It has been so long since I last blogged I almost forgot how to sign in. I really hope everyone had a very happy "Festive Season" and welcome to a new year! The reason I didn't blog was because John was here from December 18th until January 6th. I didn't really think you wanted to hear about everything we did but I will give you a few highlights. Upon his arrival we took a 5 day road trip along Route 62, a famous road in South Africa much like Route 66 in the US. We stayed one night in a small town called Montagu which is in the Little Karoo in the desert. We left the desert and drove the Garden Route which runs along the ocean. We stayed two nights in Mossel Bay, a quaint beach town. We left the ocean and drove into wine country. We stayed two nights in Franschoek. It was established by the French Huguenots so I thought I might be able to practice my French but unfortunately nobody speaks French, they just want to! The topography of South Africa is as diverse as its people.
We returned to Cape Town and explored more of the city. There is so much to do and see here. Due to the downturn in the economy all over the world, Cape Town did not have as many tourists as last year so we did not have to fight the crowds to experience Cape Town life.
Last weekend we took another drive into the Cederburg area which is also much like the Karoo. We went to a non-predatory game reserve. We were supposed to stay two nights but it was so beautiful and relaxing we ended up staying another night. We saw zebra, springbok, ostrich, baboons, snakes (from the jeep!), and other kinds of deer type animals I don't know the names of. Because it is a non-predatory reserve we were able to take hikes without any fear of animals attacking us, we came so close to two zebras who didn't run away, it was very cool.
We also experienced sadness while John was here. I hope you remember me blogging about Mary Sili. She is the woman who ran the Senior Centre in Guguletu who retired in 2007 and started her own food program for school children from her home. I received a call from Ben, her husband, the Saturday after Christmas. He called to tell me that their youngest son Nandile had been killed in a car accident on Christmas morning, could I please come to see Mary. John and I drove to Guguletu to see Mary, I can't even begin to explain her grief. It was the saddest thing to see Mary like that. Mary who is always so vibrant and full of life. Our hearts were just broken for her. Fortunately for Mary and Ben (if you can understand why I say that word) all her children were with them because of Christmas. Mary and Ben had 6 children, one daughter and 5 boys. She was comforted in the fact that they were all together and were able to comfort each other. Nandile was 25 years old, was helping Mary in their home with the food program and also taking care of two of his nieces for his brother during the day. He had been in Stellenbosch, a town about 20 minutes from Gugs, for a friends birthday. They were leaving early in the morning to go home and unfortunately the driver of the car fell asleep and the car went off the road. There were 5 boys in the car, only one survived. Car accidents occur quite frequently here. South Africa does not have seat belt laws and if you look inside the cars here the people are piled into them. Most people in the townships can not afford a car so that is why you will see so many people in one car. Friends of the 4 boys held a memorial service the following Wednesday at the Senior Centre. Mary and Ben asked John and I to attend and to sit with the family. It was a beautiful event, so many people came to show their love and support for the families, it was standing room only. For those of you who knew Mary and I left you out of the email I sent I am very sorry. We hope we represented Open Arms in the best way.
The centre reopens on Monday, January 12th. I am looking forward to going back to work. The first week we have 2 groups visiting from the US so we will be busy. At least I should have something interesting to blog about instead of what I ate for breakfast! I felt I should have at least one picture on the blog so I chose the one of the zebras we saw when we were on our hike.
Bye for now...
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