Highly recommended read

[Lourens]

Folks,

I recently bought a new book titled "Should I stay or Should I Go"  edited by Tim Richman and published by Two Dogs Publishing house.  The book is a collection of essays of people of different persuasions and differing opinions, some pro, some against.  In all my research and reading, this is by far the best yet.  Have lost some sleep over some of the essays.  I have not changed my mind about leaving and going to NZ, but I do believe, that emotionally, I'll be a touch better prepared than I was a week ago.  The essay by Liz Butler, a Kiwi that lived in ZA for many years and returned was particularly insightful.  It is also well written as one would expect of a former Fair Lady editor.

Highly recommended.

One step closer...

Lourens

[SaKiwiBoer]

Hi Lourens, is it possible to get us the ISBN nr for that one?? Please  , pretty please... ?
    Thanx, SAKB

[Savayla]

I read a similar book a few years ago, and it was basically stories from NZ, AUS, Canada and the UK, and it did not have much to say except that weather was ***, this was bad, that was nuts, etc etc.  I took it with a pinch of salt. 

To me, the most important thing to think about, which you do not need a book for, is Will my family be safe living here and have good opportunities. 

Not, how is the weather there ?  Well, it can be just as wonderful as in SA, and just as *** as in SA.  But, I can sleep with my doors open, the DVD's are in their boxes where we live because there is honesty, and honesty is expected, and we have such freedom.  I won't even weigh up the odds between freedom and peace of mind and weather or money.  If you do, well ...... 

[Rockhopper]

There you go...

ISBN: 9781920137304

[Nolan]

You can get the book on Kalahari HERE

[SaKiwiBoer]

Thanx Guys.
Cheers, SAKB.

[Chan in Wellington]

I am very worried about the weather in NZ, but like I said in another post on this forum, I will trade the sun on my back/gun to my head for rain and safety.  I survived the Canadian winter, so I'm sure we'll survive the NZ ones too!!

[MJ]

Hi Chan
we are from Durban too and the weather here is not that bad!! 

[Chan in Wellington]

Great, very very happy to hear that MJ, but I won't let the worry of weather put me off leaving SA.

[Jannee]

We also lived in Durban. 

When we were planning on leaving, soooo many folks said to us "why do you want to go live in a miserable cold and wet place??"

Well, we really have no complaints about the weather.  We have had wonderful sunny and warm summers and the winters although cold have been quite bearable.  Yes, it does rain, but then I can remember it raining for days and days in Durban week after week!

Here the seasons are quite distinct the different, but I really enjoy that.  After Durban's high humidity and yes the mild winters were a treat - I like the fact that each season is special in its way. 

It is lovely to feel the slight warmth in the air when it is spring and all the trees turning green and all the blossoms (especially love the babies in the paddocks at this time - the little lambs and calves are just so cute).

Then summer with the sunny skies and long evenings warm evenings.  And believe me you can burn in the summer sun after just a short while.

Then the autumn with all its colours of yellow, gold and rust and the crunch-crunch of the leaves under your feet as your walk.

Then yes, cold jack frost winter with the early dark evenings.  But hey a good time for chilling, reading, DVD's and and excuse to watch TV in bed.

I was worried about the weather too, but promise you, where we live, we have no complaints.  And it beats that dreadful sticky horrible Durban humidity any day!

[Lourens]

Hi Savayla,

This book didn't focus on specifics about the weather or the driving or any of that 'technical' stuff that really only matter as an aside.  Rather, the different authors tell you their life stories from their perspective (and some very personal) some for staying, other adamant that one should leave. 

I found comfort in reading both sides.  This journey we've embarked on (oh, yes, your journey starts the day you ask THE Question) is quite a lonely one for us.  I am constantly amazed at the rawness of the emotion and angst I have experienced - not as tough as I thought after all!  Having followed many people's trials and tribulations over the last few months on this site, perhaps most of us feel rather alone and vulnerable in this adventure of a lifetime.

The book offers well considered opinions and experiences of very real people that helps to dispell the cognitive dissonance that creeps up on you as you approach D Day (as in departure day).

Have a safe day

Lourens

PS - somebody please tell the author I should get some promo fee...

PPS - SAKiwiboer - I see others have provided ISBN number and more.  Do yourself a favour, its a good read for the soul - without trying to get you to change your mind or doubt yourself.  Its not a chickensoup type book though.

[Savayla]

thanks Lourens.  That other book I read was just plain daft.  It was basically why you should not go and live in other countries because SA was so great.  Made no sense to me.  I know that SA is great.  Just not great enough. 

I have always wanted to live in New Zealand.  I absolutely love where I am living now .  I mention to hubby everyday how I love it here.  Yet, feelings do creep up on one unexpectedly.  Driving yesterday, a thought popped into my mind, and  I never even asked it to     "Do I really want to live in a country where I am so different ? "  We had just been to pick up a fish tank for my daughters bug collection, the people were so friendly, so helpful, called us mates, etc.  Yet, they were not us.  There was a difference. 

So I know where you are coming from with that book. 

[Rockhopper]

Yes Lourens I would love to get hold of this book - will see if I can get it through Kalahari as I already inquired at Whitcoulls and Borders  and both responded less enthusiastically about getting the book for me... 

It sounds like something I would love to read - the emotional part of the journey(s) from different perspectives.

Even being here for 10 months, and knowing I would never leave - when I watch some of the scenes at the soccer and see the clear crisp African skies - my heart pulls me back to the motherland...  I think on an emotional level it is actually more missing the family than anything else 

I could write volumes about the emotional part myself 

[Savayla]

Yes Lourens I would love to get hold of this book - will see if I can get it through Kalahari as I already inquired at Whitcoulls and Borders  and both responded less enthusiastically about getting the book for me... 

I am less enthusiastic about Whitcoulls.  I ordered a book from them , which I could have got cheaper elsewhere but they had could get it here in less time.  It did not come.  I sent an email.  No response.  I waited.  Still not book. I sent another email.  No response at all.  What I didn't know is that our postie was holding our mail.  But, this they probably found out and did not bother with a curtious email back. 

I always buy my books on www.bookdepository.co.uk  They are like amazon, but they have free shipping.  Excellent service too.  Shipping is 21 days . 

[Chan in Wellington]

We are prepared to swap the nice SA weather for no crime