Sounds of the soil

by Gabriella Bartlet (South Africa)

Making a local connection South Africa

I returned to a land where i have never been, this land birthed my entire existence my parents, language beliefs, every single thing that makes me hence the return. The breeze filled with the waters of the ocean blow across my face, as i stepped out of the old tired looking rusty bus, which i had to enjoy for the last seven hours, frankly speaking i did not mind the old bus, the road trip was wealth it, all the scenery to be captured made it timeless. My trip from Johannesburg to Kwazulu Natal was seven long hours, driving through the most beautiful landmarks in the world, breathtaking hills mountains and every now and then a little boy or girl running after the bus with the brightest smile and a little shy wave. The road trip went from a rusty old tired bus to a well kept family car, a lovely middle aged gentle man took me from bus station to the resort, a local to the area for more than 30 years, he had so many tales to tell, you could hear the proud in his voice, Zulu people native to KwaZulu Natal are extremely proud people,I looked out the window of the back seat where i sat, nodding away to everything he said, this very short 30 minutes trip went through the buzz of city town into a very peaceful green resort, I knew from a distance when the sounds of the town started to remain afar, we were getting close to a perfect stillness and silence that i appreciate. Finally i got to the Ingeli Forest, a beautiful gem hidden in covered by mountains all round, in the center a was a guest house, horses, a pool and very up to date decor around.