OUT & about in South Africa

The term Rainbow Nation was first coined by an Anglican Archbishop name Desmond Tutu during the post – apartheid South Africa era. Nelson Mandela later in 1996, in his speech proclaimed” "Each of us is as intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country as are the famous jacaranda trees of Pretoria and the mimosa trees of the bushveld - a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world” The term 'Rainbow Nation' is mostly applied in the context of democracy. Today people the world over know South Africa by this term.

At the other end of the rainbow shall we say a much wider and alternative interpretation if you may is the international recognition of the rainbow widely known as an alternative symbol and adopted by the LGBT community as the colors of the rainbow symbolizes multiculturalism, diversity and tolerance! In South Africa, a Civil Union bill was introduced allowing two persons, which is solemnized and registered by either a marriage by civil union and finally the South Africa’s parliament voted and legalizes same-sex marriage in the country. To date, South Africa joins the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Canada among the nations in the world to allow same-sex marriages.

I love the rain. As a child I remember sneaking out of the house when it rains. When the rain stops and the sun comes out, I would wait with such excitement for the rainbow to make its appearance. Even today as an adult the soothing pitter patter of the rain falling on the roof soothes me. There is something magical about the rain and the rainbow to me. Till this very day every time it rains, I make it an effort to stop what I am doing for a while to free my mind and simply enjoy the beauty of the rain.

I was in South Africa not long ago. I fall in love with the simplicity of life while I was on an extended break there. The country itself is colorful indeed. That’s not to say that the harsh side of life is absence in South Africa. No, no… no… you can see people struggling to make their daily living everywhere. The absence of easy excess of mobility in terms of public transport somehow does not in any way taint my wonderful experience the whole time I was there. Everywhere I go, I see people with this easy, laid back, que sera… sera outlook to life. You can see the harshness of life in many of them but you know what ...gosh they are happy people! It was totally an eye opener for me! It made me want to reexamine my own take on life and happiness. It made me question why I am such a chronic procrastinator. The trouble with me is I think and plan too much. I have always held dearly to this philosophy; if you fail to plan then you have plan to fail. But guess what, everything do not always worked out like you map it out to be! I have always been prudent. I always preempt the “what-if” scenario and quite frankly I am getting sick of planning all the what-ifs. Over the years it has gotten worst. A, shall we say unexpected series of turn of events was the rude awakening I badly needed. When realizations sink in, regrets came flooding in. I went into that, I should have or I wish I had mode. I am tired and sick of preempting, planning and planning yet never executing much in the end.

I had to say goodbye to South Africa momentarily. But my heart never left her! She gives me the clarity I have long search for. She embraces me for what I am and I left her a different woman. Life will never be the same again for I will not let it be. Yesterday is history, today is all that counts while tomorrow life’s lessons and adventure awaits me! South Africa, my beautiful soul savior!

Adieu ... past life.... hello new beginning. I’m traveling light these days. I’m leaving all my baggage behind me. I hear her calling. My bold, beautiful South Africa beckons.. awaits me at the end of my journey. Soon… soon my lovely. Soon when I am coming home, I’m coming home to you… my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.