Ignite My Soul

Chapter 4.1 - Cruising on the Wine River

Day 4 - Boppard

We depart the Netherlands to go to Germany. It's an exhausting 4hrs ride. The bus drops us off at the Rhine Valley in Boppard. We leave our luggage on the bus to be collected when we check into the Hotel later. Right now, it is time for an early afternoon boat cruise across the Rhine Gorge.

We climb aboard the Liebenstein and enjoy a cruise through the most beautiful concentrated stretch of castles. The cruise includes a light lunch and a wine tasting later. During the cruise, the conversation flows about the countries we have yet to explore.

Nkele and I are sitting by the window couch, catching up on life back at home. We realize we miss food from home. I promise that it takes travelling to realize how blessed we are as South Africans with regard to available food options.

Voice: "Hi"

It's a teenage girl travelling with her mother. The two of them make the count of darkies 10 in this group tour of 50+. She looks 14 years old.

Us: "Hello"

Voice: "My name is Kate. Would you please take a picture of my mom and me?"

Kate has a twang. You can tell she goes to a private school. She looks pretty with her nerdy thick glasses, and she's well mannered. The mother gives an impression of a rich business 'take no nonsense' type of woman. We've hardly interacted with them till now.

Me: "Cool, let's go."

Nkele: "Best you go, friend, because this is your thing."

Kate: "Thank you."

We walk to where her mother is sitting and I take her tablet and start taking pictures of them. I think they intended to get a picture or 2 of the two of them on the boat. I encourage them to take more, together and individually, around the boat. We can't waste a photo opportunity. I mean, we are here to create memories after all. We all ended up sitting and eating together while chatting at the table I had left Nkele.

The mother's name is Ntombi. Originally from Zimbabwe, living in Cape Town.

We get to the end of the cruise and start our 10-minute walk to a cute wine store for some local wine tasting. We are introduced to Paul, who is a bottle of Chardonnay I could drink up, flip upside down, stick my tongue in and keep sucking and swallow every last drop.

Flirt mode is on, and we follow Paul around the store. Stopping to admire his lips and blue eyes... I mean to listen to information about the different types of wines.

We get to taste 2 reds and 2 whites. All that time I wish I were sipping it from his mouth.

Nkele: "Focus Khwezi!!" (Whispers)

Me: "Mnxxxx" side-eye

By the time we leave the wine store, I am drunk in lust with Paul. I imagine how cute our babies will look and am disappointed to find out that his co-host is, in fact, his wife. That was the end of that fantasy.

We walk around for another hour, doing typical tourist activities including going to a Cuckoo clock shop and a historic Beer Stein (mug) shop. I won't bore you with those details, because I was bored during that period.

I spend that time thinking about why Khaya sent me a friend request and if I should accept it.

What if he sent it by mistake?

Does this mean he likes me, or is he just being friendly? He's probably just being nice because he looks cute with his girlfriend. They are, after all, 'couple goals' in the other group we have in common. Not the naughty one, of course.

Nope, his girlfriend is not part of that group.

She seems well put together and always posts about how lucky she is to have him in her life. He always comments on her posts, declaring his love and appreciation for her. So why is he befriending me?

Am I overthinking?

In my Zombie state, I bump into Peter, the mini Adonis from the family of 4. Remember them, sexy Pastor and Gorgeous doctor's 17-year-old son.

I excuse myself before I act a fool and follow Nkele and Bella into a little cosy restaurant to have dinner.

After eating, we go to the Hotel for a late check in. We grab our luggage, room key, the Wi-Fi password and head to our room.

We get settled, but we don't need to unpack much because tomorrow, we are moving on to the next City.

Luckily, my battery is still at 50%, but I can't seem to catch the network.

Me: "Nkele, are you connected to the internet?" She shakes her head.

Me: "Let's go to the reception. Maybe the password has expired or something."

Nkele: "Cool."

We walk to the lift, get in and get off on the ground floor. As we approach the reception desk, our phones start pinging. Notifications are streaming in. We figure the connection is stronger down here. We turn around and find 8 more people huddled around the reception couches, noses buried in their phones. We join the congregation and catch up with family and friends back home.

My battery life is now 5%, so I decide to accept Khaya's friend request. Like, what's the worst that could happen? Maybe trip and fall in love? Puuuleeez!

'You would probably get a blackout from your excitement', answers my phone as it switches itself off.

I stand up, stretching my body.

It's been a long ass day.

It's time for some shut-eye.

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