Travel Tuesday: Finding my place of peace

Sometimes you just need to go to a place where you are not disturbed by life’s interruptions.

There 2 such places that I always choose to retreat to, both are hidden on the side of a hill with views that comfort the soul and exhilarate the heart.  Here there is no noise, every sound is clear and it speaks of life; from birds chirping to the gurgle sound of water making its way to the top, this is where I choose to meet myself. It’s a trip I often invite no one too as it’s for me.  It has nothing to do with the next adventure but everything to do with the essence of my being.

It wasn't always like this but life has a way of showing you who you are; the death of my close friend in the early 2000s left me distraught and with an ache so deep that I did not know how to heal myself.  After weeks of weeping at any given time I realized that what I required was something no one else could give me, I needed time alone with myself.  I gathered my little broken heart and made for Ixopo Buddhist retreat in KwaZulu Natal for a silent retreat.

 Now anybody who knows me most probably has their eyebrows furrowed because I’m not one to give up a good conversation let alone do a silent retreat, in fact I really love talking to people, anyone really, yet through my heartbreak my life shifted gears from the external to the internal journey of life. 

I chose to live in the dormitories where my chances of bumping into people were higher but having arrived during the week there very few people to be seen.  Having explained myself to the admin lady, she offered me a chance to do a silent working retreat, I shared how much I loved gardening as I imagined myself potting around in Wellingtons in the beautiful vegetable garden.   Instead I was showed a huge field almost the size of a Rugby field and told that there where baby trees in the metre long grass and I had to find them. Not one to shy away from a challenge I went in full force slaying the grass in search of the bebe trees.

It was only on the 3^rdday that my silence was broken by my own screams when I thought I heard a snake making its way to attack me.   I threw the slasher to the skies and went in the opposite direction screaming,  the fact that is was a sharp tool that could have easily landed on my head was forgotten when I thought I was under attack.   Besides almost killing myself let me take you through a somewhat visual experience of why I have chosen these 2 places as my place of refuge.

Its really as beautiful as it is described in Cry the Beloved Country -  For those who have never read the book here is a little excerpt -  "There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it. The road climbs seven miles into them, to Carisbrooke; and from there, if there is no mist, you look down on one of the fairest valleys of Africa. About you there is grass and bracken and you may hear the forlorn crying of the titihoya, one of the birds of the veld. Below you is the valley of the Umzimkulu, on its journey from the Drakensberg to the sea; and beyond and behind the river, great hill after great hill; and beyond and behind them, the mountains of Ingeli and East Griqualand."

In the garden this gigantic statue sits, smiling.
 I'm not Buddhist but there is so much that one can learn from such simplicity
 when you have forgotten what it feels like to smile.

It was here that I encountered Rumi for the first time during guided poetry meditation.
 I heard the words, but they went beyond my ears they spoke to my heart,  I was in love.

The other thing that they do very well here is the Food.  Its everything food should be, simple, fresh tasty and heart warming.  from the bread to the cake the love flows through it all.

My second place of peace is much closer to where I reside for sometimes you need to escape without having to request leave.  Sediba Mountain retreat, it was here that I trained for my yoga teaching; it was here that I found my second home in Gauteng.  I love this little place; this is where I come to think, rest, sleep and meditate.  Created as a place where anyone can visit seeking return to the source of who they are through silence, a place to meditate and continue on your journey.  I have met many people on different paths, I have heard, sat and listened to stories of those who have been beaten by life yet chosen to get up and try again. It is a special place for here there is no one to judge let alone offer their opinions.
.

A room with a view

A sunset like no other it's moments like this that I'm grateful for,

 they remind me that there is something greater than myself. 

That I am a speck in the greater scheme of things.

Just saying but you know its true.

Travel Tuesday: Yummy Mummy's who Travel DIY

Who do woman become after they become someone’s mother?

