Goodbye Cape Town… Hello Utrecht
Door: Bao-Nhi
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Bao-Nhi
31 Augustus 2008 | Nederland, Utrecht
‘It’s over and done…’ My time in Cape Town has really come to an end. I’ve been back in Holland since Wednesday and I truly cannot believe that my South Africa journey is over. Seven months has past so quickly and I’ve gained so many wonderful experiences and memories.
Saying goodbye has always been my least favourite part of travelling (as I have mentioned in my last blog). Saying goodbye to Cape Town was no exception. Leaving people behind whom I’ve build relationships with was not easy. I know that I’ll never see many of these faces again, but I’ll treasure our time together always. There were no tears from my side at the airport, but I can guarantee that my heart was aching big time.
It feels good to be back in Holland and to see my friends, younger nieces and nephews again. I cannot believe that adjusting back to ‘normal’ life went so quickly within hours. Maybe it’s because the people here are used to me being away so this journey was no different for them. It’s kind of bittersweet for me, because I love that I can pick up my life just as I left it, but on the other hand I still need to give the previous seven months a place.
I still think about my daily schedule in South Africa, but this will disappear as soon as my normal Dutch rhythm gets back as a routine. I miss the SOS kids and I truly miss my YFC-family. I even miss the office… no Emelio sitting next to me to have random conversations with and nobody here gets my Carl-jokes. It will be okay though, it’s just that everything is still pretty fresh.
I met Jozien last Friday. She is a Dutch girl who will arrive in Cape Town this Tuesday. She will volunteer for YFC for ten months. It was great to meet her. She seems like a really nice girl and I’m confident that she will be a great asset for YFC Cape Town. I loved talking to her, because it was the first time that I could share every single detail of my journey to somebody who is 100% interested. Don’t get me wrong; my friends love me and they are interested, but it’s just different and I cannot expect them to listen to my stories after every single journey.
Meeting Jozien also gives me closure for this South Africa journey. She is not replacing me, but she is the next volunteer from Holland who will join YFC Cape Town. It feels like a ‘next-generation’ thing. The projects in Cape Town are continuing as I’m headed forward to the next stage of my life.
I’m starting university again tomorrow. Can’t say that I’m really exited about it, but when have I ever been exited when it comes to studying? I’m starting with a Minor in English Language and Culture so that should be more interesting for me than all the other subjects I normally get. I’m busy with finding a new house and I’ll also decide on which job I’ll take in this coming week so my normal routine will get back to me soon. Before you know it I’m all caught up in work again and leading the busy life that I’ve always had.
One thing is for sure though… I can’t wait to travel again. I love my country, but I just cannot stay in it for a long time. I need perspective of knowing that I’m headed somewhere soon. I’m thinking England next month… paying my lovely British friends a visit. We’ll see what happens.
Well people, this is it… my last blog concerning my South Africa journey. Thank you so much for reading my stories and posting reactions. It really meant a lot to me!
Lots of love,
Bao-Nhi
Saying goodbye has always been my least favourite part of travelling (as I have mentioned in my last blog). Saying goodbye to Cape Town was no exception. Leaving people behind whom I’ve build relationships with was not easy. I know that I’ll never see many of these faces again, but I’ll treasure our time together always. There were no tears from my side at the airport, but I can guarantee that my heart was aching big time.
It feels good to be back in Holland and to see my friends, younger nieces and nephews again. I cannot believe that adjusting back to ‘normal’ life went so quickly within hours. Maybe it’s because the people here are used to me being away so this journey was no different for them. It’s kind of bittersweet for me, because I love that I can pick up my life just as I left it, but on the other hand I still need to give the previous seven months a place.
I still think about my daily schedule in South Africa, but this will disappear as soon as my normal Dutch rhythm gets back as a routine. I miss the SOS kids and I truly miss my YFC-family. I even miss the office… no Emelio sitting next to me to have random conversations with and nobody here gets my Carl-jokes. It will be okay though, it’s just that everything is still pretty fresh.
I met Jozien last Friday. She is a Dutch girl who will arrive in Cape Town this Tuesday. She will volunteer for YFC for ten months. It was great to meet her. She seems like a really nice girl and I’m confident that she will be a great asset for YFC Cape Town. I loved talking to her, because it was the first time that I could share every single detail of my journey to somebody who is 100% interested. Don’t get me wrong; my friends love me and they are interested, but it’s just different and I cannot expect them to listen to my stories after every single journey.
Meeting Jozien also gives me closure for this South Africa journey. She is not replacing me, but she is the next volunteer from Holland who will join YFC Cape Town. It feels like a ‘next-generation’ thing. The projects in Cape Town are continuing as I’m headed forward to the next stage of my life.
I’m starting university again tomorrow. Can’t say that I’m really exited about it, but when have I ever been exited when it comes to studying? I’m starting with a Minor in English Language and Culture so that should be more interesting for me than all the other subjects I normally get. I’m busy with finding a new house and I’ll also decide on which job I’ll take in this coming week so my normal routine will get back to me soon. Before you know it I’m all caught up in work again and leading the busy life that I’ve always had.
One thing is for sure though… I can’t wait to travel again. I love my country, but I just cannot stay in it for a long time. I need perspective of knowing that I’m headed somewhere soon. I’m thinking England next month… paying my lovely British friends a visit. We’ll see what happens.
Well people, this is it… my last blog concerning my South Africa journey. Thank you so much for reading my stories and posting reactions. It really meant a lot to me!
Lots of love,
Bao-Nhi
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31 Augustus 2008 - 19:37
Sander:
Welkom terug Bao-Nhi, Je zit nog in je eerste week, die was voor mij echt horror. Gaat nu allemaal wel weer. Zie je snel weer op de FMR. X Sander -
31 Augustus 2008 - 19:40
Harro:
Hoi Bao-Nhi,
welkom terug! Ik herken je dubbele gevoel van terugkomen en weer weg willen gaan. Wees gerust: eens ontkoppeld, altijd ontkoppeld. Er komt zeker een volgende keer! Succes de komende weken, en doe rustig aan... -
01 September 2008 - 06:56
Danielle:
welkom thuis! Je hebt een geweldige prestatie neergezet! and remember...It's not goodbye It's just goodnight!
Veel succes bij het vinden van je weg in het Nederlandse.
Liefs,
Danielle van Drongelen -
01 September 2008 - 06:59
Ernst Suur:
Welkom Terug! Succes met het 'ont-Afrikanen'.
Liefs, Ernst -
01 September 2008 - 08:31
Rozanne:
Hey meis,
welkom terug!!!
heel veel succes vandaag op school! (ik mag nog een weekje wachten :))
ik hoop dat je snel weer kunt wennen aan dit landje en de cultuur gewoontes hier.
tot snel!
veel liefs -
01 September 2008 - 11:15
Mus:
He schat we zijn terug. Ik heb al geprobeerd de andere te mobiliseren maar ze reageren niet eens. probeer jij t anders eens.. ik waag later nog een poging en anders niet. doen wij gewoon lunch.. ofzo toch..
kus -
01 September 2008 - 13:17
Jolanda:
Welkom terug! Ik heb genoten van je uitgebreide verslagen over het wel en wee in Cape Town. Ik doe mijn best 24 september bij de terugkombijeenkomst IST aanwezig te zijn. Tot dan wellicht!
groet, Jolanda
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