Notes from a Traveler

I know I really shouldn't compare one country to another, because that's like comparing apples to oranges... but I can't help it. And aren't you the tiniest bit curious about my inner-most thoughts of the last few days? If so (or even if not), I'll share them with you.

To begin with, it's nice to see white people performing physical labor. Even I fell prey to the South African tendency to hire people for any and all dirty work. But back in old Germany no one's interested in ironing my clothes for me. And that's nothing. I've seen tons of farmers harvesting their own fields, in 37 degree+ (Celsius) weather. Nope, there are no "coloreds" or "blacks" here, and the ones that are here certainly aren't interested in that sort of work. Afterall, labor is far more expensive here! Actually, it appears to be far to cheap in South Africa. What if there were less jobs, but the wages were higher? Wouldn't that, in turn, create more wealth, and more jobs?

On the other hand, I miss a lot of things about South Africa. To begin with, I miss their tolerance. No one looks at you funny if you don't speak Afrikaans. They have so many languages there, that they're used to not being able to understand people occasionally. And the children are multilingual from such a young age! I thought the German kids were good... until I lived in South Africa. There, you often meet toddlers that speak Afrikaans - and English - fluently! Next (as silly as this might sound), I miss the little things, like their good-old-fashioned, store-bought toast-bread. Sure, Germany has wonderful bread, but not in their supermarkets. If you want good bread, you have to go to a bakery, and then you'll have to eat it quickly!

And then there are the standard things that I miss, just because we're in-between houses right now, and living out of a suitcase. Things like my own transportation, my own kitchen (who likes to cook in other people's kitchens?), and my daily routine (although I've never really been a routine person... it's so much easier with kids!).

But life is definitely good. I can't complain. We've spent quite a bit of time in Biergartens & "Kellers" lately (since the weather's been fantastic), yesterday we visited the Nuremberg Zoo with Oma & Opa, and last night we visited Bamberg with a couple South African friends. What an incredibly romantic city! I can't wait to go back there with Tobi sometime in the next couple months.

Lukas' big thing lately has been running around in his birthday suit (when it's really hot and we're playing outside). He loves it! The tough part is convincing him to put clothes back on when we have to go somewhere! He's going to kill me in a few years, when he sees the photos (and video). I plan on using it as blackmail when when he's old enough to date and drive. :-)

Absolutely Nothing, For a Change

For the past three days, we have done virtually nothing. Why? Because Lukas and I both have the flu. Half of me feels restless, but the other half is just ecstatic to have the opportunity to once again take naps during the day, read newspapers, and take baths. Life could be worse.

Yesterday, I did manage to get out for an hour. My future-sister in law and I took Felix (our chocolate Labrador... who also has frequent flier status) on a walk. Walks here in Germany are so different from anywhere else. You walk through the neighborhood, past the corn fields, and onto the quiet country road, which is bordered by dense forest. No wonder Felix loves it here! I'm sure Lukas will too. Surely, The Netherlands won't be dramatically different (climate aside)?!?

Oh, and it's light here until nearly 11 PM at this time of year. Definitely takes some getting used to!

Well, over the next day or two, I'll try to upload a couple photos of our first week (back) in Europe. This weekend, we're headed to the Neunkirchen am Brand "Burger Fest" and a Siemens "Family Day" in Erlangen. I'll post photos later! If you feel so inclined, please leave a comment. I certainly do have the time to read them now!!! :-)

Hello from Germany

Well, it's official. We've arrived in Europe. The flight was surprisingly good. Tobi was able to upgrade me to Business Class and managed to convince the airlines to let him fly with us, on Lufthansa (rather than on the South African Airways flight that departed at the same time,), and Lukas slept for most of the flight. For that I'm most appreciative!

But all of the stress of the move seems to have affected my immune system, resulting in me (and the baby) coming down with a yucky case of influenza. My whole body's sore, and Lukas woke up last night rubbing his eyes, and saying, "Owa, Owa". Poor little guy.

Tobi's ecstatic to be "home", though (although we don't actually have a home - we're staying with his parents), and is spending the week up in Bamberg (just 30 minutes away... how weird is that), at a departmental seminar.

The current weather in Germany is less than ideal, and although it's still summer, the temperatures and rainfall are similar to what we had in South Africa last week. At least we don't have to adjust to the climate!

