‘If you had told me five years ago that I would spend close to a year traveling around South Africa in a 5m x 2m vintage camper van with my husband and our three kids, I would have laughed,’ says Cindy Alfino. ‘I wouldn’t have believed you.’
For someone who had never considered herself ‘adventurous’, the idea was pretty extreme: not only would the couple and their kids – Riya (10), Kyla (9) and Knox (7) – have to make do with just the basics, in a confined space, they would also be far from family and friends for an extended period. ‘I’m very family orientated,’ says Cindy. ‘Seeing my and Seth’s family is part of our weekly routine.’
Yet not only did Cindy enjoy the 10-month trip, it also shifted her perspective on how she wants to live and raise her family. ‘I’ve learned that I can survive without creature comforts – in fact, I discovered that many of these only add clutter to your life.’
IN A RUT
The idea to travel in a camper van had come to Cindy and Seth long before they actually hit the road. ‘It was mid-2017 and we were feeling restless about the way we were living,’ says Cindy. ‘We seemed preoccupied with all our “stuff”; we had become slaves to wanting more and more. We even noticed it in our kids. They would get gifts all the time, yet they’d constantly ask if they could have this or that. We hadn’t raised them to be ungrateful, but they just never seemed satisfied.’
Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av Fairlady.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av Fairlady.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'
Emily Nagoski wrote the book on women and desire - literally. And then her own sex life dried up. Here's what a prolonged sex drought (and a load of research) taught her about maintaining intimacy in a long-term relationship.
'We have to tell HARD STORIES'
Theatre director and playwright Yaël Farber is spending time in South Africa after her critically acclaimed run of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre in London. We chatted to her about the importance of the pursuit of truth.
THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe
We really got into it this month! Read on for more on the allure of a loosey-goosey jumpsuit, vintage-hunting and jingle-jangling jewellery, the best places to find quality African design and short-girl styling tips.
LIFT your GAME
Thought weightlifting was just for bodybuilders and powerlifters? Not so. In fact, 'lifting heavy shit' may be the secret to longevity, hormone regulation and mood for women through perimenopause and beyond.
TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS
Armed with a six-month programme from Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates, Jennifer Morin set about tackling her sun damage and melasma.
PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Here's how to get the most out of loyalty cards.
BIG SKY Country
Namibia. Twelve friends, five vehicles, 4000 km, thirteen days. Eight punctures, one angle grinder. One martial eagle, one full moon, one ghost town. Plenty of top-quality braais, maybe not quite enough oysters... and the best time ever.
IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?
Leaks, damp and poor ventilation in old or poorly built new homes are being fingered for a growing health concern: mould.
HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE
The Korean word 'nunchi' describes 'the ability to be sensitive to other people's moods and thoughts'. It's an underrated skill that we seem to have lost.
How to write a memoir
Whether you want to share your experiences and insights with the world, leave a legacy or track pivotal experiences for yourself, writing your memoir can be a grand and worthwhile adventure. Here's some advice on how and where to begin.
