red_lasbelin | SA Trip

I am back from South Africa. Very glad I went. I'm a bit sorry about how badly I angsted beforehand, the emotional energy was intense. I drove on the left-hand side of the road and did not kill anyone (my #1 goal). I also completed the Sanctuary road trip, spent time with the fucking delight that is

anerea, and got to see Kei's husband, daughter and her family. I played ball in the courtyard with her grandkids and wished terribly that she could have been there to see how much they've grown.

Kei's husband brought over some of her books on the last day, and the most unexpected thing happened...I was able to bring Kei's copy of the Silmarillion back with me.

Left is the copy she gave me...it must have been back in 2008-2010. I wasn't super into the Silm when I started out, having a strong preference for the LoTR series and associated fanfictions, but she made me intrigued because of her story, Even Quicker Than Doubt, which would never have existed without her knowledge of the Silmarillion. On the right is her copy from 1977. My feelings on the Silm have changed due to Kei's endless campaign and also the many other stories I've come to love in this fandom.

I never expected to get it, it didn't occur to me to even ask for it. It's a very dear gift and these two will live together on my bookshelf.

I started the Sanctuary roadtrip in Hermanus, where she grew up, and stopped in the used bookstore on the main square. I found this on the shelf and just started laughing...this is the edition I borrowed from the library to read the series for the first time. I hadn't thought of this specific book in ages, but just seeing it took me right back to that time. I took it for a good omen for the start of my trip. This book changed my life!

What a special trip this was. I sorely needed it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What a wonderful gift. I'm so glad you got to see Kei's family, and to spend time with Anerea.

Late, but I'm so glad you had a good trip. <3

Thank you so much, Cirth!

Thank you! I really am quite lucky to have stayed in touch with Kei's family and to have met Anerea. It's a special connection to SA.

I am glad the trip went so well!

Me too! I think there was only one kind of not great day, which is not bad for an international trip, I think!

Sounds like a wonderful trip and perhaps a bit of balm for the soul. November seems like a perfect time of year to do the trip. I think I said this on Dreamwidth somewhere recently but I am hoping to get back to Western and Nothern Cape in 2028 for a conference and do a bit of sightseeing while there, revisiting places with memories. Hopefully bringing colleagues. Although recent feedback I heard was that it's less safe in South Africa now than it was in 2007 unfortunately. :( (I also am not sure whether travelling with my Awesome Colleague who is Kenyan would put either of us at risk and need to look that up closer to time.)

Well done with the driving! I'm actually a bit wary about whether I'd drive in South Africa because of the carjacking rates but as I recall, outside the big cities it's open road and fairly quiet. Back in 2007 UK visitors were warned that overtaking on either side was allowed, but they've relaxed the undertaking laws in the UK these days so it's a bit more acceptable.

It was very much balm for the soul - it's been an interesting grief journey, and I did need something More, so this was a special trip.

I do hope you get to go back in 2028. I think having SA connections can help a lot in the safety aspect but I do also think a lot depends on what you are doing. I did few evening activities, only went to major gas stations and kept my drive times to 5 hrs or under. I also didn't do any huge hikes by myself but stayed on the major touristy bits unless I had locals with me. I would love to see Johannesburg, but I did not go there due to safety concerns this time. I talked to a lot of drivers and locals and the consensus seemed to be Cape Town is easier because the unsafe areas are pretty distinct and avoidable, but in Johannesburg, the safe and unsafe areas are much less distinct.

Also you are right, outside the big cities it is open road and pretty quiet.

I would go back again and I would drive again, but obviously the world could look different in 2028, so it makes sense to check in and take precautions! I also think it is in some ways easier to visit because the exchange rate is quite good and it's easier to take precautions and pay a little extra, but living there is tougher.

Gosh, it is such a special place though.

I am so glad you had a fantastic trip! When I read you now have Kei's copy of the Silm, I teared up.

Thank you, Indy! I'm relieved too, I was quite stressed about it. (though not a small amount because of the doing things I haven't done before).

I really was not expecting to get her Silm and I didn't know her copy matched mine; it was quite a teary thing to see them united like that. I do think she'd be glad I have it.

Lovely to hear that after all the stress it went well. Seems right that you should have inherited Kei's Silmarillion.

Thank you so much, Bunn! I am very happy, and my family members who were slightly horrified are also relieved I am back home sfea.

The synchronicity on your trip was truly remarkable!

It was so awesome connecting with you and vicariously enjoying your adventure. (And being driven by you was a real treat too!)

Ha! I don't think I've ever been described that way before! From now on, when I'm asked if I'm a photographer or an artist, or whatever, I'm going to answer that no, I'm a fucking delight!

Truly though, you are too! I'm so fucking delighted that we had the opportunity to connect in the way we did! Thank you so much for bringing some holiday to me, and your beautiful self!

I think you should put it on a business card. Anerea. A fucking delight. Simple card with your contact information. I just can see it in my mind's eye. It covers the artist, photographer, climber, adventurer stuff pretty well. :D

I'm looking back on my trip and it did go so very well. Thank you for the many, many gifts you gave me - your time, energy, expertise, your stories, the biscuits, mesquite, directions... I am so glad I know you! It's a real privilege.

I found out you can buy Mannabrew in the states, btw! Never hit order on something so fast...

Oooih! You found Mannabrew! That's fantastic! I was planning to slip a bag into your bag before you left, but forgot, so I'm delighted you'll have a steady supply anyway!

Now I'm wondering whether they export the invasive alien New World beans back to where they came from, or if they cultivate them locally...? I couldn't find anything on their website.

And really, we can go on forever about the gifts we received from each other, but it was truly mutual!

SA Trip

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