To all my blog followers, I can not believe I am typing this...but this is my last official blog in South Africa. My 3 months has come and gone in a blink of an eye. I had an amazing adventure in which I hope you all were able to join in by reading this blog. During this experience, I created meaningful friendships that will last a life time, I tried food I never thought I would eat, I saw sites that were amazing and created memories that will be in my mind and heart forever.
I want to say thank you to everyone who has been so warm, open and loving to me during my visit. Without all of you my experience would not be the same. South Africa is a lovely country with rich history and amazing humble people. My life has been placed in perspective. It is a different life style here compared to the hustle of the US. Some people here have a view of Americans, just like us Americans have a view of South Africa. It was great to hear others regarding my country and they were even more intrigued to hear what I thought about theirs. South Africa is beautiful. It has the small scale feel of a BIG city, it has people of all races, creed and color, they have political madness, they have poverty but it is mirrored by the wealth as well. It is a developing nation and yet has the desire and love in it's people to make it wealthy.
I am very sad to leave the people and the land. However, my life is back in the United States and I am extremely excited to see my family and friends. I also can't wait to bring my new found friends to America as well. Give them a great experience as much as they did for me.
So here it is....the NOT top 10 and Top 10 of South Africa.
Top 10 Things I will miss: (in no particular order)
1. Vanilla Ice Cream It is by far the best ice cream I have ever had in my life
2. Workers that I have encountered in the plants are so humble
3. Yvette's cooking and my new found love for coconut curry salmon and bread pudding
4. South African value family values
5. Scenery and land
6. Ambition to learn and strive for more
7. All the free give aways at work
8. The weather....WINTERS...Ha!
9. Currecny exchange (9 dollars for 4 double drinks and 2 shots...seriously???)
10. Absolutely by far I will miss my new friends and family!!!!
Honorable mentions:
KFC signs (they are everywhere)..that is the way you give landmarks!!!
Levi, Savannah and Tegon (the pets at the lodge)
Having someone make my bed and cook for me everyday
Chutney flavored chips
Not top 10 of South Africa
1. Gigantic Bugs that are the size of small children
2. The sport of Cricket....I think I ams till watching the same game since I got here
3. Metric systems..Still can't convert without Siri and she sucks in South Africa
4. My boat of a car. How I ended up with the largest car in South Africa is beyond me
5. Egypt...Yes, the whole country with the exception of a few people
6. Johannesburg signs. I mean come on people. If I am driving 120km on a highway how am I suppose to read a sign that has 50 different arrows pointing in 10 different directions all with words on it? Words might I add that have about 15 letters each ...all consonants.
7. Door locks I have major issues with freaken South Africa locks
8. Having seen all the sitcom shows or movies already since everything is delayed here
9. The post office...what a headache
10. Knowing that I can eat a whole bag of chips that they constitute "family size"
Honorable mentions:
Slow Internet
Shops closing at 5
Traffic lights always out
No lights on the highways or roads!!!
All my love to South Africa, my family and friends!!!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
The Last Supper
Today is my last supper at the Tladi Lodge. My dear friend Yvette has the lovely opportunity to have Friday's and Saturday's off...so we must fend for ourselves during the weekend. For the last month I have been trying to figure out what to have for my last supper. Only special guests get this treatment and I am very lucky to be close friends with the excellent chef.
DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....................
Tonight's menu will consist of starter: Calamari Salad (yes, that's right people...Calamari), main course Coconut Curry Salmon (IT IS FREAKEN DELICIOUS!) and for dessert bread pudding. I am hungry now! I am extremely happy Kraft placed me up in a bed and breakfast. Not only did I get my room cleaned for me and meals prepared by a 5 star chef, I also got to meet som incredible people. I am so grateful....and fat now. LOL! Thanks Yvette
I just came back from my last FINAL trip in South Africa. I truly thought my last trip was last week to Swaziland, however an urgent request came and the next thing I know I am on a British Airways flight to Port Elizabeth. The factory smells like chocolate and it truly was a Willy Wonka type of feel. PE is known as the "windy" city. Not quite like Chicago (city wise) but a hell of a lot windier. I got off the plane and was blown sideways. PE was super quaint, very pretty and had extremely welcoming and friendly people. The prices were 10 times less expensive then in Jo'burg and the food was AMAZING. I stuffed my face full of chicken curry and pancakes with cinnamon sugar and vanilla ice cream.
Work was very busy in PE so we had very little time to explore, but yet we still managed to have a great time and laugh a lot. And did I mention eat? LOL! It was a great way for me to end my final mini trips in Africa.
Here are some pics...
DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....................
