Simon signing in:
Well, it has been a little while (again) since I wrote here but I guess the reason for that is clarified below.
This past week Rein and I have been in a whirlwind. Since our arrival at my parents' house in Western Australia we have been awaiting our next 'mission'. We knew when leaving The Kimberley that we did not have anything lined up to go onto so this is where we still are, waiting.
When you are not working and have nothing 'shored up', it really does play with your mind as to who you are, what you're 'doing with your life' and we both kind of went into panic mode.
We both started sending messages and going online to send word to the world that here we are, in Perth, ready to go further. No response. Rein attempted this again two days later. No response. It felt as though the world had stopped wanting us, as if we were had, spent, unwanted.
When these emotions start appearing, it is then that you start turning on each other, and this is what we started to do. We started to get angry with each other over the smallest of things. Every morning was a struggle. Rein has to get out of the house and I, I just revert to my book or the History channel.
Within the last week Rein had recommenced communication with his employers and we were within a hair's breath of finalising our sabbatical and going 'back to work'. I will not go into details on this front but can say that we are now still continuing on our sabbatical for a little while still.
Struggling through a week like this can make you go insane. We started to again panic that we do not have a home, so we have no where really to run or return. You can only stay with your parents for so long before they and you go insane and need you to go so we have been wanting to know what next! Also, this year we have been living of our savings so anytime spent where we are not keeping busy is money being spent without any return and living in Australia, well, for anyone not living here, Australia (especially Perth!) is bloody expensive! More expensive than Europe hands down! Rein and I cannot believe it.
But this past week, starting around Tuesday last, all things started to look brighter. Firstly, we got our first real bite on selling our 4wd. The new owner called quietly on a Tuesday morning and after a visit, and my and his negotiating a price, we shook hands and sold the car. This was the first real great news we had had since returning from the North. They came down that evening carrying cash and drove away. Both parties were happy. :-) It was a great car albeit we owned it for only 7 weeks.
On top of this, by Wednesday, Rein and I had made a decision on where we would go to recommence our lives and Rein sent off an email confirming we had made up our mind and stated which date would suit us. This also meant contacting Rein's parents and let them know how we were, what we were doing and well, whether we could kindly stay at their place for a little while. Finally that night we would sleep a little better. Sleep in the knowledge that this void in which we were living was closing up.
Sitting watching a movie that evening Rein walks in to announce that the organisation in which we registered in September last year had finally come back to us to offer an opportunity in Mozambique! And more incredible was that they wanted both Rein and ME! Me? Wow. I completely forgot that I too had given them my CV though I did not think I fitted the description of the people they hire. I was a little shell shocked at first, then happy.
This news certainly could not have come at a more bizarre time. One, we had only just three hours prior confirmed an option which meant stopping our sabbatical. Two, Rein's parents had been told to expect us earlier rather than later. THREE, we did not need to stop our sabbatical, but end it on this great note! So, that evening we would not be sleeping too well. Not just yet.
We now had to set up skype interviews and commence the paper work side of this opportunity. They understood our urgency, so the interview was set up for the following day afternoon (being on the far-end of the world means we have to wait for the afternoon for the rest of the world to wake up). It was successful so then Rein had the audacious task of calling up his employer to defer his start date by a few months. That too went down without too much trouble.
So now, once complete all the paperwork is complete, Rein and I will be off to Mozambique! More specifically, the Inhambane Province. The organisation we are going with is TechnoServe. They are a US organisation which has been active since 1968. Rein and I have been wanting to work with them the entire time though nothing had come up (strictly speaking, one opportunity in Morocco did come forward though we had committed to our work at The Kimberley, so therefore had to decline the offer, much to Rein's plea to go).
Nothing much to tell on the whole project as yet, but it would mean Rein and I are the 'team' working on this particular project and they will be taking care of us with their other permanent teams on the ground! As I state, when we know more we will let all know.
I have never been to Africa (except Morocco) and the prospect of visiting South Africa and Mozambique is amazing! This project too would mean spending our entire sabbatical year around the Indian ocean, which was not planned, but it just worked out that way.
Now Rein and I prepare for the departure which is still to be confirmed, but we are both very excited to again feel 'wanted' and to be heading somewhere to again give back, the purpose of what we started this year.
In looking back on this posting, and the past week, I guess we should learn that we need to be patient, that we need to look within ourself when these feelings start and to think about the other people we have worked with this past year, and remember the lessons learnt from them. We all live in this world and although it does not always go your way, it always works out in the end. One way or another.
Type you soon,
Simon
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Winter in Perth...
Rein checking in -
"It's been a few days that we're back now in Perth, after out amazing road trip.
