Going on a road trip

My bestest friend from childhood is getting married on the 4th of April, mind you now that I think about it. All my close friends chose April for their weddings. It must be the magic of the season, warm sultry days, changing colours of nature and the refreshing evenings.

To celebrate this wedding, Elrich and myself are going on holiday. To the most magical of provinces in South Africa - the Eastern Cape. Scarcely populated, unspoilt wilderness, blue skies and mesmerizing star gazing. The wedding is on a farm close to Steytlerville (I had to look that up on the roadmap to even get an inkling of an idea of where we will find ourselves.

I have decided to take a slow trip down and will start the drive on Sunday. Our first planned stay over is the Baviaanskloof Lodge, where we will be from Tuesday to Friday. I have heard so much about the Baviaanskloof and am really looking forward to discover the beauty of this wilderness area. On Friday we are of to the wedding venue where we will share accommodation with other wedding guests and party till the early hours of the night. Funny story, I decided that one of the dresses in my cupboard will do just fine but needed a scarf/shawl for around my shoulders, so I took it of to a nice dress shop and requested some assistance. The floor attendant was just too happy to have me parade in my dress, bare feet and pony tail to choose the perfect accessory for the big day. Had me giggling and reminded me of the fashion shows I gave Stephan when I was finding my new me after the divorce.

After the wedding we will be staying in a cottage on the beachfront in an isolated little town called Oysterbay. John might join us for a day or two there after which we are of to Stormsriver and then via Oudtshoorn (Ostrich farms and Congo Caves) back home. Just in time to miss the mass migration back to work after the Easter long weekend.

A well deserved break I think, even if my computer has to come with me.

It was just another morning

Waking up together
rushing around to get ready
quickly grab breakfast

Phew...we are on time
out the door
on the way
to work
then

Annihilation

Game Over

The stakes: The land and livelihood of your forefathers

When you do business in Africa you must abide by the rules of the land. The rules that forbid the disturbance of the peace and beauty of the soil your forefathers ruled for ions. This is a challenge when western money wants to rape the beauty to get to the heart of the minerals that make everyone rich.

Everyone, but the cow herder that watches and waits.

It is here were traditions meet foreign customs.
Where accents and ceremonies collide
The slaughter of a cow to appease the gods
And safe the lives of the innocent
Rhythmic beating of Njembe drums
Ululating voices
White foreign faces in fire light

And just sometimes the coffee coloured eyes
Of a village boy
Shaking hands with the foreigner
Spanning the bridge
Risking his inheritance
For himself?
Or the future of his family?
Ahh the tension
‘she is tangible my darling, tangible’
But if you promise us and you do not deliver
Your house and family will burn
Burn
Burn
Because in this village you were born

We have dug your graves with you
Celebrated your births
Slaughtered your cows
So we watch
And we wait
To see