Tonight's menu will consist of starter: Calamari Salad (yes, that's right people...Calamari), main course Coconut Curry Salmon (IT IS FREAKEN DELICIOUS!) and for dessert bread pudding. I am hungry now! I am extremely happy Kraft placed me up in a bed and breakfast. Not only did I get my room cleaned for me and meals prepared by a 5 star chef, I also got to meet som incredible people. I am so grateful....and fat now. LOL! Thanks Yvette
I just came back from my last FINAL trip in South Africa. I truly thought my last trip was last week to Swaziland, however an urgent request came and the next thing I know I am on a British Airways flight to Port Elizabeth. The factory smells like chocolate and it truly was a Willy Wonka type of feel. PE is known as the "windy" city. Not quite like Chicago (city wise) but a hell of a lot windier. I got off the plane and was blown sideways. PE was super quaint, very pretty and had extremely welcoming and friendly people. The prices were 10 times less expensive then in Jo'burg and the food was AMAZING. I stuffed my face full of chicken curry and pancakes with cinnamon sugar and vanilla ice cream.
Work was very busy in PE so we had very little time to explore, but yet we still managed to have a great time and laugh a lot. And did I mention eat? LOL! It was a great way for me to end my final mini trips in Africa.
Here are some pics...
Saturday, September 15, 2012
South African Great Adventure!!!!!
I just need to start this post off by saying....WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!!! It was so cold I couldn't feel my feet, but it was worth the pain.
Today I went to a South African version of Great Adventure. I was told from the beginning not to get my hopes up because it lacks in comparison to the amusement parks in America. Yvette and I went to Gold Reef in Johannesburg. This amusement park's theme was solely based on the mining history of Jo'burg. The park is actually situated on an old mine which one of the "rides" is where you can go down into an old mine shaft. The park was not significantly large, but it had authenticity and value. It was a basic amusement park with large rides (Anaconda which would be similar to The Batman Ride in Great Adventure, some "carnival rides" like the tilt a whirl and basic common rides like the Runaway Train.
I can honestly say today was the first time I waited on line for a ride and when I got to the front of the line I couldn't get on the ride. Now before you all call me a chicken let me explain. No disrespect to the workers at Gold Reef, but they just seemed annoyed and bored with their jobs. On some of the major roller coasters, not one worker came to check to see if our seats were secure and locked. That concerned me 100%. Their work practice was not geared to my safety which made me think about how well they maintain the rides or taught their workers how to react to a safety situation. Besides that concern, I tended to be seated in rides where the lock bar was set but then would click and move when I was upside down. So now that you know that little background information...here is why I walked away from The Golden Loop. It is a ride the simply jets out the gate and goes around a loop, then goes up a ramp and proceeds to go around the same loop backwards. Sounds like fun right?....Well, when I got to the top of the line I was told the only thing holding you in is a lap bar. I just didn't feel safe. At all. There was no over the shoulder harness, no belt buckle, just a lap bar that probably didn't lock. So I walked off. And my friends followed me.
Speaking of friends...Yvette is adorable. I can tell you 100% that my voice will be gone tomorrow because I laughed so hard at how Yvette reacts to rides. Poor thing is so scared but she loves the thrill. Gotta respect that. She went on one ride that she was petrified of but she did it for me. I love her for that. There were certain rides she wouldn't go on which I wouldn't push her. If she was afraid I wouldn't want to make her do something she didn't want to do. Instead I just gave her all my crap to hold. LOL! Yvette has no issues with roller coasters that go upside down. However she is afraid of heights and hates when you are hung in the air or upside down high off the ground. Well, we went on one ride. I had no idea what the ride was but was getting a feeling that it wasn't just a "swing" The reason why I knew this ride would be intense was because the locking system was much more intense then some rides we have been on. I turned to Yvette and said, "You know this ride goes upside down?" She looks at me and says, "No it doesn't" At this point I am thinking to myself I hope she realizes that it does go upside down and hangs. Then I was thinking how is she not realizing this WILL go upside down!!! Then she realized....and she was a great combination of fearful and pissed. I too was not aware of this ride and it was the first time I screamed. I screamed mostly because when I was hanging down facing the ground my harness clicked and moved. That moment was pure terror, but I was still more focused on Yvette. I just knew she was either going to die of a heart attack or kick the shit out of someone. Needless to say we made it and her color finally came back to her face. Speaking of color...we were on line for a "carnival" ride and the line stopped moving. We all had no idea what was going on till a man told us that a kid threw up. At that moment we jumped that line and moved to the next ride. Hahahah
Most of the rides didn't open till noon or later because of the weather, but it was well worth it. We hit majority of all the main rides excluding the water rides. It was only 55 degrees today! My face hurts from laughing so much and it being so cold and I am sure I will be sore tomorrow, but it was all worth every second. Enjoy the pics.......
