Comments on: Homecoming Thoughts: On Moving Back to South Africa After 8 Years Abroad http://www.rianonline.com/2010/04/moving-back-to-south-africa/ notes on the journey Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:53:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Isabel http://www.rianonline.com/2010/04/moving-back-to-south-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-3685 Isabel Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:20:59 +0000 http://www.rianonline.com/?p=1040#comment-3685 Hi, I am south African I moved to Czech Republic a few years ago, I got engaged to a Czech man recently and now we are planning to move to Mpumalanga. Thanks to all of you for keeping me and my Fiancé's hopes up. I glad to see I'm not the only one that want to go home! xxx Hi,
I am south African I moved to Czech Republic a few years ago, I got engaged to a Czech man recently and now we are planning to move to Mpumalanga. Thanks to all of you for keeping me and my Fiancé’s hopes up.
I glad to see I’m not the only one that want to go home!
xxx

]]> By: Colin http://www.rianonline.com/2010/04/moving-back-to-south-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-3468 Colin Mon, 16 May 2011 17:26:03 +0000 http://www.rianonline.com/?p=1040#comment-3468 Believe me I went far out of my comfort zone by coming to America. Thats a story for another time. Point taken Philip. If ever I decide to move back to Cape Town it would have to be 6 months on and 6 months off basis because of business concerns. Believe me I went far out of my comfort zone by coming to America. Thats a story for another time. Point taken Philip. If ever I decide to move back to Cape Town it would have to be 6 months on and 6 months off basis because of business concerns.

]]> By: Philip http://www.rianonline.com/2010/04/moving-back-to-south-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-3467 Philip Mon, 16 May 2011 16:49:40 +0000 http://www.rianonline.com/?p=1040#comment-3467 Hi Colin, Thanks for sharing and I'm sincerely glad to hear that you are making the most of where you are. I agree 100% that life is what you make it. I do want to challenge your school of thought a bit though regarding the big question "to comeback to SA or say abroad"; I don't think it is a bad thing to strive for contentment but I know it is possible to find true hapiness if not even joy. Have you explored all of South Africa? Rather that come 'down' to your roots why not reach for the stars 'in' South Africa? No reason that you can't do all of those outdoor activities in SA as well. There are plenty of place to play here. I've been back almost 18 months now and have done and seen so much, and my list of things to do keeps growing!!! I was reintroduced to the Milky Way during a weekend away in the Koue Bokkeveld (between Ceres and Citrusdal). Breath taking and less than 2 hours away from Cape Town. Why must one wait for your so-called "Golden Years" to visit the fields of your schoolboy rugby days, explore the rest of South Africa and Africa, and have those family moments more than just every few years? You only have one shot at this life. It is easy to be risk adverse and convince yourself you are making the best decision, and you will probably be content with it. But dare to go outside of your comfort zone and plunge back into one of the most special places on the planet and you may just find true joy. Thousands have, thousands are in the process, and thousands more will. Just some thoughts. Hi Colin,

Thanks for sharing and I’m sincerely glad to hear that you are making the most of where you are. I agree 100% that life is what you make it.

I do want to challenge your school of thought a bit though regarding the big question “to comeback to SA or say abroad”; I don’t think it is a bad thing to strive for contentment but I know it is possible to find true hapiness if not even joy. Have you explored all of South Africa? Rather that come ‘down’ to your roots why not reach for the stars ‘in’ South Africa? No reason that you can’t do all of those outdoor activities in SA as well. There are plenty of place to play here. I’ve been back almost 18 months now and have done and seen so much, and my list of things to do keeps growing!!! I was reintroduced to the Milky Way during a weekend away in the Koue Bokkeveld (between Ceres and Citrusdal). Breath taking and less than 2 hours away from Cape Town. Why must one wait for your so-called “Golden Years” to visit the fields of your schoolboy rugby days, explore the rest of South Africa and Africa, and have those family moments more than just every few years? You only have one shot at this life.

It is easy to be risk adverse and convince yourself you are making the best decision, and you will probably be content with it. But dare to go outside of your comfort zone and plunge back into one of the most special places on the planet and you may just find true joy. Thousands have, thousands are in the process, and thousands more will.

Just some thoughts.

