When someone has been to a destination away from home, you shun the day they return because you know they will come back with those long and tormenting stories that begin with “When I was in…” aha! You do! You keep your face really straight and calm but inside you are budgeting, thinking about work or really trying hard not to listen. You keep looking away a second just to roll your eyes and breathe out deeply.
I have been a victim of UIBCT “Untravelled Immobile Bophutatswana Cynical Transvaaler” my entire life. A typical UIBCT knows a bit about what the world, from everyone, but has never set foot 100km from home and have not even been out of the country. I have been one, until recently – at 26 I went to the beach for the first time. Yes, at 26. I had never been in a plane until 6 months ago when my company sent me to Durban.
Last week (15-22 Sept 2007) I had the pleasure of experiencing life in another country, in another continent. I went to Prague in the Czech Republic for work reasons. I have never even been to Kimberly, Lesotho or Swaziland. And here I was being flown to Paris then connecting to Prague – From Jozi, 9 hours and 40 minutes flight to Paris then an approx 2 hour flight to Prague. All this was at the expense of my company. That was the cherry on top.
So I had to write my tale, and like every tale begins with Once upon a time; mine will start with “When I was in…” (Gosh! A brilliant title for a book y’all… Watch your local bookstores for Segololo’s book!)
Anyways, I now understand how hard it is to keep your mouth shut after you come back from a trip; you cannot help yourself but compare and think (unless you are a loaf of bread) about how different things are from home. The experience, the people, the languages, the culture, the lifestyle, the streets, the knowledge, the attitude, the OH! Moments, EVERYTHING… and you just wanna tell! And you gotta…
I do not want to say that I did not dream of traveling, I did. But it was never out of Africa. I always wanted to go to Eastern Transvaal, oh! It is now Mapumalanga! Yes, I wanted to go to the Eastern Transvaal, Cape Town, Zanzibar, Zaire (now DRC – Dimags knows why I wanna go there), Botswana, Victoria Falls, Kilimanjaro, Lesotho (my grandfather was born there), Madagascar, Timbuktu , Zambia.. you get my drift! Europe, USA or China were not on my list. I simply wanted to explore the motherland before going further than that… I am one of those peeps that stay up late to watch Going Nowhere Slowly, and yes it is still on!!
Now my list is simple, The WORLD, baby!
This article would not be true schlep-style if it didn’t have… wait for it… shout outs!!
I would like to thank
My ma - for making me appreciate life at home and always saying you will see the world or the beach at your own expense. This, my child, is so that you can really appreciate the value of your money. If I pay you will take things for granted.” She knew me well enough to know I would have taken that for granted...
My boss – Thank you for the opportunity and your belief in me. I am really thankful to know that I can be exposed to such knowledge and expertise because you know how important it is for me and the company. So, when is my next trip?
The K’s – King K and Prince K, I love you dearly. Thank you. Next time, you guys are coming with!!
I wonder if after seven or several more trips you kinda get used to all of it? Does it start feeling just another trip? But there is just so much to learn and see! AND TELL!!
The world is big, peeps. Explore it! If you get an opportunity, believe this UIBCT when it says “Grab it and travel!” Oh! Don’t forget to tell when you get back. I'll still roll my eyes but just tell!