From Zero to Hero and back again

In the space of 1 month I’ve had the privilege of visiting Cape Town twice J  I surprised my splendid sister for her birthday on my first visit and my second visit was over the Easter weekend. Both visits to the fair Cape have been fantastical, the journey home on the other hand has been interesting to say the least.

Getting back to Cape Town or any other form of civilisation is no joke. It’s a 2 hour flight preceded by a 4.5 hour drive along the N2 with no lights, many trucks and sprinkle of my favourite Gauteng and Mpumalanga drivers (hope you can feel the sarcasm radiating through your screen). However, there are a few aspects you can look forward…let’s re-phrase that, there’s one aspect...being able to play Need for Speed for reals! You can drive at 120km for 4.5 hours and not worry about getting a fine. In addition to this you get the perfect opportunity to test just how mad your driving skills are whilst enjoying the view of God’s awesome creation.

These trips to civilisation may be a burden or a breeze. It’s a breeze when you like your car, it's light on petrol, you have an epic playlist and you have a GPS to get you around town. It’s a burden when none of the above happens. My last trip to Cape Town was by far the most memorable, as I got 2 for the price of one…it was what I like to call a “breezy burden”. 


The Breezy Burden:
It was my first solo mission to Cape Town for 2 Oceans so I woke up super early to get a head start before the Easter weekend traffic madness began. It was all good - I had Adele, Bassment Jaxx and Kings of Leon keeping me company, the sun was out and Janet (my GPS) was leading the way. I had completed ¾ of my journey before tea time and there was even time for me to head to the shops. Lets just say I was feeling like a champion.

Me feeling like a hero after 3/4 of my journey...well done, you beat a cow and a rock

This heroic feeling was short lived, as I hit Durban city my dearest Janet (the GPS) cut out. Every time I tried to plot my route I got a message saying  “lost signal”, Janet failed in the area I needed her the most. This would be fine if Janet was joking and I actually knew Durban , however this was not the case. I feverishly tried to resuscitate her, but nothing worked. I tired following the signage, but I kept taking the wrong turn. Since I couldn't get to a shopping mall or garage to ask for directions I ended up driving around Durban like a forlorn frazzled fart for a total of 2 hours. It took the kindness of a cuddly oom at the Sasol station to get me out of this pickle. He was gracious enough to escort me from the hustle and bustle of Durban CBD to Pavillion shopping mall. 

The road from Zero to Hero is but 2 words away...Signal Lost

The Hero face versus the Zero face...see, my eye's twitching

After 5 hours of driving, 2 hours of freak out and 2 hours of attempted retail therapy I boarded a plane where I had the “privilege” of being wedged between 2 gentlemen. One was drunk pensioner, the other a charming young man. The pensioner insisted on lecturing me regarding my dreams and aspirations as well as giving advice regarding the upcoming race; the charming young man delighted in watching me squirm and dodge the Pensioner as he invaded my personal space and sprayed saliva on me with every word.

My flight at a glance: Charming young man laughing on the left, drunk pensioner on the right and me looking as awkward as a turtle in the middle.

Though the journey to get home was a boarder line trauma case, it was by no means a predictor for my stay in the city. I successfully managed to complete 2 Oceans by running the first 10km and swimming the last 11km (thanks to the rain). In addition to this, I finally bought a camera and I have been trigger happy ever since-"real pictures" will follow shortly!

Whilst at home I have found that living in the sticks has made me appreciate the finer things in life. I find myself marvelling at robots, funneling and downing tap water, gazing at shower head as the water gushes out at the right pressure for a Type 1 shower all day everyday. I have also noted a strong urge to embrace anyone and everyone who speaks English and Afrikaans, it's like we have a bond that they are not aware of. If you catch me at the right moment you may find me laughing and smiling at nothing and no one in particular and if you are very lucky you might witness/hear me sing the “Wena” song. The Wena song was written and composed by me in a moment of sheer joy and is performed when words do not suffice. 

City things that make me do the Wena dance-namely robots, bright lights, tap water, cars and people.