Lukas is thrilled to have Oma & Opa around, and as always, they've been very helpful with him (which is nice, considering the time I've been spending in bed - as a result of this flu).

Other than that, not a whole lot new. We hope to make it to the Nuremberg Zoo this week, if the weather improves and I start to feel better. Next weekend meet up with some friends from Australia in Prague, which we're really looking forward to!

In any case, I'll be sure to keep you posted on our crazy lives.

The Last Meal (& Sunrise)

When Tobi and I were contemplating where we'd like to go for our very last dinner in South Africa, we decided on the restaurant at Botlierskop... where we always brought visitors, and where we've enjoyed so many starry, Garden Route nights. We brought our nanny, Rijanah along, both to thank her, and to have a little extra help with Lukas. It wasn't perfect. The drummers were on leave and the service wasn't as good as usual, but it was still a nice way to wrap up a year that was nothing short of amazing. And halfway through dinner, the song that probably best represents our time in Africa, began to play... Shosholoza.

In the morning we drove out to The Point, where we were hoping to get some nice photos of our last sunrise in Mossel Bay. It was overcast, but when we returned to the hotel (which is at the harbor), we realized that it had, in fact, turned into a beautiful sunrise.

Deoni met us at the George airport, and had a big bag of goodies for us. In it was a bag of Karoo olives, which she had painstakingly prepared herself, and a gift. She told me that I must wait until I was on the plane to open it, and I'm very glad that I followed her instructions. I was balling. It was one of the most thoughtful gift I've ever received.

The first item was a little book of Nelson Mandela's favorite children's stories, with a really sweet picture of Deoni's daughter, Rebecca, inside. Now, I have to admit, not only did I buy it for myself a few months back, I also received it as a gift from our friend Marchelle. But what that tells me is that I have two friends in South Africa, who know me very well, and know exactly what I like (even though it was actually meant for Lukas). Now we can have a copy at Grandma & Grandpa's house! :-)

Next to the book was a little hand-crocheted bag, with a parchment scroll attached. The scroll explained that there were several stones and shells inside, each from a different South African coast or region, and her favorite book - Nelson Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom. The book was an old paperback, which was one of the first things that she bought with her first paycheck, when they were still struggling to put food on the table.

All I could think to myself was, will I ever find another friend like Deoni? I get teary-eyed just writing about it. Not only is she such a wonderful, natural, mother, but she's one of the most compassionate people I know, and she loves her country. It's people like her that make South Africa such an incredible place. I'll miss her, our other South African friends, and the country itself, terribly.

Our Cape Peninsula Vacation - A Round Up

Chances are, you don't want to read a day-by-day account of our latest travels, so I'll quickly cover some of the highlights of our latest vacation in a few paragraphs.

The adventure started in Mossel Bay, as we journeyed up into the Klein Karoo, overnighting at a small guesthouse in the tiny town of Ladismith. We then moved onto the "Switzerland" of South Africa, passing first through the not-to-be-missed Seven Weeks Poort, before driving onto Ceres and spending a night at a wine estate in Tulbagh. From there, it was onto Franschhoek, where we stayed at the 5-Star Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa for two nights, and dined at some incredible French restaurants, including Burgundy and the French Connection. And since no visit to South Africa's wine region is complete without a cellar tour, we popped into the Boschendal Estate (one of South Africa's oldest wine cellars) for lunch and a tour of the premises. From there, we headed over to Stellenbosch, staying the night at the well-known Spier Wine Estate, and eating at the ultra-hip and fun restaurant, Moyo. Then it was onto Hermanus, Swellendam, and Arniston, including an awesome scenic coastal drive along the R44 (where we spotted a couple of right whales!). Along the way, we spotted patches of wildflowers, making a rare early appearance due to recent heavy rains, followed by sunshine. We finished up with three nights in Cape Town, where we stayed at both the landmark Mount Nelson Hotel and the Victoria and Alfred (by far our favorite Cape Town hotel!). While in Cape Town, we finally managed to visit the ex-prison on Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela served most of his time as a political prisoner. We also visited the Two Oceans Restaurant at the Cape of Good Hope (where we took these super-cute photos), returning to the city via the one of the country's most incredible roads, the Chapman's Peak Drive.

