EN ROUTE WITH BEKAH: Rite of Passage

Photo by Bekah Wright

Recently, you may have caught a series of articles Daily Concepts family member Bekah Wright has been writing for the website First To Know. Now, she’s sharing more of her trip to South Africa with us. Today, she’s taking us to Cape Town’s The Old Biscuit Mill where a  gem was discovered amongst its many outstanding vendors.

Photo by Bekah Wright

First, a quick catch-up for those who might not have been following the series. Bekah had been on safari in Zambia for over a week. Her reintroduction to “real life” came by way of airports, as she hopped aboard several South African Airways flights to Cape Town, where she was met by Passage To Africa tour company.

Photo by Bekah Wright

A Cape Town hello came by way of Woodstock, a little village filled with artists galleries and studios (again, more on those in later posts). This particular morning was perfect timing for the farmers’ market at The Old Biscuit Mill. If there’s anything Bekah loves, it’s farmers’ markets.

Winding her way through the stalls, she grabbed bits and bites…

Photo by Bekah Wright

…of Cape Town delicacies to comprise the perfect breakfast.

Photo by Bekah Wright

Between the baked goods, the flowers, the produce, the crafts and… the scenery…

Photo by Bekah Wright

It was truly a feast for the senses.

Photo courtesy of Kara Cutruzzula

As for those aforementioned gems, one was discovered that had particular meaning for the group — this beautiful buffalo leather journal. As you can see, it was handcrafted on site at The Old Biscuit Mill at  Wessel Snyman Creative. What made the piece extra special…

Image courtesy of Kara Cutruzzula

It was handcrafted by one of the group’s fearless leaders, tour guide Robin George. He never said a peep about it until prodded a bit, then it was revealed that Robin’s father had passed down the family artistry of crafting leather-bound books.

Photo courtesy of Kara Cutruzzula

Later, whilst out showing various us sites, friendly shop owners would light up at the sight of Robin. An antique coin had just shown up in their inventory. One just right for the kind he liked to use as a bookmark the leather journals.

Photo by Bekah Wright

Robin always purchased the coin. The throng of tourists there to learn about South Africa didn’t miss the fact that he was passing on not only his knowledge about his country through the tours, but his family heritage through his artistry, and, undoubtedly, a great deal of his own love as well.

To check out The Old Biscuit Mill (and better photos than Bekah’s) visit http://www.theoldbiscuitmill.co.za/T To see more from Wessel Snyman Creative visit http://www.theoldbiscuitmill.co.za/wessel-snyman-creative/ To learn more about Passage to Africa visit http://www.passagetoafrica.com/. To book a flight on South African Airways visit http://www.flysaa.com/