Our trip back from Kununurra was uneventful, yet as stunning as the way up. Even though it was for 90% the same road us we used to drive north, in reverse, we did enjoy the scenery again, and from a different perspective.
The following morning we set off early as we wanted to make it in time to a beach side camp site near Port Hedland, realising this would probably be our last chance to swim in tropical waters. We did stop for lunch though on 80 mile beach, which we assume is called this way of its length. Well, however long it is, it is a beautiful white beach as long as the eye can reach.
Of course, I had to take advantage of the occasion to dive into the crystal clear waters before delving into my sandwich. And in retrospect it was good I did, as it would be my last dive up North. As, when we arrived at our planned camp site later that afternoon, we were very disappointed with the fact that it was overrun by fellow roadies, spoiling the idea of a swim and a bush camp. Instead we decided to hit the road again and try to reach Karratha and see if we could crash at Simon's uncle's place there. So said, so done and that evening we had a nice catch-up over a pub meal with Brian, Simon's uncle and a good night's sleep in a bed under a roof!
To our surprise on day three we woke up to a grey sky and spitting rain. We crossed the beautiful Pilbara region, through to Coral Bay, in the hope that we'd be hitting better weather on the West coast. That was in vain; the sad weather stayed with us all 1000 k. so when we arrived we decided not to brave the pending thunderstorms with our little tent but instead to check into the local backpackers' for the night. Who would've thought that I would spend my first ever night in a youth hostel at the honourable age of 46!
Due to the miserable atmosphere of the beach resort in the rain and flooded by Perth suburbanites with their kids for the school holidays that just started we decided to make a run for it the next day. We set off early again and just kept driving until we made the safe haven of m. & d. Andrew in Rockingham that evening. It was good to be reunited and to celebrate we drank wine and played our own family game of cards, "Moroccan Rummy", the rules of which we concocted while on our family holiday in Marrakech.
That was a week ago today. Since then we have spent most of our time cleaning, advertising and selling our car as well as reflecting on our next move.
After 6 months of living like nomads we feel the time has come to start rebuilding a home somewhere. I have reestablished contact with my work and to our delight there are several opportunities for reemployment in the firm, ranging from Europe to India. Of course these things cannot be decided overnight by either side, so at the moment we are waiting for the go ahead to book our tickets and set-off again for a meet and greet with my colleagues in New Delhi.
In the meantime, I am enjoying the joys of a Perth winter, which frankly reminds me of the better summer days in Belgium! Lots of sun in a stark blue sky and temperatures around 20°. While most of the locals think I am crazy, I think this is perfect weather for a nice day at the beach. I have been taking the opportunity to drive up the coast to one of Perth's most pristine beaches where yesterday I even braved a refreshing dive into the surf...
In spite of this though, the waiting game is asking its toll and we both hope to get some resolution soon. Here's hoping to hear back from Delhi sooner rather than later and being on a plane heading west!"
- Rein checking out
"It's been a few days that we're back now in Perth, after out amazing road trip.
 |
| View from Kununurra's look-out |
The first day of driving took us right through the Kimberley on the Great Northern Highway, a stretch of road we hadn't done yet. This is one of the most remote areas of Australia, occasionally passing through mainly Aboriginal communities and the scenery was beautiful.
That night, even though we didn't realise it at the time, we had our last camping night. We did the whole bush camp thing again, pulling up beside the road (somewhere between Derby and Broome), setting up our tent and starting a fire to keep warm and realised how expert we had become at all of this :-) Within 30 minutes we had the billy on the fire and a bowl of hot food in our laps!
To our surprise on day three we woke up to a grey sky and spitting rain. We crossed the beautiful Pilbara region, through to Coral Bay, in the hope that we'd be hitting better weather on the West coast. That was in vain; the sad weather stayed with us all 1000 k. so when we arrived we decided not to brave the pending thunderstorms with our little tent but instead to check into the local backpackers' for the night. Who would've thought that I would spend my first ever night in a youth hostel at the honourable age of 46!
Due to the miserable atmosphere of the beach resort in the rain and flooded by Perth suburbanites with their kids for the school holidays that just started we decided to make a run for it the next day. We set off early again and just kept driving until we made the safe haven of m. & d. Andrew in Rockingham that evening. It was good to be reunited and to celebrate we drank wine and played our own family game of cards, "Moroccan Rummy", the rules of which we concocted while on our family holiday in Marrakech.
That was a week ago today. Since then we have spent most of our time cleaning, advertising and selling our car as well as reflecting on our next move.
