Monday 14th of may 2012 was a special day for our Willem, he received his passport (carnet de passage) and can now safely escort us through Egypt. In addition, we styled him inside and our lovely curtains are up. Time for a party! At Kruger National park, about 25 elephants, 4 lions, a rhino, buffalo’s and many other impressive animals celebrated our housewarming with us. All our guests were photographed at their best.
The first two and almost 3 weeks have passed. From Cape Town via the Garden route and the Wild coast we ended up in Drakensbergen. This is where we first tested Willem during our trip! The beautiful but challenging Sani-pass took us to Lesotho. Amazing views and we had a nice coffee at the highest café on the African continent. We are thoroughly enjoying the fact that Willem is so well equipped. Everywhere we wish we can have our breakfast, lunch or dinner creating our own campsites and restaurants.
Leaving Drakensbergen, we drove to Pretoria to sort out some paperwork and onwards to Potchefstroom. We met up with Marinka and had a lekker kuier. We showed Paul and Robin the end result of all the hard work last December. After a lovely stay at the Smuts family, the 16th of may we crossed the border into Botswana!
And again another housewarming. 28 years ago I lived in the capital of Botswana, Gaborone. The house is situated in a busy, colorfull neighbourhood. Everybody waves at us as we drive past. We have never been back here until now. Here I am, in front of my old house: plot 17290 Gaborone-West. Time for a second housewarming! We are warmely welcommed into their home by the current residents who show us around. Memories pop up: Jane’s house where I would secretly go to eat pancakes instead of bread with my parents, the wall on which I would sit with my dog ‘Rakker’, my bedroom, the big outside terrace which are all still there. As we walk into my old room, there is a new born baby sleeping on the arm of her mother. Two worlds, two cultures, different lifes but so much happyness together.
Whether it is plot 17290 in Gaborone-West or our Landie Willem, we create our own memories. It is the feeling you get going back to a place you’ve created for yourself which puts a smile on your face, knowing: this is my home.
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