seeing

traveling is not just a matter of going to new places, but experiencing landscapes with new eyes.

My friend Tas sent Anna and I this message as we departed for our travel along the garden route. from Durban to Cape Town. We will be traveling for three weeks. We set out on June 19th (Happy Birthay Mel!) on a 13 hour bus ride from Durban to East London. The weekend here was fantastic! Hospitality was in abundance. I was truly inspired by the Rotarians who hosted us and the work that was taking place in the community. It was a beautiful experience. The weekend included everything from Lawn Bowling, to braiing (BBQ), to holding 4 month old white lions (let me tell you at 4 months, they're already amazingly big and strong!).
After a quick stop over in Grahamstown with our friend Alicia, Ann and I hired a car to drive 300k to Nature's Valley where we spent four nights. The stars felt like they were 10 feet away - stunning! The trail we hiked on Thursday led us through the fields and forrest, along the cliffs and down into the lagoon. This holiday has been a gift. It is here in this place that I was really abl to relax and live the fullest I have ever lived in the present moment. and it was beautifully peaceful.
We are currently back at Grahamstown enjoying the International Arts Festival. http://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/ Its a small quaint town that is positioned in the middle of a valley. The students from the university are what give this place life. And for 2 weeks out of the year, about 70,000 people embark on it to enjoy music, dancing, poetry and some really good food. Our friend Samantha had a captivating performance as part of the Witts Choir last night. The harmony gracefully filled the chapel we were in and gently embraced all us who were present. There are three other scholars we have met up with here. It is good to be amongst friends as I explore more fully the vastness of the country.