Went away this weekend and I think I might have caught the bush-bug. No, not the one that gives you a big itchy rash; I have caught a terminal desire to embrace nature’s ambiance.
Haven’t really been away for a while. Last trip I remember was to Mozambique over New Year’s. Moz was great…white beaches, palm trees and tropical cocktails. I spent New Year’s dancing to Bob Marley with sand in between my toes and a fanta grape and gin combo in my hand. The gin was to keep the mozies away from the party, off course.
Usually when I would think about going away, I would picture a tropical island much like Mozambique. My mind would conjure up images of myself lying on the beach, sipping pina coladas…etc, etc. However, after the weekend to the bush, I think I might have changes my “holiday away” mental schema. Now, when I think about upcoming trips and what I’d like to do, I think about exploring the heart of Africa.
I believe the heart of Africa to be the distinctive sounds of animals in the darkness and the soft whispers of a camp fires. Over the weekend, I think I stared at the bush t.v. for longer than I actually spent sleeping. This fact will surprise my family since I am known to sleep anywhere from nine to twelve hours a night. Anyway, back to the fire, my eyes were transfixed to the contours of the flames. There is remarkable insight in the smallest things.
After the twelve hour drive back from Mozambique, I am pretty sure I came back the same person. Two hours away, just outside Hartebeespoort Dam, I somehow became a different being. Don’t ask me how or why I have changed, all I know is that the silence and serenity that I experienced did something to me. Makes me wonder whether the noise contamination in the cities affect people more than they actually realize.
Long term exposure to too much noise can affect one’s general well-being. It has been suggested that something as common as traffic noise can increase one’s chances of heart disease..probably another contributor to my mental and psychological state upon return from the bush. Even on weekends when I am not sitting in traffic on the way to work, I am probably sitting in traffic at some shopping centre.
Think about going shopping on the weekend: it’s supposed to be a recreational activity. Dictionary.com defines recreation as “a pastime, diversion, exercise, or other resource affording relaxation and enjoyment.” I don’t know about the rest of you, but this particular recreational activity leaves me feeling exhausted and irritable. Personally I used to blame the queues, but now I’m starting to think it has a lot to do with the high noise levels.
I know there’s not a hell of a lot we can do about the noise in the cities. In fact, it just seems to be getting worse, but at least now I know that it makes a recognizable difference just to get away from it all. Going to a tropical island might be a good destination choice, but to me true holistic relaxation lies in the insignia of a fire in the bush and the silence that can only be provided by the heart of Africa.
