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.