After 6 months of living like nomads we feel the time has come to start rebuilding a home somewhere. I have reestablished contact with my work and to our delight there are several opportunities for reemployment in the firm, ranging from Europe to India. Of course these things cannot be decided overnight by either side, so at the moment we are waiting for the go ahead to book our tickets and set-off again for a meet and greet with my colleagues in New Delhi.
 |
| Cottesloe Beach |
In spite of this though, the waiting game is asking its toll and we both hope to get some resolution soon. Here's hoping to hear back from Delhi sooner rather than later and being on a plane heading west!"
- Rein checking out
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Stuck between a rock and a hard place
Simon signing in;
Well, Rein and I have finally completed what volunteer roles we had available to us. The big question now is: what next!?
After doing two-and-a-half week with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, work which was more difficult than I expected, though nothing which is too hard, we are currently staying with my cousin Aroha and her great family. It was amazing to see her after so long and great to meet her family finally! (Well, I had met her husband though too had not seen for many years).
The last two weeks were really really hard me. I mean REALLY hard. The past month Rein and I have been living out a tent (well two, our 'road side' tent and the palace) and it has taken its toll. And if you out there have done camping and 'enjoy it', you will probably laugh at us for what shite (and how much of it) we carry with us. We have almost everything bar the kitchen sink but these things, WE NEED. :-) The most important to us are our 'all wheel drive mattresses'. These behemoth things roll up losing the air within though still end up being as wide as 60cm. Imagine the faces of the serious campers at the AWC when we all went bush camping. The rest of the trip I will mention below, but for now, the past two weeks.
The first week meant being introduced to all within the camp and I guess this is where I started to crumble. I am not good with a big group of people and this quadruples when it comes to strangers. I instantly felt way over my head in being there as, on first impressions, these people ALL knew their bit about wildlife. After the first couple of days getting to know all, we had to prepare for the first week of camping. I mean BUSH CAMPING. NO facilities. Are you serious!? No shower? And worse yet, no toilet either???
The drive itself started early and before long we were all off in a caravan of five cars. The drive was taking its time and after a long while one of the cars got bogged (stuck in the mud), so one after the other cars tried to de-bog. Well, this turned out to be a three hour disaster which turned out to have an additional 8 'boggings'. The true horror was given to me when one of the guys in charge told us that 4 cars were still bogged, the sun was about to go down and to start to make camp. 'What, here, in the middle of this 'road', in the mud?'. My heart sunk. He was joking, no, this was reality. We had to search the vehicles to get tents, cooking gear and food, make a fire and start cooking. There was only four people present as the rest were fighting the mud. I have never had to cook on an open fire! After a struggle of emotions and loss of four kilos in 30 mins I had started to get the dinner going. I felt compelled to take charge of the cooking.
Eventually all returned to the 'camp' and sat around the fire to enjoy the meal I had provided. Here was my first test. They were all just happy to have food provided to them albeit a slap dash tomato pasta thingy. Everyone talked of the days events and before long we were all off to bed. The next morning started early...again.
The second day we finally made it to our camp site though by this stage we both felt like we were one million miles from anyone and anything we know. The next five days were a little bit of a blur but they included digging trenches, hammering posts and checking the trenches twice per day for any trapped wildlife for the survey. My biggest thoughts of the day were the isolation, the dirt, and a little boredom, though the 'boredom' was turned into lazy sleeps under a tree and reading.
Saturday finally came and we were all off back to base camp. The drive was thought to again be slow as we had to again cross the dreaded bog road though when we approached it, it seemed slightly better and well, we all got across.
The first shower after we got back was the BEST I ever had, though as in camping life, I felt dirty 30 mins later. Rein and I both felt that we could not face the reality that we would again be bush camping in two days. Our day was made the following day when we found out that we were to remain at camp to be involved in a second team staying at base, whilst the others were again going to go out bush camping. The news that we would be staying near showers and kitchens was so incredible, I thought I would cry.
In the end, the two-and-a-half weeks at Mornington went quite fast. Rein and I had originally signed on for three-and-a-half weeks so whilst I write this we should have been again bush camping. It was actually me who asked for us to be excused for the last week. I was really finding it hard emotionally and requested to leave. I do not know whether it was the isolation or what, but I knew I had to leave ASAP. The work at the AWC had turned out to be not good for me. I needed to be in touch with civilisation, with friends, family, just out of there.
From the above I have decided that I am not cut out for living that kind of life. The life I guess I feel most comfortable is one with bathrooms, beds, fine food and wine and having comfortable things close by.
I have learnt from the past two weeks. I have come face to face with the reality that I CAN camp and I can deal with facets of camping though with limits.
