We took our first holiday back to RSA in October, just over 2 years after leaving on a one way flight to Australia. I'll sum up my thoughts then leave you with a conclusion:
- didn't feel much nostalgia arriving in RSA but did have a chuckle at a few 'only in Africa' things
- this was a 'catch up with people' trip, not a holiday
- should have gone over December/January holidays as everyone was sort of going about their daily lives and it was tricky to make plans to do things - couldn't expect friends to take leave just because we were there
- felt a bit on edge and uptight and found the country has become a bit grotty and the roads chaotic
- shouldn't have stayed with friends and family, should have booked a holiday house for 3 weeks and told people to come visit us
- it's not as cheap as you might expect, found clothes shopping to be the same as Australia and food was not far off, besides eating out which is slightly cheaper but then you do have to tip
- so relieved my husband saw the reality and felt good to come back to Australia, was worried he wouldn't. He even said some days e thinks about it as a waste of money and annual leave
- I will never spend more than one night in Joburg again
So basically it was great to feel a bit of Africa again and to see everyone, we got a lot of 'we're so glad to see everything worked out, we weren't too sure it would'. We also got a fair bit of 'so how did you guys get into Australia, can you give us some info in case the you-know-what hits the fan'. I don't miss my life in South Africa but I do miss my family and friends. I love living in Australia and wish I could ship them all over here. I felt a sense of peace and relief landing in Melbourne. We won't go back for a holiday for at least 3 years, I would rather meet friends and family for holidays in other parts of the world.
Oh did I mention I will never spend more than one night in Joburg again?
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sianvz
We took our first holiday back to RSA in October, just over 2 years after leaving on a one way flight to Australia. I'll sum up my thoughts then leave you with a conclusion:
- didn't feel much nostalgia arriving in RSA but did have a chuckle at a few 'only in Africa' things
- this was a 'catch up with people' trip, not a holiday
- should have gone over December/January holidays as everyone was sort of going about their daily lives and it was tricky to make plans to do things - couldn't expect friends to take leave just because we were there
- felt a bit on edge and uptight and found the country has become a bit grotty and the roads chaotic
- shouldn't have stayed with friends and family, should have booked a holiday house for 3 weeks and told people to come visit us
- it's not as cheap as you might expect, found clothes shopping to be the same as Australia and food was not far off, besides eating out which is slightly cheaper but then you do have to tip
- so relieved my husband saw the reality and felt good to come back to Australia, was worried he wouldn't. He even said some days e thinks about it as a waste of money and annual leave
- I will never spend more than one night in Joburg again
So basically it was great to feel a bit of Africa again and to see everyone, we got a lot of 'we're so glad to see everything worked out, we weren't too sure it would'. We also got a fair bit of 'so how did you guys get into Australia, can you give us some info in case the you-know-what hits the fan'. I don't miss my life in South Africa but I do miss my family and friends. I love living in Australia and wish I could ship them all over here. I felt a sense of peace and relief landing in Melbourne. We won't go back for a holiday for at least 3 years, I would rather meet friends and family for holidays in other parts of the world.
Oh did I mention I will never spend more than one night in Joburg again?
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