Going to Ireland and South Africa

This week’s accidental theme seems to be maps and travel, so I’ll continue. A reader asked me about my trip to South Africa, so I figure this is as good a time as any to provide some details.

Clients: Don’t worry, we’ll take care of you in our absence.

In early May, we’re going to go to Dublin for a week of business and pleasure. We’ll see various Irish friends, colleagues and clients and try to drum up some more business. Then we’re flying to Johannesburg (and immediately getting the hell out of Dodge) to spend two and half weeks with my Dad and step-mother (who is South African) traveling in the east part of the country. The high points for me will likely be a week on safari in the Kruger National Park and a private reserve. I’m also eager to see where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean. We’ll end up in Cape Town, and fly home from there.

Further to my posting on how fear stops us from traveling more, until recently, I’d been reticent to go to South Africa. Frankly, I didn’t want to constantly fear for my safety while on vacation. I’m always wary while traveling, but South Africa had always been outside the acceptable safety range. Now, after having traveled more, I feel more confident in going. The risk is not necessarily reduced, but my anxiety is, so I can enjoy the trip more than I could five years ago.