Train Spotting...
Day One
This morning, we said goodbye to beautiful Cape Town and to one of the best Hotel experiences that we have ever had. If you ever find yourself in this totally gorgeous and charming stretch of South Africa, it would be a mistake to stay anywhere other than the Silo Hotel. Just my humble opinion.
We arrived at Cape Town Rail Station at about 10a this morning with anxious anticipation of the real "meat and bones" of this trip: our 15 day rail excursion on Rovos Rail.
When we walked into the "Opening Reception" prior to boarding and were greeted by two nice looking gentlemen with a tray full of Rose, I thought; "Yup...this is going to be a pretty fantastic two weeks". But then...you walk into this huge room filled with so many people. People of all ages. People of all races. People speaking a multitude of languages. People you now realize you are going to be spending the next two weeks of your life with and - suddenly - it all feels a bit overwhelming. Without even realizing it, you start to size yourself up to everyone else in the room. Who will be friendly? Who will I connect with? Who might take a little extra patience and effort? And...you also feel kind of like everyone else in the room is sizing you up too...
Isn't that human nature though?
Who are they? What are they about? What brings them here? What's their background? Are they like me? No matter how confident you claim to be, there is always that anxiety...that concern...that self doubt that comes along with walking into a room, in an unfamiliar place, to a group of people you know you are spending the next 15 days with...and wondering if it's all gonna work out.
Luckily we have been fortunate to meet some incredibly kind and wonderfully interesting people today. Dutch. Swiss. English. Italian. So many people with so many great stories about what brought them here. Their families. Their travels. Their lives.
As it turns out, my Dad and I have already made a new best friend on the trip. Her name is Audrey. We decided to sit with her at lunch because she was seated by herself and looked a bit lonely. Audrey is an 80 year old powerhouse from a countryside just outside of London. She came on this trip because her husband "fancied" train travel and though he has since passed, thought this was something she should do to preserve his memory. She normally travels with her daughter on these trips, but time and circumstance did not allow for it this time around. So, she came by herself.
Audrey was one of those people that I could immediately tell had this incredible history to share but was maybe too humble and kept to herself to share it right out of the gates. But...over the course of our two hour lunch, and a couple of drinks, she began to open up about her life: her four daughters, her 13 grandchildren and her 3 great children. Her son who married an American girl and moved to Phoenix though he thinks it too hot to actually raise a family there. The farm that she and her husband bought years ago that dates all the way back to 1520 and is still fully operable. She raises cattle and grows barley. Her home in the Bahamas that has barely escaped the recent hurricanes that her daughters desperately want her to sell...but she can't because the house reminds her too much of her husband.
All of this. Over a plate of prawns and a few glasses of Sauvignon Blanc.
After lunch my Dad decided to retire to the room to take a nap. My new BFF Audrey and I decided to head out to the "Observation Car" to sit for a moment and take it all in. This open air rail car that sits at the end of the train - which some would consider the caboose - is heaven on earth. Incredible scenery. Fresh air. Good conversation. It also doesn't hurt that it is located directly next to the "Bar Cart".
What is great about the "OC" is that it is a rolling conversation piece all day long. People come, have a chat, take some pictures and wander off. This repeats itself again and again...but with new people every time. I just so happened to be the one - at least today - that was the constant. I settled in and never moved. I may have put a solid six hours in today...and yet...it felt like very little time had passed at all.
Today was all about opening myself up to new people. Getting to know one another. Starting the conversation but also knowing when to stop and sit for awhile in total silence just soaking up the scenery. I honestly believe that I will be spending the better part of my next 15 days here on the "OC". Meeting people. Hearing their stories. Taking pictures. Being quiet in my own mind. Slowing down the pace. Breathing. Soaking it all in. Cause....really....that's what this journey is all about.
Appreciating every single moment...
