A little bit of Africa comes with it

Today, South Africa's winter is treating us to wonderful summer weather – at least by northern German standards. 😎

We're taking it easy on our last day of vacation. We're taking the tram and bus to two wineries, enjoying a small tasting here and coffee and a brownie there. Afterwards, we'll stroll through Franschhoek again, browsing the little shops and galleries with all their inspiring art and crafts – I'd love to take so much of it home with me.

Or: Just lock me up for three months with my colors and my memories of Africa. 🎨😉

Perhaps I'll actually take some time at home to put some of these impressions down on paper or canvas. Or perhaps in the end it will "only" be a photo book. Although "only" is probably the wrong word after this trip.

It was certainly wonderful to slow down here. And it was a holiday for the senses: not just for the taste buds – although there was plenty on offer there too. 😉 There's the scent of the wilderness, which is almost impossible to describe. The sounds of the night. The incredible diversity of the landscapes, the colors, the light. Animals that suddenly appeared right in front of us, and people whose stories and encounters touched me deeply. And of course, all the little quirks along the way – one of which, "Katzenellenbogen Rd," will definitely be remembered. 😂

And perhaps it was precisely the writing that led me to perceive many things more consciously. I was a little worried beforehand that the blog might distract me from the actual travel. Quite the opposite was true: To write something down, I had to look more closely, think about it again, and put some things into proper context. As a result, I experienced this trip more intensely, not less.

And now, with this last entry, I'm also no longer afraid of forgetting all those little stories and impressions someday. ☺️

Tomorrow I'm heading home. But I'm bringing a little bit of Africa with me. 🌍