So, this blog then. Basically, I'm going to Southern Africa on a bit of a jolly for a few months, and this is my way of letting people know what has been going on, as well as giving me the chance to escape into my own little writer's world from time to time, giving me a bit of release from whatever dire 'town' I find myself in at various points on the journey. As many will know from my previous adventures abroad, I am horrendously bad at keeping in touch (except if I need money) whilst away. This is my solution.
This blog means that when I get the standard facebook wall post, 'Alright mate, hows it going? long time no speak! what you up to atm? x', I don't have to think about a reply - I just comment on the post with 'dominafrica.blogspot.com' and that's that. 5 seconds, bam. And they can find out all they want about what I'm doing. By the way, if that is how you have found yourself here, it's not that I don't like you, it is just that I value the 24 Rand it costs for half an hour in the internet cafe more than giving you a personal account of my recent activities.
I suppose I should explain why I am going to Africa. Essentially, I am not quite sure. I came up with the idea nearly two years ago when it emerged that I would not be able to join the army straight after leaving university due to injury (I am probably the most injury prone person in the world, as you will find out over the following months), so decided to go travelling in Africa whilst recovering from injury. So I worked, saved up lots of money, and then went on a ski season instead. Probably the best form of rehabilitation for shin splints (my injury of the time) there is. Not.
Now I find myself, having just finished my work in the French Alps, with a large amount of money, no real commitments and the intention to spend a while in Southern Africa. But with no idea why. The truth is, this is probably the only time in my life when I will be rootless enough to just pack up to the back end of another continent for the rest of the year - therefore it is now or never.
I would love to say I am going on a voyage of cultural discovery. Or to give something to a continent which suffers so much. Or even to visit an area that I have dreamed about visiting since I was a small boy. But that would be a load of tosh. I have no real aim apart from to have a good time and further expand my friendship group. Achievable, I am sure you will agree. Aim low and you will always be satisfied (my designated trip mantra).
That said, the places I am going do look pretty sick. My rough plan is to fly to Cape Town, move up the skeleton coast through Namibia and Botswana, to Zimbabwe then via the Victoria Falls to Zambia. From there I will try and head up to Malawi, before travelling south east to Mozambique and then through Swaziland to Lesotho and South Africa, back down to the Cape.
Lots of countries, lots of cool stuff to see and do. I have already arranged to swim with sharks off of the Cape and bungee jump over the Victoria Falls, as well as seeing lots of lions. But from there, who knows? I expect to eat many prawns in Mozambique, do some snorkelling in Lake Malawi and climb a bit in Lesotho, but nothing is planned. I don't even have a return flight (which could prove a problem with certain customs officials) so this is flexibility to the max.
Which is why I am going alone. Independence is the name of the game. It forces social integration, and means I can rely on no one but myself. And do not have to rely on anyone else. Everything will be my decision, if I lose my kit it will be me that is screwed, and if I get violently mugged walking home late at night through a rough township in Johannesburg no one will wonder where I am. It is a risk, but one that I think will only prove beneficial in the long term. Imagine the stories I will be able to tell my kids; "Well, son, when I was on my own in Harare at the height of the political violence..."
I should also explain the name of this blog, as it is highly complicated. Many travel blogs have nauseating, rather wishy-washy titles like 'At the Heart of Need' or 'Discovering Myself through Asia', with taglines that either include the words 'musings' or 'stream of consciousness'. None of these particularly appealed to me. I did consider names like 'Sub-Saharan Ramblings' and 'Cape to Cape (the same one)'. But none are memorable, easy to type verbatim or explain what the blog is about. Nor do they particularly invite interest.
Whereas I feel 'Dom in Africa' satisfies all of the above. It is not hard to remember, and explains what the blog is about perfectly; 'Dom' - that's me, describes who the blog is about, 'in Africa' - comprehensive description of the location - Africa. Put together, 'Dom in Africa' describes the blog content perfectly. It is about Dom, in Africa. It invokes interest because people coming to the page will probably be wanting to find out about Dom, in Africa. The name works (ca marche). Pretty pleased with that one.
So expect posts as regularly as I can get to any kind of internetted environment. Which might not be that often, to be honest, so I will try to write a few posts before I go. Become a follower to stay updated, or I'll just put a link up on facebook when there is a new post.
Finally, for those familiar with my blogging past, rest assured that I have not completely drawn a line under previous adventures. I will continue to report on activities in other areas, so if you know where to look, you are more than welcome to have a cheeky read. Dom out.