The Ferris Wheel that didn't work
Our 4D adventure
BAZINGA!!!!!!!!
Cow rides...free of charge
This was the first ride where my seat lock moved
Anacanda
The ride I walked away from
We all are big kids
Friends!!!
Tower of Terror. ride last 3 seconds but it is awesome
Swing From Hell as Yvette would say
Only in SA. Live Peacocks in the foodcourt
Looking for french fries.....
A male Peacock looking for love.....try the foodcourt
Today I went to a South African version of Great Adventure. I was told from the beginning not to get my hopes up because it lacks in comparison to the amusement parks in America. Yvette and I went to Gold Reef in Johannesburg. This amusement park's theme was solely based on the mining history of Jo'burg. The park is actually situated on an old mine which one of the "rides" is where you can go down into an old mine shaft. The park was not significantly large, but it had authenticity and value. It was a basic amusement park with large rides (Anaconda which would be similar to The Batman Ride in Great Adventure, some "carnival rides" like the tilt a whirl and basic common rides like the Runaway Train.
I can honestly say today was the first time I waited on line for a ride and when I got to the front of the line I couldn't get on the ride. Now before you all call me a chicken let me explain. No disrespect to the workers at Gold Reef, but they just seemed annoyed and bored with their jobs. On some of the major roller coasters, not one worker came to check to see if our seats were secure and locked. That concerned me 100%. Their work practice was not geared to my safety which made me think about how well they maintain the rides or taught their workers how to react to a safety situation. Besides that concern, I tended to be seated in rides where the lock bar was set but then would click and move when I was upside down. So now that you know that little background information...here is why I walked away from The Golden Loop. It is a ride the simply jets out the gate and goes around a loop, then goes up a ramp and proceeds to go around the same loop backwards. Sounds like fun right?....Well, when I got to the top of the line I was told the only thing holding you in is a lap bar. I just didn't feel safe. At all. There was no over the shoulder harness, no belt buckle, just a lap bar that probably didn't lock. So I walked off. And my friends followed me.
Speaking of friends...Yvette is adorable. I can tell you 100% that my voice will be gone tomorrow because I laughed so hard at how Yvette reacts to rides. Poor thing is so scared but she loves the thrill. Gotta respect that. She went on one ride that she was petrified of but she did it for me. I love her for that. There were certain rides she wouldn't go on which I wouldn't push her. If she was afraid I wouldn't want to make her do something she didn't want to do. Instead I just gave her all my crap to hold. LOL! Yvette has no issues with roller coasters that go upside down. However she is afraid of heights and hates when you are hung in the air or upside down high off the ground. Well, we went on one ride. I had no idea what the ride was but was getting a feeling that it wasn't just a "swing" The reason why I knew this ride would be intense was because the locking system was much more intense then some rides we have been on. I turned to Yvette and said, "You know this ride goes upside down?" She looks at me and says, "No it doesn't" At this point I am thinking to myself I hope she realizes that it does go upside down and hangs. Then I was thinking how is she not realizing this WILL go upside down!!! Then she realized....and she was a great combination of fearful and pissed. I too was not aware of this ride and it was the first time I screamed. I screamed mostly because when I was hanging down facing the ground my harness clicked and moved. That moment was pure terror, but I was still more focused on Yvette. I just knew she was either going to die of a heart attack or kick the shit out of someone. Needless to say we made it and her color finally came back to her face. Speaking of color...we were on line for a "carnival" ride and the line stopped moving. We all had no idea what was going on till a man told us that a kid threw up. At that moment we jumped that line and moved to the next ride. Hahahah
Most of the rides didn't open till noon or later because of the weather, but it was well worth it. We hit majority of all the main rides excluding the water rides. It was only 55 degrees today! My face hurts from laughing so much and it being so cold and I am sure I will be sore tomorrow, but it was all worth every second. Enjoy the pics.......
The Ferris Wheel that didn't work 
Our 4D adventure
BAZINGA!!!!!!!!
Cow rides...free of charge
This was the first ride where my seat lock moved
Anacanda
The ride I walked away from
We all are big kids
Friends!!!
Tower of Terror. ride last 3 seconds but it is awesome 
Swing From Hell as Yvette would say 
Only in SA. Live Peacocks in the foodcourt
Looking for french fries.....
A male Peacock looking for love.....try the foodcourtSunday, September 9, 2012
FANFOKKINPAROW
What a weekend!!! I went to my first South African concert....FANFOKKINPAROW!! It was a concert with multiple bands that performed. Majority was in Afrikaans, but even if you didn't understand the words, you felt the vibe...which was amazing.
