Out of Africa






Karen Blixen’s African home is not far from Nairobi. The suburb even got her name, Karen. There are not many writers who share the privilege with her to have a whole neighbourhood named after them. After a jumpy ride on a minibus to see her house and the extensive grounds was sheer bliss. Everything looked as if the author of Out of Africa had just left. Her tormented life on her African farm between her Danish husband Baron Bror Blixen and her romantic lover Denis Finch Hatton has inspired Hollywood. 

© Nikola Obradovic, 123RF


The big five, Africa’s signature animals were with me on a recent trip to the pitturesque Karoo dorpie Prince Albert. They had made themselves comfortable on the silken trois pièces I always pack for the scorching heat of the Karoo. You love it or hate it this vast semi-arid plain stretching from nowhere to nowhere in the centre of South Africa. 







However, the Karoo is always good for a surprise. Who would have expected a fully fledged Art Deco theatre on the dusty main road of Prince Albert. The Showroom was lovingly restored by an association of benevolent inhabitants. There is a movie once a week and every now and then some live performance. 



















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