And we are back in Gabs. We are tired, we are hungry, we smell funny and are at the embassy frantically trying to work out some details before the fiscal year ends in .... basically 45 minutes.
YIKES!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
In the last 48 hours we have...
Driven the southern coast of Africa in the beginning of the flower blooming season.
Seen Ostridges and two types of monkeys on the side of the road.
Seen whales up close.
Seen penguins up close.
Ate burritos at a Cuban themed restaurant with a huge picture of Castro looking down on us.
Got into session at the South African Parliament just in time to see the presidential election and the pseudo congratulatory speeches by the opposition parties. Again, that's we witnessed the election of the new South African president. Zuma watched the proceedings directly across from us. I waited in line in the women's bathroom with members of Parliament. Bathrooms... the great equalizer.
Walked around the southern most point of Africa / Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain.
Toured the heck out of some shanty-town-looking townships and felt safer there then we did the entire time in Johannesburg or Durban.
Spoken with anyone and everyone who would talk to us, trying to make sense of what we've seen.
And then tonight.... Dave Chapell was at the mall food court where we were eating dinner. Like 10 feet from us. He was just hanging around and struck up a conversation with an older Muslim guy. He would make a good FAO.
Tomorrow we begin the drive back to Gabs. I took notes and wrote blog entries I'll put in once we get back. What a trip this has been!
Seen Ostridges and two types of monkeys on the side of the road.
Seen whales up close.
Seen penguins up close.
Ate burritos at a Cuban themed restaurant with a huge picture of Castro looking down on us.
Got into session at the South African Parliament just in time to see the presidential election and the pseudo congratulatory speeches by the opposition parties. Again, that's we witnessed the election of the new South African president. Zuma watched the proceedings directly across from us. I waited in line in the women's bathroom with members of Parliament. Bathrooms... the great equalizer.
Walked around the southern most point of Africa / Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain.
Toured the heck out of some shanty-town-looking townships and felt safer there then we did the entire time in Johannesburg or Durban.
Spoken with anyone and everyone who would talk to us, trying to make sense of what we've seen.
And then tonight.... Dave Chapell was at the mall food court where we were eating dinner. Like 10 feet from us. He was just hanging around and struck up a conversation with an older Muslim guy. He would make a good FAO.
Tomorrow we begin the drive back to Gabs. I took notes and wrote blog entries I'll put in once we get back. What a trip this has been!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Go Cheetahs!
Hey Everyone,
Quick note from a News Cafe in Bloemfontein, SA. We made it up the Sani Pass (o...m...g) and the pics you see on the net only resemble the real thing in that they are on the other side of the same mountain and look doable. The real thing is insane y'all! The videos I took are going to be pretty funny in that you can hear me talking less and yet at a higher pitch with each successive vid. By the end I'm just laughing. Two things: First, Lance is a wonderful 4x4 driver, the Army taught him well. Second, our car is awesome!!!!! City roads and 3rd gear it doesn't like but drive it up a mountain and its happy.
So quickly before I hand the phone off to Lance, tonight we are staying in a JRR Tolkien (sp?) themed B&B. This was his hometown way back. We are staying in the Samwise's room for those who know the books. A big improvement from the place we stayed in last night in Lesotho - thin walls and no hot water. I'm getting pretty good at taking a "one pot shower" using water heated in the room tea kettles though so it was ok.
The other thing is we are watching a local rugby match on the cafe's tv between the local Cheetahs and Pretoria Blue Bulls. The game is taking place about 200 meters from us so we are hearing crowd noise in stereo! It's pretty amazing how we plan things out but the coolest experiences are usually one's that just fall into our laps.
OK, gotta let Lance use the computer. All the best to everyone.
Quick note from a News Cafe in Bloemfontein, SA. We made it up the Sani Pass (o...m...g) and the pics you see on the net only resemble the real thing in that they are on the other side of the same mountain and look doable. The real thing is insane y'all! The videos I took are going to be pretty funny in that you can hear me talking less and yet at a higher pitch with each successive vid. By the end I'm just laughing. Two things: First, Lance is a wonderful 4x4 driver, the Army taught him well. Second, our car is awesome!!!!! City roads and 3rd gear it doesn't like but drive it up a mountain and its happy.
