Family and Friends - Leg Three
There is a heavy wind blowing. Clouds, pregnant with rain, covers Sir Lowry's Pass in contrast to the sunny skies of Cape Town. I follow the winding road up to the top and pierce through clouds which stretch as far as the eye can see. Fine drizzle veils the scene as wipers try their hardest to keep the water off the windscreen. I am on the last but final leg of my journey to Port Elizabeth.
It has been a long time since I visited the family in P.E. and I look forward to renewing my family ties. The road is wet and the vegetation rich, green and lush. It is hard to believe that there are water shortages in the area but I suppose although it is wet, it is so, in the wrong places.
Traffic along this scenic route, affectionately known as the Garden Route, is quite heavy as the multitudes of holiday makers make their way to the various destinations along this stretch of the country. The Garden of Eden, The Big Tree, The Elephant Park etc. There is much to see and do, but not for me. I am once again caught by surprise as some holiday makers, eager to fill there every moment with things to do, with such vigour that it borders on rudeness.
A stop to refuel and onwards towards my destination. I reach the familiar interchange that marks my arrival. Everything looks familiar, or rather everything has changed and yet has remained the same. The drive up the hill towards Malabar, the mine and railway are still around. A few houses have crept closer to the railway line halfway up the hill. Then its over the top of the rise and I am greeted by the familiarity of the houses, although couloured differently and with a few modifications, that have largely remained the same. I am transported back in time to my youth when I spent a year of schooling in this little suburb.
We have all grown a little older and some have passed on. Mental pictures are modified to include the greying hair and various other characteristics that friends and family have acquired over time. What has remained constant is the love, caring, generosity and consideration that has always been there. Those who were once young children, and who are now young adults, are a testament to this consistency.
I am truly privileged to be amongst such as these and who give freely of what they have completely and without any expectation. I am indeed honoured to be a part of their world and hope that I too can reciprocate not only to them, but to all my friends, family and associates. Go in peace ;-)
It has been a long time since I visited the family in P.E. and I look forward to renewing my family ties. The road is wet and the vegetation rich, green and lush. It is hard to believe that there are water shortages in the area but I suppose although it is wet, it is so, in the wrong places.
Traffic along this scenic route, affectionately known as the Garden Route, is quite heavy as the multitudes of holiday makers make their way to the various destinations along this stretch of the country. The Garden of Eden, The Big Tree, The Elephant Park etc. There is much to see and do, but not for me. I am once again caught by surprise as some holiday makers, eager to fill there every moment with things to do, with such vigour that it borders on rudeness.
A stop to refuel and onwards towards my destination. I reach the familiar interchange that marks my arrival. Everything looks familiar, or rather everything has changed and yet has remained the same. The drive up the hill towards Malabar, the mine and railway are still around. A few houses have crept closer to the railway line halfway up the hill. Then its over the top of the rise and I am greeted by the familiarity of the houses, although couloured differently and with a few modifications, that have largely remained the same. I am transported back in time to my youth when I spent a year of schooling in this little suburb.
We have all grown a little older and some have passed on. Mental pictures are modified to include the greying hair and various other characteristics that friends and family have acquired over time. What has remained constant is the love, caring, generosity and consideration that has always been there. Those who were once young children, and who are now young adults, are a testament to this consistency.
I am truly privileged to be amongst such as these and who give freely of what they have completely and without any expectation. I am indeed honoured to be a part of their world and hope that I too can reciprocate not only to them, but to all my friends, family and associates. Go in peace ;-)
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