How we have evolved from stone-age people where animals and nature provided the material for early humans to cover themselves as protection against the elements using animal hide, tree bark and grasses, to the post-modern age, where we dress according to the occasion.
I was curious as to why time periods were given different names, but the answer was quite obvious, as some of the names are a dead giveaway!
- stone age was when... stone...was used as weapons and tools;
- along came the bronze age, and yes, you've guessed right, metalwork was discovered and the material used was...bronze; however, copper and tin alloy were also used.
- the iron age was when humans learned to heat and forge iron and metal.
There are many other ages before the so-called post-modern era that we live in; middle ages, medieval, and modern.
Makes me wonder just what our current age will be called in the distant future as we surely cannot be called post-modern then - the age of pollution perhaps?
That was just an aside, not a history lesson, so no need to do homework, which we all disliked, just as the little boy said was the worst thing about being young, in a video where a young boy and a man 57 years apart, ask each other questions about life, as shared by @shadowspub in her wonderful blog Keep Right On To The End Of The Road; full of wisdom from folk who lived long lives.
I love to dress for the occasion, so when my special outfits stayed in my cupboard permanently during Covid restrictions; it was quite exciting clearing out my cupboard and discovering special outfits I'd forgotten about. My casual at-home outfits are looking a tad tired and are in need of replacement!
The clothes we wear often are an indicator of the kind of occasion we're off to, not so, just as it can be a dead giveaway as to what of job or activity we are involved in - the office worker, executive, fitness instructor, tradesman, healthcare worker, priest, detective, entertainer, sportsman, and woman...the list really is endless.
Running our BnB we have hosted a real mix of people booking a stay with us, for all kinds of purposes. I find it fascinating meeting people from all walks of life and seeing how different cultures celebrate special occasions, live life, work hard, and generally make up a mishmash of amazing guests.
The motoring companies and other institutions who send their staff for training, have really been our rock when Covid restrictions were first lifted, as they had to catch up big time.
Before Covid, we had many international guests ranging from young adventurous families to ex-pats visiting family, to holidaymakers as well as a motley of sportsmen and women; Comrades marathon runners, swimmers, darts players, cyclists, BMX riders, and bodybuilders, to name but a few.
We have hosted entertainers as the cottage is spacious enough to store their gear and outfits - a dancing group and a hard-rock band. I can just imagine how difficult the restrictions were for the entertainment industry, and we hope to see more of them now that restrictions have been lifted!
Guests book for happy but also sad occasions.
Pastors and leaders from various faiths have stayed over the years; we've even had a baptism in our swimming pool, on one of the coldest and wettest days of the year!
We've hosted honeymoon couples, as Moms start worrying long before the wedding about their fledglings who will soon flee the nest, and need a place to rest before the long trip to their honeymoon destination.
Can you see how everyone's gear tells a story of what they're up to?
Post-Covid - we had riots and looting on a scale like never before last year, and then in April devastating storms resulted in road closures, bridges washed away, and mudslides that took buildings and lives, so of course, Durban is not seen as the perfect holiday destination, and it's going to take a long while for our tourism reputation to be restored!
It currently is the mid-year school holidays, but we do not have one booking for families holidaying; unheard of in the past!
Thankfully, when I changed our marketing strategy to attract business people as well as up-country families needing accommodation for family and friends' special celebrations, we have been seeing an influx of that kind of bookings.
This past weekend was a whirlwind of special celebrations when a wedding took place; celebrations started two days before the actual wedding already.
Thursday night the bride's family and friends have their own celebration, as does the groom with his. We were blessed to attend a wedding of the daughter of Indian friends of ours; what a jolly affair that was!
We attended the actual wedding the next day, and even though that was more sedate, it was a truly sumptuous affair!
I will share some of the outfits our recent guests wore, a real feast for the eyes!
Gorgeous detail in the fabric; the young girl's Mehndi was done very subtly.
Despite all the frivolity and busyness of running from one occasion to the next, these were awesome considerate guests, so there was not much to be done in the way of servicing the two units.
Guests like these make our job so very worthwhile; by the time they left, it felt like they were part of the family.
I really love my post-retirement job, and am thankful we survived the difficult restrictive period!
Many in the hospitality industry were not so lucky!
A beautiful bunch of roses from my guests - plus many other delights that the family made for the celebrations, gave us a taste of the wedding.
Original Content by @lizelle
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Over the years more friendships made than hardship felt, the good side of life always wins over, not so?
Love the outfits you shared, Indian weddings are very different to our own, African weddings depending on tribal tradition also amazing, learning how our different peoples enjoy their traditional backgrounds brought with them to these lands.
