I didn't expect to find

by Mmapula Mphake (South Africa)

A leap into the unknown South Africa

The feeling of great anticipation, mixed with happiness and achievement, watching the road ahead of us, on my first ever road trip to the Golden Mile, which I have been told is the Friendly City. There are joyful knots in my stomach, the atmosphere keeps changing as we cover the distance between this compact, but nicely spacious car we are driving in, and my very first out of my comfort zone and home, beach experience. We drive into the Suncoast Hotel. Am I really here? Everything about this very moment makes me come alive. Why? I am that girl who grew up in the township with absolutely no beach, clear waters, with spectacular sunsets to look forward to. There is definitely no array or colourful stalls with huge smiles, waiting to greet you, share jokes with you, dress you up in some really artistic gear, with striking colours, right on the street, Yep! On the side of the road. This is not really what you get where I am from, I did not have that to look forward to all the time. I am honestly the girl who has never been anywhere really. It has been running the streets of the concrete jungle for me, all of my life, until the day I set my eyes on the Golden Mile. I mean I could see it all from the window of my hotel room. I didn't expect to find, Myself. I took a roadtrip to the Golden Mile to find me, waving and smiling at the other me, who came home to stay a little, and breath at last. So time to get into that water came, I decided on the 'safer option' a boat ride experience, to a certain mid point in the waters and back. The freedom experience, leaving land behind you, heading to the unknown, the waters cheering you on, letting you know this is what being free truly means, this is who and where I'd rather be, all the time, any time. This experience felt very short, but I had limited time and everything to see. Which took me to my shopping spree in the streets, far better than any mall you could ever go to, if you really want to experience a city you have never been to. Everyone is happy to see you, ready to have you fit absolutely everything they have, and parade every look on that make shift catwalk right in front of the stalls, it's as fun as it is hilarious. And you definitely cannot leave the Golden Mile without being wheeled up the street in a very colourful carriage, driven by a man, all by himself. I actually thought that, it was all a myth. Until I met a man dressed in the most wonderful burst of colour in one outfit, and a massive hat, made of feathers, beads, bands and loads of colour popping all over. Your designated 'driver' also comes with so much energy and a huge smile, ready to wheel you up the street, in a wooden carriage with artwork beautifully painted all over the carriage, and off you go, each carriage can fit 2 people and your driver is your entertainment, he walks and runs a little at times, and somehow makes your carriage tip over backwards, without dropping you, and as you are tipped backwards, you see clear skies and only your legs seem attached to the clouds, he tips you over a few times, and each time it's really unexpected and you bursting into laughter is exactly what your designated driver wants for you. And of course he will be a natural infront of the camera, when you want a picture with him. My time here was too limited, there was definitely so much more, I didn't do and taste. I went on a short trip to the beach and came back with more than memories, I came back with all of me, all the missing pieces fit perfectly with all the other pieces already there, waiting for this moment to truly come alive. My Country, My Continent and the world awaits, and I can't wait to meet every part of it too.