It was intense. It was jammed pack of young kids having a great time. Let me explain to you something...the reason why they were having such a great time despite being there for the bands was because of the alcohol. For example, 2 double brandy's and coke, 2 double vodka's and 2 shots came to 75 rand.....which equals 9 US dollars. That's right my American friends 9 dollars. It costs more to buy a beer at Yankee Stadium. That night I kept saying I am going to buy the bar! LOL!
I went with a true friend. Yvette Horn has made my adventure complete. I have so many memories with her and they are still continuing. Yvette's friends met up with us as well. Some I have met, some I just met. They made me feel very welcome and made sure I was safe and enjoying my time.
A night full of friends, love, laughter, drinks and awesome bands....enjoy the pics!!!!!
pre game. Yvette remember this shirt????
my new boyfriend.....
Yvette getting frisky with my camera
crazy amount of people
Yvette and Duncan!!!
the crowd went nuts! And yes, those are his boxers
HAPPINESS!!!!
Cheri, Danielle, and Duncan. Cheri looks like Juliette Lewis.
David and Duncan
the crowd just keeps on going!!!!!
It was intense. It was jammed pack of young kids having a great time. Let me explain to you something...the reason why they were having such a great time despite being there for the bands was because of the alcohol. For example, 2 double brandy's and coke, 2 double vodka's and 2 shots came to 75 rand.....which equals 9 US dollars. That's right my American friends 9 dollars. It costs more to buy a beer at Yankee Stadium. That night I kept saying I am going to buy the bar! LOL!
I went with a true friend. Yvette Horn has made my adventure complete. I have so many memories with her and they are still continuing. Yvette's friends met up with us as well. Some I have met, some I just met. They made me feel very welcome and made sure I was safe and enjoying my time.
A night full of friends, love, laughter, drinks and awesome bands....enjoy the pics!!!!!
pre game. Yvette remember this shirt????
my new boyfriend.....
Yvette getting frisky with my camera
crazy amount of people
Yvette and Duncan!!!
the crowd went nuts! And yes, those are his boxers
HAPPINESS!!!!
Cheri, Danielle, and Duncan. Cheri looks like Juliette Lewis.
David and Duncan
the crowd just keeps on going!!!!!Monday, September 3, 2012
Egypt...FINALLY!!!
Ok..let's try this again. I don't know what the hell the travel company did to my itinerary, but yesterday's flight was a bust. I packed got to the airport in record time only to fight with the rude lady at the counter for an hour. She couldn't talk because she had a sore throat. I kept asking her what she was saying and she was getting annoyed that I couldn't understand her. Well, she had something coming because the last thing I needed at that moment was for her to be rude to me. So in pure Danielle fashion I asked her what the hell a customer service rep was doing at work when she couldn't talk? She didn't like that comment and then insisted on me telling her why I was travelling to Cairo. In my response I told her she was a ticket agent not customs so she can worry about finding my ticket and I will worry about my work. Needless to say I walked away without a ticket. Stupid freaken travel agency. Well, let's just say I was not happy. Nor was my boss or the director. After a massive debate and e-mail bitch fest I am finally waiting to board my plane. Egypt...here I finally come!!!!
I probably will not have very much time to travel. My work itinerary is jammed pack. But here is hoping I will be able to see something in the remaining 3 days I am there. Not only do I want to experience Egypt, I know my fellow blogger's do as well. Maybe I will be able to get some cool pictures. As of now enjoy the picture of the Egypt Air Lounge.
SPEAK TO ALL WHEN I LAND IN EGYPT!!! Enjoy your last labor day off everyone!!!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Happy Birthday Jim
I just want to wish Jim a very happy birthday. I am sad I can't be with him on his day, but I know our great friends are making sure he is very happy. I hope everyone has fun tonight at Sogo's and party it up at my casa on Saturday. I hear the party continues over the weekend in Morristown on Sunday for another birthday celebration. I hope Lauren has a good time as well.
On a South African side note... Happy Spring!!!!! Hanging with my girl Yvette tomorrow. Only 3 more weeks left here. I am already starting to get sad. I am going to miss the country and all the great people I met. But no mushy stuff just yet. First up a weekend of fun and jetting off to Egypt on Sunday. Let all the adventures continue.
Happy Birthday Jim!!! Xoxoxo
On a South African side note... Happy Spring!!!!! Hanging with my girl Yvette tomorrow. Only 3 more weeks left here. I am already starting to get sad. I am going to miss the country and all the great people I met. But no mushy stuff just yet. First up a weekend of fun and jetting off to Egypt on Sunday. Let all the adventures continue.
Happy Birthday Jim!!! Xoxoxo
Monday, August 27, 2012
A great weekend....until....
