Hello from the Wild East Coast of South Africa. I must say they have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world here. Durban beach is by far one of the best! The waves were like giant hands welcoming me into the soothing salt water. There are many locals around, and I definitely stand-out. I spent the afternoon walking the beach and noticed locals filling plastic bottles with sand and water, and running from the beach back to the main land. Could it be that they have no beach toy? There were plenty of children bathing but I didn't see any children with toys. On second thought, this is likely not the case because this practice is done by adults and children alike. There are local boys and men walking around with empty bottles waiting for the opportunity to fill them. When I asked a local woman on the beach, she looked worried and simply brushed me off. Later that night I asked my waiter what this was all about. He said "they take it to the farm and make some medication from it. They are crazy these people".
I couldn't help but notice a group of children playing soccer for hours on the beach using an old brown soccer ball, if you can even call it that. Regardless of this, the children are laughing and having a wonderful time. They are all fit, not in a malnourished sort of way but in a healthy active way. They look like they are enjoying the childhood many of us in Canada had about 30 years ago. Outside and playing. No TV, no computer games or Wii. They are outside playing, interacting, socializing which is something us westerners have lost over the last few decades. These kids are developing their imagination, creativity and social skills. They may not have much material-wise, and may not even have parents, but they are the happiest group of kids I have seen in years. I guess it is like when you give a toddler a wrapped toy in a box. The toddler tends to play with the box before acknowledging the shiny new (and likely expensive) toy. Imagination, discovery and creativity leading them to "think outside the box" and to find the beauty and fun in the box/package. How come us adults can't see the potential in the box? At what age does a box become just a box?
