On visiting

I was filling out a visitor’s slip in Johannesburg two years ago when a security guard said to me:

You are a visitor here, so you must enjoy yourself. Actually we are all visitors on this world so we must all enjoy ourselves.

He had expressed an instinct I had grasped fleetingly backpacking four, nine and eleven years ago but never held down long enough to describe. The guard casually mentioned it during some small talk.

Many of us love to travel. The promise of the new, the exotic or a simple break from the everyday is refreshing. However I’m not sure if I want to reserve travel for solely holidays and escapism. I’ve realised I like myself better when I am travelling, purely because when I travel I am a visitor.

When visiting, I am at my sunniest (it’s all relative). The time I have with you is short so let’s laugh. I am outside of my comfort zone and I don’t take things for granted. I fall in love with the world again.

A visitor’s life involves constant departure, which can be melancholic. Personally, I enjoy the anticipation of leaving a place. The space just prior to parting ways is for me dusk, my favourite time of day. It is softly lit and sometimes with beautiful colours. It is also sometimes the hour of revelations.

It was only in my last weeks in Cape Town I caught a glimpse of the world beyond that of the expat/white privilege bubble because I finally asked if I could. The fear of rejection that had previously held me back was replaced with a need to take my chances whenever I could.

My mother used to tell me that my ancestors were nomads and although Wikipedia may know better I’m inclined to agree. If we go back far enough it’s true (for everyone). I love travelling because it helps me live in the moment. I love visiting because it forces me to behave as a guest. Now we are going a step further and living in motion, nesting in our truck. His name is Bruce. The main setback of an expat life, living in 5 different cities over 5 years was the absence of home. This time we are taking one with us.

The thing about gypsies though is that they usually travel in a caravan. So if anyone wants to join us, give us a bell.