This weekend was moving day. My friend Yvette moved from her family's large land in South Africa to her own little flat. She moved because the commute (which most of us State people know too well) was just too inconvenient. However one of the things that differs from her commute and what I am use to is the large sign that says "Danger Hijacking Zone the next 10km." Could you imagine working till 9 pm at night, being female and having to drive that alone everyday? Not to mention the fact that there is traffic and it is a good half hour away from work! I think she made the right call.
I got to meet Yvette's family. Such a welcoming and lovely family. I had such a great time with them. I did get to her flat a little late and all the heavy lifting was complete. However we dropped off her mom at the lodge and then Yvette and I went back and unpacked her whole flat. I could tell the amount of work she had to do versus the time was stressing Yvette so we watched Dane Cook and went to town on the apartment. It looks great. It has a very nice home feel to it and I think Yvette is happy. That is all that matters. The next day I went to her family's gigantic land and had some delicious BBQ. Again, the welcoming of their home was great. It was a family away from my family.
Though the happiness and warm feeling ended a little later in the day. Most of you know I am prone to getting sick. I am SHOCKED it took me this long to get sick but it happened. Around 6 pm I started to get the chills, headache and that blah feeling. Yvette and Veronica (The lodge host) even noticed something was wrong. After eating my meal, I went straight to sleep. I don't think I slept more than a constant half hour. I was sweating, than I had chills and a pounding headache. I decided to work from the lodge today. My South African boss called the lodge in a panic to see if I needed to go to the doctor. In the end, I got some rest, drank a hot toddy (yeah that's right) took some tablets and I feel better. I am not going to push it today....but all in all I feel better. I don't know what I had, but I am glad it has come and gone so fast. Maybe I was bit by something....who knows...but I am much better now. I just think everyone was having a heart attack because I was sick. LOL! I must feel better...Egypt in 6 days!!! :-)
Being sick though didn't stop me from designing new templates for specifications! Work work work! I felt bad missing a day because I am so limited here. At least I accomplished a good amount.
Happy Monday.
I got to meet Yvette's family. Such a welcoming and lovely family. I had such a great time with them. I did get to her flat a little late and all the heavy lifting was complete. However we dropped off her mom at the lodge and then Yvette and I went back and unpacked her whole flat. I could tell the amount of work she had to do versus the time was stressing Yvette so we watched Dane Cook and went to town on the apartment. It looks great. It has a very nice home feel to it and I think Yvette is happy. That is all that matters. The next day I went to her family's gigantic land and had some delicious BBQ. Again, the welcoming of their home was great. It was a family away from my family.
Though the happiness and warm feeling ended a little later in the day. Most of you know I am prone to getting sick. I am SHOCKED it took me this long to get sick but it happened. Around 6 pm I started to get the chills, headache and that blah feeling. Yvette and Veronica (The lodge host) even noticed something was wrong. After eating my meal, I went straight to sleep. I don't think I slept more than a constant half hour. I was sweating, than I had chills and a pounding headache. I decided to work from the lodge today. My South African boss called the lodge in a panic to see if I needed to go to the doctor. In the end, I got some rest, drank a hot toddy (yeah that's right) took some tablets and I feel better. I am not going to push it today....but all in all I feel better. I don't know what I had, but I am glad it has come and gone so fast. Maybe I was bit by something....who knows...but I am much better now. I just think everyone was having a heart attack because I was sick. LOL! I must feel better...Egypt in 6 days!!! :-)
Being sick though didn't stop me from designing new templates for specifications! Work work work! I felt bad missing a day because I am so limited here. At least I accomplished a good amount.
Happy Monday.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
30 days...or not???
So I got in my car yesterday and realized that I had only about 30 days left of my South African Adventure. A mixed bag of emotions came over me. Of course I am so excited to get back to the homeland, my family, my friends and my kitties, but I truly was saddened by what I have to say good bye to. I then turned on the radio and Bruce Springsteen came on and Born In The USA was pumping throughout my American Chevy automobile. I was stoked The sadness went to pure excitement. I walked in to work and my boss and the director asked me to stay an additional 2 weeks. And there it was...the pure joy of going home being kicked right out of me.
