Things get busy, you know? the past few months have been up and down in all sorts of ways. Up’s in moods, laughter, new challenges, and planes. Downs in health, workload, family things (who doesn’t have a family crazy enough to write a book about) and most importantly, a lack of adventures.
But I am the average traveller, and who has time (and money) to travel ALL THE TIME? I sure don’t.
Can you remember your last time you went on a first date?
Do you remember the awkward silences? The questions you asked and got “yes” or “no” replies for? We have all been on a date where you are kinda into to the person but you can’t seem to get the conversation to flow. You touched on what you do for a living, the brief “my hobbies include” bit and then you spend 20 minutes looking at the menu, deciding whether you should order a salad and glass of water or just be yourself and order a steak and a glass of wine.
Well, stop freaking out about date number two because I got you covered.
A few weeks ago I was invited to learn about Brandy, with Distell. Look I knew Brandy was quite the process to produce, but I didn’t know it was such an art. Nic Holdcraft presented the day and everyone hung on every word he said. This short course is for the Brandy appreciator as much as it is to get to know the product.
Admittedly I was not the biggest fan of Brandy, I found it a bit harsh to drink neat. But it is amazing what education can do. By being taught to add a tiny drop of water to the glass of brandy it made it SO much more palatable and I was able to taste distinct differences between the different types.
This course is open to the public and I highly recommend it. This is SA after all, what is more South African than Brandy and biltong?
With a car, it is not far
The Rendille boy pleaded with us to go to the “foor” (animal camp) to fetch a warrior bitten by a snake. “Where is it?” “Oh, with a car it is not far! Remember the old site of the Saale village? Just near there,” he replied. That gave us an idea of where to go and how long it would take. We would be home before dark.
You know how you meet someone and it just works? It’s like your lives are in sync. You speak the same language, but more importantly, it is the kind of friendship that never requires you to explain any thought, feeling or action. because the other person just gets it.
I found this in someone whom I had never seen in person. Yup, Twitter friends are real.
The British Museum is just glorious. It is proof that the British really do accept collateral for bailing out other countries. No really, I am pretty sure if you took all the pieces of the Parthenon that are in the British Museum and put them back together in Greece the building will be complete again.
They really do die hard. As an average traveler, I have a few odd things I do when I travel. Case and point, licking things. Also, fridge magnets and selfies with notable landmarks. But I have not so unusual habits too. Since our first visit to Europe, I have always been a sucker for history and have often mentioned it here.
Brighton wasn’t on my to-do list until we found out the friend who we were staying with had a fun run there the day after we arrived in the UK. I looked up the seaside town, read the word “weird” and was sold. While she ran we were going to explore the lanes.
When we visit England (not for work) we always make our way to beautiful Bath to visit my brother in law and his wife. Every time we go there I look at where Stonehenge is and sure, it’s a small detour but it’s RIGHT there and we have never seen it. This time, I was GOING to see those bloody stones. And I did, from a car in passing.
As an aspiring student traveller, your budget hardly ever allows for the constant pleasures of indulging in travel escapades. When travelling or planning travelling adventures you should be smart about the whole process so that you are able to make the most of your visit regardless of the amount of money in your pocket.