Other than our mobile phones, everything else is getting
smaller – or maybe it’s just my bank balance... Either way, we all remember
when Summer Roberts declared, “Mini is the new supersize” in Episode 2, Season
3 of The OC – obviously. Well that sassy, mid-noughties minx was on to
something and this is just the sort of motto to apply to your travels. And I’m
not simply talking about packing light, people.
Of course bold adventurers, such as ourselves, have big
holidays planned: the round-the-world backpacking trip, Cape to Cairo overland
or the classic coast-to-cost US road trip. Very big and very worthy travel
dreams that I’m all for nurturing and working towards, but don’t forget about
all the weekends, holidays and snatched moments in between. Let me get all
hippy-cuntified for a moment and say that if we spend all this time waiting for
the big holidays, when the fuck do we get started on that living shit?
So let’s start working on the microventure (micro +
adventure) to keep us busy, awesome and having fun in between the
smugcuntventures (I trust your intelligence on this one). Now what exactly is a
microventure, I hear you ask? Actually, I don’t but I’m going to tell you
anyway because I give zero fucks. Well, gather ‘round children – microventures
are the splashes of kiffness in the cesspools of life. Okay fine, I’ll spell it
out for you – it’s the small adventures we undertake when we don’t have the
time or cold hard cash to go on a proper holiday.
Nothing refreshes quite like a weekend well spent or a
public holiday used for more than being disgustingly hungover or, even worse,
spent doing chores. God no, chores are for when you’re fighting with all your
loved ones and need an excuse to avoid them. Instead fill these moments with
awesome memories, that don’t even need an instagram filter to seem cool. Don’t
think about it, just go.
Go away for the
weekend.
Find a campsite, backpackers or self-catering cottage and
set off with your friends post work Friday. Cook together, talk shit about shit
and explore whatever that area has to offer. Hike, fish, play cards or even
read something for once. Fresh air, simple food and a couple of people you
don’t mind does wonders for the soul.
Go for a drive
Wake up early (come now, don’t be lazy) and drive out to the
Magaliesburg and look at attractive mountains or drive to Pilansberg and look
at animals. Pack coffee and rusks for the morning and something delicious for
lunch. Music is a must, but don’t overlook the glory of chatting to your
friends as you meander along the road less travelled. Or more travelled if
you’re driving anywhere south once private schools break up. Also non-Jozi-dwellers
can apply this to their own nearby areas of extreme beauty.
Go for a picnic
Oh, the glory of eating food outside. Even with the
ever-present threat of ants, bees and wasps, a selection of Woolies’ delights
spread across a motley collection of blankets satisfies like very little else
in this world. People also seem to enjoy mixing this with a bit of Frisbee or
that game where boys kick a ball at each other and then mock the weakest.
Go explore your city
There is no way that you are so terribly cool that you know
every little corner of the city/town/village that you call home. Browse the
gazillion markets oozing out of every urban orifice or find one of those rather
pleasant one-day music festivals sprouting up all over the place. At the very
least go somewhere different to buy your over-priced cup of coffee.
Go bother your
friends
For some reason these people seem to like you, so use this
to your advantage and pop in for a visit. I recommend taking something
alcoholic or delicious to lubricate their front entrance as you slip in
uninvited…
Get on out there, my little microventurers, and discover
things that are lovely.
