A Brief Travel Letter

/ People Life Politics And Bullshit / 4 Comments

Walking the Portuguese Camino last autumn was a remarkable adventure with many beautiful, unexpected encounters. It’s incredible how the journey introduced me to a diverse array of people – some fleeting, others like Michal Haaks, who has become a cherished connection. Together, we ( and a couple of other gorgeous people) traversed through sweaty, challenging moments and also shared some uplifting, magical experiences. Since then, Michal and I have kept in touch, a testament to the unique connections formed on that pilgrimage walk. 

However, life goes on and now Michal has embarked on a new chapter in Africa. So I seized the opportunity to ask her to pen a brief travel letter for my blog.

This is one of Michael’s current favorite songs. Enjoy listening to it as you read her travel letter. She mentioned that many people here are into South African music when I asked her about her current playlist.
  • Name: Michal Haaks
  • Age: 26
  • Education: M.A. Political Science
  • Hobbies: Running (e.g. with my group), reading, being informed about politics, socializing by meeting in Cafés
  • Vision for its own future: Working in the NGO world. I see myself giving something back to people and helping others.
  • Vision for the future of humanity: I wish our world would be less violent and humans would listen more to each other. 

This is how she describes her journey in a country I did not know much about: 


I’ve been staying in Manzini, Eswatini since January of this year. Many people haven’t heard of this country, partly because it was renamed a few years ago from Swaziland, and also because it is a small nation nestled between South Africa and Mozambique. About half of the population, which stands at 1.2 million, lives below the poverty line.

I’m working with Caritas Eswatini, an NGO affiliated with the Catholic Church. Currently, I’m involved with the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO) and I visit a boarding school for children with disabilities twice a week. 

Recently, we completed a project at a refugee camp, funded by the Church, where we provided rice packages for approximately 400 refugees, mainly from Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, and Somalia. Many have been there for over a decade without legal permits or status. Hearing their stories firsthand is heart-wrenching – stories of why they fled their countries and the challenges they face today. It’s difficult to articulate the emotions stirred when someone shares that their life is still at risk, even in a refugee camp. They are still being pursued by their home countries’ governments. What can you possibly say to that? I decided to initiate a personal project to provide refugees with basic hygiene products like soap, as most of them lack access to it, posing risks of further illnesses. While it may seem small, I hope it makes a difference in their lives, albeit minor.

I’ve also had the chance to explore Eswatini’s breathtaking landscapes. The country’s mountainous terrain offers stunning vistas almost everywhere you go. Bulembu, a village in the northern part, stands out as a serene and beautiful spot, a contrast to the bustling life in Manzini, the largest city with just over 100,000 residents.

In my free time, I’ve discovered a cozy café where I occasionally indulge in an iced coffee. I also joined a running group that hits the road at 4 am to beat the heat. We even traveled to Nelspruit, South Africa, for a half marathon, which was an amazing experience. Running with this group brings me immense joy and sets a positive tone for the day.

Overall, living here has been an incredible experience. It’s hard to pinpoint the biggest difference from life in the Western world. There are certainly significant differences, but I’m careful not to label them as better or worse. One noticeable aspect is the straightforwardness of most people – they tend to speak their minds without holding back.

Life may be slower-paced at times, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in a different culture and lifestyle.

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