Now please don't get me wrong. I love it here. I especially fell in love with the great people I met and the environment. However not to sound too cliche, there is no place like home. And to now know I have to stay till October is a little disheartening. BUT...I plan on making the most of it. I will get to spend more quality time with the amazing people I have met, go to places I haven't been and soak in more of the culture. It truly is a win for me. 2 additional weeks isn't that long, but I am sure it might feel like forever. I am positive though that I will have plenty to do, places to see, and delicious food to eat. And let's not forget the weather is getting AWESOME! High today 79 with bright blue skies and sun. No humidity and a slight breeze. Amazing. This also gives me some time to lose the muffin top!!! :-(
I will take this opportunity to start preparing my top 10 things I will miss from South Africa. But in the meantime....I will prepare for my trip to Egypt (on labor day weekend)
Now please don't get me wrong. I love it here. I especially fell in love with the great people I met and the environment. However not to sound too cliche, there is no place like home. And to now know I have to stay till October is a little disheartening. BUT...I plan on making the most of it. I will get to spend more quality time with the amazing people I have met, go to places I haven't been and soak in more of the culture. It truly is a win for me. 2 additional weeks isn't that long, but I am sure it might feel like forever. I am positive though that I will have plenty to do, places to see, and delicious food to eat. And let's not forget the weather is getting AWESOME! High today 79 with bright blue skies and sun. No humidity and a slight breeze. Amazing. This also gives me some time to lose the muffin top!!! :-(
I will take this opportunity to start preparing my top 10 things I will miss from South Africa. But in the meantime....I will prepare for my trip to Egypt (on labor day weekend)
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Swaziland part 2
So I might have a fabulous place to stay in Jo'burg and accommodations that are fit for someone more important then me, however let's not forget how hard I work for these perks. Swaziland this week not only had wildfires that I had to deal with it also had gruesome hours and work load. This is my job however so I must do it to my best capability. 6 am flight on Monday with a full day work. I enjoyed a delicious meal only to start the day bright and early by 7 am the next day. I worked till about 5pm (which doesn't sound too bad) however I had about 3 hours to recooperate and eat only to go back to the plant by 9:30 pm and then finally leave at 1 am. After about 4 hours of sleep, I had to wake up and doing all over again. Very rough week however I think it was worth it.
I drove for the first time in Swaziland. It was pretty easy to maneuver, but there are no street lights and it is pitch black, and the addition of the smoke from the fires didn't help matters either. When I was in Swaziland, they had a thunderstorm which made the power go out. I was walking in the middle of the botanical garden and then it went PITCH BLACK. I will have to admit, it was the most scared I have been since I landed in South Africa. It was a scene right out of a horror movie. LOL! If anyone knows the Summerfield Botanical Gardens, they can tell you that it is a maze of paths with grass fields and flowers. When the power goes out, there is nothing!!! I have NEVER been so glad to have an I PHONE. After the power went out and my mini panic attack happened, I grabbed my phone and turned on the LED light. I got my barrings and walked briskly to the hut. Speaking of the hut...I got upgraded to a suite. Not that I was able to use it since I worked the whole time, but it is nice for a couple who are vacationing.
The weather here is finally getting warmer. The high's for the next week look to be in the upper 70's. Winter is gradually ending and with a bang. I still can't get over the snow. LOL! Nor can other citizens here. When I was leaving Swaziland the only thing that was on the news was the shoot out from the miners. The pictures they showed on the local news and on the newspapers was disturbing. I can imagine how people were referring it back to the apartheid era. The miners want and deserve more money and when workers don't get what they want they strike. A common thing ALL over the world. However the actions taken to solve the situation differ from region to region. Not to say that the United States is a tactical force at dispersing a situation like so. The states actually have their own issues...different then here, but somehow related. In the end, the same thing occurs....multiple stories and recreations of the incident and the blame game. It doesn't matter what or who was the cause, a large amount of people died for no reason.. The last thing a growing nation needs in more factors that make the government unstable. This incident is definitely rocking the boat and making the people nervous and angry. This isn't just in South Africa though...it is the world.
Speaking of people being nervous, I ran into a peacock at the Botanical Garden. I never knew that the female peacock is so ugly and the male is the attractive one. Anyway..the male didn't want anything to do with me when I was trying to take its picture. It looked at me and flung at me. I never let out a larger scream then that moment. LOL! I started to back up and walk away from it. It sounded like it was hissing at me. I think this male peacock had a vendetta against me because at 4 am it was perched outside my door giving me a wake up call. Let's just say he wasn't my biggest fan!
I hope you all are having a fabulous weekend. I spent the weekend lounging around, having a few drinks with my dear friend Yvette and went to see a movie. The Expendables 2. If you haven't seen it you should. It is entertaining. And there is Jason Statham. Enough said! :-) Here are some pics from the trip....
Female peacock
Another female peacock
Living room in Manzini. Check out Marilyn in the background
changing area
Front door
View from my window
View from the dinner table
I belive this is the bastard who attacked me.
And his brother......
Happy Sunday!!!
