One Month into Africa – December 5

“If anyone tells you African travel is easy, tell them they know nothing.
If they tell you it's not worth the effort, tell them they still know nothing.
If they've crossed the Nubian Desert pay them due regard."

So we have been able to experience some pretty cool things this past month, some we have written about, others we haven't. We have had some uhh, frustrating experiences – also not written about – like being pulled over the SA traffic control (not real police) along with many others for some obscure traffic violation. Everyone else paid a bribe and drove off. I didn't so ended up going on a little detour to the Belfast police station to pay the fine of 500 Rand ($50 US) – This is real life Africa! We have seen beauty and betrayal, wandered and wondered, loved and loathed – but it is still worth it.

This past month has also been a difficult month. We write this carefully as we know we are incredibly privileged and blessed to be able to do this (and we worked hard too!) But not having planned everything in SA before we started this leg has left us with times of uncertainty about where we should go next and what we should be doing. Yes travel is adventure and pick your positive adjective but it can also be a tough slog at times – still worth it – but there are frustrating moments that wear you down. I read two great quotes that sum up travel in Africa, the first included at the top of this post and the second here: “Traveling is a strange business. To have been in Khartoum is somehow more poignant that being in Khartoum. Being there involves dust, dirt, discomfort, noise, suspect food, dicey water and being homesick. Having been there is amazing. Memory, learning and mind weave together a cloth more fabulous than the indifferent roar of its traffic.”

Part of our frustration is that we didn't just want to be tourists for two months here. We also hoped for and needed some purpose – and we were hoping to be able to do this by spending time with and learning from a couple former contacts we had made three years ago who we have stayed in touch with. Unfortunately communication from them has been either non existent or less than enthusiastic, so we have been left with a chunk of time that we are still wondering what to do with.

So after leaving Kruger, we are now back at the backpackers in Nelspruit – which really is much more than a backpackers. They also have two great cottages, one of which we have set ourselves up in for the week of rest. Because of the holiday time here in SA (Starting now until mid January – oh right when we leave) lodging is getting a little difficult to find so we are happy here for at least a week for $35 a night. We are surrounded by greenery, birds and their nice cool pool. The back of the cabin looks out on a nature reserve. We are grateful, don't know where we will be next (this is bed stop number 24 if anyone is counting) and like we have shared before, feel a little like Abraham – don't know where we are going, but hopeful that at some point we will hear the word to stop and stay! Pray for wisdom for us.

Duncan