Traveling With My Best Friend: Scared as Hell

The best thing I have done while being twenty has been going to South Africa with my best friend for my birthday month. The scariest thing I have ever done in my teens was plan A Trip to South Africa with my best friend, both young 19& 20 year old women.

See I am half South African and half Zimbabwean. I have been back to Zimbabwe with my family but I have really explored/ remembered South Africa. My best friend had met some very attractive (as expected) South African Baseball team a year prior to our trip and of course was always convinced that was where she should end up.

We started planning In December and took off the following May. Although I am a frequent traveller of Canada and similar first world countries (not by choice but as the opportunities presented). Something about this trip was different. And by February the fear of this trip had hit me.

A few things happening to give perspective:

I had lost a friend due to a petty fight over this trip.

I as deeply depressed which is something I haven’t struggled with in over a year and a half.

My first love was loosing me because I didn’t feel like this feeling was something I could share or he would understand.

I no longer shared the fact I was going away with anyone older than me through fear of them straight up telling me I was going to die.

My father sent me photos and news articles of violence occurring in South Africa in hopes I cancel the trip.

I began to lack and loose focus in my education.

Things were bad but luckily my best friend knew exactly how I was feeling. The month of April I had to remember to breathe every moment of everyday because my nerves made me feel like I couldn’t.

The things spinning in my mind that people who had never been to the country (or for that fact ever left Canada). I let them get into my head and now awful throughs from plane crashes, robberies, and yes rape were filled in my mind.

I had now completely distanced myself from my ex boyfriend but we both refused to admit I somehow stopped trusting him with my heart because it got so cold.

Guys. I will share my experience with travel in coming posts but I will tell you that traveling has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. To this day South Africa has been the best trip of my life. My best choice and the first time I fully trusted myself.

I truly know that if I had listened to anyone and cancelled this trip my life would be so different. This world has never seen women like us. Women who will not listen to the limits others face. Women how travel to discover the world and themselves.

I apologize to the 19 year old girl who lost all belief that she could do anything her heart desires.

I applaud the 20 year old woman that is new planning her first completely solo trip. The women who lets nothing stand between her and the sun.

I know you know, you can do whatever, wherever, & whenever.

-Vu

Instagram: vunokimphiri