Trek Befok: Day four & five: Platteland love

This morning I went for a jog on a farm just outside Bloemfontein and almost an hour ago I watched the sunset over this same farm. I love how when the yellow ball of life fades away everything changes: the sky swaps its golden glow for a modest pink and young blue. The time between the exit of the sun and the arrival of the moon is a special time, especially when you’re away from daily distractions such as television, internet, whatsapp, etc. There is an almost eerie kind of calmness in the air and only the sound of nature and cars in the distance can be heard. Ah, the wonders of the platteland!

I ran out of airtime and data last night so I took advantage of the being-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-ness. I retreated yesterday to PlaasCottage, a self-catering flat on a farm just outside Bloem and this is my second night here. It’s exactly what I needed after the busyness of the previous few days. We have a first draft of our article due tomorrow so I wanted to spend some time writing. And boy have I been writing!

I had lunch yesterday had an amazeballs place in Bloem called Oliewenhuis. It is an art gallery with a restaurant and has a place for picnicking as well as walking trails. How great? After filling up my tank I went on one of the walking trails, and although it wasn’t very exciting it was still nice to get my legs moving. Just outside the restaurant, in the ‘garden’ of the museum if you will, as well as in the picnic area, are sculptures by various artists as well as a carousel with sculptures on which you can ride. Haha, I totally went on it. People looked at me funny but I don’t care. Apparently the carousel was built to raise awareness for art in the country. I can’t really remember what the sign said because I was too interested in getting my money to the carousel man and getting on the strange looking horse thing.

The best thing about the art gallery, for me, was the sculptures of the sheep in the ‘garden’. There’s nothing particularly special about them... except for the fact that they were made by Wilma Cruise whose exhibition at the National Arts Festival this year unlocked my love for art! It was like seeing a new friend who I am really interested in getting to know but haven’t had the time to yet. Ah, Wilma Cruise makes amazing stuff.

In the afternoon I had an interview with a former Professor of Environmental Management and then I headed to this little piece of paradise where I am now.

I am starting to get a clearer grasp on what it means to be an Afrikaner and also how the Great Trek implicated the rest of South Africa. Only starting though, I still have lots to learn and routes to follow. Till next time, au revoir!

Wilma Cruise's sheep sculptures at Oliewenhuis, Bloemfontein, Free State. 2013.

Jacob Mofammene guards the carousel on the weekends and works at the National Museum during the week. He can speak five of the official South African languages, Oliewenhuis,

Bloemfontein, Free State. 2013.