Blog-Posts SA 1 to SA 35 . . . include portions of MANY COUNTRIES
in the South of the African Continent
( NAMIBIA . SWAZILAND . BOTSWANA . ZAMBIA . ZIMBABWE . SOUTH AFRICA )
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We arrive at the Johannesburg Airport . . . January 1, 2015 . . . 6:30 a.m.
on British Air via Heathrow London . . . after more than 48 sleepless hours
1st order of business after checking in at
Blue Mango Lodge in Kempton Park - (Pomona) is to get some rest.
Twelve hours later we wake up at 11 p.m.
.. not exactly the best way to get our body clocks turned around ..
( Back to sleep 2 hours later . . By morning we're ready - to - go )
. . . Jo'burg is 2 hours ahead of London, so about 9 hours ahead of our U.S. home
We don't usually show bathrooms but . .
Brit owner, Stevie, and his Ugandan wife Daisy . .
have put a lot of thought and care into this property . . beginning with a very tiny house
Stevie himself cooks Dinner out here on the 'braai'
. . . Breakfast is included . . . Supper is $12
Our room is on the back side of this expanded home
. . Several cottages, not shown, are added to the right of this view
. . plus he has purchased many nearby houses to offer for long - term rent.
He explains that non - South Africans have a very difficult time finding employment
. . so they tend to invent independent ways to make a living
At breakfast we talk at length with Francis from Uganda . . who has
come to lead a 2 - week business seminar attended this time mainly by Tanzanians.
As it turns out we spend most of the day listening right in this room
Stevie comes in and we ask questions for hours . . about "southern" Africa
about South Africa's relationship to it's neighbors . .
about post - Apartheid adjustments . .
about Africa's natural resources . .
about the historical backdrop . .
( in the 'southern' portion of the continent compared to other countries further 'north' )
He is overflowing with stories and opinions . .
Including roles played in the past by the Dutch and the English in particular . .
& Missionaries . Colonists . Investors
Slave Trade . Mining . Drugs . Import - Export issues
An important 'Page One' . . in our heads . . as we sort through many decades of topics
that have dominated news headlines . . during our lifetime . . and centuries earlier
By evening some important decisions have been made.
Life is really interesting . . isn't it ?
Let's Get Going ! . . . Rusty and Wrinkles have many things they want to explore.
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Glad you made it well to South Africa. Sounds like great adventures to come.
ReplyDeleteLooks great. I'm on vacation with you, in a way.
ReplyDelete