Swaziland is my second home in Africa. I knew Swaziland long before I knew South Africa, and long before I decided to move to Johannesburg. I’ve been to Swaziland six times in the last six years.
Swaziland always has been, and always will be, a life-changing place for me. Every time I go there I experience some kind of emotional transformation. No matter how short the visit, I leave Swaziland a different person than I was when I arrived.
My most recent Swazi visit, this past week, was no exception. I went there to do a job for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which in itself carries a load of significance. I worked for the Foundation from 2005 to 2010. That job initially led me to Africa, and led me to meet Jon. Almost exactly two years ago, soon after Jon died, I said my last goodbye to him on top of a mountain in Swaziland.
If you’re new to my blog, this might sound intriguing. If you’re curious, browse the rest of my Swazi posts here.
I would love to ramble on about the many layers of emotional significance surrounding my recent journey to Swaziland, but I don’t have time. I don’t know how to get my thoughts in order, anyway. Yesterday, when I was packing to come home, I found myself sobbing in the middle of my room at the B&B. I don’t know why. I think it’s because I was happy.
Anyway, this post is going nowhere. The only reason I’m writing it is because I want to check in and apologize for not writing in a while. And also because I want to say that Swaziland is really freaking green right now. In fact it’s more than green. Swaziland is, like, fluorescent.
There has been a lot of rain in Swaziland this year and the grass is exploding with green-ness. (Greeniness?) I shot this picture with my phone, near my B&B just outside Mbabane (the capital). I did not alter the color in any way.
The Ngwenya Glass Factory, near the border of Swaziland and South Africa. (I’m obsessed with the panoramic feature on my iPhone.)
Malilotcha Nature Reserve, also near the border.
In summary: Swaziland is emotionally transformative and green (at least at this time of year). If you like getting emotional and you like the color green, as I do, you should get to Swaziland post-haste. There are other good reasons to go there too, which I will elaborate upon in a future post. Until then, good night.
Hi Heather,
I am really enjoying your Swazi posts, it is such a beautiful country.
Have you ever been to Bulembu?
Up past Piggs Peak by the South African border. Its an old asbestos mining town which has been converted by a charity to help orphaned children. Its a beautiful place and I thought it might be something you may be interested in seeing one day.
Take a look at the link – http://www.bulembu.org/