I drove for the first time in Swaziland. It was pretty easy to maneuver, but there are no street lights and it is pitch black, and the addition of the smoke from the fires didn't help matters either. When I was in Swaziland, they had a thunderstorm which made the power go out. I was walking in the middle of the botanical garden and then it went PITCH BLACK. I will have to admit, it was the most scared I have been since I landed in South Africa. It was a scene right out of a horror movie. LOL! If anyone knows the Summerfield Botanical Gardens, they can tell you that it is a maze of paths with grass fields and flowers. When the power goes out, there is nothing!!! I have NEVER been so glad to have an I PHONE. After the power went out and my mini panic attack happened, I grabbed my phone and turned on the LED light. I got my barrings and walked briskly to the hut. Speaking of the hut...I got upgraded to a suite. Not that I was able to use it since I worked the whole time, but it is nice for a couple who are vacationing.
The weather here is finally getting warmer. The high's for the next week look to be in the upper 70's. Winter is gradually ending and with a bang. I still can't get over the snow. LOL! Nor can other citizens here. When I was leaving Swaziland the only thing that was on the news was the shoot out from the miners. The pictures they showed on the local news and on the newspapers was disturbing. I can imagine how people were referring it back to the apartheid era. The miners want and deserve more money and when workers don't get what they want they strike. A common thing ALL over the world. However the actions taken to solve the situation differ from region to region. Not to say that the United States is a tactical force at dispersing a situation like so. The states actually have their own issues...different then here, but somehow related. In the end, the same thing occurs....multiple stories and recreations of the incident and the blame game. It doesn't matter what or who was the cause, a large amount of people died for no reason.. The last thing a growing nation needs in more factors that make the government unstable. This incident is definitely rocking the boat and making the people nervous and angry. This isn't just in South Africa though...it is the world.
Speaking of people being nervous, I ran into a peacock at the Botanical Garden. I never knew that the female peacock is so ugly and the male is the attractive one. Anyway..the male didn't want anything to do with me when I was trying to take its picture. It looked at me and flung at me. I never let out a larger scream then that moment. LOL! I started to back up and walk away from it. It sounded like it was hissing at me. I think this male peacock had a vendetta against me because at 4 am it was perched outside my door giving me a wake up call. Let's just say he wasn't my biggest fan!
I hope you all are having a fabulous weekend. I spent the weekend lounging around, having a few drinks with my dear friend Yvette and went to see a movie. The Expendables 2. If you haven't seen it you should. It is entertaining. And there is Jason Statham. Enough said! :-) Here are some pics from the trip....
Female peacock 
Another female peacock Living room in Manzini. Check out Marilyn in the background
changing area 
Front door 
View from my window
View from the dinner table
I belive this is the bastard who attacked me. 
And his brother......Thursday, August 9, 2012
Women's Day and NOT TOP 10
Today is National Women's Day. A public holiday in South Africa. The national march of women occurred on this day in 1956 petitioning against legislation that required African persons to carry special identification documents known as "the pass". 20,000 women marched in Pretoria to protest against the amendment and stood strong and proud for Africa freedom during the apartheid era. More than 50 years later, this courageous act is still honored and coins a phrase for the South African women "You strike a woman, you strike a rock" ..a protest song the women sang during the event. Here's to strength, beliefs, respect and honor....
Since today is Thursday and a public holiday, majority of my coworkers will be taking an extended weekend. When one of my coworkers was leaving, he was asking me what I was doing for Women's Day and the weekend. I told him I was going for a run, relaxing and actually working. Marcus told me not to work too hard because work life balance is essential. I couldn't agree with him more. He did give me an assignment...he asked me to come up with 10 things I miss from the US (besides my family, friends and kitties). So here it is...my not top 10!!!
#1. HEAT! I miss heat terribly. For those who know me well, I am cold in 80 degree weather...the freak snow storm and cold front in South Africa is something I didn't expect. Nor did majority of anyone else since there is no heat!
#2. Diet Mt. Dew. Deliciousness in a can!
#3. My kitchen and cooking. I miss cooking in my kitchen
#4. The Yankees....enough Cricket already!
#5. Sundresses, shorts and tank tops. I am missing prime summer weather and cute outfits!
#6. TARGET!!!!!...I miss the bulls eye
#7. Standard Measurements/"Imperial Units" ...come on metric system! You are killing me.
#8. Certain fast food chains and restaurants (I miss the Whippany Diner, The Cheesecake Factory, Qdoba, Jose Tejas, Smashburger, DD and even Chic-Fil-A. With all their press...I could go for a delicious chicken sandwich!! SO YUMMY!
#9. Bathroom Outlets. There are no outlets in the bathroom for safety in South Africa. I hate doing my hair in the bedroom.
#10. My watch. I was told to keep everything valuable at home for threat of being carjacked or stolen.
