"Rural may be defined as a place that is distant from other places, but more importantly doesn't have a KFC"

That's one of the definitions our university uses to describe rural areas. I returned after 10 days in the bush to a freezing Johannesburg. It has been the coldest weather the city has experienced in years, and a stark contrast to the bush where I had been wearing short sleeves and shorts! I also came back sick, but nothing that my prophylactic antibiotics couldn't cure.

I guess that's one of the funniest things, taking a fieldtrip with a bunch of self medicating med students means you can pretty much be guaranteed to be treated for any minor (and relatively major) ailment.

Tintswalo Hospital is located in Mpumalanga in the Bohlabela district. It is reknown for it's capacity to deal with a large variety of medical conditions and with a bare minimum of resources. Although we didn't get to really work in hospital, the two days we spent in clinics and wards there were not only eye openers, but also uplifting. No wonder so many doctors actually request to do their community service here.

Sadly the nearest Woolworths is somewhat 200km away, and after three days in the bush I was ready to sell a vital organ for a milkshake.

On our trip we visited many clinics and patient homes - or tried to anyway. The roads are virtually non-existant in many parts of this area. So, here in JHB, we complain of potholes and not enough lanes on the highway, there people not only have to walk long distances (cause they are all so poor that they cannot afford cars) but also have to cope with the lack of roads.

I learnt about ecology, water treatment, malaria control, TB DOTS programmes and most importantly the human spirit. People with far less than I could ever imagine were not hesitant at all to invite you into their homes, and to offer you gifts such as fruit grown in their gardens (even though they wouldn't have a proper meal that evening then). Proper meal, what am I saying - most people cannot afford enough mealie meal for a month, never mind meat for a day.

I made my unprofessional debut on a local radio station - speaking about Hypertension; I overcame my greatest fears and held a "bobbejaan" spider and a scorpion in my bare hands; I put a burmese python around my neck (and have a picture to prove it); I saw wild dogs for the first time ever, and marvelled at the king cheetah.

BUT I also yearned for home, not merely for the comforts of having an en-suite bathroom, in fact, never mind that, just even a bath or a normal shower (the bush showers had large gaping windows for goodness sakes!), but also for family, friends and human contact. Most of all love and human contact. The years of migratory labour and unfaithfulness made sense and seeing as my one year anniversary is coming up, I was again reminded of how much it sucks to be alone. I have also, again  realised just how much Hammie means to me.

The moral of the story, be grateful for what you have but never stop aspiring to becoming a better person and to strive to make a difference not only in your own life, but those around you in your community.