Don't Worry Be Happy

The Lion Park allows for driving through various areas to see the animals roaming freely, as well as a place to pet the lion cubs. Giraffes have VERY long, agile tongues, don't they. I love the zebras - very photogenic: One of the white lions, apparently a teenager. Ross easily wrestled a lion cub into submission: Does he look hungry? He was about to pounce so Sammy stepped on the gas. It turns out he was just looking for another tree to lie down under. Scott says that lions sleep 20 hours/day. What a fabulous day and I think this is just a taste of what we're going to see in Kruger Park.

To me travelling to other places means learning about the history and culture of that place and in South Africa much of that is embodied in the township of Soweto. Today we arranged a walking tour with Ntombi, a tour guide who lives there. She met us at the Orlando Police Station and as we walked through the streets she explained how the township grew and developed. We walked past many, many small and barely liveable shacks, many roadside businesses such as barbers or hair salons and spazas - little 'stores' that sell mostly stuff like pop and chips. It seemed curious but apparently during apartheid, they weren't allowed to have businesses in this area so, despite so many thousands (millions?) of people living there, there are no real 'shops' unless you go to the main roads. One of the many roadside barbers: On the way, groups of children suspended their road soccer game to come running afer us, posing for photos and holding our hands. Some of the children had ma...

This year we had to postpone our traditional Christmas Eve fondue in favour of Sam's sister Kate's wonderful dinner, eaten outdoors beside the pool. After dinner Kate and Nic sent a paper lantern aloft. Present opening took place Christmas Eve (apparently their tradition but to our dismay!) Scott got the most presents for the first time in his life - apparently Mike generally gets more. The stack of presents quickly outgrew the space under the tiny tree so we moved it all into the middle of the room. Sammy was in charge of distribution. When Sam said we were going to spend Christmas day at her uncle's 'weekend home' by the river I hadn't pictured this beautiful mansion. There were about 25 of us eating an out door feast with ham, lamb and even turkey. We later had a sunset boat ride down the river to cap off one of our more unusual Christmases. As you can see by this photo some people actually do get into the spirit of things.

Not the only decoration I've seen but this is pretty typical of the extent of the decorations I've seen around South Africa. "Why don't we throw a piece of tinsel over this vase of bullrushes?" This was in the train lounge in Cape Town.