Blogs from South Africa, Africa - page 676

The anticipation that I felt as I stepped off the bus in Capetown had been building up for the entire 22 hour journey. I was not planning for the same adventures of Zambia or Namibia, but rather some quality time with a dear friend that had returned to her home in South Africa. When Claudia hollered my name from her car opposite the bus depot, I skipped across the road-even with my 20 kilo pack on! Isn't it crazy how some situations can make you feel like a kid again? We took the scenic drive to the house and I couldn't help beamig from ear to ear. This is partly because I soon had an ice cream in hand as we walked around Camps Bay with the third princess on the trip, little Emily. I am ... read more

Sawbona! That is the traditional Zulu greeting, translating to, "I see you." Our amazing travel leader, Alina Nkosi-Mlotshwa speaks all 11 of South Africa's official languages, and has been teaching us a little here and there. It is hard to believe that we have been here one week, the days since Monday have flown by, and I am filled with substantial stories to share--better than lame tales of a long plane flight. We have spent the majority of our time this week in Gauteng (How-tang, with a Jewish-like h) Province. This is among the smaller of the nine provinces, but it has the highest GDP--home to gold mines! We began with a trip to the Cradle of Humankind, more specifically, the Sterkfontein Cave where the oldest fossils related to humans, Mr/Mrs Pleas and Little Foot have ... read more

Greetings from South Africa! The journey here was a long one, beginning with a theme of 2-hour waits--first a 2 hour wait to check in for our flight to JFK at National, followed by a 2 hour wait on the runway at JFK..."heavier than usual summer traffic," they said. Even the most patient among us became a little antsy by the time we actually took off, but the wait also alleviated most of my anxiety. All of the ladies on the trip keep telling me how touched they were that my Dad came to JFK just to say hello for five minutes. I think I talked to more of my loved ones in the hour before we took off than I had time to in the month before I left! That was a blessing. We were ... read more

Dear All, Quick Notes: Scott: I flew in that Thursday to Heathrow, dummy, and got there roughly an hour after everything started. But thank you for thinking of me anyway. Resh: Congratulations! :) Dad: I'll call soon. Thank you for sending a message though, and yes, this is where you post. Blue: I miss you too, kitty. I thought of you yesterday when I saw a stray cat outside our place. It meowed at me, and it sounded a little like you. Also, I've talked about you with some of my friends here who also have kitties they miss. *Hug* Anyway... It's been an amazing but challenging trip. I can't remember what I said last time, but if I'm repeating myself, it is only because the same thoughts have been overwhelming me since I've been here: ... read more

Geo: -25.7419, 28.1877Avoid this city at all costs!!! Unfortunately that is quite difficult to do considering all onward connections to Africa originate from here. I'm not sure how true its reputation as the most dangerous city in the world is. We didn't really venture into the city, scared by the rumors and the taxi fares. We spent most of our time in 'The Backpackers' Ritz,' a convenient place and probably the only place worth staying at in Jo'burg. The staff try to lighten the morbid atmosphere of the place but still there is nothing to do in the area apart from walk around extremely snobbish and expensive shopping malls. Johannesburg's speciality is its security systems. People seem scared even to leave their cars. They just stay in their barbed wire 'boxes' too scared to go any ... read more