Final week of my trip unfolding...

After sad goodbyes to my Durban family and that heart wrenching farewell to Aroon at the airport I had a quick recovery from the downer thanks to Sahil and Anu via their entertainment on the flight.

I arrived to a rather chilly but welcoming Cape Town beat.Once home I literally had 20 minutes to freshen up before dinner plans with Stacey and Mariette who I used to work with in Cape Town.We had our pizza dinner reunion and shared a good few hearty laughs.Stacey reckons I must feel like a rockstar flying here and there and having people fetch me for all these reunions. Hee hee

This morning it was an absolute pleasure to have a coffee made by Adhil and to see the picturesque harbour scene again. Aaah how I miss you Cape Town. I now go to sleep reflecting on what I would call a most successful performance by Aunty Sue who chaperoned her niece and nephew to a birthday party, assisted with arts and crafts and got them dressed etc etc. I felt really chuffed with myself and as I approached the party venue it felt so awesome to know that my sis and her hubby trust me with their precious cargo and their precious cargo were comfy to come along with Aunty Sue despite not having seen her in a while. Yay!!!

Adhil,Bridget,Zarina,the kids and I then ended the day at the Spur at the Waterfront. Kids loooovvve the Spur and while they got to play some games in the kids room us adults got to have a bit of a natter. I now go to bed smiling and more so as there was a cherry on the top moment to the day...Zara allowed me to get in under the covers next to her and read her her bedtime story.

Yet ANOTHER super special day!

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All aboard our 5th flight..back to Cape Town we go

So the Gods and the universe syncronised something totally unexpected for me!

Turns out my cousin Sahil and his wife Anushka are on this flight with me back to Cape Town.

We have managed to get three seats in row and its going to be yak,yak,yak all the way. Sahil I hope you cope!
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Durban Delights drawing to an end....

It's my final few hours in Durban on this trip before I head back to Cape Town for my last leg of my epic trip.

My heart is sore but joyful as I am going to mums grave and to the ocean where Dads ashes were placed before I jet off this afternoon. It's the first time I will be placing flowers in the Durban ocean in honor of Dad without mum being my side. Feels surreal.It's also the first time I pay respects to both folks at their resting places.It's really something I am finding rather difficult to digest however am facing the reality head on.

Durban you have been awesome....the experiences have been priceless,memorable and my heart is overflowing with joy and love.

I came across this old photo in my mum's cupboard of my dad and I.(I think I was 10 years old there)I remember that day oh so clearly. I had a gymnastics competition in Bloemfontein and I had been excused from school at midday to leave so I can travel to Bloemfontein.(A road trip that would take about 8 hours I guess) Mum was accompanying me to the competition and I was under the impression that we were going by bus.As I got into the car outside school all excited and nervous about the competition Dad said to mum in the car "I will keep an ear out for any airplane...." (I can't recall the entire sentence). It was an indication that I was going by airplane. My first flight!!!!! I remember the absolute excitement and appreciation for this.I remember going on SAA(South African Airways) and mum kept smiling at me all the way.

P.S I love the way Dad has his cigarette in his hand...so typical! Ransom red was it?

Quote for the day

"In family life,love is the oil that eases friction,the cement that binds together and the music that brings harmony." Eva Burrows

Love conquers all?

Meet Tasmiyah and Atish. I spent Saturday evening at the newly married couple's home.(Married just under a year) Tasmiyah's mum and my mum grew up together after meeting in primary school and remained very good friends through their life journey.
Tasmiyah the youngest in her family and I became very good friends too.

It broke my heart to not be able to attend Tasmiyah's wedding. I couldn't as I had just moved to Dubai and it was too soon thereafter to come back for the wedding.Tasmiyah and Atish had been dating for 10 years and conquered many challenges including the different religion issue that can be such a sensitive issue. Both our sets of folks had married out of religion so more so I could better understand her and support her through it all when I could.

On Saturday night I sat in their home feeling oh so proud of them both. They both have a beautiful home,are doing well in their jobs and most importantly seem to be off on a strong foot to paving their marriage.I was so thrilled to hear of all the family gatherings they attend and yesterday I was proud to hear Tasmiyah's mum speak proudly of her.

Thank you to Tasmiyah and Atish for such a welcoming evening in their home. I too felt at home and even though yes we have grown up and are now very much adults it felt surreal to see my lifelong friend as a married woman.

If its meant to be...love will conquer...
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Some of our cheese moments(Posted by Yasmin)

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Super glad my cuz is back in town...we get so silly everytime we are together.

Here are some of our special moments spent together...

Patel adventures continue

On Friday Aroon and family and I headed to Hilton for a night to get some fresh air and get out of the hub bub of the city.Winter in the midlands comes with such gorgeous beauty.The trees glisten with yellow and orange leaves and the hills are still lush with greenery.

Saturday morning was the highlight for all of us.We did the ziplining experience at Karkloof canopy tours.Sweeping views and adrenelin pumping experiences.

My nephews brave spirit of adventure kicked in and they did a few of the 8 lines on their own!!!!

It was without doubt a unique and special experience for each one of us and as Aroon mentioned to me while standing on one of the high platforms "This is a lifetime experience."
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The hills were alive with the sound of music

This mornings run was a much awaited special run.Year before last I had experienced running with Aroon and a massive running group that gets together in the Durban North area. It was an exhilarating experience where you arrive at this quiet intersection and within minutes just after 5am people just stream in and take over the intersection eager to get the run going. Before coming home on this trip I recalled this awesome experience and thought it would be super cool to revisit that experience and the feelings it evokes.  

This morning was a 4:40am wake up call for the love of the combination of running,running with my eldest brother aka "Drill Sarge",running with a like-minded massive group,hitting the hills and suburbia of the area,the crisp morning temperature,the amazing view of Durban and the twinkling lights. 

Ben(the Patel household's Jack Russell)accompanied us this morning on the run. Ben did his first 10km exceeding his longest run being an 8km. He did very well. 

Super super super Friday morning experience and now I get to join in on the school drop off run. 

Today we head out of the city for a getaway from the hustle and bustle to the rolling lush green hills past Howick.Perfect time and place to realign the chakras as even though I am feeling very much grounded and in tune and in sync with my surroundings I feel something needs realigning. 

Hip hip hooray to family getaways!!!

Quote for this post:

"To the outside world we all grow old.  But not to brothers and sisters.  We know each other as we always were.  We know each other's hearts.  We share private family jokes.  We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.  We live outside the touch of time."  ~Clara Ortega