Numero 1- The Great Romance

To begin with, I sincerely believe that we owe it to ourselves to have one great adventure in our life time. Whether that may be undertaking a new business venture, moving cities or even countries or pursuing that one great romance. I believe it's in our DNA to discover, to explore, to question, to be curious, to learn. For if we stop doing that, we stop growing & bit by bit we start dying, not in the physical sense but in the sense that our souls slowly start dying.
So today, 21st February 2011, I set off on my once in a lifetime great adventure. Hitchhiking from Mexico to Antarctica, my 'Great Romance'.
This romance of mine started as soon as I could read. The first book I had ever read, besides the books you get at school, was an old encyclopaedia my sister had won at school. I remember clearly the moment I opened it. It had that smell, that smell that reserves itself for books well worn in. It had that scent of a book that hadn't experienced eyes looking down on it in quite some time. After opening it, one of the first words that jumped up under the letter 'A' was Antarctica. I can't remember much of what was written, but the picture that accompanied the text has been flirting with my imagination & haunting my dreams ever since. And with any flirtation, you either go over & say 'hi' or you allow it to remain in your imagination. I'm going over to say 'hi'.
So in January last year when World Cup euphoria was building & with most of us recovering from a memory filled holiday, I filled in the first piece of the puzzle that is my 'great romance', purchasing the ticket. That overcast day in January set off a domino effect of events thats seen me visit more embassies than most dignitaries visit in there careers, reading countless journals of the countries on the route & as the last few domino's consider falling into place, sitting counting the hours before I leave.
I know what you thinking. 'Hitchhiking? Are you mad, are you out of your fucking mind !!!' However, I feel to truly experience a culture, a people, a society, is to allow yourself to become part of there lives & there journey as they become part of your's. That becoming completely engulfed in one's surroundings & losing yourself in that moment & space in time, at that moment you'll find the essence of your humanity & of who you really are.
So as I order yet another coffee at Primi Piatti Fourways, I sit typing away & with 'Aking' meanderingly singing about 'Against All Odds', I have that nervous/anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach wanting to make a cameo appearance. You know that feeling, we all do. That feeling you had before that big job interview, or before you went for your licence exams or if you've been lucky enough, before the birth of your first born. Yea that feeling, you know that feeling. It's done a cameo in your life too hasn't it. It's all part & parcel of the experience,  as someone once told me. 'as with the exciting feelings you have, the others you also have to embrace.'
So I'm off then to find my 'Great Romance' & embrace all that she brings along.
Cheque please?

Until that day ......