Nearly three months to be precise...
I left Sweden last year, the 21st of December, absolutely loving the country, the time spent, the friends and just generally a settled existence. I had recently completed a field trip and essay for university, started getting all round fit, enjoyed some mild cold and huge amounts of snow; and most importantly, made some incredible connections with very special people. But Christmas was looming, a Christmas at home that was all about family and summer. Oh ja, and also to do some research for university, for a thing called "thesis", which is fundamental to passing a masters degree, what Sweden was actually all about.
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| Last day in Sweden on campus before leaving; -5C! |
Christmas came and went and the family re-inforced themselves as irreplaceable; and events lined themselves up for the following few months. Trying to fit in all these events; aswell as accomplish critical research for my thesis was going to prove tricky and need finely tuned planning, something that as an African, you know will inevitably go hay-wire at some point; compliments to AWA(Africa Wins Again).So; essentially and on paper, the reason I came to South Africa for three months was to gather first hand empirical research for my thesis, which relates to investigating emerging market source as a viable means to bolster a declining domestic tourism market. (I have to make it sound formal to sound authentic). This involved meeting with sources, over a cup of coffee, dinner, a drink and just chatting about holidays; called "informal and unstructured interviews".
I also had to meet up with old contacts in the tourism industry I had, who would contribute as my "expert panel".
Finally, field work, in the forms of trips to Kruger National Park, Cape Town and Durban would add to the "scope of research".
All sounds legit and formal, right? So this was the reason I came to South Africa, officially.
Unofficially; here is the blatant truth:
I wanted to have a thee month paid holiday in South Africa, while I had the chance.
I wanted to meet up and reconnect with my family
I wanted to escape the barren bitter cold winter that ravages Sweden in January & February.
I wanted to see if South Africa still held an appeal to come back to and if I could thrive there still.
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| African sunset...African dream |
There, I said it. Now who wouldnt want to do this and still get it paid for at the same time; if you have the means and resources to do so? My thoughts exactly...
But, more than the above three mentioned items; other activities were placed on the agenda:
Spend New Years in a foreign country. Yip, correct, New Years with friends in Lesotho. Did I mention that I met the president of lesotho and welcomed New years in with him and his wife?
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| Woohoo Lesotho |
Go to the Kruger National Park
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| Kruger: check |
Go to Cape Town
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| Cape Town: check |
Run a marathon.
So, apart from that which was mentioned, the following all was accomplished too:
Had my Swedish heartsong come for an impromptu, wild, crazy, free 2 week trip to South Africa and showed her "my land".
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Went fishing with Swedish family, a friend and with Sandra.
Went on a mission trip
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Spent a total of 9 nights in the Kruger National Park
Went to Durban.
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| Durban: check |
Ran 3 half marathons, set a P.B. Oh, and an Ultra Marathon..."just" 50kms...
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| Bruised but not broken, Rocket and Wolf unite! |
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| Stagger Salute! |
Watched a live rugby game.
Jumped off a ravine into a river
Reconnected with old friends and made new ones.
Went 4x4ing
Went on a helicopter flip over Johannesburg
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| Chopper flip: check |
And I Discovered...
- that I love my family more than words can describe.
- the best running partner and consequently made a lasting bond with a man I admire, look up to and love hanging around, a man I am proud to call my brother.
- that I love running and I can actually do more than I thought possible
- that I will always love South Africa, that it is an incredible country, that I and will always be drawn back; that opportunity rises out of what you make of it and there is always opportunity.
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| My family will always be my family |
So in parting, the last two days in South Africa were reflective days, days that I spent trying to recollect, feel my way through what I had experienced in such a short time. Time that I enjoyed celebrating differences and similarities...and birthdays with family. The reflection was also helped by the fact that a virus left me bedridden on the morning of my departure; I blame the Chicken Lickin Hotwings.
As unreal as it feels to be back in Sweden, it also is a time of knuckling down and actually working on the thesis; I know my time here in Sweden is not yet done; I know that I am exactly where God wants me to be. He has lead me this far so long, why would it be any different now I ask?
But inasmuch, I ask God, that should it be His will, to lead both Sandra and myself to where He wants us to be. If that be South Africa; I wont argue at all:)
So, to the land of my birth; till we meet again...
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| Welcome back... |