As we left Cape Town, with Table Mountain to our backs, I had to fight back the tears... who knows when we'll see her again?

The Last Pages of Our Chapter in South Africa

Writing from a hotel, where the Internet is expensive and the "y" key sticks, isn't super-conducive to writing a detailed and eloquent account of our recent road trip through the Cape. I'll be sure to write about our travels in the next couple days, though.

For now, I'll just say that a day doesn't go by that I don't cry. As I was sobbering last night on the way home from friends, I vowed to Tobi that I wouldn't make friends in the next country we live in. ;-)

On Wednesday, as we drove away from Table Mountain for the last time, not knowing when we would see her again, I also fought back the tears.

Yesterday was our little goodbye party, and I miraculously succeeded in not crying while I was thanking everyone for the special role they've played in our lives over the past year. For dinner, we joined our friends Emil and Madeleine (and their two gorgeous daughters) for a good old-fashioned braai at their place. When the time came for us to go, of course I began sobbing uncontrollably... thank god we said goodbye at the car - where it was nice and dark! They gave us a neat CD by the talented South African band Watershed, and a couple of little presents for Lukas, with a very thoughtfully written card.

Oh, and I almost forgot! I managed to complicate our move even further by picking up a dog from the township, which had been severely neglected and was on the verge of death (meaning lots of trips to and from the vet prior to leaving, and having to decide whether the dog should be put down or not - and I, of course, said not). What was most mind boggling, was going to S.A. equivalent of the Humane Society, or SPCA, where they told me that if I left it there, they would have to put it down. They just don't have the funds to rehabilitate animals, and they get so many "healthy" dogs every day, also in need of a home.

Aside from the sick doggy (who I've incidentally named "Lucky Girl" - after Lukas, who calls himself "Lucky"), today is also going to be very difficult. We'll be saying goodbye to our nanny, Rijanah, and the hardest part is that Lukas has no clue that this is the last time he'll probably see most of these people.

And on that note, I better sign off. Still have some last minute packing to do! Tomorrow we head off to Germany. Our friend Deoni and her children will be at the airport to see us off. That will be a very sad day.

Mossel Bay / Garden Route Mothers

In case you're new in town, as I was, and are looking to set up a support network, here's the scoop...

There are a number of ways to meet new Moms in and around the Mossel Bay area. I'll list them below, in order of their helpfulness.

1) For starters, there is a group of mom's that meet regularly, and although the group is primarilly focused on breast feeding, various other topics are discussed at the gatherings. The town's pediatrician, Dr. Sandilands, can provide you with the contact details.

2) Visit Kindermusik & like programs! I prefer the town's non-Kindermusik option, Sandra, who has a music program for children in Heiderand. Check with the women in the above listed mother's group for her telephone number. Kindermusik is quite a bit more expensive, and I found it to be a bit slow-paced for my son (who wants "cuddle time" when there are so many kids and toys to play with?) Another option is "TopTots" in George (about 30 minutes' drive from Mossel Bay), just behind the Checkers' shopping center in town. I did this for a few months and absolutely loved it (as did my son), and the price is reasonable.

3) There are tons of places where you can go to relax, meet other Mom's, and let the kids play. Here are a few:
-Jimmy Jungles in Langeberg Mall (not my favorite, but Lukas liked it)
-Victoria Heights "Country Stall and Tea Garden" (on the road towards Wilderness). A great spot for parties, and kids love the donkey!
-George's Red Berry Farm (on the road going towards Blanco). Great spot for birthday parties!
-The Barnyard Donkey Sanctuary (also an excellent dog kennel!) - in George on Airport Road
-The Lumier petting-zoo and café in George, also on Airport Road (R102), but the hours are a bit strange (open to public on Wednesdays only?). They also offer a craft program for the kids.

Lastly, if you're looking for a gym/fitness studio with child care, there's a new Curves next to the Langeberg Mall, which may offer childcare, but Virgin Active in George is absolutely incredible, and offers 1st class childcare.

A couple other tips:
1) Day cares are called "creches" in South Africa, and the creches in Mossel Bay apparently leave a lot to be desired. Be extra careful when considering whether to put your child into one of these. I used a Nanny, Rijanah Isaacs, who also helped out with housework, and who I highly recommend. Maybe she's still available! Her number is: 083 439 9346. If she's not available, perhaps she can recommend someone.

