February 20, 2010

Heading for South Africa!!

I can hardly believe it myself, but it's true!
Just a few days ago Craig convinced me that it is time for a long overdue visit to see my family in South Africa!! Now that Jemma has left home. Craig and Amber are quite capable of managing a couple of weeks without me. Craig has done the same long journey to SA three times alone to see his dad, who was not very well at the time.
My mum, dad, brother a
nd sister all live in Johannesburg having emigrating, oooh about 25 years ago and I haven't seen them all for literally years and years, it's been over 10 since I saw Heidi and Kevin and I haven't even met my little 5 year old nephew Luc. Nor have I met Kevin's wife Christine yet. Even my aunty Joy is coming over from England while I am staying, so we get to overlap our visits for a few days before I fly back. It feels like a lifetime ago that the four of us, Craig, Jem, Amber and myself left Jo-burg after living there for 18 months when the girls were only 4 and 6 years old. My mum and dad did come and visit us here in Canada in 2007, but the week they stayed with us flew by so fast and it seemed like they had only just settled in when they had to leave us again, so they didn't really get to know Jemma and Amber properly at all.
I will be travelling 'solo', something I haven't done since the days before I met Craig, so I will admit I am a bit (a lot) nervous, but excited at the same time. Not too thrilled with the prospect of waking up at around 2.30am to get to the airport at 4am on Thursday, but once my journey has begun I expect it will be fine. Plenty of water to drink, a good book and some earplugs! Just in case the compulsory in-flight baby or toddler is in the seat in front of mine. (a sleeping pill would be a great idea, but I don't have any of those)
What will I be doing in SA? Very little I imagine, I ha
ve no expectations apart from loads of nattering. Looking forward to visiting both siblings in their new homes, sitting under the shade of a tree, taking in the familiar scents of grenadines, oranges and other summery African smells, perhaps a dip in the pool when the heat is just too much for my winter white Canadian skin! I will be reminded of the many visits to my parents home back in my early 20's and again in in my 30's as a much younger mum.Taken just before we left SA in 1998!
I intend to get unit 5 done on my course before I leave so I can justify a break from studying. The freezer is jam packed with meals for my own little family of two and fingers crossed they will become closer in my absence :)
So for this week I shall sign off on a happy note with only 4 more days left of looking at the deep snow in the back garden for a while. Having said that, today was spectacular and did almost feel warmish, well at least driving around in the car. Blue sky and pristine snow everywhere - will I miss it?
Nah, mosquitoes and tall iced drinks - here I come!!!

5 comments:

  1. Oh how exciting Hazel!!!
    You are going to have such a wonderful time, just remember to take some time to just chill :) Otherwise you will end up running around like a crazy chook!
    Have the best time catching up with your family, send Africa my love xxx
    Safe travels
    K xx

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  2. Hello H...I loved reading that! I can see why it is going to be such a big trip. That is a long long time since you were there, wow! The picture of the girls and you, just amazing. I am also wanting you to give my love to Africa, a place so dear in my heart, One Zambia, One Nation, One Railway, One Station! Only kidding, well it was a quiet place when I lived there. "Stand and sing of Zambia proud and free, Land of Hope and Glory, Unity" I used to sing the national anthem so proudly, I loved my Zambia, it was my world. I will miss you when you are away, and will be thinking of you. I have taken a leaf out of the old book and made a few connections myself this week, its really scary, but its good. Well my trip across Canada, as far as London to Moscow will be something of a challenge. Having to drive out of Vancouver on my own, that should be fun! Find the ferry, even better! To get across the water to vancouver island, then find my way through bear country to my lodgings! Lets hope I don't break down! Nirvana is worth searching for! I think you will have a lot of fun. I think I will too! Well, here we go again!
    Tx

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  3. we are looking forward to having you here! Planning a small get together at my place for your birthday. LOL See you soon.

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  4. Visited your blog today
    Love Mum xx

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