Reflecting on a year of travel
Nkosi sikelel’ Afrika
Over the last 20 years we have had the privilege of living in Zambia, Kenya and South Africa, as well as travelling in countless other sub-Saharan countries. I don’t want to generalise about 54 countries that make up this incredible continent. Mainstream media in Western countries do a good enough job of that, choosing to repeatedly report negative news, and constantly perpetuate stereotypes. It all deflects perfectly from the failings of government in many other countries.
No, this piece is not about any of that.
I’m reflecting on a year of travel.
We had no travel goals. This time last year we were in Cape Town, with newly imposed, ridiculous restrictions on travel in and out of South Africa. We went into 2022 not really knowing what would be possible.
We’re thankful that after the travel restrictions of both 2020 and 2021, this year was almost normal. Our only hope was to travel to people who are special to us, near and far. And we did.
We watched and waited for the Australian border to be re-opened to tourists and happily we were able to make plans to visit family and friends there, as well as attend a friend’s wedding. We made more trips in Italy, visiting new regions. And we visited the tiny island of Malta for the first time.
But we began and will end the year in South Africa.
When I was 16 years old I can recall camping outside the South African embassy in London, protesting against Apartheid. I could never have imaged then, that 16 years later we would move to the Mother City and call this place home. And that was 20 years ago.
So much has changed in those years.
Of course like many countries there are challenges; problems in politics, crime, energy. But there have also been tremendous gains; in medicine, infrastructure and IT.
You can see the younger generation, the ‘born frees’ walking home from school, cycling or skateboarding together, not hampered by the segregation and prejudices of the past. We watch on the T.V, as Springbok rugby players of different backgrounds are united, embracing each other and celebrating their wins.
There’s something so incredibly special about ‘the rainbow nation’.
With travel, everything is big in this vast, southern African country. Wherever you go, big experiences await; mountains, salt pans, forests, valleys and vineyards, in between two oceans.
South Africa remains an incredible place to be, if you can count the good.
A travel highlight this year was a recent road trip to the Overberg. I’m recalling great wines, ancient, camphor trees and chats with random strangers. We stopped to watch the old steam train arrive at Elgin station’s new development; a brilliantly designed structure and a hugely popular destination. Walking back to the car park, I handed a ten rands note to the car guard and wished him a good afternoon. He responded with a “bless you, Madam”, accompanied by the best smile that I would see that day.
By the following afternoon, we were at an eco camp, ‘off grid’ and happily immersed in nature. No TV. No wifi. Just time together.
We listened to the call of a Fish Eagle flying above and watched the sun set over the mountains. We dipped in our warm plunge pool, looking out at the lush flora and fauna. We braai-ed; meats, halloumi cheese, vegetables, and the scent carried out into the bush. A chachma baboon called out, I guess wanting to join us for lunch too.
In the morning we were woken to the chorus of birds; Weavers, Bee Eaters, a Hoopoe. I watched as a Whydar performed mid-air acrobatics and an agama positioned itself on an ancient rock, to bask in the sun. In a short time, every single sense had been engaged by the people and places on our trip.
This part of Southern Africa is a stunning part of the planet to end the year and usher in the new one. Hopefully, wherever you are reading this, you are somewhere really special too.
Wishing you all a great new year, with lots of travel and adventures.
© Maggie M / Mother City Time