My eyes opened wide when I saw the line. There were two lines of immigrants to South Africa. One line was more than a kilometer long at 8:00 in the morning and another was a little short. I preferred the shorter one. After about an hour in the line, I entered the building where they stamp visa. And then, I knew, the line I was, was only for the bus passengers and not for pedestrian or car owners or cyclists. I was annoyed and furious and because of which I had a discussion with the visa officer. Though, a volunteer lady handed me a bus ticket, I didn’t feel nice to cheat. I went towards the next line where the line has increased a lot. I felt, it wouldn’t be possible to get visa even though I joined the line and disappointed, I sat next to my bicycle. After a short time, a visa officer came outside and asked few things about me. I explained. About half an hour later, he called me inside and stamped visa though the people in line were protesting. It was one of the great supports by the officer. I met the same officer a couple of days later on the road, I was pedaling and he was in his car. He was surprised to see me continuous cycling and also provided me 10$ as a support.

I wished to be at a nice place to stay on 1st of July. I didn’t want to miss the Final of Euro Cup 2012. Finding a guest house in Musina was easy and I enjoyed the game at a Bangladeshi Restaurant with other guests and some locals. The next day was 100 KM away at Louis Trichardt. I stepped the small, charming and Popular town at 1600 hours with a tyre of bicycle punctured and broken tailor. I replaced the tyre before I met an old woman. I was very happy to share some good time with her. I felt a great honor when she said she followed a long way just to meet me. The 100 Ringet she gave me was like a blessing from her. I planned to stay at a government camping site. Though, it was already dark, I left it and moved ahead to stay another backpackers. The site was not suitable for me because one had to wrap up and move before quarter to six in the morning. It was so freezing cold in Louis Trichardt that one could barely dare to come outside the camp so early. It is very difficult to get out in cold even at eight.

Next day was 31 Km away from Louis. I was amazed to see no door lock at the place; it is very surprising and rare thing to see in SA. Another morning was fine, I got to the tourist information center to fetch some information and drop complain of government camping site after they asked for feedback.

The morning weather of 4th July was very cold. After I left, within about an hour I repaired the punctured tyre of the tailor three times. Annoyed, I was struggling to get the thing fixed for the third time, a car stopped nearby. Mr. Schalk Corbett, a benevolent person came out of the car. Though it was very difficult to put my 8 feet bicycle (which includes a tailor) on the Toyota vehicle, Mr. Corbett dropped me to a bicycle shop at Polokwane. For such an inevitable help, I thank Mr. Corbett from the bottom of my heart.

I was in front of the Saloojees Bicycle Shop as the owner Mr. Ebrahim, amused, called me inside. The shop had not opened then. I felt very happy as they rushed to repair my bicycle. Staffs of the shop started coming and they were interested to know about me. I explained. The pad of disc brake, tyre and tube needed to be replaced for which it would have cost me around 150 dollars but they did not charged me a single penny. I am grateful to owner of Saloojees Bicycle shop and his father. I stayed the day at Polokwane.

What one could expect from a hungry stomach, exhausted body and embarrassed mind: I had an angry dispute with the officer at Standard Chartered bank. I passed through long step to get money from moneygram on the 6th of August. After I received 500 dollars from Sonam T Baruwa from USA on July 1, I could only get 250 dollars out. In Polokwane when I tried to withdraw some money from my card, I was unable to. It would be possible to sustain only for 3 days in such an expensive country with the little amount. The Bank card did not work, and I was penniless. I even could not afford to buy some food. Bharat Rijal, a respected friend from Tanzania sent me a amount of $350 from moneygram on 4th July. I was at Standard Chartered Bank to fetch the amount, but I couldn’t. I then had no way to go, no food, no money to pay for the place to stay. Perplexed, I was feeling trapped.

It was not easy to reach one of the Capitals of SA- Pretoria. Shall be updating more soon.

PEACE AND HARMONY
Furtemba Sherpa