Good enough to eat

 I have spent hours pondering this question, as I am a young woman who would like to have kids in the near future.  Right now I lead a get up and go life, I wait for no one as I seek adventure.  I don’t have to worry about planning after all, if  I decide to hit the road it’s just myself that I have to worry about.   So what happens when I finally decide to shift gears and become a mum?  Will travel become a distant dream as my life is consumed by nappies, baby talk and booties?  Will I all of a sudden become a boring, dowdy woman who laments about her youth and glamazon ways that are now a thing of the past as I chase after Lerato? Walking around with creased clothes and baby food stains a sign of my everyday struggle as a mother.

This idea had me in a flat spin, I found myself hyperventilating as heaviness descended upon my chest. Asthma pump someone!  While some might choose this path and I have seen woman looking like this in isle 4 at the grocery store.  Not hot, if anything scary! I feel no different (mentally of course) from the time I was 21 so what happens when all of a sudden you look like Charlize Theron in Monster except you are on isle 4? 

Yummy Mummy Queen B

I searched the net looking for mommies who were embracing their new life with the same panache that they had for their single years.  I was relieved to find the likes of Jada Pinket, Angela Basset and of course Queen B who seemed to still maintain who they are yet still embrace being a mom.  *Sigh of relief* but what about ordinary people like myself? I turned to my facebook friends and I was pleasantly surprised. I came across gorgeous pictures of happy, young mothers who make motherhood look like a breeze, never losing their sense of self, appreciation of their body and love for adventure.

Introducing the yummy mummies who travel; they are a group of youthful mothers who once a year, head off into the unknown to celebrate and discover new things about themselves through travel.

Who are the yummy mummies?

They are Noncedo Nhlapo (mother of 1), Lebohang Monama( mother of 1)Rose Seelamo(mother of 2) Refilwe Monkoe (mother of soon to be 2), Phophi Mamburu ( not a mommy yet)

Looking gorgeous and Ready for Adventure

What inspired you to travel together?

We started talking about it mid-year as we were all already feeling exhausted as we work full time and we are full time moms. We needed a real break.

Which Destination did you choose?

We picked Pinnacle Golf Resort in Mossel bay, their website looked amazing and it just seemed like the perfect getaway for a group of friends.  I must say it over exceeded our expectations.

Beautiful coast line in the back, what more can a girl ask for?

Who is behind all the planning?

We all worked together, Noncedo booked all the flights, Lebohang the accommodation, Rose hired the car and shuttle service and Phophi &Refilwe did the itinerary

A team effort!  Was everyone happy to share the load?

Yes it worked perfectly as we all have jam-packed schedules so sharing the load made life much easier.

So did Refilwe create an adventurous itinerary?

Yeah she totally outdid herself, we went on a 2 hour Safari game drive we were lucky enough to see the big 5.  We also went shark cage diving, which was a beautiful experience as we got to see the white shark.  We had a day of pampering at the spa!  Spent almost every day at the Pinnacle private beach, which was divine the only downside is we still recovering from the sunburn. To top it off some of the ladies who love height and thrills went bungee jumping.

Looking Posh & Fashionable for the Safari Drive

How did you prepare the little one's for your time away?

We are all lucky enough to have very supportive parents who have a great relationship with our little ones and so they were more than happy to have them for the 7 days that were away.

You are lucky indeed! Having a supportive structure in place always makes life that much easier.  So did you miss the kids?

The first 2 days were easy, but from day 3 the phone calls to them became more frequent and by day 7 we couldn't wait to see their little faces.

Yummy Mummy Getaway

What is special about this time away?

Our time away was special because it was about us and making time for ourselves, 4 of us are mothers and so we related in the evening conversations about the kids, and also exchanged parenting advice. It also allowed us to reflect and regroup so that we can go back home to our families rejuvenated.

What message would you like to share with other yummy mummies out there?

Yummy Mummies should definitely take time out to be with their girlfriends and relax. It's much needed especially when you're also a working mom and wife.  They should not feel guilty about going away as your little ones and partner prefer you happier and relaxed so go ahead and do it!

 

Working on the next trip

Where to for 2014

We are headed to Zambia, we feel ready to explore beyond our borders.

Well just don’t forget your sunblock when you hit Zambia cos Black can crack from the sun.  Nothing like Sunburn - TIA