The question excisting. What are we doing every day, where does it lead us? Shouldn’t we do something that leaves something for the earth after we are gone?

These questions are just supporting our feelings that makes that we know we should go and do something for the world in our own way. We want people to respect nature, because without it there is not much left to live for, for humans either. Even if we just reach a couple of people who can reach others and so on. It should be like a drop of water in a pond which makes the pretty wrinkles which grow and grow till they become something significant. That would be a reason that makes our lives worthwhile. We are just individuals, but even individuals can acomplish great things. You just need to want it.

Wiebe & Melanie

Het bericht Why leave? Reason 20#: This would be it… verscheen eerst op Xongile Lodge.

Wiebe is having some issues with his back, but when we are in South Africa the warmth helps him and he doesn’t feel pain anymore. When the weather gets cold he immediately notice it in his back. How wonderful would it be to get rid of this pain by just being in a warmer environment?

There are also other benefits of the sun and warm weather:
1. Lots of vitamin D
2. It leads to relaxation
3. Back to your natural biological clock
4. Good for teeth and bones
5. Increased resistance
6. Prevention of hypertension
7. Muscles strengthen more easily
8. Brain function improves
9. Improves mood
And we are going to have a way more active lifestyle overthere which is always a good thing.

Why can’t we enjoy the sun in the Netherlands? You are very brave to ask this question

Some people have the opinion we just had a wonderful summer. They mean: there were not really hot days (because they don’t like those kind of days). Well, it was not cold, but that doesn’t make it summer to us. In november we went to South Africa again. This time for a real holiday. November is South Africa’s spring and we really enjoyed the sun on our faces which restored our energy and relaxed us to the core.

Wiebe & Melanie

Het bericht Why leave? Reason #19: Health verscheen eerst op Xongile Lodge.

In the last couple of years there have been many terrorist attacks in Europe. In Belgium, Sweden, UK, France, Germany and Spain. It is not a question if the Netherlands will have to face such tragidy, but when. That is a frightning feeling. Of course we live our lives like we did before, but when you come in place with many people like: stations, theaters, large cities, busy streets, concerts etc, we do feel a bit uncomfortable. To not feel safe is an attack on your most basic needs. The thing is: you can’t prepare. If you are in the wrong place at the wrong time… well…

In Hilversum, where we live, we have most of the media altogether in one part of the city: Media Park. It makes Hilversum vulnerable. In the last two years we had two times that we thought the time was there. However the ones that did it were not terrorists but confused men. (Just a quick question: why is a terrorist a muslim who threathens people and why is a white man that threathens people a confused man?). Nothing happened so far, but we don’t believe that ’they’ spare the Dutch and that means that it is waiting for something horrible to happen.

In the recent years there has not been an terrorist attack in South Africa. However they are also prepared for a possible attack, because you never know. However it is very unlikely that they pick a teeny tiny village like the one we are going to live in.

For us is being safe very valuable. Times when you can worry about smaller things like if an elephant broke your fence again or if you can drive through the riverbed without getting stuck. Not thoughts of being in the wrong place where someone wants to blow you up or drive you over with a truck.

Wiebe & Melanie

Het bericht Why leave? Reason #18: Threat of terrorism verscheen eerst op Xongile Lodge.

Every time (which is almost every day) they say: there are or aren’t Dutch people involved. Completely ignoring all the other victims like they don’t even matter. It has something to do with newsworth and because if Dutch are involved it brings the news closer to the (Dutch) public. That is clear.

What makes us so annoyed can be clearified with the following two examples.

Recently there was a terrorist attack in Barcelona. Which is shocking and awful news. You don’t want anybody to be involved. Unfortunately there were people hurt and some even died that horrible day. That is newsworthy because it is in Europe and we live in times where terrorist attacks are a hot topic. The first thing they say on the news: there are no Dutch people killed. There were 14 people from different nationalities killed and they are not mentioned until after they said that a Dutch girl was injured. This is a horrible and traumatic experience for this individual there is no question about it. They followed her, mentioned when she got back in the Netherlands safe and sound. That is great news, for her, but what about mentioning the deaths or the other 120 injured people? Is one Dutch girl more important than all the others who suffered that day? The news finished with: there were Belgiums involved. What? Like second best? We are highy irritated by this, because they make it seem like it is worse for the ones who are Dutch while others suffered more.

