I always considered myself a lover of silence. The silence that lets you forget everything — when, just for a moment, you feel like the world exists only for you. The silence of a calm morning, just before the daily commuters awake. The silence of night when the last lashes flutter closed. I was yearning for these small moments of tranquility in between the chaos.
Yet, I have always found myself in the loudest of places. Waking up downtown in bustling cities, dancing the night away in crowded bars and reminiscing in packed subway stations. Noise is captivating, exhilarating, sometimes a much-needed distraction. But silence is a moment of hope, a moment of soul-quenching opportunity. Silence is everywhere; you just need to know where to look for it.
In my search for silence, I have travelled to South Africa’s Drakensberg Mountains. Lush greens and blues as far as the eyes can reach. Places so untouched you feel like a pioneer. And you might as well be, the cradle of humankind just in reach. The skyline is dominated by towering basalt peaks, some of which rise over 3,000 metres. These ancient mountains carved with deep valleys and rugged cliffs are rich with history. Thousands of rock paintings by bushmen, who lived in the region for over 4,000 years, tell the story of life, the simple every day. A window into the past, when silence was all around.
Much like them I started my journey through the mountain range on horse. Riding through rough terrain, the sound of hooves underscoring the stillness, what I was looking for seemed just in reach. The horse set the slow but steady rhythm, the soothing cadence a backdrop for my thoughts.
Navigating endless grasslands, crossing crisp river streams and following stone pathways, I started to feel the silence wrap itself around me like a blanket. Only occasionally punctuated by the chirping of birds and rustling of leaves in the distance. Noticing the small moments in between felt comforting. Ancient forests, where the leaves above filtered sunlight into mosaics of greens and golds. Crystal-clear mountain streams, where the water felt icy cold and pure. These moments felt timeless. Meaningful. Silent.
Just before dusk we made it to a small village, deep in the Drakensberg Mountains. A world that felt untouched by modern society, a world that felt used to the silence I sought. My worries disintegrated on the journey to this place. A detox not only digital but all-consuming.
As I made my way back, I noticed how soft and warm the air was, filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers. I realised that silence is not just the absence of noise but a presence in itself. A place for clarity and connection. The Drakensberg Mountains are a place of untouched beauty and profound silence. I might still find myself in the loudest of places, but silence is all around, if I only remember to listen.