So quickly before I hand the phone off to Lance, tonight we are staying in a JRR Tolkien (sp?) themed B&B. This was his hometown way back. We are staying in the Samwise's room for those who know the books. A big improvement from the place we stayed in last night in Lesotho - thin walls and no hot water. I'm getting pretty good at taking a "one pot shower" using water heated in the room tea kettles though so it was ok.
The other thing is we are watching a local rugby match on the cafe's tv between the local Cheetahs and Pretoria Blue Bulls. The game is taking place about 200 meters from us so we are hearing crowd noise in stereo! It's pretty amazing how we plan things out but the coolest experiences are usually one's that just fall into our laps.
OK, gotta let Lance use the computer. All the best to everyone.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
"Where we're going we don't need roads."
Hey Everyone,
We are in Durban tonight (crazy city, gorgeous suburbs). Tomorrow we see what the 4x4 can do and take the Sani Pass into Lesotho.
Lance is fine. I am fine. We are taking lots of pictures and enjoying the 8:1 dollar to rand. Wow the dinner we had tonight!
Gotta run. 7am departure time tomorrow morning.
: )
Kristin
We are in Durban tonight (crazy city, gorgeous suburbs). Tomorrow we see what the 4x4 can do and take the Sani Pass into Lesotho.
Lance is fine. I am fine. We are taking lots of pictures and enjoying the 8:1 dollar to rand. Wow the dinner we had tonight!
Gotta run. 7am departure time tomorrow morning.
: )
Kristin
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Scene from the road
We counted almost 20 guys in this truck. These folks are really committed to carpooling. For the record, this truck was going "bat outta heck" fast just like everyone else. At least most of the guys are wearing helmets.
Lance and Kristin represent American and don't bring up comics once!
Tuesday morning and after another quick walk around Sun City (as none of my night photos turned out very nice - must read the camera manual) and we were off to the South African economic capital of Pretoria. This is a very large city with traffic that would make a Dallas driver say, "Dang." Thank goodness for the Garmen gps unit. It, like the ice maker and dish washing machine, might have saved the marriage.
Our first stop was the obligatory/educational/depressing as hell Apartheid Museum. Which just happens to be across the street from an amusement park and you go in at the same gate. How weird is that and do you suppose people ever go to the wrong place on accident? "Hey this doesn't look like a farris wheel to me..."
What can I say about the museum? I can only speak for myself but was very moved by what a scary place Johannesburg and Pretoria must have been, for everyone involved frankly, in the 80s and 90s. America, we didn't have a clue. At least high school Lance and Kristin didn't have a clue. The country today is a miracle. There are still very significant issues of course. I won't get into the specifics because this ain't that kinda blog. Nothing more controversial than advocating machine sewn quilt bindings for this place. (I've just alienated half the quilt readers with that one.... come back!... I'll be blogging about a quilt show next!) Suffice to say that I am hopeful about the future of South Africa and look forward to learning more.
Nuff about that. Heavy. Heavy. Heavy.
So that night we stayed with a wonderful couple: Greg and Reagan (Hi Guys!) their three cool kids and two dogs. No we didn't steal either of their dogs and yes, we were tempted. Lance and I originally met them on our safari weekend. Much to our surprise they invited us to stay in their guest room and much to our delight they fed us! America, what we have been calling a BBQ all these years is called a "Brai" over hear in Sub-Sahara and it is all good. We asked them a million questions and tried to present ourselves as good representations of "American Adults" (will our parents please stop laughing now). The next moring it was breakfast and travel hints and we were on our way again.
Our first stop was the obligatory/educational/depressing as hell Apartheid Museum. Which just happens to be across the street from an amusement park and you go in at the same gate. How weird is that and do you suppose people ever go to the wrong place on accident? "Hey this doesn't look like a farris wheel to me..."
What can I say about the museum? I can only speak for myself but was very moved by what a scary place Johannesburg and Pretoria must have been, for everyone involved frankly, in the 80s and 90s. America, we didn't have a clue. At least high school Lance and Kristin didn't have a clue. The country today is a miracle. There are still very significant issues of course. I won't get into the specifics because this ain't that kinda blog. Nothing more controversial than advocating machine sewn quilt bindings for this place. (I've just alienated half the quilt readers with that one.... come back!... I'll be blogging about a quilt show next!) Suffice to say that I am hopeful about the future of South Africa and look forward to learning more.
Nuff about that. Heavy. Heavy. Heavy.
