So after my last midterm on Wednesday I was "free." That was the unofficial beginning of my spring break, as the rest of my classes for the week were canceled. I say "free" because as of Wednesday my plans for the break were still TOTALLY up in there. I knew I wanted to travel, and I knew I was going by myself because I had arranged to tag along with some other people, but I found out that they had gone and made plans without me.
I quickly decided that what I wanted to do was go places by myself that I thought other people might not want to go. That narrowed the list very quickly. Most people would be too nervous to go to Zimbabwe (I have on good authority that I have nothing to fear), and Lesotho (one of my obsessions ever since I had learned of its existence) is at best a niche country which most people would not care for. So there it was.
The problem was I had to do all the planning myself, because I was going by myself. No small feat. I also learned that for the exact reasons I wanted to go, planning would be a challenge. Namely, that due to low tourist figures infrastructure was limited. Finding a bus into Lesotho is impossible and finding one to the Great Zimbabwe was very limited. After much searching I came up with a plan and set about setting it into action.
(my "plan")
What I found was a challenge at every turn. The internet resources for most of the places I was going where limited. I was able to only purchase three bus tickets so far.
I leave Sunday (tomorrow) morning at 6:30 AM and still I am unsure of how I am getting from Bloemfontein to Malealea; I don't have a concrete reservation at the hotel I plan to stay at in Malealea (Lesotho), I have confirmation that they have do have room for me but not technically a reservation; I don't know how I am getting from Malealea to Johannesburg; I know how I am getting from Johannesburg to Masvingo (the town closest the Great Zimbabwe) but I don't have tickets yet there or back; and I don't know how I will get visas to either Lesotho or Zimbabwe, I have been assured that I can get them at the border, but if something goes wrong I might be out of luck.
There are many point along the way where things can go horribly wrong and I will have to simply find something else to do, all I really have is a plan and enthusiasm.
I keep saying "it will be an adventure either way." That has encouraged me along the way, I have never taken a trip like this before, and might never be able to again. I will be totally by myself, totally self reliant, with little more than the clothes on my back. I will also be pushing myself harder than any human really should. I will be gone 5 nights, only two are in hotels, the rest are on buses. I need say little more to demonstrate how physically exhausting this trip will be.
No matter what I plan to have a trip of my lifetime, good or otherwise. I plan to learn a lot about myself, you know how they always say, "you can learn a lot about yourself by how you deal in crisis situation"? Well, one week of constant near crisis, here I come!
That is all I can say for now, I will post about it shortly after I arrive back at school on Friday.
Love to all,
Tommy
I leave Sunday (tomorrow) morning at 6:30 AM and still I am unsure of how I am getting from Bloemfontein to Malealea; I don't have a concrete reservation at the hotel I plan to stay at in Malealea (Lesotho), I have confirmation that they have do have room for me but not technically a reservation; I don't know how I am getting from Malealea to Johannesburg; I know how I am getting from Johannesburg to Masvingo (the town closest the Great Zimbabwe) but I don't have tickets yet there or back; and I don't know how I will get visas to either Lesotho or Zimbabwe, I have been assured that I can get them at the border, but if something goes wrong I might be out of luck.
There are many point along the way where things can go horribly wrong and I will have to simply find something else to do, all I really have is a plan and enthusiasm.
I keep saying "it will be an adventure either way." That has encouraged me along the way, I have never taken a trip like this before, and might never be able to again. I will be totally by myself, totally self reliant, with little more than the clothes on my back. I will also be pushing myself harder than any human really should. I will be gone 5 nights, only two are in hotels, the rest are on buses. I need say little more to demonstrate how physically exhausting this trip will be.
No matter what I plan to have a trip of my lifetime, good or otherwise. I plan to learn a lot about myself, you know how they always say, "you can learn a lot about yourself by how you deal in crisis situation"? Well, one week of constant near crisis, here I come!
That is all I can say for now, I will post about it shortly after I arrive back at school on Friday.
Love to all,
Tommy
2 comments:
Tommy, this will definitely be an adventure. and even if things don't go the way you plan, sometimes the detour route is better than you could have imagined. Just try not to stress too much, and enjoy this vacation for what it should be--a vacation! and most importantly be safe.
Love, Whitney
p.s. and please keep sheetie and lil legs safe too!
Sounds like something I wish I had done. I admire your adventurous spirit and you ability to live on the edge.
Luv, Dad
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