The concept of travel makes us culturally tolerant and exposes us to all the beauty and warts that the world offers.
Exactly Redefined is a blog about travel, sports, family, books and moments of magic that inspire me.
Read moreCycling and hiking
have become an
integral part of
what I do and how
I de-stress.
“Free, free at last”, my body insignificantly exclaimed as I finally braved the lockdown and the cold for an early morning cycle. My mind though kept on questioning my body, ‘Free, while millions are but free?”. I momentarily cringed as the cool morning breeze kissed my face. After 2 months isolated at home, I did feel free.
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The lock down has encouraged many a birder to take more of an interest in different dimensions of identifying birds. Being limited to one’s home encouraged me to work on a goal I set to identify garden birds by sound. Often, one does not have binoculars ready on hand and sight can be challenging depending on the angle of light. Mostly, birds move rapidly so visual identification has limitations. I collated several Youtube videos by Villiers Steyn, a professional photographer and safari guide (aka The Safari Expert) and a wonderful quiz by another avid birder and blogger, Keanu Canto. Good luck in identifying the bird calls.
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Bella Ciao “Goodbye Beautiful”, an Italian folk protest song, has become popular in many countries and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic to demonstrate support and solidarity. It is a popular anti-fascist song originating in the Italian civil war and sung across the world for freedom, solidarity and resistance. Over the last few weeks I collected various versions from as far afield as Spain, Kashmir, Brazil, Germany, Palestine and Italy. It has been sung by choirs, punk and rock bands, adapted for films, sung by workers and the broad left movements across the world.
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The lock down, imposed by government to curtail the spread of the Covid-19 virus, allowed me to watch my first full feature 4k Ultra HD and Blu-Ray film (equipment installed by Multiroom AV). We watched Robin Hood, a creatively made modern version, which casts an array of talented actors with a script of more poignant depth than we’d seen of previous takes. Taron Egerton (Robin), Jamie Foxx (John), Eve Hewson (Marian), Tim Minchin (Friar Tuck) and Ben Mendelsohn (Sheriff of Nottingham) complimented each other in this fast action movie.
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A life lived is probably how Isu would humbly describe his 87 years. “Duty and Dynamite: A Life of Activism” by Laloo ‘Isu’ Chiba was jointly edited by Shabir Ballim, Neeshan Balton, Prema Naidoo, Razia Saleh, Rashid Seedat and Ismail Vadi. So let’s deal with the man before the book.
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He died, again. From 22nd September 1981 until 5th February 1982 much happened. I was preparing for my matric exam, which I wrote then rewrote late into December as most exam papers were leaked. I then waited anxiously for my results, celebrating on the streets of Durban after obtaining my university exemption. This excitement dissipated when the then minister of education, yes FW de Klerk, refused my application to study at Wits. And, Apartheid was not a crime against humanity? However, unbeknownst to my little insular world, more than 60 activists were being rounded up and ruthlessly tortured culminating in Dr Neil Agget’s untimely death. It also set the decisive beginning of the end of apartheid.
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Wake up legs. After a sumptuous breakfast we cycled into the dense Jeffrey’s Bay fog climbing up Noorseclimb. Our first 5km contained some sections at 15% gradient which woke our legs up. Jollity was in the air as we came out of Jeffrey’s Bay and within minutes the sky opened and the familiar blue teased our presence. The fog remained down below in Jeffrey’s Bay. Temperatures soared while the peloton picked up speed. We so needed this escape.
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Dedicated to Amina Yakoob Laher (10 May 1911 – 20 Jan 2005), her son Ismail Laher (10 Sep 1949 – ) and his wife Salma Patel (20 Jan 1959 – 3 Jul 2021) and all those suffering the ignominy of old age.
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Crashes. Accidents. Safety. These are themes that crop up usually when one of us is involved in such incidents or we witness one. Responses range from ‘cycling is too dangerous’ to ‘it won’t happen to me’. Neither of which illustrate the nuance or depth of cycling safety.
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Euphoria probably best sums what a nation feels when winning something like the rugby world cup. Crowds erupted in thunderous applause and ululation from the stadium in Zwide to the streets of Soweto. Coming a day after Moody’s served a negative investment grade credit rating, some positive news was indeed needed. The Springboks were brutally physical and doggedly clinical in overwhelming favourites England.
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