Far From Home

Tell us about the farthest you’ve ever traveled from home.

It’s really difficult being the perpetual traveler in your soul, but not ever having done anything about it.

I have never left South Africa, let alone the continent and there are so many places I would love to see.  Jacques and I are planning our first road trip to discover all the hidden secrets of South Africa, thereafter we plan to venture into Africa and next, conquer the world!  You have no ideal how my feet itch at the idea to take a back-pack and just head off in a direction.  There are only two things which would make me happier than that materializing!

For the sake of this post I am not counting moving house from Johannesburg to Cape Town, which would have been the longest trip I ever took.  When I think of travelling, two memories jump to mind.  I think it must also have been these which cultivated a wandering spirit in me.

Hennenman to Durban

 

When we were little, June school holidays meant one thing and one thing only – the long trip to Durban.  First we would spend 2 days preparing snacks and all sorts of finger foods.  The packing happened by magic (thanks Moekie!).  The next step was to get my great-grandfather on the train to Witbank for his annual 3 month retreat to warmer climates.  Finally, the early morning trip.  My gran would usually bundle us into the car at around 4 am.  With all the excitement, there was of course was no sign of sleep.  Every now and then my grand-father would stop to stretch his legs and we would tuck into the choice of snacks, topping it off with hot, sweet Rooibos tea.  Yummy!  My gran sure could bake up a storm!  Halfway there we would stop for a barrel Kentucky Fried Chicken.  At the time they gave it to you in this huge Styrofoam container – I miss those!  After about 6 and a half hours, which felt like an eternity, we would reach our destination and the holiday could begin: sun, sea, rickshaws and curry pineapple on a stick!

Hennenman to Johannesburg

The second journey that comes to mind is a completely different one.  It’s the one where I left home at 18, leaving the dust of the Free State behind to start fresh in Johannesburg – the City of Gold, the city of opportunity and hope!  I traveled by train and thoroughly enjoyed the knowledge that every second the train moves gives me a bigger distance between where I’ve come from, bringing me closer to what I want to be.  I’ve loved train rides since that day.  It’s been far too long though and I should definitely make a plan some time soon!

This prompt have awakened an anew itch in my feet and it’s time for my travelling shoes to be dusted off, soon!

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Mapped images from Google Maps

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