2) Don't try to go into the Fynbos tea shop on Marsh St. with your kids. They'll turn you away at the door, no matter what age your child is... and that's no fun. Don't ask why. That's just the way they are. They're also bad about engagements, so don't try to plan anything there. But the gift shop is pretty nice, so go in once, have a look around, and be done with it. ;-)

If this has helped you in any way, and/or if you have any additional questions, please send me a note! All the best! ~Liz

Another Spontaneous Adventure Thursday - Kaaiman's River

As Wes Madiko's Cameroon lullaby, "Sweet Bitowo", played softly in the background, we drove over the narrow bridge crossing Wilderness' Kaaimans River, and onto the dirt road... very conscious of the fact that, should we get stuck, there was no hubby there to dig us out (and babies aren't usually super cooperative in crisis situations). Despite the road's uneven nature, we got through just fine in our little Volkswagen Polo, and when we reached the end, we surveyed the area, spotted a group of friendly locals having a good laugh nearby, and decided to get out to explore.

I had a few munchies with, and Lukas and I sat down on the banks of the Kaaiman, where we ate under the watchful eyes of the Knysna-Lories, perched in the jungle-like canopy of trees behind us. Lukas wobbled to and fro behind my back, "surprising" me and giggling as he appeared on my right, and then my left. We walked along the river, wary of any potential quicksand (riverbeds can be very misleading here in South Africa), and Lukas bent down to splash in the water. After a half an hour, we decided to move on. The plan was to visit the beach (Wilderness has amazing beaches), but since Lukas was tired, and there was a strange fog hovering over the coast, we headed back to Mossel Bay... along our favorite stretch of coastal highway.

That was our spontaneous adventure Thursday. Since then, we've just been packing, packing, and packing. Friday was the day that all of our stuff got loaded into the container. Lukas and I also took another stroll around the neighborhood, taking some neat photos of the pin-cushion proteas, aloe plants (complimented nicely by a bird feeding on the nectar!), and a pretty purple flower that I don't yet know the name for.

Yesterday we canceled our phone, visited the George Strawberry Farm once more (without a camera of course), spent a bit more time at Mossel Bay's Point, planned the first few days of our road trip, and had dinner with friends at Café Havana.

The plan for today was to leave early, and head into the Klein Karoo, staying at the 4-Star Ladismith Country House on the first night, and at a guest house in the town of Ceres (known as the Switzerland of South Africa) on the second night. Well, that's still pretty much the plan, it's just the leaving early part that seems to have changed. On that note, I have to run... have some last-minute packing to do! I hope to find an Internet Café along the way somewhere, so I can keep you up-to-date on our adventures!

Keep well,
Liz & Family

Globorati, and Other Topics

Yesterday marked a couple exciting milestones for me. In addition to my writing appearing on www.globorati.com (Overland Down Under), Mom sent me a copy of a small article that appeared in the Travel Section of last Sunday's Miami Herald, regarding one of my pieces.

Switching gears, I came across a really cool website this morning. You should check it out when you have a chance: http://incinq.blogspot.com/

On a more serious note, yesterday I finally had the opportunity to meet with some local South Africans that are doing everything in their power to make a difference. Their goal is to help feed and clothe some children in a local "squatter" camp. What I find so sad about South Africa is, that the country receives so little money from various international charities - who focus more on Somalia, Ethiopia, etc. But if you saw these little children, living in sheds with huge holes in the roof, sleeping on soaking wet beds, running around without shoes or jackets in the winter, and drinking only a glass of imitation orange juice for breakfast, your heart would break just the same. Not only do they receive so few nutrients, that their brain development is often years behind that of "normal" children, but the awareness level of the parents and caretakers is alarmingly low, leaving them completely bewildered when their children's teeth rot out of their mouth after they've been given bottles of coke regularly for the first year.