Another example is about the fact that some issues around the globe only get attention because a Dutch person was involved. A half year ago a Dutch farmer was murdered in South Africa. It was a horrible story and very tragic and of course it shouldn’t have happened. It is a big issue in South Africa where white farmers are murdered. You think that there is anything mentioned on the Dutch news? We mean, there is a connection between South Africa and the Netherlands, but no. The Dutch farmer was killed and they brought it like he was the very first. That there is a much bigger issue behind this single murder? Nobody cares. That are times that we feel like the Dutch (media) are ignoring the topics that are really newsworthy.

We think that everybody is equal and that an event shouldn’t get (more) attention because Dutch are involved. It feels wrong and it keeps us small. There is so much in the world going on and we can learn from it, but the media won’t let us. That’s where you can do your own research. However we can’t wait to live in South Africa and not hear all the time how great and important the Dutch apparently are.

Wiebe & Melanie

Het bericht Why leave? Reason #17: Are Dutch lives worth more? verscheen eerst op Xongile Lodge.

For some it is the ultimate goal in life. In the Netherlands (and many other countries) you get questions if you don’t have a partner, if you don’t have children, if you don’t have a good job, if you don’t have a pretty house. But what if you don’t want that? Is that possible to discuss?

Of course you can discuss any topic, but people are not always open for different ideas. For example: we think we don’t want to have children. In some people heads those words are turned, twisted and dipped into a imaginary lake of evil and they hear: we hate children. Wow.. that is really something different. How could you possibly make that out of our words?

Some call it selfish. But why? Isn’t it much more selfish to have children while you don’t want them just to paint the world a perfect picture? We have a goal in sight and we want to make the world a better place on an individual level in the middle of the bush. There are no peers, schools are far away, it is a potential dangerous place for (small) children and as parents we wouldn’t have all the time in the world for the child (which it deserves) because we are working on our bigger goal. Well who is selfish? Believe us we thought it through. If we want children in a later stage of course we can make it work, but the main question is still: do you feel the need to reproduce?

We are both way more excited about adoption. There are enough people on the earth in our opinion, but there are also alot of unfortuned children because of many different circumstances. We did research for the possibilities in both the Netherlands and South Africa. In the Netherlands Wiebe is ’too old’, it cost a fortune and you are treated like a criminal with all the tests, costs, research and documents. It is very good that there is research before people can adopt a child, but it is completely over the top. If you would like to reproduce again and again and again and you are a horrible parent you can just do your thing and nobody can make you stop. If you thought everything through and you want to offer a place, love and oppurtunities for a child that is in need and you have the finances… well then you have to go through the whole circus. Believe it or not, that wasn’t the biggest issue. An adoption procedure can take many years and in the fastest case we could get a child right before we would leave to South Africa, which can’t be good for a child. The other option was to adopt in South Africa, however you need to live there for five years, which we obviously don’t. Which was the end (for now) of the adoption story.

The reason is not that we go to South Africa because they think differently about suburbia, but we are not bound to the Netherlands because we have no children which gives us the opportunity to follow our dreams and go straight towards our goal.

Wiebe & Melanie

Het bericht Why leave? Reason #16: Don’t feel the need for suburbia verscheen eerst op Xongile Lodge.

South Africa got everything that is necessary for us to explore the world a bit more, but most of all ourselves. We want to grow and learn about ourselves, others and the world. The world has so much more to offer than the things we already know.

Some people want to know what is going to happen and they want to be prepared. We like the part of not knowing. The surprise of every new day with new experiences. We can’t wait.

Wiebe & Melanie

Het bericht Why leave? Reason #15: Adventure verscheen eerst op Xongile Lodge.

The complaining we refer to is the (stereo)typical complaining that the Dutch mastered. It sounds even a bit funny, but here comes our complaint: it is super annoying. When there are Dutch around there is always someone who complains about something. It is like nothing is ever good enough. Searching for a solution is a possiblity and we do that one out of ten times. The other nine times we just ‘like’ to complain.

Don’t they complain in South Africa? That is just a fantasy, however our neighbours will live pretty far away so we won’t hear them complaining. Plus it is very very hard to complain when you are living in one of the most beautiful places on earth. However there always will be that one (Dutch? ) guest who complains about a (beautiful!) large bug, a (amazing) hairy spider or a (magistic) loud lion ;).