Have a great Thursday...and a special shout out to all my strong female friends!! :-)
Since today is Thursday and a public holiday, majority of my coworkers will be taking an extended weekend. When one of my coworkers was leaving, he was asking me what I was doing for Women's Day and the weekend. I told him I was going for a run, relaxing and actually working. Marcus told me not to work too hard because work life balance is essential. I couldn't agree with him more. He did give me an assignment...he asked me to come up with 10 things I miss from the US (besides my family, friends and kitties). So here it is...my not top 10!!!
#1. HEAT! I miss heat terribly. For those who know me well, I am cold in 80 degree weather...the freak snow storm and cold front in South Africa is something I didn't expect. Nor did majority of anyone else since there is no heat!
#2. Diet Mt. Dew. Deliciousness in a can!
#3. My kitchen and cooking. I miss cooking in my kitchen
#4. The Yankees....enough Cricket already!
#5. Sundresses, shorts and tank tops. I am missing prime summer weather and cute outfits!
#6. TARGET!!!!!...I miss the bulls eye
#7. Standard Measurements/"Imperial Units" ...come on metric system! You are killing me.
#8. Certain fast food chains and restaurants (I miss the Whippany Diner, The Cheesecake Factory, Qdoba, Jose Tejas, Smashburger, DD and even Chic-Fil-A. With all their press...I could go for a delicious chicken sandwich!! SO YUMMY!
#9. Bathroom Outlets. There are no outlets in the bathroom for safety in South Africa. I hate doing my hair in the bedroom.
#10. My watch. I was told to keep everything valuable at home for threat of being carjacked or stolen.
Have a great Thursday...and a special shout out to all my strong female friends!! :-)
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Let it snow...Let it snow...let it snow
That's right people...it snowed in South Africa today. Lets move past the fact that it hasn't snowed here in the last 20 years but focus on the rapid change in temperature. Saturday, Sunday and Monday the high was 75. Today's high was recorded at 37. What the hell is going on with mother nature? I am telling you...she knows where I am and sends the crappy conditions my way.
Though I do have to admit, seeing my co-workers faces was priceless. A snow flake fell and people were cheering, smiling from ear to ear, taking pictures and e-mailing them to their kids and some even left early because they were afraid of traffic. Up north there was some snow that stuck on the ground but here in Jo'burg the ground was too warm. It would snow for about 5 minutes, then abruptly stop for the sun to come out. Then 15 minutes later it would snow again.
My coworker said it best...their enthusiasm of seeing snow would be equivalent to me seeing a lion. LOL! That is so true. I wouldn't constitute it snow...more like snow flurries that made me annoyed since I wore ballerina slippers today. No where in the forecast today did it mention snow showers. The weather people here are just as bad as up north. They predicted today's high at 58. They were 20 degrees off. PLUS SNOW! :-)
When I read about South Africa's winters, it mentioned average highs of upper 50's-upper 60's. This does NOT warrant a winter coat. However today's temperature does merit the look. Too bad I didn't pack one. Instead I have 4 sets of awesome sandals. Yesterday I wore a pretty sundress with a jean jacket. Today I wore my heaviest sweater with fur. Crazy global warming. Oh did I mention that my lodge only has heated floors and no heat? Why heat a place that never gets snow and their winters only last 2 months with temperatures that equal our Spring?! Looks like I will be wrapped in blankets on the floor tonight. What an experience....enjoy the pictures.
back of the building
front parking lot area
car port
Adults being kids :-)
the beginning of the snow
back of the building
Though I do have to admit, seeing my co-workers faces was priceless. A snow flake fell and people were cheering, smiling from ear to ear, taking pictures and e-mailing them to their kids and some even left early because they were afraid of traffic. Up north there was some snow that stuck on the ground but here in Jo'burg the ground was too warm. It would snow for about 5 minutes, then abruptly stop for the sun to come out. Then 15 minutes later it would snow again.
My coworker said it best...their enthusiasm of seeing snow would be equivalent to me seeing a lion. LOL! That is so true. I wouldn't constitute it snow...more like snow flurries that made me annoyed since I wore ballerina slippers today. No where in the forecast today did it mention snow showers. The weather people here are just as bad as up north. They predicted today's high at 58. They were 20 degrees off. PLUS SNOW! :-)
When I read about South Africa's winters, it mentioned average highs of upper 50's-upper 60's. This does NOT warrant a winter coat. However today's temperature does merit the look. Too bad I didn't pack one. Instead I have 4 sets of awesome sandals. Yesterday I wore a pretty sundress with a jean jacket. Today I wore my heaviest sweater with fur. Crazy global warming. Oh did I mention that my lodge only has heated floors and no heat? Why heat a place that never gets snow and their winters only last 2 months with temperatures that equal our Spring?! Looks like I will be wrapped in blankets on the floor tonight. What an experience....enjoy the pictures.
back of the building
front parking lot area
car port 
Adults being kids :-) 
the beginning of the snow
back of the building
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