But to get back to this organization, their goal is to eventually set up a type of sponsorship program, to allow people to directly sponsor one child, visit them if they'd like, and receive pictures and information. But the short-term goal is to help get these children's immediate needs taken care of. They spend the day at a make-shift creché, or day-care, which is usually one woman, looking after far too many children, with too little money to properly feed or clothe the children who she's looking after. They're usually not bathed, and most have little or no immunizations... some have never even seen a hospital, clinic, or doctor. In any case, I promised to help in any way I could, from wherever I am in the world. It's so nice to meet people that aren't turning a blind eye to the immense poverty around them. It's incredible to think of what South Africa could be, if more people would stop depending on the government to make the change that they want to see in their world!

Wilderness and Mossel Bay's "Point"

Yesterday wasn't the most stress-free Sunday, but we did get a lot done. I had a golf lesson, we packed (a few things, anyway), we visited Wilderness (and the "Map of Africa"), and we met a friend for coffee back in Mossel Bay.

It was our first visit to Wilderness (other than a very brief stop at the beginning of our time here). The Map of Africa and nearby look-out point have got to be two major highlights of the town, as is the "Wilderness Grill" Restaurant. Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you about the historic little chapel on the hill behind the Protea Hotel... so charming! I would have liked to have visited the beach, but I guess I'll save the best for last! I've uploaded a few pictures, so you can visit Wilderness and Mossel Bay vicariously. :-)

And now I'm back to packing. Although I'm still a bit sad to leave South Africa, I am starting to look forward to getting settled in our next locations (even if that is several months away).

Cape Town Update

I promised to give you an update on last week's trip to Cape Town, and here it is! To begin with, I've uploaded a few photos of the trip, including a picture of us at dinner at Savoy Cabbage, the view from our hotel room at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, the Waterfront at dawn, the cozy Coffee & Bites café, and a photo of Nobel Square (just next to the Hotel).

After my last Cape Town posting, we ended up meeting a really neat Aussie mom (and her "tot") at the Waterfront. We had so much in common, which is why Lukas and I decided spur-of-the-moment to join her and her son for a local La Leché meeting (such a neat organization! I hope to get more involved with them in The Netherlands.). After she dropped us back at the Waterfront, we did a bit of shopping (I shopped, Lukas slept - YAY!), then had a coffee at "Coffee & Bites", in the mall.

From there, returned to the hotel, got changed quickly, and got into the taxi to go and meet Tobi in Blauberg. Dinner was at a neat little restaurant, fittingly called "On the Rocks", and although the service was super slow, the food was great (and Lukas was on his best behavior!).

The next morning, we had breakfast at the hotel, overlooking the harbor and Table Mountain, then did a bit of last-minute shopping before heading back to Mossel Bay. The trip was pretty uneventful. I wrote, Lukas slept, and Tobi drove. We arrived in Mossel Bay around 3 PM, and Tobi headed to the office.

A Slow Day in Mossel Bay

Sorry, not much to write about this week. Besides tons of packing, we made it down to the golf range today to hit a few balls. After all, we want to be "on top of our game" when we play Pinnacle Point next weekend. :-)

Tomorrow should be a little more exciting. We plan on having lunch in Wilderness, followed by a family hike. Hopefully we'll have a few new photos for you as well!

The friends I wrote about on Thursday seem to be doing well now, and it looks like their little boy is going to be fine (although he'll have to have a few surgeries in his first year). We're so happy for them, and can't wait to meet their little "bundle of joy"!

A Happy, Then Scary, Day

Visiting Victoria Bay and Wilderness today left us in awe, but this was quickly tempered with the news that friends of ours are coping with a premature birth and (hopefully mild) birth defect. It appears to be an esophageal defect, that happens very rarely, and just leaves you asking why? It's only natural to put yourself in the shoes of your friends and/or loved ones when they encounter something like this. Feelings of fear, accompanied by hopefulness run through your head, and you just pray that everything will be ok, with time.

Please keep our friends in your thoughts as they deal with this. They're also expats, and I can't imagine how difficult it must be to cope with all of this in a "foreign" country.

Imagine this - you're in Cape Town...

And you've had the perfect morning. A family breakfast, followed by a walk along Cape Town's Waterfront, and a take-away cafe mocha to enjoy while writing back in the hotel room. A new marimba CD is playing on a rented laptop (that incidentally has more than 15 minutes of battery life, allowing you to write from bed, as you're getting the baby to sleep). And your little boy falls asleep without protest. Could life be any better?

