Hello, Bonjour and Sawubona from a new adventure, that is already lining up at the horizon: I will move to another continent and start living and working in Cape Town, South Africa! It’s finally been settled and a new chapter will soon present other kinds of adventures to me. Everything is going to be quick now, if I manage to survive the visa process (see next blog with advices I wish someone could have given me beforehand). April will be the first month where my new home will be in the Rainbow Nation. Being basically addicted to Africa and its beautiful landscapes, this is a dream come true for me. I can still not believe how this all fits into perfect shape.
A year ago, I was packing bags and preparing myself for an unforgettable time in Zimbabwe, where I was volunteering in the bushlands of the private game reserve Cawston Wildlife Estate for three months.
Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe
Not even one and a half years ago, I got my bags ready for Cape Town, to spent amazing holidays in „Slaapstad“. It was there, where I started to fall in love with the city home to the iconic Table Mountain and framed by white beaches. It was then, when I thought „This is the city I want to work and spend my life“. But you know, I thought it was just one of these sentences you tell yourself, you shortly dream about, then you forget and move on with your real life. This time it was however bound to be different. This time my dream moved on and worked its way into my reality by mysterious and perfect ways. This time my dream changes my live!
Table Mountain, South Africa
Soon, I will start working for my German employer in South Africa, that sends me off to one of the most southern points, to Mother City and I am more than delighted. Sometimes, I just thank god for his ideas of paths for my live. Sometimes, I just can’t believe to be so very lucky to have a wonderful husband who made everything possible to join me into the Rainbow Nation. It still sounds like a surreal dream to me, that I will soon be living in Africa, in an extraordinary country, in between the famous moutain, the largest wine route and the wild ocean.
Franschhoek, South Africa
„Be prepared to fall in love“, was what I was told before I headed to Cape Town for my first time. „Be prepared to settle in“, is what I am looking for now. I do know it’s not going to be easy all times and it surely will be a huge change to live in a country with economical, political and historical challenges. But here I come loadshedding, and I am happy for that move. I can’t wait to live my African dream! Cape Town surely isn’t like the African bush I always long for and South Africa surely isn’t the same as the wild Zimbabwe. However, Mother City and the Rainbow Nation can offer landscapes equally beautiful and wildlife sightings equally adventurous as in the untouched ground of Zim. But also crime rates and offenses to a different level.
Be a warrior not a worrier!
Anonymous
So how best to prepare for a move from a safe country in Europe to an adventurous one in Africa?
- Well, first to settle all important details with the employer;
- Second, be patient, patient and patient;
- Get the visa done and again be patient;
- Then, get the household packed into plenty of little boxes;
- Gather information about what can be imported, what is restricted and how much are the taxes on imported goods;
- Fill in endless forms of never ending paper work;
- And again, be patient, patient and patient;
- Write a summary of all stock to be brought into South Africa (all for the lovely customs procedure).
My lessons learned:
- Fight for your dreams – they will come true, eventually;
- Don’t start worrying too early – it only takes away your peace and joy of today;
- Survive the visa process – be prepared to spend plenty of joyful time in the embassy.
Cheers to wandering the world and the wonders of our lives – bye bye, salut and sala kahle ∞