2 Star Diver!

I took what I expect to be my last diving trip in South Africa this past long weekend to Sodwana. Also decided to get my 2 Star (equivalent to Advanced) certification so I can now officially dive to 30m. I realized why I like diving- all the worries and stresses of life go away due to the nitrogen uptake. You really don't think about anything! We had ok weather conditions with strong currents above and below the surface, and also rain on one of the dives which actually was a blessing in disguise because the storm opened up the skies and cleared the water for the last day where we ended with a lekker dive at Chains on 2 Mile reef. We could see the bottom from the surface!

Dewald, Heidi, me, Johann, Elsie

Election Day in SA

Tomorrow marks apparently the biggest, most anticipated election since 1994 when Mandela was voted into the presidency. There are 26 parties to choose from, all of them except one (the ANC) knowing they will not win. The goal for the rest of them is to spread the vote so the ANC does not receive 2/3 of the vote which prevents them from being able to change the constitution. Another reason I heard why people go out and vote knowing their vote may not make a difference is so they have a right to complain afterwards. Hmmm... (And btw, they actually give everyone the day off to go and vote so tomorrow is another public holiday for us!)

Interesting times as the leader of the ANC has been quite controversial the past year but over the weekend, at the final rally for the ANC, Nelson Mandela rode in with Jacob Zuma to support him in the campaign. I'm sure that helped win many many undecided votes. Here is a picture from my visit into Soweto last weekend where there were many small rallys and fundraisers being held for Zuma and the ANC including this car wash.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090421/wl_nm/us_safrica_election_3
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090421/ap_on_re_af/af_south_africa_election_4

A tourist in Soweto

After 18 months living here, I finally made a point to go visit Soweto (stands for South West Township). I found Mandy's tour company (Imbizo Tours) in the guide books and gave her a call. Saturday turned out to be a fantastic day. It was a small group of us two from England, one from Holland, and me. While I did get to see all the typical tourist spots, it didn't seem like we were ticking off a list of sites. Rather, we journeyed through the range of living conditions and neighborhoods from multi-million rand homes to shacks. We had candid conversations with Mandy about life there before and after Apartheid and also bought food- pumpkin and cabbage- for the families in the shantytown of Kliptown as a Sunday treat.

site where the freedom charter was signed

buying pumpkin at the market

cabbage

the river in Kliptown where they do their washing

handing out cabbage to residents in Kliptown

hector pietersen memorial- he would have been my age!

me, Mandy, Silvia

The afternoon tour went into the night where we ended the day with dinner in Newtown- a neighborhood in Johannesburg I've been wanting to visit to check out the music scene but it's too dangerous if you are unfamiliar with the area.

A pic to make anyone smile...

I just had to post these pictures Jenny sent me taken when I visited her and the family in San Diego during my early March trip to the States. Elliot is such a bundle of joy!

What does one do if a giraffe is in your way?

Three of us went on a 10.5km hike at Groenkloof in Pretoria on day 4 of our 4-day weekend. I had done this hike once before last year while preparing for Kili but welcomed the chance to go out again with the hope of maybe seeing some animals this time. With another perfect day of sun, we set off. Mid-way through, we looked up and noticed a giraffe in our path with another 2 to our right. Now, what do you do in this situation? So we stood there until one of the giraffe decided this was his/her path so we moved back. Eventually, after 6 of them appeared, we decided to head forward and see if they would just move. And sure enough, they did. Really really cool to see the beautiful giraffe up close on foot.

The giraffe and some zebra (left corner).

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

Apparently the 3rd most popular destination for tourists in Cape Town, I managed to get a look after the race. It was extremely convenient because 1. I got in free because of the race and 2. It was just down the road from my B&B. I had a nice stroll and some lunch in the Gardens. Really beautiful with the blue sky at the foot of Table Mountain.

2 Oceans Half or Full?

The 2 Oceans Marathon is often termed the most beautiful in the world. If you decide to run the 56km (which is 1 marathon + 14 km), you have the opportunity to see both the Indian and Atlantic Ocean. I have not reached that point of insanity and just ran the 21 km which was just as pretty although I saw neither ocean. Beautiful scenery none the less with a full moon, wine country just as the sun came out, and the mountains against a bright blue sky. Even though I felt a bit of pain on my foot at kilometer 5, I just slowed down a bit and tried to enjoy the run. I passed the 2 hour 30 minute pacesetter early on and was determined to not be overrun. I succeeded and ran the race in 2 hours 15 minutes! Very chuffed.

The B&B I stayed at prepared me a nice basket to energize me in the morning. I had brought my own PB sandwich just in case!

Constantia mountains and the full moon the evening before the run.

Me at the start (notice the 21km and 56km sign in the back). The water tent with 6 km left to go to the finish.


Me happy at the finish!

We need more 4 day weekends!

In South Africa, they have both Good Friday and the Monday following Easter designated as public holidays. What a great weekend to just chill, enjoy the sun, and celebrate the true meaning of Easter with fellow believers. As each day ended, it was great to know that I had yet another day to relax. I even took a 1 1/2 day trip to Cape Town to run my second half marathon and still had time to come home to Joburg, rest up on Easter Sunday, and take a 10.5 km hike with friends on Monday in Pretoria. 4 day weekends- gotta love them!

Have you "Bean There"?

Last weekend I discovered a cute little outdoor dining and high end shopping area at 44 Stanley. My original idea was to go visit this fair trade African coffee shop called Bean There just to chill on a Saturday afternoon but my friend Chris told me the area is much more than that. One would never know this place exists by driving around the neighborhood. It's one of those areas they are trying to revitalize so it's surrounded by worn down buildings and unsafe streets. Glad to have visited. It may even become one of those Saturday morning favorites for me.