Of course, no adventure would be complete without some unplanned hiccups. Over the past few days, we've experienced the torrential rains that are characteristic of Cape Town in the winter, a drive through the Constantia Wine Region (save yourself the trip if it's overcast), and have eaten at one of CNN's "hot spots" for Cape Town - Savoy Cabbage, which, although nice, doesn't compare to our all-time favorite Cape Town establishment... Baia (no official website).

What did impress us was the fantastic Cape Standard guest house, as well as the popular seaside walk along the Sea Point Promenade.

A fantastic companion for Cape Town, which I've been reading at every opportunity, is the book A City Imagined. I highly recommend it for anyone who has ever lived in, visited, or dreamed about visiting South Africa.

Once Lukas wakes up, our plan is to check out a couple nearby hotels, then head to the Two Oceans Aquarium, which is just 10 minutes away from where we're now staying (the Victoria & Alfred Hotel). And tonight we'll be having dinner North of the city center in the Blauberg area.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to get any photos online for you until we return to Mossel Bay on Wednesday, but hopefully the picture I've painted with my words has whet your appetite. :-)

A Big Family Hike

We're off to Cape Town for a few days, but I just quickly wanted to write that we had a fantastic hike in George yesterday, and I'll try to write all about it from Cape Town.

Cheers,
Liz & Co

The Garden Route's Berry Best...

Since I wrote last, we have visited a strawberry farm, driven the scenic R102, done a fantastic hike, visited Delfino's at The Point, and walked along the waterfront in Mossel Bay.

As you can imagine, the week's a bit of a blur, but our lunch at George's Red Berry Farm and hike along the St. Blaize Trail (in Mossel Bay) were
definitely unforgettable.

The Strawberry Farm is on the outskirts of George, where the countryside meets the mountains. The food is great, as are the fresh smoothies and milkshakes, and the service and setting is unbeatable. Lukas had a blast on the playground, and a stroll out to the strawberry fields makes a great "pick-your-own" experience.

The St. Blaize Trail is an incredibly scenic coastal hike here in Mossel Bay, allowing visitors escape to the "real" Garden Route, for some fresh air and amazing views. Hikers will spot various bird-life and rock dassies (especially near the lighthouse) as well as the occasional antelope and lizard. We were lucky enough to spot a tiny South African Sugar Bird... how cute!

Well, we're off on yet another adventure... one last hike into the mountains from the George Botanical Garden. I'll write more later!

Off the Beaten Track: Stillbaai and Gouritzmond

I have this fantastic, indispensable travel companion for South Africa, called Touring in South Africa. It's such a great resource for road trips, but not surprisingly, there are lots of great road trips that you won't find in the book - one of which, we stumbled upon yesterday.

My in-laws stayed in Stillbaai a few months back. Since I hadn't yet been there, and it's just over an hour away (from where we live in Mossel Bay), I suggested they take us there for the day. I wasn't expecting much, since all I've heard about Stillbaai is that it's "very, very quiet".

The nice thing about having low expectations, is that your often pleasantly surprised. Stillbaai's remoteness makes it a safe, clean little town, with incredible beaches and and extensive network of coastal hikes. As far as eating is concerned, I'd suggest bringing a picnic lunch. The café we ate at ("Matchbox") had a nice ambiance, but the meals and service left a lot to be desired. It was a great spot for kids though; the little enclosed playground, complete with chickens and ducks, was great fun for Lukas, and was surprisingly tidy (are the birds potty trained?).

Not wanting to take the same route back, I called a friend to see if the coastal route (marked ("Gouritzmond") was safe to take. She said it was a "very good road" - which I understood to mean "paved". Wrong.

Although a good portion of the road is gravel, it was so beautiful that we soon forgot that we were on a dirt road. And for most of the journey, we had the road to ourselves, allowing us to stop whenever we wanted for photos and fresh air. The air smelled sweet, like honey, which we soon realized was coming from the white flowers lining the side of the road. Coupled with the protea-filled fields (which were in full bloom), and large flock of Blue Cranes (which is coincidentally the South African National Bird), the journey was truly a full-sensory experience. We enjoyed every minute of the trip, and were so glad that we decided to take the road less traveled.

Good-what?