Now we wait with my cousin, ready to drive off tomorrow morning back to Perth and wait for news of what we have in store next. It is a scary thought not knowing what we have up next, where we will be after having to make some serious decisions on our next destination. Bangalore? Delhi? Brussels? Durban? Names which have been mentioned names which may be revealed soon.
I sign off a little nervous of the next few weeks yet excited for the little drive ahead.
Signing off.
Well, Rein and I have finally completed what volunteer roles we had available to us. The big question now is: what next!?
After doing two-and-a-half week with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, work which was more difficult than I expected, though nothing which is too hard, we are currently staying with my cousin Aroha and her great family. It was amazing to see her after so long and great to meet her family finally! (Well, I had met her husband though too had not seen for many years).
The last two weeks were really really hard me. I mean REALLY hard. The past month Rein and I have been living out a tent (well two, our 'road side' tent and the palace) and it has taken its toll. And if you out there have done camping and 'enjoy it', you will probably laugh at us for what shite (and how much of it) we carry with us. We have almost everything bar the kitchen sink but these things, WE NEED. :-) The most important to us are our 'all wheel drive mattresses'. These behemoth things roll up losing the air within though still end up being as wide as 60cm. Imagine the faces of the serious campers at the AWC when we all went bush camping. The rest of the trip I will mention below, but for now, the past two weeks.
The first week meant being introduced to all within the camp and I guess this is where I started to crumble. I am not good with a big group of people and this quadruples when it comes to strangers. I instantly felt way over my head in being there as, on first impressions, these people ALL knew their bit about wildlife. After the first couple of days getting to know all, we had to prepare for the first week of camping. I mean BUSH CAMPING. NO facilities. Are you serious!? No shower? And worse yet, no toilet either???
The drive itself started early and before long we were all off in a caravan of five cars. The drive was taking its time and after a long while one of the cars got bogged (stuck in the mud), so one after the other cars tried to de-bog. Well, this turned out to be a three hour disaster which turned out to have an additional 8 'boggings'. The true horror was given to me when one of the guys in charge told us that 4 cars were still bogged, the sun was about to go down and to start to make camp. 'What, here, in the middle of this 'road', in the mud?'. My heart sunk. He was joking, no, this was reality. We had to search the vehicles to get tents, cooking gear and food, make a fire and start cooking. There was only four people present as the rest were fighting the mud. I have never had to cook on an open fire! After a struggle of emotions and loss of four kilos in 30 mins I had started to get the dinner going. I felt compelled to take charge of the cooking.
Eventually all returned to the 'camp' and sat around the fire to enjoy the meal I had provided. Here was my first test. They were all just happy to have food provided to them albeit a slap dash tomato pasta thingy. Everyone talked of the days events and before long we were all off to bed. The next morning started early...again.
The second day we finally made it to our camp site though by this stage we both felt like we were one million miles from anyone and anything we know. The next five days were a little bit of a blur but they included digging trenches, hammering posts and checking the trenches twice per day for any trapped wildlife for the survey. My biggest thoughts of the day were the isolation, the dirt, and a little boredom, though the 'boredom' was turned into lazy sleeps under a tree and reading.
Saturday finally came and we were all off back to base camp. The drive was thought to again be slow as we had to again cross the dreaded bog road though when we approached it, it seemed slightly better and well, we all got across.
The first shower after we got back was the BEST I ever had, though as in camping life, I felt dirty 30 mins later. Rein and I both felt that we could not face the reality that we would again be bush camping in two days. Our day was made the following day when we found out that we were to remain at camp to be involved in a second team staying at base, whilst the others were again going to go out bush camping. The news that we would be staying near showers and kitchens was so incredible, I thought I would cry.
In the end, the two-and-a-half weeks at Mornington went quite fast. Rein and I had originally signed on for three-and-a-half weeks so whilst I write this we should have been again bush camping. It was actually me who asked for us to be excused for the last week. I was really finding it hard emotionally and requested to leave. I do not know whether it was the isolation or what, but I knew I had to leave ASAP. The work at the AWC had turned out to be not good for me. I needed to be in touch with civilisation, with friends, family, just out of there.
From the above I have decided that I am not cut out for living that kind of life. The life I guess I feel most comfortable is one with bathrooms, beds, fine food and wine and having comfortable things close by.
I have learnt from the past two weeks. I have come face to face with the reality that I CAN camp and I can deal with facets of camping though with limits.
Now we wait with my cousin, ready to drive off tomorrow morning back to Perth and wait for news of what we have in store next. It is a scary thought not knowing what we have up next, where we will be after having to make some serious decisions on our next destination. Bangalore? Delhi? Brussels? Durban? Names which have been mentioned names which may be revealed soon.
I sign off a little nervous of the next few weeks yet excited for the little drive ahead.
Signing off.
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