a month later I transferred to a different hotels housekeeping department. I took off my suit, wiped off my make up and put on a housekeepers smock and it changed my life.
I didn't have to wear the properties uniform as an intern. I thought it would be practical for cleaning I never imagined the social implications that occurred.

The higher management from head office didn't recognize me and I was chastised for not wearing a name badge when coming to dust their offices (which are bigger than the departmental store room). I wasn't even given the opportunity to explain that I was a student. People kept asking me how many children I had, such a stereotype. My greeting as ignored as people blatantly looked the other way. Other departments even laughed as we leaned the staff bathrooms that they dirtied. Guests would hammer the close button in the lift if the saw me pass. A male guest gave me no warning and used the bathroom in front of me as I cowered in a corner. The list continues it is demeaning and dehumanizing.

A housekeeper pointed in out so nicely " guest's love the suit" to explain my sudden unpopularity.
This same attendant told me "Just because we clean shit doesn't makes us shit". She's right, someone has to do it.

Just because your room rate is more that someones monthly salary does not mean you own them Slavery is over!!!

Also it disappoints me when I meet managers who allow their positions to inflate their ego. You are nothing without your staff. You can't run a restaurant/hotel on your own. They forget their employees are people. If you spend most of your life at work surly it should be a pleasant environment

Money and status is no reason to forget you humanity.
That's why I want to implore students from all industries to  start thinking about the leaders they want to be. Do they want to inherit broken industries and manage it in a way that oppresses those in our country that actually try to emancipate themselves from poverty?

Or will we build companies run with sustainability in every sense of the word. One that hopes to grow and expand whilst empowering the workers. It is possible. We have been indoctrinated that there only is enough for the elite. This is a lie. Use your brains and your hands to build, not break. Stop asking for solutions and think about it. The world is ours. Let's take positive strides forward and fight the urge to pillage and destroy like our fore fathers.

It is our responsibility to create opportunities for ourselves and for others. Companies that truly thrive are those that work together. We are all different. Our skill sets and ability levels are not the same. However real lasting change requires  us each to work together to build a country worth living in. 

I hope to reach out to other concerned individuals and build a forum where we can collaborate  to formulate solutions.

The "truth" about Starbucks

Motherland's 100% Arabica, medium roasted, Rwandan and Ethiopian blend.

 "Dear me"

The “truth” is a war is coming. Our territories borders are being breached. Colonization has happened before we’ve “bean there” as a nation. Our “motherland” isn’t safe. We “knead” to stand together as a “tribe” our “origin” after all is the same.

Starbucks is coming for us. 

I have seen the caffeine fueled buzz on social media. It's like in the Lego movie where the masses are indoctrinated to drink over priced coffee. If I am being completely honest I am disappointed. I feel I over estimated the South African consumer. 

My greatest heartache is the way hospitality industry in this country often functions without humanity.  It is an ever growing industry yet it's leaders are all about generating the most cash in the fastest time. They never consider sustainability in all senses of the word. Often the environment suffers but especially the workers. 

In South Africa we have harbored a culture of complaint. Yet what I have come to realize is that the individuals that try to make a difference, for instant hospitality workers are the ones who are oppressed the most. Radical ideas that bring in fair means of making money are laughed out of the boardroom. These hospitality workers, who are trying to raise families without depending on government grants,  that are paid minimum wage  (R2500 a month) or worked into the ground in dangerous and demeaning environments.On the surface it shines but behind the scenes...

The consumer demands therefor it is enforced. The consumer spends enough to pay a whole months salary of a worker in one go so why should they not get away with murder? My question is simple why does the consumer enjoy it? They bully, they swear,they yell, some even try to touch you. Why are there occupations where you have to let things happen to you and detach yourself from your sense of self? 

The consumer has all the power. In this case we are the consumers.

We live in a country which shares a continent with the greatest coffee producing nations on the PLANET!