@tipu curate
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You are so right Joan, thank goodness for good friends, old and new, who make life so worthwhile!
We really have an interesting mix of cultures here in SA not so. Our Bongikosi shared a video of his wedding, their outfits were very colourful indeed.
Thank you for the tip Joan🤗
Many hold true to the traditions not lost over the years, all have fabulous ways of going about festivities, life is interesting when included.
You can really tell a lot by the outfits, can't you? I was so devastated at what Covid has done to the world, but, will say that some of the new friendships I have forged during this time have been so very special.
I was surprised once again by how inventive we had become with families, zooming to keep it all together. In some ways, it was fun and taught us a new way to do things.
The yellow outfits worn by the Indian family were stunning! The intricate work done was a piece of art. Thank you for sharing them. The flowers: lovely.
I wish you and your BnB continued success!
Thank you for the good wishes Denise...and I was naughty, omitted using #alwaysaflower; they are gorgeous, and are only now starting to wilt!
Yes, Covid certainly did a load of damage in more ways than one, but it also taught us valuable lessons. We had our first Zoom Christmas last year and attended two memorial services online.
I loved the intricate designs on the ladies' outfits, just beautiful!
Great seeing you from across the waters Denise ;)
Noooo! NO guilt over the #alwaysaflower. It is just for fun! :) They looked absolutely gorgeous! What a wonderful gesture. ❤️
Covid was a real backbreaker, but, the lessons were not lost on me. I forged different relationships with my younger nieces and nephew, taught my sisters (younger) how to zoom, went to church, and learned to appreciate (once again) the small things in life.
Those gowns were totally exquisite and work of art!
@lizelle Awesome post with observations on clothing styles. The diversity in humanity is so apparent in clothing styles but the happiness is too, though everyone is so diverse. Nice captures and theme of the post. I especially enjoyed seeing the gorgeous lehenga choli and saris - a touch of nostalgia for me. Remembered my visits to Durban area for couple of weddings a few years ago.
Thanks and cheers
One can often tell someone's personality by the way they dress as well, not so!
We just love our job and have hosted from a high court judge to the ordinary workers, and although their worldly status is vastly different, they've all been really awesome guests; some are very reserved when they arrive, but by the time they leave, they're relaxed, and those who stay for longer periods, become like part of the family.
We've been to two Indian weddings, both very sumptuous affairs with the gorgeous outfits and the fragrant spicy foods which I just love. We always say, the only place you'll find a real curry outside of India, is in good old Durbs.
Thank you for your awesome feedback @vm2904!
What beautiful dresses and the details in the fabrics have always caught my attention, the way Indian women dress, there is so much color and brightness, they really are very colorful, thanks for sharing your experience in the bnb @lizelle
I was quite fascinated with the stunning detail in their outfits, it's really beautiful!
Thank you for the visit @devania 😉
What a beautiful way of exploring your BnB .. through the shots of the range of guests you've had visit. The stories the room could tell eh.
They asked me to take photos which I didn't mind at all.
We only have two units - a studio apartment & the 2 bedroom self-catering cottage which is very spacious.
You're right, if those walls could talk, one could write a series of books on it😉
maybe the walls need to become a character ... :)
Sort of like Hobo sealing my keyboard.
I enjoyed seeing all the different ways your guests can be dressed.
How beautiful some of that attire is. The yellow is amazing.
It was quite a treat Jacey, the yellow was my favourite as well!
The detail in the fabric is just amazing. Thank you for popping in🤗
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Those saris are just beautiful!
They are gorgeous indeed, my favourite was the yellow Lehenga Choli the young woman wore; it was quite a treat seeing the different outfits. They asked me to take photos on two of the occasions, they were running late on the last day when the family said goodbye to the girl, she usually leaves the family home the day after the wedding. I was quite surprised when I first heard of this tradition, which varies within the different Hindu sects. Not like us who ride off into the sunset after the wedding 😉
They look as though they're family heirlooms. My friends, Selma and Andre often photograph Muslim and Indian weddings: always sooo beautiful. You should have a browsw through their blog just for those photos.
I will definitely have a look, the outfits are really stunning. When we went to the last Indian pre-wedding celebration, a local lady who sat at our table told me she had the perfect outfit for me to wear to the wedding. She insisted I pick it up or she would drop it off at our house, so I ended up wearing a Punjabi that was a perfect fit and easier to wear than a Sari, which I wouldn't know how to wrap in any case😉
These are beautiful outfits. I love the yellow/gold dress! ❤️
They are stunning not so, glad you enjoyed it as well @jangle 🤗