June, 2007, a [slightly] younger, [slightly less] naïve, overly confident version of myself stepped onto a bus and bid South Africa farewell.
I was only embarking on a three-month adventure, but subconsciously I must have known that I would never return – the tears would not stop streaming down my face.
I’d spent months scraping together cash and preparing for the unknown.
But the unknown is so unknown that you can’t really prepare for it.
Ten of us set off on a momentous adventure through Africa.
The group shrunk to six.
And then four.
And then me.
Just me. Me and the unknown.
When I first met solo travellers, I kept wondering what was wrong with them.
Did nobody want to travel with them?
Were they the eternally lost type?
Did they have weird addictions?
Did they smell funny?
Suddenly I was one of them and I suddenly understood (and probably also smelled funny).
Travelling with friends was exceptional!
But travelling by myself absolutely transformed my world: I had so many more interactions with locals, I was free to change plans (or neglect making them) as I liked, I was forced to interact with strangers, I got perfectly lost.
Every day I got braver.
Every day I could reinvent myself.
Everyday was a complete adventure!
When a place felt good, I stayed.
When a place felt bad, I moved on as quickly as I could.
My tribe constantly transformed as strangers became travel buddies and then friends.
And, with every adventure and encounter, I transformed.
Everything I thought I knew was tested.
And despite spending years studying to prepare to adult, the road far surpassed the teachings of university and I decided not to adult.
19 years and a billion adventures ago I left South Africa.
I have no idea how many inspirational humans I met, I have no idea how many countries I visited, I have no idea how I survived some of it, and I have no idea how I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to enjoy most of it.
Sometimes I didn’t have a cent to my name – but I learned that you always have enough!
Sometimes I felt like I was in the completely wrong place – but I learned that you are always where you are meant to be.
I left as a timid African: quiet, safe, scared to make mistakes, unsure of who I was.
I became bolder, braver, wilder, and fell in love with the lessons that come from mistakes. (Perfect is boring).
Every day I grew into a new version of myself.
I did so many things I never dreamed possible as my horizons kept dancing and expanding!
I did return to South Africa, but every time I was a different person.
Adventure completely opened my eyes, set my soul alight, and transformed my life! (This is why I want to give others the opportunity for MORE Adventures).
I’m so grateful for every person who was a part of my journey.
Thank you to all those who inspired me and held my hand through difficulties.
Thank you to everyone who cycled with me, and sailed with me, and picked me up while hitching.
Thank you to those who I shared coffee and beers and hikes and adventures with.
Thank you for stolen kisses and hugs.
Thank you to everyone who believed in me. (And those who did not, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to prove you wrong).
Even something so small as a smile or a kind “hello” was enough to keep me going – THANK YOU!
Life is a beautiful adventure.
You don’t need to know all the answers.
You don’t even necessarily need to know where you are going.
But you do need to make the most of the beautiful gift [of life] we have been given!
