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Published: December 28th 2005
Hi all!
Well, we've been having a fabulous time here in joburg, despite the razor wire and ak47s. We have had the most marvelous christmas with pauls family, countless family dinners, bbq (braai)s, lunches, breakfasts, golf, even the eventful trip to the mall was pleasant. I do like joburg, but for the people. Today we visited a friend of Mary-Anne's (pauls step aunt i think) who lives in a gated community. It has a lake in the middle and ducks and wild life, there is no razor wire or electric fences. Half the people don't even lock their doors. I think that if I were to live in joburg I'd like to live in a place like that.
We were going to leave for mozambique tomorrow, but we have been offered a ride with a friend of a friend to maputo and we're not sure when he is going to leave, but we figure it will be soon after the new year. So, its a little up in the air right now, which is fine by us, because we can party hard with Ryan (paulo's cousin) here in Joburg. We'll start relaxing again once we make it to Maputo and
the beach.
Yesterday we went to a bird sactuary to watch a bird show, the birds were just huge! I've got some good pictures so hopefully I can get some online soon.
The other tidbit of info is that the tent is almost kaput. I patched it up, not a problem, but we started looking at the aluminum poles and the 2 cross beam poles are cracked pretty badly. We've got some temporary solutions.....little tubes to keep it from breaking further.. duct tape.... even looked into purchasing a new pole or two, or a new section b/c really it is only one section of each pole that is cracked with no luck. The store we figure will have what we need is closed until the new year (weird huh?) and the other stores don't have the curved pole part that we need. so, currently we are wondering if we should buy a new tent at R$3,000-4,000 or make due and throw this one out if it dies completely, just use my mozzie net for the top while sleeping under the stars. or something. we're in a little bit of trouble at the moment. But never fear, we will
christmas
only one missing is colleenpersever.
anyway, I just thought I'd keep you all updated on the goings on, please know that Joburg is like any large city , dangerous unless you take the nesscary precautions. The lovely people I am staying with certainly do take the precautions and have much more "street smarts " than I do. We are having a lovely time, and someone even convinced me (after a few g&t's) to play the little Bb clarinet. though I made a bit of a fool of myself, I wanted to play a bit longer because it made me think of christmas with my family, who I miss much more than I want to admit.
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Mark
non-member comment
Missyabigbig
It's wonderful to hear you're in good company. The tent poles sometimes need a wooden brace prior to duct tape; sort of like securing a broken bone in position. If it's the bent part, try a boomerang or something equally usefull. Love to all the fine folks who're helping you out and tell them I know you can play the clarinet cuz I've witnessed it. Yer even an impressive jamming partner! Miss you big big time. Be safe. Dad