Where there's a will, there's a way

Where there's a will, there's a way

When life chucks lemons at you, you make lemonade, don’t you? I made a lot of lemonade and with a bit of luck and an unwavering case of wanderlust, I got to travel across the world. I’ve been to, seen, and done things that I would never have imagined possible. I’ve been a tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, spy, so please allow me to regale you with my tales of joy, sorrow, regret, turmoil, wonder, delight, and unabashed debauchery.

But, before we go there, let’s look at a few of the hiccups I had to overcome along the way. My grandmother died while she was babysitting me. My own father kidnapped and then unceremoniously dumped me, resulting in me being subjected to a*******d South Africa’s childcare system for the next eleven years.

I was the first ward of the court to win a scholarship at a most prestigious bastion of education, and then dropped-out of school. I was a gang banger and I had coloured friends as well. A strict no, no at the time. One did not associate with someone who had the wrong colour skin.

This was shortly followed by compulsory military service and at the ripe old age of seventeen, I was deemed fit enough to die for a cause I didn’t necessarily believe in, but at the same time, I was too young to drink alcohol or drive a car.

Somewhat jaded after that little stint I went on walkabout, which found me spending fifty-five days in the notorious Polsmoor Prison (the same one that housed Nelson Mandella) as an unlikely guest. That wasn’t fun.

So now what? Being back in the fold wasn’t going to swing it for me, so I turned my back on everything and everyone I knew, and set off to see the world, which was easily and unequivocally, the best decision I’ve ever made. See for yourself……