Waiting in Joburg

---

From Rush - We had a long plane trip here, but we had a good conversation with a friend who lives here in Africa. He told us about a creature called the Tokoloshi who takes people who are asleep that don't have bricks under their bed to make the bed higher. They are just like gremlins even if you lock your door they still can get in. The people who have seen them have been lost. So we will ask if there are bricks under the bed at the photo safari hotel. The hotel we are staying in right now is awesome. The ant lions that are in the cone shapped sand holes are bigger than your thumb nail! Thats all I have to say. BYE !!!!

From Matt - We are laying over in Joburg and leave for Kruger tomorrow morning. The animal Rush mentioned above is related to the snipe. It is used to keep young kids in line in South Africa. Our new friend presented this so well that Rush swallowed it whole! Will be fun to see how long it takes for him to figure it out!
Madagascar was absolutely a blast. Assanys family catered to all our needs and had us scheduled from early morn to late evening. Every meal we shared with them at one of their homes was worthy of a photo and was always more than we could have eaten at several sittings. Rice is the center of every meal, even breakfast. The first time I was served the bowl of rice I thought it was enough for the whole table and then I realized that each of us had a bowl that big! Gayle and I eat a lot of rice but what they served each individual would last Gayle and I two meals.
Antananarivo is the capital and up in the mountains. It was not till we were on our last day that we discovered the old french part. Our hotel the last night there was a classic old french building on a narrow brick cobbled road right next to the Presidents Palace. The area around there is the colonial part of town and really gives the city its character. Wish we had several more days to wander that area just for the architecture and the gardens. Forget the modern hotels and the new part of town. Head to the colonial area and explore. Our last meal there was at a French restaurant and was the finest restaurant meal of our entire time on the island. Gonna try to play catchup with some photos tonite. Hope to be able to add entries while we are at Kruger but won't know till we get there.

---

Photos

Vance and "Papa"
Vance is helping Papa with his tie just before the commencement

Nazir Assany and his wife Swalia
At commencement

Comments

[Bonnie & Clyde]

Wow!
We can't wait to see more pictures! Ya'll have fun and be careful over there. We love your stories and hope to hear more of your travels soon.

[don]

atta boys
you guys are simply fabulous. You're having the time of your life, and sharing with us. Rush, you will likely never, never have experiences you're having now. Take it all in---

[keely]

I was beginning to wonder about you guys. Glad you are fine and still having fun. Can't wait to see the photos.

[Greg]

Tokoloshe
Not true about the snipe. The Tokoloshe is part of African folklore. "In Zulu mythology, Tikoloshe, Tokoloshe or Hili (from the Xhosa word utyreeci ukujamaal) is a dwarf-like water sprite. They have only one arm and one leg, the face of an old man on a boy's body. They are considered a mischievous and evil spirit. They can become invisible by swallowing a pebble."..."This creature causes the Black people in certain places to raise their beds on bricks with one brick laid on top of the other one, about 3 feet above the ground. And you find this all over South Africa. The reason for raising the bed comes from the Tikoloshes long penis. It is said that the Tikoloshe will extend it's penis and rape men and women in bed." You still find headline stories in our Tabloid newspaper, The Sun, which read. "Tokoloshe stole my baby!". Belief in witchcraft is widespread, especially in the Limpopo Province. There are villages there constituted almost completely of outcasts - women mostly - who have been banished from their villages because they are believed to be "witches". From time to time "witches" get burned for supposedly casting spells on neighbours. A modern day Salem. Very strange. Cheers, Greg

[Christy]

Enjoy the show!
Heard Nana's tired but excited voice last night. Can't wait to pick her up and then pick her brain for every detail she can verbalize. Your safari adventure that is ahead of you is one I truly envy. Take in every bit of the show, Boys.... and then come here and SHARE!!!! Sis

[Mariana]

Miss being with you!!
Loved the window of time we were together in Madagascar! I have CD's copied that I'll send with Willie as she meets you at DFW. I did not edit out the blurry ones, etc....so you'll need to do that on your own. It was good to look at the pics and remember the good stories! Willie and Jett are probably at the house as I write. Will go home and get some Jett huggin'.......then we'll go eat wherever he wants to eat! Can't wait to see the little toot!!! Keep on writing when you can. I know now how difficult it is to find a internet place, to write on the French keyboard, and to get a good night's sleep! So, go to sleep......and write later! See you soon! Nana