In Cape Town we have so many wonderful coffee outlets. Places that offer single origin beans that come with the assurance of ethical trading. The coffee industry has been built on personal relationships, my favorite barista asks me about school, I ask for hearts on my flat whites. It comes from a real place, the connection with their customers is true. The workers know all there is to know on their products. It goes beyond being just a beverage, it is liquid art. There is a symphony of flavors each note carefully picked.

We have finally pushed the envelope of what was expected from coffee.For example truth makes coffee with orange juice. The juice is frothy. It's sweet, bitter brilliance! It's literally a sunrise in a cup. Africans drinking incredible African coffee.

Now

Starbucks has indoctrinated the masses using the consumers addiction to sugar to corrupt the flavor profiles of coffee. We don't need hazelnut or caramel sugared drinks thank you very much.We don't need major corporations coming into our country telling us what to drink and putting pressure on the little guy. The coffee industry is good for our economy and ultimately will help in stabilizing the Rand. Major corporations inject money but the suffocate smaller enterprises. It's the port jackson tree situation on our natural vegetation all over again.

We have brilliant coffee here at home. Don't be that guy that buys into Americanism with their expansive capitalist ideals and their placid pallets. I will not be won over by my name misspelled on a cup or the novelty that #starbucks that probably trends on Instagram.

“yours truly”

H

* all quoted words are names of coffee shops and distributors

Hey yo(u) ghurt(good)?

"How are you?"
We ask people this all the time and are asked too.
But do we even care about the response or care to respond with the truth?

Sometimes it's difficult to put into words how we feel. I have been experimenting with making frozen yogurt as of late. So here is life lessons in frozen yoghurt form. 

DRIVE: Frozen yoghurt is an emulsion and a foam. It needs extreme temperatures to solidify it however needs constant movement in order to break the icicles. This creates a thicker, smoother product. Drive is similar in the fact that its continuous work through extreme conditions. Complacency are icicles we need to work at remaining humble so that we will actively pursue our dreams.

For me personally I do not want to make yoghurt like that which you buy in the shop. What's the point in that? Why should I put in colorants, flavoring and preservatives when I'm at home. That's a perfect metaphor for life. No drama, stuff falseness and negativity. I'm at home with who I am. Some people are going to think you are fake because they honestly cannot understand your pursuit to be irrevocably happy. Those that understand are rare, kindred spirits.

Life has the potential to be magical if you just open your eyes. Allow the small thing to make you happy. Like someone opening the door for you or a cloud shaped like a dinosaur. I actively search for happiness.

I saw this in the company gardens. Living in Cape Town the wind is intense, like it will blow you over(especially if you are small)! A gust came up and everyone ducked and some even cursed(hair styles were ruined), but this child riding on his father's shoulders just laughed and it echoed everywhere like music. It was like the universe was telling me that I should laugh at things that bother everyone else. That hardship and challenge is an opportunity to grow so why not enjoy that process. We think that life is breaking us down. Breaking is a horrible world. We are being crafted like the statue of David. Chipping away all excess slowly. You chose to either be art or a tool( like a pestle and mortar also made from marble).

Toppings, I love savory flavours. My new favourite thing is to have double cream frozen yoghurt with cayenne pepper. The cold temperature with the heat from the roasted spice is extraordinary. It's like watching a 3D movie but with taste. 

Double cream frozen yoghurt with roasted cayenne pepper

Toppings are friendships to you the yoghurt. We are different and complex in our own rights.Put us together and we have something amazing. Why should we not try fish or hummus in yoghurt?The people that mean most to me do not make any sense in societal(key word) logic. That's what makes it even more valuable and precious. It's about finding the guardians who will wait at the edge when you have to climb out of the holes of depression.

Double cream frozen yoghurt paired with sour fig jam and dried snoek in a munch bowl (which has a flavor profile to a provita)

Like with yogurt we can strip away the bad and add something strange and wonderful to our lives. That what we least expect can be the most wonderful thing. This applies to many thing like friendships, work or even places.