]]> By: Colin Campbell http://www.rianonline.com/2010/04/moving-back-to-south-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-3466 Colin Campbell Mon, 16 May 2011 15:17:48 +0000 http://www.rianonline.com/?p=1040#comment-3466 I just want to say well done for making it go right guys.Its a very big and bold move. I was born in Durbs and lived most my life in Cape Town. I love love the mother city and the surrounds and miss my boarding school and rugby playing days in a little town called Villiersdorp. I left Cape Town in 1999 and have been back to visit twice. All my family live in Cape Town and its big crocodile tears at the airport when we leave. Everything that is said about Cape Town is true but I have to be the spanner in the spokes here. I love USA and it also has its bad side but this country is so beautiful and has a lot to offer. A couple of years ago I started wanting to just pack up and go back home but then I decided to start living a little. Purchased a RV, boat, mountain bikes, ATV and decided that I am going to quit working 60 to 80 hours a week and just explore and get out and make new friends. It has been two years now and I am really enjoying myself but truth be told I still after 11 years miss Cape Town and its people and of course my family. But I realized that YOU make your life what it is and it’s not important where on the planet you live. We mountain bike every weekend and we explore what America has to offer. Just this weekend we found a herd of wild Spanish horses and bison while riding our bikes. This was in Florida at Paynes Prairie preserve. I can see that opinions are different on the subject and I understand. I have many South African friends in Florida and there is one that is like a fish out of water and she is doing well in the USA but just misses South Africa too much. Who knows maybe one day when I am finished playing I will go back to my roots but right now I am reaching for the sun.  I just want to say well done for making it go right guys.Its a very big and bold move. I was born in Durbs and lived most my life in Cape Town. I love love the mother city and the surrounds and miss my boarding school and rugby playing days in a little town called Villiersdorp. I left Cape Town in 1999 and have been back to visit twice. All my family live in Cape Town and its big crocodile tears at the airport when we leave. Everything that is said about Cape Town is true but I have to be the spanner in the spokes here. I love USA and it also has its bad side but this country is so beautiful and has a lot to offer. A couple of years ago I started wanting to just pack up and go back home but then I decided to start living a little. Purchased a RV, boat, mountain bikes, ATV and decided that I am going to quit working 60 to 80 hours a week and just explore and get out and make new friends. It has been two years now and I am really enjoying myself but truth be told I still after 11 years miss Cape Town and its people and of course my family. But I realized that YOU make your life what it is and it’s not important where on the planet you live. We mountain bike every weekend and we explore what America has to offer. Just this weekend we found a herd of wild Spanish horses and bison while riding our bikes. This was in Florida at Paynes Prairie preserve. I can see that opinions are different on the subject and I understand. I have many South African friends in Florida and there is one that is like a fish out of water and she is doing well in the USA but just misses South Africa too much. Who knows maybe one day when I am finished playing I will go back to my roots but right now I am reaching for the sun. 

]]> By: A day in the life of a South African homecomer http://www.rianonline.com/2010/04/moving-back-to-south-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-3460 A day in the life of a South African homecomer Tue, 03 May 2011 19:28:27 +0000 http://www.rianonline.com/?p=1040#comment-3460 [...] Revolution asked me to write a follow-up to my Homecoming Thoughts postfrom a year ago, and I am at a loss. That post generated a lot of comments, and I’m worried [...] [...] Revolution asked me to write a follow-up to my Homecoming Thoughts postfrom a year ago, and I am at a loss. That post generated a lot of comments, and I’m worried [...]

]]> By: A day in the life of a South African homecomer http://www.rianonline.com/2010/04/moving-back-to-south-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-3450 A day in the life of a South African homecomer Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:33:59 +0000 http://www.rianonline.com/?p=1040#comment-3450 [...] Revolution asked me to write a follow-up to my Homecoming Thoughts post from a year ago, and I am at a loss. That post generated a lot of comments, and I’m worried [...] [...] Revolution asked me to write a follow-up to my Homecoming Thoughts post from a year ago, and I am at a loss. That post generated a lot of comments, and I’m worried [...]

]]> By: Daniel http://www.rianonline.com/2010/04/moving-back-to-south-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-2051 Daniel Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:50:01 +0000 http://www.rianonline.com/?p=1040#comment-2051 Hi Pamela Check out ISASA web site (independent schools association of southern africa) it has links to loads of good schools through out SA Hi Pamela

Check out ISASA web site (independent schools association of southern africa) it has links to loads of good schools through out SA

]]> By: pamela http://www.rianonline.com/2010/04/moving-back-to-south-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-2044 pamela Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:48:46 +0000 http://www.rianonline.com/?p=1040#comment-2044 Thank you I will look into this. Pamela Thank you I will look into this.

Pamela

]]> By: Philip Botha http://www.rianonline.com/2010/04/moving-back-to-south-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-2043 Philip Botha Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:56:24 +0000 http://www.rianonline.com/?p=1040#comment-2043 The only place I can think of is Michaelhouse which appears to be in Natal although North of Pietermaritzburg on the way to Jo'burg. The only place I can think of is Michaelhouse which appears to be in Natal although North of Pietermaritzburg on the way to Jo’burg.

]]> By: Philip Botha http://www.rianonline.com/2010/04/moving-back-to-south-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-2042 Philip Botha Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:54:43 +0000 http://www.rianonline.com/?p=1040#comment-2042 The only place I can think of is Michaelhouse which I believe is in Durban/Natal: http://www.michaelhouse.org/HomePage1.aspx The only place I can think of is Michaelhouse which I believe is in Durban/Natal:

http://www.michaelhouse.org/HomePage1.aspx

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