South Africa: Back in the Motherland

My family and friends did the most. I almost felt like Caster coming back from the Olympics, hahaha!

It’s been two months since I left Korea can you believe it? Now that I am home it feels like I never left. While I was in Korea I did my best to get myself ready for life here at home. I read blogs about reverse culture shock; thought hard about what kind of job I would apply for and also tried my best not to worry too much about living at home in Parys. While I haven’t yet figured out what my next move is, I did find it relatively easy adjusting back to South African life. Apart from the hectic cost of mobile data, not much has shocked me about being back. I have in fact had wonderful opportunities to see more of our beautiful country. 

And living at home in Parys? Well, let’s say that my parents haven’t gotten to that stage where they want me out yet, haha. I am really enjoying my time with them and the rest of my family. If I am not at a funeral, I am at a “mokete” (celebration party) or just chilling somewhere with my cousins or brothers. That’s honestly what I missed most about home- family. Black people are known for their weekly attendance of either one of the triple M’s: “mafu, manyalo, mekete” hahaha! Like there’s always a funeral, wedding or some form of party that must be celebrated- whether you know the person or not. So yes, that’s what I am doing with my life- although, I have put a cap on the number of funerals I will attend in a month because WOW! 

Take a sho't left to 'little Paris' and I will be glad to show you around.

I am a people’s person, so I am really enjoying being with people and also meeting people randomly. The ability to walk the street and make conversation with a total stranger is one of the biggest highlights of being back home. I think you will recall that I mentioned the language barrier as one of the challenges I experienced in Korea. There were so many friendly ‘ajummas’ (grannies) that spoke to me in Korean and I could never understand them, which was really frustrating. Anyway, being able to speak and be understood is something I don’t think I will ever take for granted. 

Visited this cute Candy shop in Parys that has all the 90s kids favourite candy...

Apart from this, being back has sparked the question: “What’s next?” This is mainly because that’s the second question people ask me after “How was Korea/China/Japan?” hahaha, they are not the same country, guys hleng! To be honest I thought I would have figured it out while I was in Korea but I haven’t. Every time someone asks me that question I freeze and normally resort to the obvious answer- ‘I’m looking for a job’. It normally does the trick, lol, but in a country where unemployment is at an all-time high and worker satisfaction is low, I wonder how that option will work out for me. There are many other options, too many in fact and I guess that is what has got me in a tailspin. Anyway, an old colleague of mine encouraged me the other day, saying that even she, at her big age, is still figuring things out, so ‘re tla bona ko front’.  I guess the most sensible thing to do now is to use what I have and make the most of it. And for me right now that is selling human hair and perfumes- Hit me up if you’re interested!

My time in Korea had its ups and downs but overall it was one of the best experiences of my life. I miss my kids and most of all the friends that I made there. Oh, did I mention shopping? I miss the Korean Zara, yoh! There was literally a sale every time I went there lol. Will I ever go back to Korea? I don’t know hey. My family have renamed me “Matseleng” which loosely translates to ‘the one who loves to go’ hahaha. As my blog name suggests, I love to travel but I am also a homebody, so your guess is as good as mine. What I do know is that at the moment, home is where I would rather be.

Friend-cationing at Kenton-on-Sea in Eastern Cape with old friends and new ones too.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you an update of how I am doing since moving back home. I hope to see some of you in person as time goes on. And most importantly, I plan to continue writing – although I am not quite sure what the theme of my blog will be as my overseas travels have temporarily ceased. Any suggestions are welcome as I miss writing and engaging with you on this platform.

Lots of love

Matshepo