I felt a shiver of fear when I first arrived in South Africa 7 years ago . It wasn’t a fear of getting shot or mugged on the street, an image that western media like to portray, but a fear of starting all over. Being far from your home country means you are going to miss your family and friends back there. I had already done it when I moved to exotic Mexico and I was facing it again. The good thing is, it didn’t last very long.
South Africa friends
South Africa welcomed me with its kind, open arms and a big smile. Black faces, White faces, the Coloured, Indian and Chinese ones had one thing in common, happy eyes and an endless smile. This was a true rainbow nation. The sky was blue and the sun bigger and warmer than the one I was used to. The wine was so good and so cheap, no wonder I got to a habit of drinking a glass or two every second day. Life was slower than on the northern hemisphere, something a Pole would take some time to adjust to, but it took less than I thought. The fear of unknown quickly disappeared and transformed into amazing friendships and moments spent together. The friends became family, a unit of some sort that is there for each other in good and bad moments. The people I met, South Africans and foreigners of all origins, became an inseparable part of me. Every single one of them has a very special place in my heart and they will never be forgotten.
South Africa friends
South Africa friends
South Africa friends
As I fly somewhere over Zimbabwe and Zambia, I type these words, my soul filled with pain of leaving, pain that becomes so real I have to swallow it before the tears start rolling down my cheeks. Crying on the plane is so impersonal, I shouldn’t do it… And then I remember, I have felt this before. The fear is coming back, unknown ahead of me again, new chapter of life with no certainty. But wait a moment… Then I picture what awaits me! New adventure, new opportunities, new great moments, new life. Greece will be my home now and more importantly, I will be sharing it with someone very special. We have to build it together, look after it together share it and enjoy it. My soul starts to smile now as I know everything is going to be alright and all the special people I met will remain in my life forever. We are family after all.
South Africa friends
South Africa friends
A cycle ends, new one begins. In life some opportunities only come once and you need to seize them. This is what I’m doing yet again. No regrets, only great things to look forward to. South Africa, thank you for this past chapter, it was certainly a very important one. I will see you again!
Our story – farewell volleyball
But before that, travelling time. Mexico and Cuba are waiting for us.