Tuesday, March 10th,
The morning greets us with clearing skies so we store our luggage in the van before going on a six hour hike. The trail starts out easy before slowly becoming steep and rocky. Even though I am careful, I slip, slide and fall a few times. The higher we climb, the more I feel my heart pumping—alive and happy. Eventually, we reach a river full of flowing, clear water. We go across it by stepping on large, slippery stones. This slows everyone down, except for Mendy. Nothing slows her down! The trail continues to get steeper and rockier until we finally reach a peak that allows us to see our reward—magnificent, majestic views from every angle.
The fresh, clean air invites me to stand tall and breathe deeply. My lungs expand with renewed vitality and my heart is full of gratitude for everything that has brought me to this moment. We are removed from civilization and the silence that abounds is cushioned by the abundant sounds of nature. Snacks refuel us and we continue to admire the beautiful views before starting our journey back down the mountainside. Hiking down the peak, we see more stunning views as clouds begin to part and reveal taller peaks that had been shielded from our eyes. We take another break at the river, cross it once more and head back toward the van.
For six wonderful hours, I have been held by the arms of a mountain and I am reluctant to leave. However, more adventures are waiting so we say good-bye to the Drakensberg Mountain area and settle into the van for another long drive.
As we drive away, we see African women carrying bundles of firewood on the top of their heads. They have walked for miles to gather the wood and will carry it back to their homes with nothing but their heads to assist them. Imagine the strength of these women and all that they are willing to do to provide for their families. I long to sit down with one of them and simply listen to what she has to say. I want to hear about her life. What brings her joy? What makes her heart ache? For now, I admire these women from afar and even though I do not envy their lifestyle, they have my utmost respect and admiration.
Once again, we pass groups of children walking along the road who hold out their hands and scream for money as we drive by. I look at their houses—mostly small huts with thatched roofs. I wonder what it would be like for a family to live in such a small dwelling. Please, God, help me to practice daily gratitude for all of my many blessings!
Our next stop is in Pietermaritzburg where we will remain for three nights. Along the way, we stop at the Liberty Midlands Mall which is surrounded by a gate. We must get a ticket from an attendant before entering the parking lot and when we leave, we must give our ticket back to the attendant to get out of the parking lot. This system has been put in place to control car theft. The mall is surprisingly large and modern. For better or worse, we have returned to civilization. After we leave the mall, we go to a Bed and Breakfast and like most of the houses and businesses in this area, it is surrounded by a gate. I notice that I feel a tinge of sadness for those who feel that crime is the best option they have.
After a long day, we treat ourselves to dinner at a restaurant. Mendy tips the parking lot attendant who will be watching our vehicle. While I know that we are in a crime ridden area, I do not feel afraid. I believe that we are protected. We return to the Bed and Breakfast, sit in the parlor and chat until late in the evening.
Tomorrow we will visit Durban and go to the Victoria Street Market. Our hostess at the Bed and Breakfast tells us that Durban is the San Francisco of South Africa. I wonder if I will agree with her?
Bonus! Can you find the frog in this photo? Hint: There is a natural green stripe down his back!
Stay tuned for more!
Beverly
It is all breath taking Bev...Mendy sounds like a wonderful guide, having been that way before...what an awesome experience!!!!!
Posted by: Barbara | March 27, 2009 at 08:04 AM
Wow, these are wonderful photographs...what an adventure!
Posted by: Kate I | March 28, 2009 at 01:59 PM