That inner voice
You don’t necessarily have to analyse where that voice comes from, but you can attune yourself to it. If you can learn to follow that voice, it will lead to fulfillment
Ifeel as though I’ve been writing the exact same editor’s letter for the past five issues. “The lockdown is tough... don’t despair... start planning your first trip so long... the end is hopefully in sight.” But as I sit here and write, we’re in the 126th day of lockdown, my beer is finished, the liquor store is closed, the schools have shut again and I am not allowed to cross the borders of the Western Cape. Hours before going to print, we did hear we are now allowed to holiday inside our own provinces. So there’s that, at least. I don’t easily lose my sense of humour, but goodness! Yes, I realise people’s lives are at stake, but I can’t help but be disgusted at how the government... No, wait. Let’s rather leave it there for all our sakes. To help me escape from our current reality, I dusted off some of the travel books on my bookshelf to read again. I just finished one titled McCarthy’s Bar by author Pete McCarthy. He toured through Ireland and applied the eighth rule of travel (according to him) that states: “Never walk past a bar that has your name on it.” And let’s just say there’s an abundance of pubs in Ireland called McCarthy. Needless to say, he encounters a variety of colourful characters as he experiences the wonders of Irish culture, history and landscape. He meets a Dara Molloy at Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, who relates to McCarthy how certain places call to us. He talks about the magic some destinations hold and about that special feeling that embraces landscape and history and our personal associations. It’s a feeling we can’t really explain, but it’s a very real experience we cannot deny. Molloy tells McCarthy that each of us has an inner voice, and we should all learn to obey it. You don’t necessarily have to analyse where that voice comes from, but you can attune yourself to it. If you can learn to follow that voice, it will lead to fulfillment. I hear that voice inside me every day, and the message remains unchanged: “You need to get out.”
HERE’S A REMINDER that this September issue is the final monthly issue of Drive & Camp and that going forth the magazine will only appear on shelf every second month. As I explained last month, it was a difficult but necessary decision to ensure that we can continue to provide you with travel advice in these trying times. Do remember, though, that in-between we will also be working on special projects such as the ever-popular Resort guide, 4x4 guide and Activity book, and that at any given time, one of our printed publications will be on shelf. The October-November issue should reach subscribers by 22 September and appear on shelf from 25 September. Till then, stay safe!