It really is a small world
No matter where you go, chances are you'll meet someone that has some connection to you. This is something I've experienced many times since I started working.
Driving to work this morning, I spotted a runner in Tzaneen Marathon Club kit getting in his morning exercise. I instantly felt like cheering him on, since I lived and worked in Tzaneen for over three years and grew up in the Bushveld.
This impulse made me think of the interesting meetings I’ve had since I started working after varsity.
I’ve moved to or worked in five different town since then and had known only one or two people (usually work contacts) in each. Luckily, a journalist, my job is all about meeting new people and getting to know them, so I’ve had my fair share of interesting experiences.
I’ve met a tannie in an old age home in Nelspruit who used to own the farm quite near where I grew up, quite a few Potch students who were there the same time I was or just a bit before and a women who was in the same primary school as I was and shared her memories of a very strict Maths teacher.
One of my former colleagues had even met my cousin while they were both teaching in South Korea and we later found out that we had the same lecturers at the PUK (she was there a year or three before me).
These meetings have underscored the fact that we’re all connected in some way and reminds me of the “global village” concept. This concerns the fact that social media and the development of technology have “shrunk” the world and made communication much easier.
While I love keeping tabs on family and friends spread across the country through facebook, meeting a stranger who has shared experiences or contacts is truly a special occurrence.
It motivates me to keep in touch with my roots, to be proud of the experiences I’ve had and to always have a smile and a moment to chat with my fellow man.
Have you had similar experiences? I’d love to hear about them. Comment in the section below or on the Corridor Gazette facebook page.
