THANK-YOU Matt, a quick note for you, my friend Vicki Bowen just loved your blog. She said she could hardly wait to get to the next blog. My cousin Mac and my Aunt Frankie loved every word. Mac said the love story from Vance, the trip through Rush's eyes, and he's so literate, but you in particular reminded them so much of Paul (P.D.) her brother (Aunt Frankie's middle). He is of the 60's, a Viet Nam vet (then came home and protested)not in the usual way the protesters did, but in his own private way. You have the same love for the earth, animals, etc. through your eyes. That's what I mean about the capital THANK -YOU. Your extra work is most appreciated by us and our friends and families. We love you bunches toooooooo. Granny.
Fabulous Trip! Great idea! I have really enjoyed following you all on your trip. What a great idea to have a "real-time" blog! You made it possible for us to 'almost' be right there with you! Now you've peaked my interest in S. Africa and Madagascar. Rush sounds like he was a real trooper for one so young! He must have gotten that 'travelin' gene'!
Thanks for sharing! Sandy
thanks Thanks guys, you made your travels real for us. What and experience. Rush will not appreciate all that he has seen and done, but it's there for him to call on. We want more in BG.
Proud to be yo mama!!! I have loved every word and every picture. It took lots of time and effort on your part and I, for one, am very glad you did it. I have forwarded it to several friends and they have enjoyed reading of your adventures. I'm just glad I got sandwiched right in the middle of it!! What memories! Love you loads! Mom
thanks We enjoyed getting to travel along with you on your trip and the interesting response to venues we have visited in the past and venues we have never seen. Have everything ready for Abilene in Oct. so that we can see all of the pics. rush
glad your back home safely. Glad to see you all made it safely back home.
Thanks again for all the great stories and pictures.
This blog thing was so super!
We sure enjoyed the travelling with you guys. We loved the safari pictures! Thanks for taking us everywhere with you guys and letting us feel the experience you guys had on your travels to each destination. We enjoyed the stories and education parts very much!
Thanks for the ride! :-D Guys -- I have looked forward to and enjoyed all of your blogs - what a fantastic journey you all have had! I am very glad you have not needed any medication (I assume?), or suffered any serious illness or injury along the way. Thank you for all your efforts in sharing ... not easy to do at the end of so many weary days of travel and excitement, yet worth so much to those of us travelers at heart, living vicariously through you Long fellows. Godspeed on your journey home, and I am looking forward to an evening of hearing the personal recap, and seeing the rest of the photos!
-- Dr. B
Welcome Home Welcome home boys! your trip sounds wonderful!! A once in a lifetime thing!! So glad you could enjoy it together. A trip like this really makes you appreciate where you plant your feet and call home doesn't it? The Good Old USA!! Thanks for letting us all travel along with you. Hope to see you all soon!
Ramona
Pictures Loved seeing the picutures. Can't wait to see the others. Great trip and memories for a life time. Know the family is anxious to visit with yall. Connie was in my office and I know what is excited.
counting down the hours The pics are awesome. I think my boy has grown 3 inches, at least the tower didn't look so big next to him. Jett and I are here counting down the hours to leave for the big D and meet the other Long boys!!!! Can't wait. We love you, Willie and Jett
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
Awesome! Sorry about the balloon ride, hope ya'll get to do that tomarrow. I hope Rush can still remember the animal names when he gets home so he can show me the pics and give me the right names. Good luck on your ride tonite, hope you see lots. Counting down the days, Willie and Jett
We are home We just got back from San Antonio, we didn't see the animals you did but I don't think you will see the ones we saw either (the ones at Sea World). It was great to be there and Uncle Gayle met us, she rode the roller coaster with Jett. We are missing ya'll more and more everyday. I'm glad I'm home and able to get back to the computer to read your stories. Rush's keeps getting shorter and shorter, is he getting too busy or just too tired? Well we are short timing now til we meet again at DFW. We love ya'll, Kiss yourselves for me. Willie and Jett
Sounds... ...tres magnifique! I can't wait to hear of the breath-taking view you should have tomorrow. I'm sure the hot air balloon adventure at sunrise would be one even this late morning sleeper would get up early to experience. God is good! Love you all! Sis
Can't wait to see some Pictures Sounds like a fascinating trip. I hope we will be able to see pictures from the blog. I have enjoyed reading about the trip and seeing another part of the world through Rush's eyes. What a trip of a lifetime for all. Thanks again for letting us share.
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
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
Wow! Matt, You need to write a novel about this trip. I was sitting right there next to you half laughing and half crying. What a ride. Excellent description, I see it all perfectly.
Great description! Matt, you described the ride, the sights, sounds, and smells so well I felt like I was riding right along with you! Well done! What an experience!
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---
My name is Matt and I live in the Hill Country of Texas. My brother, Vance, his 11 year old son, Rush, and myself are getting ready to make a whirlwind run through London, Paris, Cairo, Kruger Nat. Park in S. Africa and Madagascar. We will be on the road for most of July. We are travelling light with just a couple of changes in small backpacks. ... full info
Granny & Pappy
non-member comment
THANK-YOU
Matt, a quick note for you, my friend Vicki Bowen just loved your blog. She said she could hardly wait to get to the next blog. My cousin Mac and my Aunt Frankie loved every word. Mac said the love story from Vance, the trip through Rush's eyes, and he's so literate, but you in particular reminded them so much of Paul (P.D.) her brother (Aunt Frankie's middle). He is of the 60's, a Viet Nam vet (then came home and protested)not in the usual way the protesters did, but in his own private way. You have the same love for the earth, animals, etc. through your eyes. That's what I mean about the capital THANK -YOU. Your extra work is most appreciated by us and our friends and families. We love you bunches toooooooo. Granny.