After 27 years I am finally leaving my parents’ house and am going on my own mission.
Ja, I know, at 27 years old I eventually decided to leave behind mom and dad’s protection, spread my wings and vacate the nest.
Okay, okay… I know it might be a bit late in life, but hey, rather late than never right?
The cost of living these days is a son of a b…. I mean, gun.
At the same time my folks have sold our Rynfield home of 24 years and are now doing their own thing – minus one LG.
As much as I am going to miss my parentals’ cooking, cuddling my pooches and getting my washing done there is one thing that I am going to long for more than anything – the bar (obviously).
The original “Green Bar” was a Benonian landmark (if you were invited, of course).
Over two decades it played host to some wild high school parties, numerous family events, New Year’s parties etc.
It saw the Springboks lift the Webb Ellis Cup in 1995 and 2007.
Some of the girls who were there in 2007 won’t remember that victory though due to the fact that they all got a little bit too sauced up from playing drinking games with copious amounts of Caipirinha before the final.
The good ol’ bar also hosted and welcomed people from all over the globe to Benoni.
It welcomed folks from countries like Austria, Zimbabwe, Chile, Brazil, England, the United States of America and.. uh, Brakpan.
It was a home away for home for my many, many Benoni mates most Friday and Saturday nights – much to my father’s displeasure most of the time.
It saw all-nighters, crazy white boy dancing and plenty of laughter and jokes.
It was the place to be.
Forgive me while I shed a little tear.
Speaking of tears, we had this bench in the garden that became known as “Couples’ Corner” due to the many boozy fights and arguments between couples.
Many dronkverdriet moments were shared there between lovebirds.
The bench was right outside my parents’ bedroom so they always had front-row tickets to every episode of “Benoni Days of Our Lives”.
Fortunately, most of the individuals involved had by the next morning forgotten what they were fighting about.
The other day we bid farewell to this hub of good times and incredible memories with a big fat jol, naturally.
Why am I sharing this with you?
I do not know.
I suppose it’s because it’s all I can really think about at the moment.
I guess it is true when they say: “Home is not a place, it’s a feeling”.
Now, the fun of the Great Trek has started (although it’s not much of a trek, I’m literally just moving 3.7km up the road).
A new journey begins and fresh memories are to be made.
Thank you to all the Benonians who made our house their house.
I leave you with this:
Peace be da journey!
LG
* Please note that this is an opinion piece and that the views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Benoni City Times or Caxton Newspapers.
Check out some other blogs from this writer:
Things I learned in the Fair Cape
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