So that night we stayed with a wonderful couple: Greg and Reagan (Hi Guys!) their three cool kids and two dogs. No we didn't steal either of their dogs and yes, we were tempted. Lance and I originally met them on our safari weekend. Much to our surprise they invited us to stay in their guest room and much to our delight they fed us! America, what we have been calling a BBQ all these years is called a "Brai" over hear in Sub-Sahara and it is all good. We asked them a million questions and tried to present ourselves as good representations of "American Adults" (will our parents please stop laughing now). The next moring it was breakfast and travel hints and we were on our way again.
"Man, that's an ugly fountain."
Our first stop was an overnight stay in the Sun City resort area. Described in rather disparaging terms in our Lonely Planet guide as a cross between Las Vegas and Disneyland but gaudier we expected plenty of mock-worthy, over the top ridiculousness.
Actually it's kinda nice. We stayed in a nice hotel, enjoyed a romantic walk exploring the parks and other hotels that night and enjoyed a pleasant breakfast in the hotel restaurant the next morning.
Yes, there are giant elephants lining the walk to the main hotel
and sure, the restaurant had an inexplicable Mayan ruins theme. Did I forget to mention the giant elephants, leopards etc carved into the outside of one of the hotels which, oh yeah, also kinda looks like the side of a mountain?
I know I didn't mention the life sized recreation of the giant wooden gates from the original King Kong movie. And then there was the colosseum, the moat and the wave pool.
OK, maybe it is a little cheesy.
The fact that Lance and I enjoyed it either means 1) we have no taste or 2) we have been in places far cheesier than Sun City (Atlantic City... I'm looking in your general direction). It's probably a combination of the two.
Feast your eyes on the glory and the wonder which is Sun City, South Africa. A warning to any children in the audience: we saw and were obliged as the good students of the world to take a picture of The World's Ugliest Fountain. Don't say I didn't warn you
Actually it's kinda nice. We stayed in a nice hotel, enjoyed a romantic walk exploring the parks and other hotels that night and enjoyed a pleasant breakfast in the hotel restaurant the next morning.
Yes, there are giant elephants lining the walk to the main hotel
and sure, the restaurant had an inexplicable Mayan ruins theme. Did I forget to mention the giant elephants, leopards etc carved into the outside of one of the hotels which, oh yeah, also kinda looks like the side of a mountain?
I know I didn't mention the life sized recreation of the giant wooden gates from the original King Kong movie. And then there was the colosseum, the moat and the wave pool.
OK, maybe it is a little cheesy.
The fact that Lance and I enjoyed it either means 1) we have no taste or 2) we have been in places far cheesier than Sun City (Atlantic City... I'm looking in your general direction). It's probably a combination of the two.
Feast your eyes on the glory and the wonder which is Sun City, South Africa. A warning to any children in the audience: we saw and were obliged as the good students of the world to take a picture of The World's Ugliest Fountain. Don't say I didn't warn you
Monday, September 8, 2008
Zip Ties and Duct Tape
And they're off! We have begun our first country trip and will be traveling through South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland for the next 3 weeks. For all you would be robbers and pillagers out there, the house is still armed to the teeth and we lent all our valuables to friends so don't even think about it. I even took my favorite shoes so there is no point in breaking in. Short of a King Tut style curse the place is safe and secure. Maybe I should look into curses just in case. : )
So we left on Monday... eventually. We woke up on time, did our last minute town stuff on time and even left the city on time.... then 10 miles outside of town part of the car fell off.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you a "FAO LEARNING EXPERIENCE!" That's code for unfortunate event which teaches you a lot about the local culture or you gain some kind of medical or automotive knowledge. It's all good in ICT.
So we hit 120 km, hear a very loud *clang!* then the sound of metal dragging. We pull of the road (it's a very nice paved road too btw) and take a look. The metal undercarriage that protects the gas tank is hanging by the right side and there are no bolts in sight for the left. Lance and I are pretty relieved at this point because that sound could have been something soooooooooooo much worse. So under the car we go in our formerly nice clothing (more about that later) to see what's possible.
Long story short, there was wedging under found bolts, coaxing/banging with wrenches and a whole lot of plastic Zip Ties through anything we could see would connect the carriage to the car. Fingers crossed we set out again and have had no troubles since. Now the inclusion of a huge bag of Zip Ties in the trunk of the vehicle makes a lot more sense. I'm wondering how many others are hidden in it just barely holding the vehicle together...
