DAY 1 - THE ARRIVAL

“You’re up Marelize!”

Marelize’s first instinct was to wave her hands as a way of protesting. She has never been someone for the limelight – which in this case would rather be the glow of the campfire. But she somehow sealed her own fate by suggesting the topic.

“Let’s talk about our scars,” she said earlier. It was meant as a conversation-starter, just something to break the uncomfortable pauses between people meeting for the first time.

The group of backpackers were all making themselves comfortable around the small campfire. Their first night would be spent at the historical Schoemansdal “veldskool”. This is a place that, throughout the years, has introduced hundreds of thousands of young people to the wonders and beauty of nature.

Marelize is part of a group of eleven adventurers. They were just too eager to explore the new hiking routes introduced in the western part of the Soutpansberg. Earlier the day they met in Louis Trichardt where their guide bundled them into a small bus and then struggled to find space for their backpacks. Half an hour later he dropped them off at the entrance to the veldskool, with straight-forward instructions: Follow the road up until you reach the offices.

The kilometre or so of tar road up to the offices may look innocuous, but it also serves as an introduction for what awaits. Marelize has also heard very unflattering comments made about this piece of road from her cycling friends. The third stage of the gruelling Kremetart cycling race ends at Schoemansdal, but before the cyclists can relax they need to chase up this steep section. After having already finished 140km of cycling, few cyclists enjoy another kilometre of climbing.

While enjoying a quick lunch at the mess hall, Marelize had her first opportunity to meet her fellow travellers. She was never really good with names, but this group of people seem especially diverse and interesting. If ever there was a “rainbow” group, this would surely be it.

The most boisterous of the lot is a man called Adrian. His long and slightly unkept beard gives him the appearance of a seasoned traveller. She almost felt like greeting him with a “Dr Livingstone, I presume,” when she first saw him, but held back on her comments. Looks can be deceiving, she thought.

On the opposite side of the spectrum was the tiny Shabnim. When she first spotted her in town she thought it was someone’s daughter, simply there to wish her mom good luck on the trip. Some group members joked that her backpack must weigh twice what she does, but she quickly showed that she’s not going to lag behind. Beneath the fragile appearance there was an inner strength and determination. You’re not going to mess with this gal!

“Hoe gaat het?” was the first she heard from Gerard. He wasted no time telling her that he’s Dutch, but currently stays in Belgium. He retired from the university where he was teaching a year ago and now spends his time travelling the world.

And then there was Rovha, the soft-spoken dentist with the smiling eyes. Nothing in the world can upset this man, Marelize thought. He looks like he belongs in a boardroom, always wearing a jacket and tie, but he is just as comfortable strolling up a steep mountain track.

But now it was time for Marelize to tell her story. Her ten fellow-travellers, along with their guide, were eagerly waiting. She, like her companions, will have to reveal how life had managed to scar them.

Click here to read Marelize's story