This trip resembles as much spontaneity as it does collective organization. His name was Jason, a deceptive match on Tinder, result of new international trolling features... Handsome, South African, date worthy, but thousands of miles away... But Jason would unlock an idea, an adventure forgotten. I Once longed for the shores of South Africa, flipping pages of picture books in a rural library in Western Nebraska. My family never held the resources for much travel, a 4th grade trip to Disney required a loan my parents paid back for the following two years. I threw the idea around, the "what if" had been planted.
Sun blazing on a HOT New York afternoon, 6 train running usual delay shenanigans. Looking down, growing tired of the flashing sign announcing "2 minutes" with no train. "Travel while your young no matter the cost" someone had carved into the wood before me, the tipping point. Within a month, tickets booked, trip planned, recommendations gathered.
Two days of sights that left me breathless, connected, refreshed, and aware of how big the world is. A sunset that brought tears to my soul out of its colors and warmth. Ocean below a high peak, crashing rocks with its power. A guide who spoke of his love for South Africa, his deep belief that no matter the political unrest, they will move forward.
I would meet Jason, a date of an hour that turned twelve. Finding his company deeply engaging, i felt myself fall into the entrancement of emotions that only comes from international lust (HA!). We talked politics, love, difference of culture as we drank Guinness into the night. A kiss would lead to wherever (you the reader) your imagination wants to take you. We'd wake late the next morning, he'd make espresso and talk of grand ideas of going for breakfast, I denied since I was keenly aware of his workload and the amount of time he'd borrowed to spend with me. I wouldn't see him again, in the words of Cam "A half cold beer ain't cold, a "be back soon" is still gone, a half smoked cigarette is still smoked, and a half broke heart is still broke." I spent a few hours the next day recovering from all that emotion, God help me... or just some good advice from friends, I moved on quickly.
Sat myself at the most homosexual establishment I could find, ordered myself the gayest of drinks (double, naturally). My curse of resting bitch face nearly left me alone, but they decided to interrupt anyway. Picking fun at my drink, and the noted look on my face, it became clear - I'd just made friends. They'd show me a good time from one bar to another, the leather bar, to the "I think we're drunk enough" bar. We danced our asses off, leaving tired, sobering up. (Klippies and Coke, mistake)
Brunch was in order. They picked the most New York looking of establishments, saying they were keeping me in mind, I just think they needed an excuse to eat American themed burgers... ;) We planned an afternoon trip to the beach, along a road that will be etched into my memory for the rest of my life. We returned to town in the late evening as the sun dimmed. I departed for dinner on my own, Italian with a bottle of wine to myself, I reflected on how grateful I am for what I have, how much privilege I carry, humbled to live a life where currently I love my job, my friends, my family, my city.
Drawing to my last day, I got my retail on, a message, a mud bath, but those are just details... Dinner spent with the three individuals who brought me into their group, shared some of their time, stories, and lives with me. Four different nationalities represented around a table, four different worlds and ways of being, but a connect I'll forever remember.
I ended this vacation in a lovely restaurant, cheesecake and coffee, reflecting on the amazing work I get to return to. I feel revitalized, able to return to the urgency of my clients and their needs. Ready to dive back into the difficulty of fighting for those without a voice once again, with more international perspective.
I leave South Africa with a better sense of self, with a greater worldview, and an increasing ability to be a better human.
The Sun is Rising
I would meet Jason, a date of an hour that turned twelve. Finding his company deeply engaging, i felt myself fall into the entrancement of emotions that only comes from international lust (HA!). We talked politics, love, difference of culture as we drank Guinness into the night. A kiss would lead to wherever (you the reader) your imagination wants to take you. We'd wake late the next morning, he'd make espresso and talk of grand ideas of going for breakfast, I denied since I was keenly aware of his workload and the amount of time he'd borrowed to spend with me. I wouldn't see him again, in the words of Cam "A half cold beer ain't cold, a "be back soon" is still gone, a half smoked cigarette is still smoked, and a half broke heart is still broke." I spent a few hours the next day recovering from all that emotion, God help me... or just some good advice from friends, I moved on quickly.
Sat myself at the most homosexual establishment I could find, ordered myself the gayest of drinks (double, naturally). My curse of resting bitch face nearly left me alone, but they decided to interrupt anyway. Picking fun at my drink, and the noted look on my face, it became clear - I'd just made friends. They'd show me a good time from one bar to another, the leather bar, to the "I think we're drunk enough" bar. We danced our asses off, leaving tired, sobering up. (Klippies and Coke, mistake)
Brunch was in order. They picked the most New York looking of establishments, saying they were keeping me in mind, I just think they needed an excuse to eat American themed burgers... ;) We planned an afternoon trip to the beach, along a road that will be etched into my memory for the rest of my life. We returned to town in the late evening as the sun dimmed. I departed for dinner on my own, Italian with a bottle of wine to myself, I reflected on how grateful I am for what I have, how much privilege I carry, humbled to live a life where currently I love my job, my friends, my family, my city.
Drawing to my last day, I got my retail on, a message, a mud bath, but those are just details... Dinner spent with the three individuals who brought me into their group, shared some of their time, stories, and lives with me. Four different nationalities represented around a table, four different worlds and ways of being, but a connect I'll forever remember.
I ended this vacation in a lovely restaurant, cheesecake and coffee, reflecting on the amazing work I get to return to. I feel revitalized, able to return to the urgency of my clients and their needs. Ready to dive back into the difficulty of fighting for those without a voice once again, with more international perspective.
I leave South Africa with a better sense of self, with a greater worldview, and an increasing ability to be a better human.
The Sun is Rising
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