There was a role of duct tape in there as well. That will come in handy for something I'm sure.
The adventure continues.
So we left on Monday... eventually. We woke up on time, did our last minute town stuff on time and even left the city on time.... then 10 miles outside of town part of the car fell off.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you a "FAO LEARNING EXPERIENCE!" That's code for unfortunate event which teaches you a lot about the local culture or you gain some kind of medical or automotive knowledge. It's all good in ICT.
So we hit 120 km, hear a very loud *clang!* then the sound of metal dragging. We pull of the road (it's a very nice paved road too btw) and take a look. The metal undercarriage that protects the gas tank is hanging by the right side and there are no bolts in sight for the left. Lance and I are pretty relieved at this point because that sound could have been something soooooooooooo much worse. So under the car we go in our formerly nice clothing (more about that later) to see what's possible.
Long story short, there was wedging under found bolts, coaxing/banging with wrenches and a whole lot of plastic Zip Ties through anything we could see would connect the carriage to the car. Fingers crossed we set out again and have had no troubles since. Now the inclusion of a huge bag of Zip Ties in the trunk of the vehicle makes a lot more sense. I'm wondering how many others are hidden in it just barely holding the vehicle together...
There was a role of duct tape in there as well. That will come in handy for something I'm sure.
The adventure continues.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
No, it's not a hotpad.
It's finally finished! A miracle in our lifetime. See what not having internet or television forces you to do? Next thing you know I'll be reading or something.
Roughly 7x9 inches. For the record this was done without pattern after I saw one on Sally Collin's website and said the infamous, "Gee that doesn't look too hard."
Many lessons learned. I'm using Sally's pattern for the next one. Shhhh. Don't tell Theresa I'm planning one for her as a wedding present. ; )
Return of the FAO
Yoda: Adventure. Heh! Excitement. Heh! A Jedi craves not these things...
Lance and Kristin: Good thing we aren't Jedi.
Lance and Kristin: Good thing we aren't Jedi.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Update from the News Cafe
Hi Everyone,
Quick update. We aren't dead, Botswana is still beautiful and we have the coolest friends on the planet. There was a surprise birthday party for me on Monday with homemade cake and ice cream (2 flavors!) and even presents. I was honestly clueless until the singing started, then I just blushed like crazy. Words fail me. I was so touched. Still am.
So other things going on: Lance's computer crashed (yikes!) but he is working with a tech guy online to recover data and fix it. We have a bit of FAO money to spend on furniture so have hit a few stores and made a wish list. The stained mattresses are sooooooo out of here. Happy dance time. A few slipcovers and office chairs and all will be well. I finally finished the miniature double wedding ring quilt... two shades of purple on cream... 10" x 7". Pic the next time we are at a wifi location. We expect internet sometime late September along with our household goods and consumables. Apparently everything was shipped by row boat, possibly with a one armed man at the oars. It will be here eventually but at this point I don't even miss anything. We've been living w/o it all for six months so no big deal anymore. Still, it will be nice to have.
Love to everyone back in the states. If you're living with one of our pets please give them a little nudge if they look too comfortable. I wouldn't want them getting spoiled. : ) Hugs. K.
Quick update. We aren't dead, Botswana is still beautiful and we have the coolest friends on the planet. There was a surprise birthday party for me on Monday with homemade cake and ice cream (2 flavors!) and even presents. I was honestly clueless until the singing started, then I just blushed like crazy. Words fail me. I was so touched. Still am.
So other things going on: Lance's computer crashed (yikes!) but he is working with a tech guy online to recover data and fix it. We have a bit of FAO money to spend on furniture so have hit a few stores and made a wish list. The stained mattresses are sooooooo out of here. Happy dance time. A few slipcovers and office chairs and all will be well. I finally finished the miniature double wedding ring quilt... two shades of purple on cream... 10" x 7". Pic the next time we are at a wifi location. We expect internet sometime late September along with our household goods and consumables. Apparently everything was shipped by row boat, possibly with a one armed man at the oars. It will be here eventually but at this point I don't even miss anything. We've been living w/o it all for six months so no big deal anymore. Still, it will be nice to have.
Love to everyone back in the states. If you're living with one of our pets please give them a little nudge if they look too comfortable. I wouldn't want them getting spoiled. : ) Hugs. K.
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