My favorite new town...Stellenbosch, South Africa

Surrounded by rolling hills of vineyards is the hip and fun town of Stellenbosch. I just fell in love with the fun architecture, arty shops and fun people. I think I could live here.....!!!!!

Bramon Wines

A really awesome vineyard...amazing owners...great wine and treats! Plus, an award winning Sauvignon Blanc bubbly.... if you are ever east of cape town, this is the only vineyard in the Plett area.

Biker Dudes...I just can't help myself!!!!

Talia and I found ourselves invited to a bikers rally and I just had to go witness the chaos. I think all stereotypes about bikers holds true, however, I had a great time...surrounded by the jolliest, drunkest, and most kick ass people I have met in sometime. I think I have found myself a fun personal assignment that will carry on for sometime.

Plettonberg Bay, South Africa.

I have been lucky enough to be doing work at one of the most gorgeous places on earth. It's where a small artsy town meets mountains and ocean...I mean...what else could you ask for???

Here are a few images from Plettonberg and the surrounding area...there's more where this came from!!!!

A South African Birthday Party

Little Gabriella had a birthday party and these are the results of the event!!! I went home and napped after the intense commotion of 40 children!

Sloss Furnaces. Birmingham, AL.

So, while spending time in Birmingham....thanks to Mike, Remy, Mark and Joe....I was able to photograph an iron pour. The resident artists put on quite a show, lighting up a larger furnace, filling it with iron and coal, and with some sparks and hard manual labor, liquid iron started to pour. From the furnace, the melted iron is placed into a large witch like pot and carefully poured into molds (I'm sure I am missing some technical terms here). Anyways, Sloss Furnaces has a spooky history and is known for being one of the most haunted sites in America. It's an awesome place...if you find yourself in Birmingham!

A little history lesson follows below or check out their website: www.slossfurnaces.com

In 1881 and 1882, North Alabama planter and investor James Withers Sloss built the furnaces which became known as the "City Furnaces." Extensively rebuilt and modernized in the late 1920s, the current steel-jacketed furnaces employed an estimated 500 workers and produced 400 tons of pig iron daily. Sloss-Sheffield Steel and Iron Company and U. S. Pipe operated these furnaces, maintaining their position as a leading foundry iron producer until 1971.

-sloss website

Flowers and Botanical Gardens in Alabama...who knew?

I went down to Birmingham, Alabama for a week. I've never been to the south and I had my fill of meat'n 3's, thick and incomprehensible accents and cool old buildings. I found myself milling around the botanical gardens...basically, I hadn't seen a flower in 4 months and I found the colors and smells overwhelming... I was just so happy! Here are some photos from that day!!!

Baby, Baby, Baby...it must be spring!!!

I'm Excited...South Africa in June!

Writer, Talia Berman, and I are teaming up and taking South Africa on by storm. We leave the United States on  June 1st and will be together for a little less than two months. We have all kinds of ideas for stories...from tasty wine trips to Nelson Mandela. No story is too small or large...we are ready and excited to be working together!  

Jess in S. Africa

June 1st-July 12th

Talia in S. Africa

June 1st-August 31st

 

Americana....the beginning of something new!!!!