Plattelandse vrede

A week in the Free State 

Having planned this visit for the whole quarter, by the time Elbie and I hit the road for Vrede (her hometown) we were both excited and filled with anticipation for the following week that I would be visiting her. And by no means what so ever was I disappointed. I could write a book about my week in the Free State but for the sake of time and convenience, I'll share a few of the week's highlights.

1. SNOW!... in November
So coming in right at the top of my list is seeing the snow. Not only were we able to see the snow but it was actually snowing! My hosts set the bar for the rest of the week pretty high when we ventured towards Clarens and Bethlehem on the second day of my visit to go find the snow (just take notice that it is November).

  After driving the whole afternoon and seeing nothing but the cold yet beautiful towns that we drove through, we finally found the snow at the top of one of the mountains in the Golden Gate nature reserve!! I owe Oom Kobus a huge thank you for his determination in showing me the snow, what an experience!!!!

2. Mountains, caves, and sunrises 
On one of the last mornings, we packed a basket with coffee and snacks and headed out to the peak of a mountain from which it feels you can see the whole world. We just missed the sunrise but seeing the golden sun climb into the blue-blue sky made the 5 o'clock start worth it! We had ventured up that mountain earlier that week, but seeing the second time made the experience even more special.
Another highlight was being able to climb down into one of the very-well-hidden cave that the Afrikaaners used to hide from the English during the Boer-Anglo war. It was an eye-opening experience to be able to see what they had to go through for survival's sake.

3. Coffee and the kitchen table
Because our days were so jampacked, sleeping late wasn't a regular occurrence (afternoon naps, however, came in very handy). But I was thoroughly spoiled with coffee to get me out of bed and great homebaked rusked, which didn't last too long. I found that the moments spent around the kitchen table were the most precious, even if there wasn't constant conversation just sitting in each other's presence reading a book or attempting to study (for those still writing exams).

4. Putting faces to the names 
This being the first time that I was able to go home with Elbie, I was able to meet all the people that she had told me about during our late night coffee sessions. It was like finally fitting the last puzzle pieces together and being able to see the whole picture! But more than that, I could see with my own eyes that these people were truly as wonderful as she had made them out to be, if not more.
Her sisters became my own, and by the end of the week, I was sad to have to say goodbye. And her parents, who were so good to me the whole week, ensured that I would definitely come back for another visit!
It was great to get to know the friends (the family that they had chosen) that all played such a great part in Elbie's life. By the end of the week, I could see why Elbie loved Home so much, and I could see exactly why she is the loving, trustworthy person that I am privileged enough to call friend.

5. Climbing back into the saddle
Carlie, another friend from varsity, came to join the visit and so we decided to head out to one of the many farms (the one thing I cannot keep track of) to saddle up a few horses. After sorting out some minor problems (one of the horses were lame) we were on our way! It was such a gratifying ride after not being on a horse in so long it felt like home all over again. Being able to see the farm and all its nooks and crannies was extra special on horseback. I could, however, hardly walk for the next three days but it was worth the pain!

Choosing to spend the first week of my holiday in Vrede, was one of the best decisions I have ever made. This is but just the tip of the iceberg of all the things we did and experienced and saw!
Thank you to Elbie and her family for making me feel so welcome, and for sharing their home with me, this was definitely not the last that you've seen of me.

-J