A Decade Away... the countdown begins.

My feet left African ground in the year 2000. I traveled to the USA and worked on the world's largest cruise ship at that time, The Voyager of the Seas. The adventure was short lived though and only lasted for 6 months. The seed however was planted. I wanted to travel. I needed to travel.  I tried teaching back in South Africa for another year, but my heart was telling me that I had to spread my wings and fly.  And I did.

On 18 June 2002, I left South Africa and started my new life abroad. The island of Taiwan was my first stop and a new life and adventure started. I've had many moments that shaped me into the person I am today. Many of these were quite bitter, but by being forced out of my comfort zone, I learned that I'm able to handle much more than I would have ever imagined. I'd like to share some of the special moments over the next 40 days as I count down my first ten years away from home.

St. Augustine once said:  "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." I can't agree more. I am a better person today, because I made a choice one day, to get on a plane and allow other people in the world to make me a better man.

#40 - A fresh start in a foreign place


With Mariana in Pingtung city, Taiwan. My first week there.
I worked with Mariana in South Africa and I remember the day as if it was yesterday. We sat on her couch at home and discussed the possibility of teaching in Taiwan. Mariana turned to me, held out her hand and said "Let's do it." I looked her in the eyes and responded: "No turning back now." A few months later both of us found ourselves in the Far East. Taiwan was as different as one can imagine, especially for someone who grew up in a small town as I did.  In my first week I had to learn how to drive a scooter, drive on the 'other' side of the road and to get used to millions of people around me. In those days, not a single English street name existed which resulted in being lost more than found. You learn quickly that "I'm at the 7/11" doesn't help your friends locate you. How was I supposed to know they were on every corner of every road. This place was foreign. The hard language, the strange culture. Little did I know that soon I'd be calling Taiwan my second home.