Complications of life cut by a butcher's cleaver

Couple of quick additions to Erin's post. Quad biking was great from my perspective. Erin ended up in the sissy-sally group and wasn't allowed to have any fun, but I ended up in the group the took the Namib's dunes straight, no chaser. There was an strange mix of fear and adrenaline coursing through me as I approached an incredibly steep dune at full throttle to see how high I could make it. Pulling fishtails in the sand, hitting jumps, just goinggoingoing as fast as we could make these things go through miles and miles of endless sand, then the finale of cresting a dune as seeing the ocean on the other side AH! just a great time. I felt bad that Erin didn't have the same experience, but I certainly enjoyed my time.

Second addition to the post: I am starting to fully understand that farming will not be a lifelong occupation for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the situation and finding a certain meditative calm in the direct and simple goals of the day. Pulling alien vegetation, making plant beds, pulling weeds, etc. It's like the complications of life are cut by a butcher's cleaver. Black and white, no shade of gray whatsoever. Is this a weed? Yes. Okay, pull it. How many wheelbarrows of compost does this need? Two? Okay, got it. The tasks aren't particularly boring, but rather require a constant half-focus which allows your mind to wander wonderfully in ways that it hasn't in years. Just having that much time to think is such a rare opportunity I am enjoying immensely.

On the other hand, while I might have used to complain about having to take a sweater to work in the summer because the air-conditioning was turned on so high, I am starting to more fully appreciate some of the other options. The idea of farming and the reality of farming quickly coalesce into one when the dirt simply won't wash off no matter how hard you scrub. I think I will simply wait until I get back to the states and then wash my hands there. I don't think it would make any difference.

The last couple of days have actually been quite busy with getting settled and being hosts (already, I know). Our two dutch friends, Rudy and Eva, joined us on Tuesday. Neil, Ciara, Max and Trix joined us on Wednesday, (the night the pictures in the bar are from) and Max and Trix stayed Thursday night and left this morning. Quite a number of guests for our first week, but it was great to see them all again before everyone from the overlander heads separate directions.

Lastly, we've put up some final pictures from the overlander, and also pictures from the farm in Stellenbosch. It's called Rozendal Farm, and here's the website for it if you're so inclined. http://www.rozendal.co.za/.

Cheers,
T.

2 comments

Erin October 17, 2008

Todd is correct. His quad biking experience looked awesome. Unfortunately, I got to watch him fly by as I was apparently on the scenic sand dune tour. Oh, well.

Elizabeth October 24, 2008

Hello to my favorite world travelers!!! I have spent the last hour perusing your site and I have been so excited and just loving life living vicariously through all of your adventures. All of it sounds amazing, but it would take a lot of persuading to get me to jump out of a plane. I think that I would love the life of a farmer that you have described if it was for a short amount of time. There is something so satisfying about working with your hands and creating a definitive product that you can later touch, see, smell, taste. I was in the Labor and Delivery department two nights ago and my team and I were sitting around at 4:30 in the morning and I was telling them about all of your travels. It started a conversation about life dreams and people telling stories of the different places they grew up and it turned into a bonding experience. - The big news here in Texas is that Sean, Mary's boyfriend bought a ring and is planning on proposing. He has not done it yet, but it brought back memories of how hard it is to keep it in and not just blurting out "Will you marry me?" at the most random moment. But I told him to just go with the moment, b/c that means more than tons of planning possibly could. - I am excited to get some wine recommendations from you. Start the list now, we are all waiting for it! - My life is about the same... lots of time in the hospital and the rest of the time trying to catch up on a little sleep. I am running another half marathon in a couple weeks and trying to prepare for that. Last night Jenn and I went to Austin, ate dinner at Trudy's by campus, and saw a show at Antones. It brought back good memories. Someday we will all have to have a collage reunion. Until then, be safe and Jenn and I send out love.

Erin October 17, 2008
Todd is correct. His quad biking experience looked awesome. Unfortunately, I got to watch him fly by as I was apparently on the scenic sand dune tour. Oh, well.
Elizabeth October 24, 2008
Hello to my favorite world travelers!!! I have spent the last hour perusing your site and I have been so excited and just loving life living vicariously through all of your adventures. All of it sounds amazing, but it would take a lot of persuading to get me to jump out of a plane. I think that I would love the life of a farmer that you have described if it was for a short amount of time. There is something so satisfying about working with your hands and creating a definitive product that you can later touch, see, smell, taste. I was in the Labor and Delivery department two nights ago and my team and I were sitting around at 4:30 in the morning and I was telling them about all of your travels. It started a conversation about life dreams and people telling stories of the different places they grew up and it turned into a bonding experience. - The big news here in Texas is that Sean, Mary's boyfriend bought a ring and is planning on proposing. He has not done it yet, but it brought back memories of how hard it is to keep it in and not just blurting out "Will you marry me?" at the most random moment. But I told him to just go with the moment, b/c that means more than tons of planning possibly could. - I am excited to get some wine recommendations from you. Start the list now, we are all waiting for it! - My life is about the same... lots of time in the hospital and the rest of the time trying to catch up on a little sleep. I am running another half marathon in a couple weeks and trying to prepare for that. Last night Jenn and I went to Austin, ate dinner at Trudy's by campus, and saw a show at Antones. It brought back good memories. Someday we will all have to have a collage reunion. Until then, be safe and Jenn and I send out love.