For someone who is a complete mess when it comes goodbyes, I sure do say a lot of them. If you were to spend some time with me, this might come as a surprise. I'm usually very strong, stable, and happy, but when it comes to leaving friends and family, I'm a blubbering mess.

On Monday, Rijanah (our nanny) had a bit of a strange expression while she was here at the house. It bothered me a bit, but I didn't say anything. Then, when I dropped her off at home, it occurred to me that she was probably just sad that she'll only see us a few more times before we go. And there, in the township, I broke down. Picture a silly white lady driving through the township with tears streaming down her face. That must have been quite a site. (I did manage to take this photo, though - I find it such a contrast to see shacks set against the backdrop of the beautiful mountains). And worst of all, I had to stop at the grocery store with my big, bloodshot eyes and tear-stained cheeks. Wouldn't you know that I'd see someone I knew! One of Lukas' babysitters (a friend's daughter), waved at me from a nearby car. Oh well.

Other than my emotional state, there's not a whole lot new with us. My in-laws arrived yesterday, and we'll be driving to Cape Town with them on Sunday. Oh, and the publisher from globorati.com contacted me yesterday. They've asked me to write for them, which I'm very excited about!

Today we're headed to Stillbaai for a bit of exploring, and tomorrow we'll head to George for TopTots (hopefully stopping to check out the strawberry farm on the way home).

I guess that's all for now. I'll write more once I've collected some more exciting experiences to share with you!
Cheers,
Liz

Exploring George

I began the day by walking the dog. The sun was just rising, the early birds were on the move, and the full moon was still on the horizon. Geese flew over head, squawking in their characteristic goose-fashion. Dawn is such a magical time of day!

From there, I got in the car and headed out to George for a First-Aid course, which I've been wanting to do for quite some time (does anybody ever remember the ratio of chest compressions to breathing?). The drive to George was picturesque, as usual, and after the First-Aid Course, I decided to roam around the city center a little bit, checking out a few cute cafés and shops (if you're ever in George, you MUST visit "The Conservatory at Meade House" - it's so lovely!).

And then it was back to Mossel Bay, to check on the boys, and see if I could convince them to go on a hike in the afternoon. Tobi's coming down with a cold, but the weather was just too perfect to stay inside, so we headed back to George to check out a trail leading into the mountains (from the Botanical Garden). We brought Felix along, and he was in doggie heaven. Strangely enough, I have two hiking books for this region, and the trail that we took isn't in either of them. From the Botanical Garden, you can either take the shorter hike, past the railroad tracks, through a forest, and then onto a little stream, or you can walk all the way to the George Dam (which we'll have to do next time, as it requires a bit more time). Since Tobi's not feeling well, I volunteered to carry the baby backpack, and Lukas really seemed to enjoy our hike.

Arriving back at home, we looked out to the ocean, and spotted a strange fiery ball on the horizon. It was the moon rising, and although we tried to take some photos, none of them really came out (we have to take a photography class when we're back in Europe!). Yet another amazing South African moment committed only to memory.

Canter, Anyone?

"Cantering is easy, you just sit back in the saddle and relax."
Uh huh, right. How about I just hold on to the saddle with all my might, and let out a high-pitched squeal when I begin to feel out of control?
That's right, I went horseback riding today. My guide, Lucinda, was new to Botlierskop, but she knew a lot about horses & the wildlife. While riding, we spotted rhino, wildebeest, kudu, and elephants, not to mention lots of beautiful fynbos. I really love Botlierskop and have been on many game drives there, but this was definitely different. On horse, not only were we able to get much closer to the plant and animal-life (sans the constant purr of the motor), but we could stop whenever we wanted for photos, or just to admire the incredible view. Plus, it was a 1-on-1 tour, meaning no other tourists would be spoiling the silence with loud chatter in various foreign languages. The 2-hour tour was 400 Rand.

But half of the fun of going out to Botlierskop is, you guessed it, the drive! I think it's one of the prettiest drives out here. It only takes me about 30 minutes to get there, but that's a half an hour of mountains, cattle, pastures, picturesque farm-houses, and little "colored" kids waving as I pass.

But ohhhh, my bum. It's already sore, a mere 4 hours after my return. If it hurts now, just imagine what it's going to feel like tomorrow. C'est la vie!