My Car Crash

For all of those how have been following my journey I would like to apologise for a long silence. I had a car accident. Don't worry, I am fine; no serious injuries were sustained, and no one else was involved. The car should be fixed by next week, and the journey is not over. I would just like to thank my father for all his assistance in this matter.

In the meantime I will be going through all my notes and filling you in on all the amazing things I have seen but just have not had the time to tell you about.  I hope you enjoy reading them.

What, you want something funny and entertaining?

Come on guys I am giving you some sad news. I mean it's going to cost a couple grand to fix my dear sweet car; and you want jokes and humorous anecdotes? Well, okay. The car ended up on its side, so perhaps the image of me crawling out of the passenger side door as it stood facing the sky, will amuse you. *Sigh*, I suppose that was a bit uncalled-for. Its just that the last few days have been a bit tough. Of course the notion of hanging up the towel crossed my mind. Sure, the road can get lonely. When unspeakable beauty fills your eyes, the desire to turn to the passenger seat and say "Will you look at that; ain't it cool", becomes intense. Though the chances to see these things are not constant. Besides, I have you guys to share it with. Then I remember, I am not really alone; you are with me. In my heart; my mind, my desire to share wonders and experiences to those who would honour me by reading it.

This trip started out being about me, and my discovery of whatever seeps from the tarmac. Though I must admit, you are the fuel that drives me to continue. That may seem a bit sad. Perhaps it is. It does not bother me though. That is who I am. When you leave the world that told you what it thought you are, you must be willing to consider the person you find along the way. Not the person who sits next to you, but the person that sits inside you.

Wait, I sense that I may have veered somewhat off topic. Just a bit. Anyway, had an accident, sorry about the silence, will be back to posting tomorrow.

Knysna, Till We Meet Again

I am posting this to say my loving farewell to Knysna. I have loved being in this town, and would like to thank every one here that has made my time so special. There is definitely something about the place that will live in my heart always. It is with great reluctance that I head off towards Hermanus and the coastal villages along the way. The N2 shall not keep me its captive; I will find the prettiest way down for all those who enjoy a good scenic route.

Do not think I have told all I have to tell about Knysna. There are still many more stories, some I will have to come back to finish. There is more to come, and more to be told.

If you don't see any new posts, fret not it will be my internet that will be down, not me. If after a week nothing, then start to get worried. Maybe call the police. Though I doubt anything bad will happen. *gulp*
Enough with the spooky, scary talking...

Knysna, I will miss you. Never again will I simply drive through. You deserve more than that.

Things I Have Learnt

I thought I would take a moment to reflect on what I have done this far, and most importantly, what I have done wrong.

I am the first to admit that, aside for the physical essentials, I ran into this journey a bit blind. I did not do a single search on the Garden Route, I did not consult any tourism places. I just cruised down the N2 on a rainy day and let my fancy dictate the path. It has advantages; I was not bound my a schedule, I had the freedom to explore at the whim of my interest, and I felt free. Looking back I realise I could have felt all of that even if I had just done a little bit more research into the route I was taking. I shudder to think about all the amazing places I have passed by simply because I did not take the time to find out more. I am already resolute in a return journey to fill the gaps.

I realised the folly of my ways when I went to the Knysna Information Centre. They were friendly, helpful and stated that they do not appreciate things, they .... apprec-love things. I know, just go with it. It was said with a smile and the ethos behind it is a sound community project; besides, I can appreci-love a good pun every now and then. There I got maps, and guides and information about what to see and where to see it that I would not have gotten otherwise. I only wish I had gone earlier, and not just before I leave. Upon reflection I have wasted a lot of time here, but I have been grateful for every moment .

I have also learnt that I am a person of habit. I rather quickly slipped into a routine here in Knysna. I found friends; a favourite coffee shop and bar. Soon I was doing the same kind of things as I did while in Port Elizabeth. When faced with a chance to slide back into a familiar mould, it is rather disconcerting how easily we do just so.

In a trip like this, the draw to the familiar is strong; even if the familiar was why you left. The challenge is to notice it, not in your failure to live up to the exalted ideal of your endeavour, but simply you being you. Remember, a trip by yourself is for yourself. If you want to sit in bed for a week and read Stephen King and feel you can afford to do so; then I don't see why you shouldn't. However, there is a thin line between leisure and atrophy. Try to see something new every day. That helped me kick start myself.

Yet, my funds are draining and the road is calling my name. There are things to see, places to be, and  although I have found a fondness for Kynsna that will always make this place feel like a second home, I shall be leaving soon. Not until I see some more beautiful things though.

Hen's Den

Tuesday night at Hen's Den felt like something out of a Hunter S. Thompson article. When I returned from the hotel, it appeared that word of me had spread and I hardly had time to get to the bar before I was led to a table amongst a group that had been there when I first arrived. Here are a few of the people I had the interesting privilege of spending time with.

Last Born
A gentle-faced man who was the first to offer me a seat. Many times through out the night he kept informing me that he was not a criminal. From his accent I could tell he was not from South Africa. It was quite clear that he did not feel part of the group, and the constant physical dismissal from others at the bar did not help ease that feeling. Often when he tried to approach me and talk to me other people would shove him aside and tell him "He is talking to me". When I eventually met him outside of the peering eyes of the others he told me a bit of his story. All I can say is that after hearing it I could not help but hug him, at reassure him that he was not the only one to feel like that, and that I understood. I do not know if it helped.
Jeraldo
So this is what he told me about his life: He lives in Humansdorp. He used to work for the newspaper but does not anymore. Others at the table informed me of his love of drinking. He has no home and no money. Both his parents are dead. In his words "Ek loop en loaf". Most nights he sleeps in the bushes behind the bar. Many people in Humansdorp know him; especially at the bar, and help him in his hand-to-mouth existence. His son, Gemano, is seven years old. He told me that George Bell invented the telephone. I did not have the heart to tell him it was actually Alexander Graham Bell.
J.J.
A passionate man who was very wary of what I was doing at the bar. He spoke powerfully about his views of God and the apostles and told me some wonderful stories of the many countries he has been to. He was extremely knowledgeable and enjoyed talking about his life.

As I left, a man who had been trying the whole night to get me aside and talk to me followed me to my car. He asked if we could speak to each other there. I will admit that I was a bit wary about this, but he seemed harmless enough. I drove him to his home, which appeared to be a squat in a construction site. At that point I was getting somewhat worried, but I had concealed my knife in my hand so at least I was prepared. When we got into his abode his reason for trying to get me aside became clear: he just wanted some one to talk to about his personal problems. This humbled me. For all the preconceptions I carried, I made the mistake of forgetting that people are just that. I left him to pass out on his couch and drove to the campsite confused, humbled and happy. It was an interesting start to my journey to say the least.