South Africa: That's a Wrap!

Hey there guys, girls and inbetweeners!

Well... it's over. I'm now sitting here, back in Nuneaton, after what has been a truly amazing three weeks. It's been an adventure - and again has provoked me to think about and re-evaluate aspects of my life, just as my US trip did last year. This final wrap-up post is just something that i've put together to evaluate my thoughts on the trip and generally conclude everything! If you're reading this and haven't read what's gone before, then stop right there - and get down to the first post! Who likes to read the ending of a book before the rest of it?? Ok, if your friend really likes the book, we all know it's fun to find the ending and spoil it for him / her... but there's no spoilage here, so get your ass to the beginning!!

I've just finished putting all my pictures up onto Facebook and have started on the ol' videos. And you know what? I really miss that place, already! Yes, the post-travelling blues have set in already. Sure, it's nice to have home comforts... you know... running water and lights? But i miss that place and all the stuff that went on out there.

Firstly, i just want to say a BIG thanks to Vij for coming out there with me. I did the US alone, which was cool... but boy does having someone else out there with you make a difference!! We had SUCH a laugh and we're now loaded up with too many catchphrases and sayings now that none of you will get. Also, i'd probably still be wandering around the dark Swazi streets without my second set of eyes haha. Or be stuck in the damn caves!! That's not to say that i won't venture off on my own next year... but it'd be nice to have company - so if you're reading this... save your pennies ok??

Also, i want to give a big, Westwood-esque shoutout (HOLLA!) to all the guys and girls i met out there... from Daisy, Jill and Paul through to Eileen, BJ and Michael and all the others inbetween. You're all totally awesome and made the trip stand out! You've all bore witness to my own "unique" / brutal sense of humour now haha.

So, with that Oscar-esque speech out the way... what are my thoughts on South Africa? Well, it's clealy an amazing country and i severely underestimated how much there is to do there. I could easily have spent another couple of months really getting under the skin of the country in certain places. There was lots more we could do, but alas, we couldn't. I also, once again, say that if you've only seen Cape Town then you've NOT seen South Africa. You really haven't...

It was Chuck (real name Jack... don't ask!) that summed up SA best - the ending of Apartheid brought about instand horizontal integration... but the country is badly in need of vertical integration. Everyone is equal in terms of race, but when it comes to class - no way. The poor are terribly, terribly poor living out in the townships, whilst the wealthy (typically the whites) are very rich. If i'm honest, the country reminds me of the Deep South in the states circa 1960, except with no visual oppression and segregation. These are things you wouldn't get from just going on a safari or visiting Cape Town. Go out to Soweto, then give an opinion...

I can't deny how beautiful the place is though, and i loved all the adrenaline boosting activities. I LOVED the shark diving - a real highlight for me, as well as the sea kayaking, the bungee etc etc. All were totally amazing, and they are memories that i'll cherish forever. It's also sparked my appetite for adventure again. I'm going to do a PADI course so that i can go diving properly. I intend to one day come back to SA to dive with the tiger, ragged-tooth, zambezi and great white sharks on their own terms. Sounds like a death wish to you? Sounds like a challenge to me!

So... the question on your lips is now "so... what next?" - or, if it wasn't, it is now as you've just read the question. And the answer??? Well... i've got a few options that i'm considering. The contenders are: Ethiopia, Antarctica and Greenland. However, if you read my US blog you'll be aware that this trip should have been to Greenland, but the lure of shark diving was too much for me, so who knows. One thing's for certain - i WILL do those countries / continents at some point in the next 4 years - that i can tell you with near enough total certainty. I'm also quite liking the idea of using the SCUBA skills that i'll have by 2010... so who knows. One thing is for certain - it won't be your typical holiday location - and it won't be European. No offence Europe, but you bore me now - i'll see you in a hostel somewhere else!

And with that, i think i'm done. I'll soon be off to Cambridge to start Degree number 3... but this won't stop my appetite for adventure. No sir-ee. You can expect a new blog sometime in 2010 from a yet-to-be-determined location. Well, unless it's Antarctica - you'll get very few blogs from there!

So, on that note - i'll love you and leave you. All the photos and vid's are up on Facebook, so have a browse... and if you come up with a good idea for my 2010 adventure - get in touch! Trust me, being featured in my blog is akin to being famous. If by famous you mean "knowing Aaron", which, let's face it... is an achievement for ANYBODY.

Much love,

Aaron x