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Showing posts from October, 2016

Cyprian Fernandes: Cheek-to-cheek at a Goan dance in Africa

A Goan dance Here is classic description of a Goan dance in any East African country. It is an excerpt from Peter Nazareth’s “fictional” In a brown mantle . I use the quote marks because the book appears to be thinly disguised as Nazareth’s once temporary homeland Uganda: A dance in a Goan institute used to be rather formal. The dance usually starts at 9 pm, which means that the band starts playing at around 9:30 pm and couples start drifting in at a quarter-to-ten ( Cyprian: Goans were genetically such awful time keepers that allowed themselves the luxury of naming their own time: Goan time which was usually 60 or 70 minutes after the appointed hour). The people are semi-formally dressed in attractive dresses or suits. The couples sit on chairs placed around the dance floor or around small tables (In Nairobi, it was just chairs around the dance floor). If they sat around the dance floor, the men usually vanished to the bar. They then hold their drinks and watch from t...

YiP review update: A beautiful tribute to your Mum

More reviews: Appreciate your documenting our time in Kenya. We have great memories and enjoyed your book. Thank You. Carmen & Arnold Just loving Yesterday in Paradise Cyprian Fernandes. So many childhood and growing up reflections! Joseph D'Souza An now having completed reading "Yesterday in Paradise" I can say I understand the special meaning of the Sydney Friday Club! Thank you Cyprian Fernandes for evoking such emotive and evocative memories in your book. My knowledge gap of some of the background to where I was born, the community and environ influences, and the sheer introduction 'back' to a good life that was. I wonder if you visit Melbourne? Well actually we are in the Yarra Valley. We don't have a 'salt lick'....but we do have the wildlife and beautiful natural surrounds!   From a friend: You are never going to guess this!!! I’m just about to post you!!! My book arrived, I can’t put it down. On chapter 8. It’s am...