So, dis ‘n paar uur voor ek uit Kaapstad vertrek om die Camino te begin. Alles is gepak en weer ‘n keer gepak. Die laaste rondskarrel was vanoggend gewees. Nou is dit in afwagting van wat voorlê, so om dit minste te sê, dis nou nervous energy. Ek weet as ek eers op die vliegtuig is, dan sal ek rustig raak.

Ek het ‘n heerlike naweek by die Winterberg Mountain Inn gehad. Baie dankie Karien en Reint vir julle gasvryheid en die ander weet wie julle is. Dit was die perfekte Bon voyage voor ek vetrek. Ek waardeer julle inset en bydra wat tot gevolg het dat ek vanaand vertrek.

Ek het vanoggend “my” reënboog laag oor die stad gehad. Dan kan mens nie anders as om te smaail nie.

So as I start this epic journey I would like to leave you with something to ponder. The Desiderata by Max Ehrmann.

Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.