The GERMS will take you Out

crushed?

Whilst most of us in South Africa are trying to escape the germs warding off the flu and common cold as if they were weapons of mass destruction, our brothers in Brazil seem to have caught a bad case of the GERMS.  When your opponent scores 5 goals within the first half, I can only imagine that they were suffering from body aches coupled with fatigue as they were assaulted by German efficiency.  This morning as I questioned my Austrian host at my B&B about the game he simply answered “Vorsprung Durch Technik” immediately I knew Brazil must have been annihilated.

I would also be taking Selfie's after a win like that

Well known for their efficiency, determination, discipline and engineering it seems the German's came to Brazil with one plan in mind. To take the World Cup and remind everyone about their ability to make the impossible happen.  You have to love men who have a goal, prepare for it fiercely and then beat you on your home ground.  Its like a stranger walking into you home whilst you are about to tuck into your favourite meal , they take it away making you a spectator as they tuck in.   Leaving you with nothing but a runny nose and stuffy eyes as you absorb that sinking feeling of defeat.

The worst part about leaving the field at half time, without having scored and facing a mountain of 5 goals is seeing your #1 fan’s turning their backs on you. I felt sorry for them,  it felt no different than the first time I took ill whilst travelling, with no one to look after me I felt all alone and destitute (illness will do that to you).  

Meu Deus!

Clearly they are not as lucky as the Liverpool team whose fans seem to have mastered the art of loyalty.  Through thick and thin, losses and disappointment they sing to their players reminding them that they shall never walk alone.  Whilst the Brazilian’s singing died down pretty quickly as  they walked out by halftime, charged with the type of sentiments that one would experience after finding out that your husband had invested all your savings on a ponsi scheme leaving you with no choice but to walk out with the kids and his parents.

With no one to turn to, all their doubts were confirmed as the last few remaining fans applauded Germany on their 6^th and 7^th goal.  The world watched with astonishment as they asked themselves “what happened to the Samba Mamba’s?   Well it seems Kevin-Prince Boateng could have possibly been one of the factors,  after having said that Germany has a all-star cast but can never make the final step when something is at stake. It seems he inspired that German perseverance after Joachim "Jogi" Löw responded to Baoteng's mocking words by simply saying  that they would respond adequately to that in the World Cup.  Considering that Ghana and Brazil have both become bench warmers, I would say indeed Germany you have responded rather adequately. 

Now go on and win the game, so I can wish Jerome Boateng Congratulations because he is German engineering at its finest!

*Thank you to all the great photographer's out there for the brilliant pictures*

My Solo Trip…A journey of no expectation

NomadicMichelle

 

My most memorable journey’s thus far have been the ones that I have taken with no expectation in mind. I have a natural love for the road, my heart yearns to discover new places, tastes and people.  One thing I learnt at a very early age was that not everyone shared my passion for the road.  My parents, both avid travellers never discouraged my curiosity for the outside world and were the first people to encourage me to travel.  It all started when I was in grade 4, I returned from school one day brimming with excitement about my new hobby “land service”.   I informed my parents that it would require me doing community service every week, but once a quarter they had a camp that I would have to attend (emphasis on the Have).  At the time what had sold Land Service aka Lands Diens to me had simply been the camp aspect.  Fast forward to 6 months later, I had put in some serious hours of community service my glorious camp finally arrived.  All kitted out and ready for camp, my mother dropped me off at the bus for my first “Solo” trip.  Solo, even though my teacher would be our guardian for the duration of the camp.

My last National Camp in 1998

Arriving in Cedara I was completely alarmed when I realised that I was the only person of colour at this camp. I felt totally out of place and to add to my woes everyone spoke Afrikaans, a language I had only started studying that year. I decided that my mother needed to rescue me; I made my way to the telephone booth to call her and let her know about my predicament. Well the answer I got from her was a far cry from what I had expected. Instead of telling me how awful this was and that she was on her way to pick me up she said “You asked to attend camp, we allowed you. Now you want me to travel 4 hours to pick you up? I’m sorry, I cannot you are there now make the most of it. I love you” and then she hung up on me. Firstly I thought this woman is insane and does not love me after all actions speak louder than words, yet today I’m really thankful to my mother for having taught me the most important aspect of solo travel. “you are here now, make the most of the situation” This was a defining moment in my life as the choice to be happy and have a fulfilling time lied with me and not with anyone else.

I could not complain to anyone because if my mother would not listen to me, then who would? I instead chose to buck up and figure things out.



These are the 5 things that I continue to learn as I hit the road by myself.

1.       I do not need anyone to hold my hand.  I do not have to bring anyone along on my journey/trip/event and sometimes no one can hit the road with me.  You eventually find yourself in a position where it’s just you and a whole bunch of strangers.  At first it can be scary, where do you start? What has never failed me, is a simple hello coupled with a smile or a smartass remark about something to break the ice.



I met these amazing people on a study trip to Cape Town,
9 years later we still meet up for dinner.

2.       I don’t have to be afraid all I have to do is embrace where my heart has led me.  I have always had a thing for living, be it the outdoors, meeting new people, sharing food, getting lost in a new city. It all reminds me that I am alive and this moment is what it should be.

 

Meeting Faith resulted not just in 1 night in Itaewon
 but a weekend in Busan as well.

3.       I am never alone, life has an amazing way of making life ever so exciting.  I missed my last train in Korea I met Faith a fellow nomad who had also missed her train.  In minutes we put together an action plane for our homeless night in Seoul. I decided I needed to do Yoga again, in my solo search I found my yoga teacher who would later on gift me with a chance to become a yoga teacher.

 

4.       I do not need to speak a specific language to see the beauty of another human being.  In Cedara I learnt what a great connector language can be because even though my Afrikaans at the time was satisfactory it allowed me to break barriers and any hesitations people might have had about me.  In other countries my inability to speak their language allowed me to look beyond the words to see the person who is trying to express their kindness. I saw and felt love in the most humbling and beautiful way.
 

 

Lost in my own bubble

5.        I heard my own thoughts, ideas and voice without the muffling and often stifling intrusion of the world.  When you travel by yourself you have the time to just be, you do whatever you feel like doing without being worried if it will fit in with what other people want to do. 

 

 

Don't just think about it, Do it.