Sometimes as a youngster you wish you could go back in time, to see how things were before now. The series West World gave most young adults that sense of satisfaction. But if you ever find yourself in the small museum town of Pilgrim's Rest, in Mpumalanga South Africa, you will have that satisfaction again and maybe even better. As you will find yourself in a real-life historically accurate town with some strange sightings.
In this virtual journey post, I will take you through the streets of this very small museum town and its weird sightings. The first one is called "The Robber's Grave", and the second is a preserved old telephone switchboard. It will feel like you are on the set of West World! So please join me as I walk through the town and muse about the sad truth of South Africa: poverty and the troubles of keeping the past alive.
The Robber's Grave
There is a strange grave in the town's old cemetery. It is called "The Robber's Grave" and few know what happened here. There are so many legends surrounding this grave. All of the graves face downwards, that is, downwards in relation to the slope. The robber's grave faces sideways.
There is dead silence as you stand on the hill looking at all the graves.
Legend has it that two brother's fought in a local pub and one accidentally killed the other. The one killed was a robber and his grave was made to stand out by facing the wrong side. Apparently, the brother was buried next to him without any gravestone, but that is just as scary if you think about it.
I do not like graveyards and ones with scary stories like this make me want to get out as soon as possible. Even scarier is the small graves of children. Obviously, this is very sad, but it is also very scary. Due to growth of the trees, some of the graves have been disturbed, so we did not get close to them!
Above you can see all the graves facing down the slope. See if you can spot the robber's grave!
On our way out, we met a new friend. He was not very impressed that we visited the graves. Or maybe he wanted us to keep the gates open so that he could get some of the greener grass.
An Old Post Office with an Old Telephone Switchboard
As you walk through the town, you will end up at an old post office building.
As you walk up towards the building, you start to see all the old things some people grew up with in the olden days. For us youth, these things do not make much sense, but I am sure there are those who will understand most of what will follow.
The translation is in Afrikaans, so this is a relatively new addition. Inside, you will see there is still old Dutch and not Afrikaans!
A big red and old post box/letter box, one you can buy stamps from! I have never seen one. All the ones in my town is new and updated, but letters are also very old tech and in South Africa, letters do not even get delivered. The South African Post Services have seen better days.
Alas, how romantic is writing and receiving a letter still?
And how awesome is it to throw your letter in that post box? I want to say the good old days, but I was not part of that era. It feels like an old movie when I think back. Our young generation will not understand the old ways of being.
Above you can see the Dutch and not Afrikaans. How old is this? I have no idea! But Afrikaans and Dutch have an interesting history in this country.
It looks like people just left it like this, as if there was something happening and they just left everything as is. I think this is the only surviving old switchboard room in South Africa and it is in such good condition. I know of the stories my parents told us about people listening in on conversations. It feels surreal to think back to a time before our current way of living.
And this old dinosaur. Even with the old South African emblem.
Walking the Streets of the Museum Town
Much of the town is preserved and it feels so weird to walk through the streets. It really reminded me of West World. But rather than people with old-styled clothing walking the streets, you find the poor and homeless people selling nuts. It is rather surreal and just shows the poverty of the country. The only thing keeping this town preserved is the "feet" of travelers going through and those who want to see the town. If the "feet"/people dry up and do not show, the town will fall victim to decay as so many others have.
The old stalls, I presume, still line the street. Imagine hearing a horse in there!
Walking past the old hotel, a very important notice should not go unnoticed!
And thus we saw the old church! I do not think it is the one mentioned in the above notice, but it is still a nice-looking building with an old bell.
As with most of these towns, you can walk into the shops to find so many old things from the past. It is truly stunning that so many "old things" still remain.
Some of the stores are still in the same condition. You can do a whole tour in which they take you through the stores.
Alas, All the Old Must Come to an End
Nothing lasts forever and it is sad that things of old die out. I am always reminded of the fact that today's tools will become tomorrow's tools. That is, the steel of our tools will be melted to make new ones. Nothing remains really. But this old town is still in a pretty good shape if you want to go back in time. But the stark contrast between the visitors who want to see "the old world" and the people affected by the "old world" who sells nuts to you to buy food for their family is something to think about. Also, as soon as there are not enough travelers coming through the town, the town will meet the same fate as so many others. It is sad but a reality.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this little trip through a strange town with me! All of the photographs are my own, taken with my iPhone. All of the musings are my own. For now, safe travels!