We are only limited by our fear. I'll admit I'm braver with food and my career than anything else. I lack a certain balance. However I'm challenging myself to be more brave. To stop hiding behind humor or even a crazy jersey.  To explore life completely.

Darjeeling would you like to chai some rooibos?

My family is not the most affectionate of people. They are not big on cuddles or talking too much (or loudly). However being the boisterous (my sister's word not mine) I never felt unloved despite being constantly told to use my inside voice .

We show our affections in other ways; such as a simple cup of tea. 

When studying, oddly quiet or sick my mom would make me a cup of milky tea. My awkward brother always offers to make a cup of tea when when I'm freaking out. My mom used to drink eight cups of tea a day and I quickly learned it was the best way to defuse conflict. When I visit my Oupa his first reaction is to boil a kettle of water. It's our heart language (corny but true)

Tea is like drinking a warm hug and opens people up to conversation. I've discovered most people have a soft spot for tea too.

However most tea distributors admit that the general public don't even know how to identify a good cup of tea. It's true we live in a society that knows the difference between instant coffee and single origin beans. That's pallets can even taste if a wine is capitalized. When drinking tea their scope is suddenly the more expensive tea brand is better than the cheap brand available in the SUPERMARKET.

My Darjeelings (a black Indian tea) with a few easy indicators, you'll be ready to impress your friends at your next tea party.

Firstly the main groups of tea are black, green and white. They are classified based on their making processes and flavor profiles.Black is fermented, green semi fermented and white not at all. There are also herbal teas which do not actual contain leaves from a type of tea plant. 

Usually grocery store bought tea is classified as tea dust. This is because the brand uses the bigger,mature leaves of the plant to make the tea. They use faster making process and ground it finer in order for the tea to infuse faster.

 

Green tea

As you can see the tea leaves are actual small leaves. The flavor difference is extraordinary. The tea bag is heavy and has a strong aftertaste which is similar in flavor to tobacco. Where are the Chun Mee is light and aromatic. Real tea is not meant to have a tannin ( the dry sensation activated on the back part of your tongue), you will also notice in a lesser quality tea that there is sediment at the bottom of the cup.

Early grey- a black tea infusion

My infuser: his name is george

When making tea with tea leaves you will use an infuser. Every type of tea has different specifications but it generally takes between 3 to 5 minutes for the tea to infuse. Lesser quality teas will infuse in a matter of seconds.

Like wine it is about finding the perfect flavor profile to compliment the treats you'll be serving at a tea party. Lemon tart with earl grey is delightful or some Goa Chai with Victoria sponge. 

 If you are just making the transition may I suggest Rwanda which is a fantastic black tea which can easily be served with milk and sugar if you prefer.You will notice when moving to leaves there is sweetness and flavour so great, that sugar and milk become obsolete

.

My taste rack

So dust off the tea cups and rinse out you tea pot. It may be cold outside, but you are cordially invited for tea.

Hxx

So what's my flavour?

So I haven't blogged in a really long time. To tell you the truth (been there as well as Bean there), I have been practicing some restaurant chivalry: eating out and not telling.

This year has been one of full of change. My pilgrimage of flavor has resulted in an inward pilgrimage of myself. The best way to describe this would be: I am a deconstructed version of who I used to be ( deconstruction always makes me think of milktart...its way too early for cake, such a bummer). All the same elements presented in an exciting new way.

My life has always been about having direction. I have always found security about knowing where I want to go, do and be. I want my career to be like a shooting arrow: sharp with direction and ultimately has great impact. It has always been a goal of mine for my work to innovate my industry. However I am faced with a crossroad

What is this nivana-esque job I so badly want?

The answers aren't as clear or fulfilling as they once were.

I have made my second Bi-annual resolution to blog more. Perhaps I am one cappuccino away from a complete realisation. I don't know, but I'll tell what every cappuccino tastes like till then.

A one confused
Hxx

How I feel - photo credits:
http://411ontheknot.wix.com/411ontheknot
For the shirt check out: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catcalling-Couture/1127633337262111?pnref=story