While cities hold all the conveniences of the modern age there is an allure about the country that draws many people. City living is certainly attractive. It can be summed up by words like "instant", "opportunity", "technology", "fast". But life in the country holds an irresistable appeal. Perhaps it is because so many of us are returning to the authentic way of living. There is a power in living off the land. In healing yourself naturally. In raising your children in the wide open spaces. In being in touch, once again, with Creation. Many of us are being empowered by self-sufficiency, wind and sun energy, homegrown and homemade products, biodiversity. Most of my friends are of the same mind set. One of my closest is half an hours drive from me. The only difference is, that while the wild life sharing our valley are mostly predators hers are the magnificent herbivores, like the graceful giraffe, zebra and springbok.
Although we live in neighbouring valleys there is a tranquil gorge to drive through between us. When we used to have our annual winter rain the gorge would flood and we'd be cut off from one another. This river bed has been dry for a number of years now. There must still be a fair amount of underground water which the thorn trees are tapping into as the vegetation on the river course are still green.
The drive to her house is really beautiful. In winter I get a clear view of the snow capped mountains. The neighbours indigenous iNguni cattle wander the countryside. It is seldom that I drive that stretch without seeing the majestic birds of prey or the happily grazing little buck. The sign marking her entrance; Karelskloof also promises a sighting of some wild life.
The greater area where my friend and I live is an undeclared Game Reserve. Most of the land is farmed but not commerically. This means that cattle and sheep or goats roam freelily on the mountainside. You see very little human activity and only an occasional patch of green where mixed pasture has been planted to sustain the animals during the drier seasons. It is a hard life because waters are deep and the soil is shale. But generations of families have lived and farmed here.
While country living is definitely not for everyone I think that most will appreciate a slow drive through such tranquil countryside. I am so grateful that there are still virtually untouched parts of the world where one can escape too. I am also grateful that so many of my friends are of the same mindset and that visits to each other. And for this slow and peaceful life I am prepared to live with slow internet and no cell reception.