South Africa came in with a bang. Yup. A big one. It was the last leg in our tour which started in Uganda, then Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya, Dar Es Salem in Tanzania, then Zanzibar. We took the ferry back to Dar Es Salem and caught a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. We head to a bed and breakfast to stay for just one night before we take the bus down to Cape Town. That night, after weeks of feeling like crap, exhaustion, and extreme intolerable moodiness, I decided to take a pregnancy test. And yes, I was pregnant.
Just like that, life changed forever. The next morning we continued with our plans and got on that bus to Cape Town. We stayed for three weeks, a rough three weeks as I dealt with morning sickness, fatigue and all the other symptoms of pregnancy. My mind was so consumed with this new life ahead of me that South Africa faded into the background. I did catch glimpses of cool sites, like the Table Mountains, Long Street’s Pan African Market, and the beautiful beaches of Cape Town, while a good friend of a good friend took us around the University of Cape Town’s campus.
And after it was all said and done, we headed back to Johannesburg by train. Who wouldn’t want to see South Africa by train? I thought I was so clever to do this until we actually did it. Visually, it was stunning. I even got to see a giraffe! However we just so happened to be on a train with no air conditioning. I repeat: NO AIR-CONDITIONING…in 90 degree weather and very tight quarters. And so it goes when you’re traveling on a budget!
I managed to squeeze out only a few pictures during this trip. Most of that has to do with the little moving around I did while in South Africa. Being pregnant certainly affected me in ways I wasn't prepared for. It was a struggle getting out and about, and when I did, I was nauseous, annoyed, and uninspired. But from what I did see, South Africa is a beautiful country and one I'd love to revisit.
When I look back, all I remember is one thing, the most important thing: I got to do exactly what I wanted to do. It may not have gone the way I planned…maybe I didn’t take as many pictures as I would have liked or visit must-see places, but I did what I said I was going to do. I made it to South Africa. I fulfilled a dream and sometimes, that’s all I know how to do.
i n s t a: @ p e e p t h e v i s u a l s
