THE WANDERLUST WITHIN • PATRICIABLACC
W
e all dream of being globe trotters – exploring the Big City Lights in the Big Apple, eating croissants under the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or even taking selfies outside the Big Ben in London … but very few of us dream of travelling and discovering the beauties within our own countries. Imagine if we all dedicated as much time and effort into travelling in and around our own countries as we did when planning an overseas trip. What would discovering the hidden gems within our nations do for our soul - from the day-to-day activities or even just exploring more of the night life? Given a chance to do so, I think we would come to the realisation of just how much there is to explore and uncover about the places we call home. Let us take South Africa as a prime example – my home. Nine provinces, title holder of two world wonders, known for its wine farms and vineyards and being one of the major economic hubs of Africa to name a few points. Each province holds a different story, a different culture and a different message waiting to be explored. Gauteng is known for its gold and tenacious nature, beaming with luxury and status. Kwa-Zulu Natal, nicknamed “the warmest place to be” and Home of the King Shaka, as well as the Zulu warriors, is better known for its hustle and bustle nature and world class entertainment. The Western Cape; what many describe as the European region of South Africa because of the colonial influences, is known for its aesthetically pleasing coffee shops, urban nature and who could forget the ever so beautiful wine farms & vineyards…… Now – let me take a moment to talk about these wine farms cause whew chile, I cannot get enough. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are home to the wine estates of many famous wine brands within the country; namely Rupert and Rothschild, Darling Cellars, La Motte and even Boschendal. Acres and acres of land stretch with vineyards looking out at the mountain views, greenery that stretches as far as you can travelessencemag.com
see and the bluest skies to marvel. With décor that radiates the truest luxury and wine tasting so good, you will want to bathe in it. I am on a personal mission to travel within my country, discover the hidden gems and document the beauty that lies within. And Ugh, how can I forget? You must be wondering who I am... I am a South African 22-year-old girl with a passion for travel, social media and people waiting to tell their stories. My content creating persona goes by the name of Patricia Blacc, but I was born Reneilwe Sebulela. I’m a self-proclaimed global citizen, having studied my fashion degree in Paris, France, living and working in New York City for a chunk of my post graduate years and travelled around Europe in search of the greatness that the world had to offer. Now residing in Cape Town, I am a firm believer that travelling is the best thing that money can buy. Learning different cultures and immersing myself in the perspectives of the world has allowed me to broaden my scope of thinking, helping me build a more globally conscious view on things.
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