Guess what? I survived Christmas!
The onslaught of holiday guests in our my AirBnB always is daunting.
When December arrives, it often is accompanied by noisy party groups that have to be handled tactfully, something my sweet man was really good at. He always managed to get them to turn down the volume, and I'm not just referring to the music!
Fortunately, since changing my marketing strategy to emphasize tranquility, our BnB no longer attracts revellers. However, reading messages on our local BnB WhatsApp group, one cannot help but be apprehensive. Some of the BnBs have had more bad experiences this year, and are considering closing down between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
I block out New Year's Eve, and only allow direct bookings from returning guests for that night, which some see as an excuse to go wild! I really am not a party pooper, but there's a huge difference between having fun and being unruly!
I've lost count of the number of telephonic requests for accommodation from 31 December to 2 January, obviously people looking for a party venue!
We now mostly have family groups who are an absolute pleasure to host, and of course, we had our wedding guests who stayed for two weeks. I was invited to that wedding, as they are regular guests who have become like family.
I was dreading going on my own for a couple of reasons; I would not have my very own VIP by my side, and the venue was close to the bustling beachfront which makes for chaotic traffic and parking!
I decided to Uber, which was a breeze, and made me rethink whether it's worthwhile keeping and maintaining a car now that I'm flying solo.
If I were to go on jaunts, I certainly would not go on my own, and can always Uber to friends, the shopping malls, doctors etcetera. I however will not be hasty and will bide my time with that decision.
The wedding was a real treat, it was a sumptuous Hindu wedding, and the outfits were an absolute feast for the eyes. The bride's outfit was painstakingly sewn by the Mom.
The father of the bride has a heart of gold, and shed more tears than anyone else. Of course that got me wiping away my own tears as it was only four days before what would have been our 49th wedding anniversary.
Starters were sweetmeats and traditional Indian savoury snacks, of course my sweet tooth could not resist the sweet treats.
The buffet supper consisted of a vast array of fragrant spicy dishes, and delectable creamy desserts. I took every remedy I had for heartburn when I returned home!
The stunning bridal couple
Proud Mom and Dad
Christmas day was a wonderful time of togetherness with loads of laughter, and some reminiscing which prickled the tear ducts, but all in all, a really lovely day. We did a Secret Santa, I drew the number one ticket so got to choose the first gift, and afterward, everyone had a load of fun with swapping gifts. I however held on tightly to my fragrant candle!
My sister-in-law fooling around with my son
It was a lovely cool day, a welcome respite in the midst of a hot and humid summer, and when the mist started coming in, as it often does up high in Hillcrest where my brother lives, we knew it was time to make tracks and get back home.
The pizza oven still has to be christened, so I'm looking forward to that!
As far as the happenings at our Airbnb, we I have two upcoming long-term bookings for January, which really are the best, as guest changeovers require a ton more maintenance, so I'm looking forward to a laidback start to the year.
The image I shared with you at the beginning of my post is a very special gift from a 'daughter from another mother'. She also gave me a piece of sandstone that looks like an angel, and a pack of gift cards, all her own design, and the Cape Town beach-in-a-bag containing coarse white sand that is mostly tiny shards of sea shells and rock, plus sea shells she picked up. Some are whole, and some have been battered by the ocean, just like we experience in life.
This bowl of sea shells and the little angel will be visible reminders of unforgettable memories, most of them holding memories of my darling man who was very dear to Angela, my angel 'daughter.'
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