I Had a Dream of Africa
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2013 11:42 PM
To: Friends & Family
Subject: I had a dream... of Africa
The wind is pushing hard off the water this morning, waves from the river are slapping at the shore in a chaotic rhythm. It is still dark outside, the hour is early and Alan and pup are still in bed, sleeping. The rig is swaying slightly, humming as the air is being pushed around us. The rocking sensation is not unlike being in the air on a transcontinental flight…. I am momentarily transported… was I really there? Did I just complete a two-week trip to South Africa…. or was it perhaps all just a dream?
The sky has a bleakness, a blanket of clouds is dampening the early morning sun… can rain look cold? Patterns of houses, buildings, green grass and concrete drag by as we make our decent… I shiver slightly and sink deeper into my down jacket. We are suddenly landed, exited free of the temporary quarters provided by Virgin Atlantic. 7hrs of confinement, the first leg is done. It is cold, blustery, a grey day. UK… have I ever seen sun in the UK? I can’t recall. John picks me up. “Howzit man, how was the trip? Geeezzz it’s been a long time hey, 7 years…. Captain America has been tracking you the whole way, been getting texts from him through the night...” I smile, John chuckles… so damn cute my husband…such a nerd, he must have found an ‘app’ to track my flight… I wonder if he got any sleep, I certainly didn’t. Trip was bumpy as hell.
Hot shower, coffee and big hugs from my sister Faye, a moment to collect before the extended family arrive. “Hullo Aunty…. hullo hullo… Geeezzz it’s been a long time hey” more hugs, more kisses…. the little people scramble in behind their parents. This is our first meeting… not sure that they quite comprehend my place in the family but they seem willing to accept my presence. I brought presents. Lunch is served, roast chicken, like only my sister can make. The remains of the day spent in recollection and familiar chatter, the surroundings are comfortable and cozy, time whirls by… I close my eyes…
I waken from a restless uncomfortable sleep… the plane is practically empty, it is New Year’s Eve… the cabin is dark, the engines humming… the crew are quietly walking the isle offering juice and water… they see I am awake… she leans over and whispers… “Happy New year…would you like some juice?”… “No thanks … but can you tell me how much longer before we land?… another 9 hours?... 9?... Really? UGH!” I shift restlessly in my seat, my tail bone is burning, my stomach, churning. My body doesn’t like to fly… my mind likes it even less.
Cape Town, one of the most stunningly beautiful places on this planet…even the New York times agree: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/01/10/travel/2014-places-to-go.html?_r=0 . We have started our decent, Table Mountain is a sight for tired eyes… we ease down, roll to a gentle stop... decent flight all in all… no bumps. Paula and Ty are waiting to greet me… hugs and kisses abound… “Hullo Aunty…. hullo hullo… Geeezzz it’s been a long time hey … where’s your bag Aunty?”…. “it’s on my back Ty”… my sister chimes in… “see I told you she travels light… carry-on only”.
The drive is a familiar one, sights and sounds of Southern Africa present… rundown shanty towns give way to middle-class suburban neighborhoods… the beautiful houses now hidden behind high fencing, some fortified with electric wiring atop; such a shame, but it is unfortunately the way of Africa these days. We arrive. The house is alive and overflowing… my brother Colin and his wife May run a B&B out of their home. It is a lovely place, the open floor plan flows easily to the outside; inviting outdoor seating areas are tucked into the manicured yard and there is little ‘dipping’ pool, where one can cool off from the heat of the African sun. Today the rooms are filled with family… siblings, nephews, nieces, in-laws…. grand babies. Like me, they have all come in for the occasion of my niece’s wedding. “Hullo Aunty…. hullo Annie….hullo hullo… Geeezzz it’s been a long time hey” More hugs and kisses abound. I meet the son-in-law to be. He is a nice chap, with an easy manner and a sense of humor, tall, broad shouldered, he has kind eyes and a gentle way with my niece. I watch them interact and see how happy she is. I am glad to have made the trip. The warmth and joy of being in the company of my extended family envelops, being with my siblings is particularly sweet. It HAS been a long time… 7 years… too long to be apart… I have missed them. Only one thing takes away from this moment… I have only just landed and already I miss Alan and the pup; am wishing they could both be with me. The back bedroom offers a quiet place in the house, a moment is taken to give him a call… “Hello my Love… yes, I am here… safe and sound… yes, yes, lovely see everyone… but I already miss you…“
Napa and Sonoma Valley have nothing on the wine valleys of the Cape. The Wellington valley is host to the wedding, an afternoon occasion that flows deep into the night. It is 2am before we are lights out and in bed. What a wonderful day it was… such a happy occasion. Lisa and David have a strong circle of family and friends that surround them and all were there to help celebrate their marriage. My brother holds steady, no tears, only smiles, busting with pride as he walks Lisa down the aisle. Lisa is stunning, glowing, an absolute vision. She has planned the activities of this day well and it is spectacular. The party that followed was as one might say in South Africa ‘hectic’. Colin and May have out done themselves.
The remainder of my stay is filled with the sights and sounds of the Cape. Some quiet moments at the house, enjoying time with family, visiting with old friends. A trip through Chapman’s Peak drive, dinner at ‘the club’, lunch by the sea… I also had the honor and pleasure of being invited to join May and Colin and May’s sister Carol and husband Robin on a quick trip to Franschoek, my most favorite wine valley in Southern Africa. I had rooms at a wonderfully quaint B&B, nestled deep amongst the vineyards, Colin and May were hosted with Carol and Robin at a historic gracious old estate, with rooms in the Manor House. We were also VIP guests on a wine tour of Boshendal, the farm is part of a two thousand two hundred hectare holding and is the second oldest vineyard in Southern Africa…1685.. Groot Constantia is the oldest. A relaxing couple days, such a special treat. Thank you Robin… a card with proper thanks is on the way.
There is so much one can share about experiencing Cape Town but this note has turned out to be quite lengthy so I will end now; will leave you with some wonderful colloquialisms learned / re-learned while in Africa…
“Man Down” …for someone who has disappeared off to bed
“Rat Arsed”…. very drunk
‘Done and Dusted’…. finished, complete, no going back
“Give it horns” … meaning have a big party… go big
And a personal favorite “Waxes Lyrical” …. talking about something in an enthusiastic manner or with a lot of interest or zeal.
I had a dream, a dream that had me travelling long distances to the island of the UK… the shores of southern Africa … family hugged and kissed, husband and puppy sorely missed…. I had a dream … but dreams must come to an end as we awaken to a new dawn breaking… the wind is still pushing hard off the water, waves from the river are still slapping at the shore in a chaotic rhythm. The sun has come out against a brilliant blue sky… I am happy for both the dream and the new day dawned. Normal life resumes… my thirst for family time with siblings momentarily quenched.
I am home, Alan and pup are by my side… I am content.
Love and hugs to all
Ann
Some websites of interest should you ever get the urge to travel to South Africa
Colin & May’s B&B: http://www.fiveonorchard.co.za/
The hotel where we stayed in Wellington: http://www.vdcwines.com/
The B&B in Franschoek: http://www.kleinwaterval.co.za/
The Franschoek estate where Colin and May and Robin stayed: http://www.bellingham.co.za/
The Boschendal Wine Farm: http://www.boschendal.com/content/about
Franschoek: http://franschhoek.org.za/
Chapmans Peak: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapman's_Peak
Seapoint: https://www.google.com/search?q=seapoint+cape+town&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=DPDXUtHkG4bLsQSI44LwCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CCsQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=712