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Sunday, March 6, 2011

Bokkom Lane



A row of quaint old buildings meanders along on the bank of the beautiful pristine blue Berg River. A developer with a sharp business eye might think "aha" and see visions of malls and playgrounds. Luckily for us, this little lane is strictly protected and regarded as a national treasure. The street had looked like this for hundreds of years and will continue to be the place where a age-old custom of drying sardines is still practiced.

I have blogged extensively about Velddrif and its bokkoms, and new readers may want to catch up, so I will lead you there: On the first anniversary of my blog, I showed the photogenic little fish in Bokkoms at Velddrif. I then showed the dried product and how I personally enjoyed my bokkoms in Bokkoms turning from Silver to Gold. As part of a set of four paintings for an architect's beach home, I also showed characterful Janine who worked at one of the factories in my post called Folks and Fish #3

My current painting shows part of the dirt road with little bokkom factory-shops. I show 4 tourists, but on a normal day that will be 3 too many! More people should become interested in the old customs and try to enjoy the living history of the West Coast!

12 comments:

  1. Wonderful painting I enjoy everything that you depict of your homeland. This makes me want to slowly meander along the dirt road and take in the sounds and atmosphere.

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  2. I saw this in the one inch thumbnail of my dashboard and thought what a lovely photo. Then I realized it was your painting. This tells me your values are spot on. Beautiful painting Marie!

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  3. Marie, I love this painting. It's has such interest, especially the winding road and the little buildings. I am glad it is protected, we have lost so much in the name of progress. The old held such charm.

    All the best to you
    Joan

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  4. It's a beautiful piece, Marie!! Thank you for sharing!!!

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  5. What a gorgeous little street and neighborhood. I love that there are places left on this earth that have withstood the tests of time, both in their original beauties and in their customs.

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  6. I love it, Marie! May spots such as this never go extinct!

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  7. Thank you, Linda! We are pleased to have places like this!

    Thank you very much, Cathyann!

    I loved doing this on 16x12", Sheila and am pleased that you like it!

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  8. Joan, thank you for sharing my feelings about historical spots!

    Manon, how nice of you to visit! I feel bad because I struggle to open your blog, and would so like to visit!

    Sherry, you say it so well! Spot on!

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  9. Thank you, Dean. May it still be there a hundred years from now!

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  10. Lovely painting, and I enjoyed learning about bokkoms!

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  11. Oooooooh maar jou werk is mooi! Ek mal oor die Weskus en gaan gereeld Paternoster toe. Ek is soooo bly om jou te ontmoet! Ons moet bymekaar kom. Ek sal jou blog dophou en dankie vir al die mooi kommentaar op myne! x

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  12. Full of intrigue - wonderful, Marie!

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