ABOUT ME

... and that's me, Gina Gericke.

Born and raised in a family of artists in Berlin and now working professionally in Hamburg for almost 15 years.

Over ten years ago, my wanderlust took me to South Africa for the first time and over the years this fantastic country has become my second home.

When I sat on the plane to Johannesburg for the first time, I had great concerns and an uneasy feeling in my stomach. What will it be like with the crime? Will I be able to move around freely? Are all the horror stories about robberies true? Are the people friendly? The nature is undeniably great, but what about the rest?

All these thoughts kept me busy on my flight and made my stomach ache, four weeks from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, what was I letting myself in for?

I can tell you, my courage was rewarded...

I would have loved to have had someone who knew South Africa inside out and could answer my questions and concerns from the outset.

They turned out to be completely unfounded.

I had travelled the world from an early age and got to know many different cultures, but no country welcomed me the way South Africa did.

I had finally arrived and felt like I belonged, this way of life was exactly what I wanted, I felt understood and accepted just as I am.

The people are tolerant and interested, open their hearts and provide insights into their everyday lives, which, despite the sometimes difficult circumstances, are always accompanied by a zest for life that is unrivalled.

They truly know how to live in the moment and take things as they come. True to the motto: "no worries, we make a plan"

To this day, I can say with full conviction:

South Africa, the place my soul calls home.