Things are not always what they seem. Without intent, our Tales, mostly shown through photographs, do not tell the complete Tale. There is always a tale behind the Tale.

These are no smiles, just gritting teeth in experiencing pain on the longest day (22 kilometres) of the Jesus Trail, Israel.

Sojourning 2015 is not always what it seems. This Tale gives you a little background into what it is really like (disclaimer: this Tale is in no way a complaint or a regret for what we decided to put ourselves through, but rather, we hope this Tale brings you some laughter):

A hot shower is a luxury.

Mosquito catching/squashing is a nightly routine.

The most constant thing: the taste of Coca-Cola!

To sweat is an opportunity to get cool in the wind.

Breakfast cereal is mostly a rare find, especially in the Middle East.

“Where are you from?” is usually a daily question, to which we always proudly answer “South Africa!” This is usually followed by a chuckle and the question “why are you white?” (a great conversation follows…).

We have not slept more than three nights in the same place.

Learn to say “no”, due to budget constraints, to some of the most amazing coffees and pastries that seem to constantly stare at us in the face at every turn.

Fashion sense? What is that? Lisa’s attempt at trying to be conservative at Giza, Egypt.

Bus trips highlight our body joints.

Two daily constants: hunting for food and a place to sleep/set up our tent.

Travel fatigue – it really exists!

Such a phrase would often pass between us: “Spare Ribs from (place) would be really good right now”.

Our tent is the most comforting space (wild camping at Ephesus beach, Turkey).

A refrigerator…if only…

Pasta/rice is a staple diet (Joseph deciding which shape of pasta would taste better).

One sentence that sums it up: “It is hard, but we are loving it!”

These experiences have enabled us to:

Meet with and be inspired by other travellers.

Meet some incredible local people in varying cultures and enjoy their different cultures.

Be challenged in our thinking and own cultural norms.

Regularly see of some of the most amazing places.

On a more humorous side, this is one of our favourites – little did we know how much laughter a cheap pair of swimming goggles could provide:

Spot the difference!

Minions help us remember to be spontaneous, not worry what people think of us and to laugh at ourselves!

"“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." – Matthew 6:25-34 [Italics added]