There is someone who said:’maybe the Dutch complain so much, because they don’t have lifethreathing issues on a day to day basis and therefore they have the time to think about the details which expresses itself in complaining’. Well maybe that is true. We don’t have to worry about water, electricity, food and safety. We never stated that the Netherlands isn’t a good country, it is great, but the complaining is still annoying ;).

Wiebe & Melanie

Het bericht Why leave? Reason # 14: Complaining verscheen eerst op Xongile Lodge.

At least, that is what the lists, the goverment and ‘society’ tell you. To achieve those great results the Netherlands have to be always (and always) the best in class. No problem is to big for us and we can handle everything. It is important how others see us as a country and as individuals. We are so civilized, successful and still humble.

Of course there are super happy people in the Netherlands and there are enormous wealthy people. There are Dutch citizens who litteraly have everything and couldn’t wish for anything more. And some problems we handle pretty well.

However.

That does not count for everyone and for every problematic situation. Sometimes it is just right to admit you need help, ask for help and acknowlodge that there is an issue. Think about people who live below the poverty line, about terrorism threats, about long waitinglists in (mental) healthcare, about handeling the MH17 issue, about the refugees, about care for elderly people. For other countries we cover that up and make sure that they understand that we have everything under control and to prove that statement: we are the first in line to offer more money to Greece.

Are others countries, South Africa for instance, better? Of course not. Every country has their own issues. Some major, some minor. But it is the attitude and the will to show others how amazing we are that bugs us. Is it ’the’ reason to leave? No, but we won’t miss it for a second.

Wiebe & Melanie

Update:
This video shows exactly what we mean.

Het bericht Why leave? Reason #13 Political correctness verscheen eerst op Xongile Lodge.

There are people who think 20 degrees Celcius is perfect. We think it is still a bit chilly. There are people who think it is way to hot when the temperature goes up to 30 degrees Celcius and that’s when we feel completely comfortable.

There is not a right or wrong when it comes down to temperature, however we obviously prefer warmer days above cold and wet days. The South African climate and more specific the subtropical climate is perfect for us. To make it even better the humidity is different which makes warm days not as oppressive.

There are officially four seaons in South Africa, but it comes down to a summer and a winter time. The summer is the rainy season. It is hot (+/- 30 degrees Celcius) and it rains now and then. In the winter it is a bit colder (+/- 24 degrees Celcius), but it is dry, because it is the dry season.

Is this our main reason to go? No. If all the other reasons led us to say for example Finland we would have gone to Finland. Thankfully all the other reasons led us to a warm country. It is a very nice bonus in our opinion. Some people say well good weather will bore you at a certain point, we don’t believe that. Let’s talk in a couple of years and see if we got bored :).

Wiebe & Melanie

Het bericht Why leave? Reason #12: Climate verscheen eerst op Xongile Lodge.

Building a house in the Netherlands is also possible, but it is in most cases super expensive and if it is possible you shouldn’t mind that your neighbours are real close. In combination with all the other reasons it is for us a better idea to build our own house in South Africa.

Do we know what we want? Yes! We have multiple drawings and we even put it in an architectual program to make our ideas completely clear for ourselves. If we have the opportunity, we do it good. We want a spacious house with lots and lots of large windows. We want a livingroom with glass doors which you can open so the living room is connected to our deck. We can’t wait to have an actual kitchen (with cooking island!) and we both would love to have our own studies. Large (bed)rooms with an en suite bathroom and a nice view from the bed. This might sound a bit boring but Melanie is really missing a laudryroom. All the laudrystuff away from the bedroom, sounds great to us. Plus some storage space. We also want a main building with our reception, kitchen for the guests, dining area, library and gym. Downstairs we want a big deck and garden for our guests to enjoy with a pool and a bar. Upstairs the same idea as our own house with a small deck for a better view. (We are so glad that we don’t have any specific wishes ).

Our first idea was to buy vacant land to start with our dream project right away. However there are some difficulties like building overthere when we are still here in the Netherlands and the rules for our visa. We are now looking for a house that is ready to move in and start our lodge. In time we can make changes to make it our dream lodge or built our dream lodge while we live already there which makes it much easier.

Wiebe & Melanie

Het bericht Why leave? Reason #11: Our dream house verscheen eerst op Xongile Lodge.