Odds and Ends

So after our eventful trip to Cape Town we decided to take another holiday up north with Katie’s Stepmom, Cindy and her friend Kelly from work. We headed out of East London on the 24th of March, Saturday and drove all day. We ended up in Umkomaas. Kelly wanted to do some scuba diving but the waves had been high all week along the coast. The waves reached 11 meters, equaling around 36 feet (this was in EL) this happens around every 10 years and occurs because of the lining of the sun and moon. Anyway she called a diving guide to see how diving was he stated, “Im going to be honest with you, diving is complete shit, you can not see a dam thing” Thanks for being so honest!! She ended up passing and on Sunday we were in the Drakensberg which was absolutely beautiful!! Once we were situated at our rondavel we decided to go horseback riding which was beautiful riding up the Drakensberg Mountains and the feeling of being on top of the world…
On Monday we did the Sani-pass which takes you to Lesotho! It was an adventure. It took us two hours to reach the top of the mountains. With the road we took it was illegal if you did not have a four wheel drive vehicle and now I know why!! The road itself was not smooth…at one time you hit a point where you are going up at a 24 degree angle, this is steep!!! I am so thankful I was in the back of the vehicle. I don’t think I would have made it far if I was in the front!!
5th of April
This week I went up to the Vincent shopping center to hang out with one of my co- workers, Tabisa. Just window shopping! Trust me, I didn’t get anything!! Anyway Tabisa has a 4 year old daughter!! She is adorable and I am going to tell you all about her since I have not spent quality time with any young children and you all know how much I love children. Tabisa’s daughter is named Ukho and she is a doll! We ended up doing some grocery shopping and I was talking with Ukho….and she is like do you sing…I responded that she may not want to hear me sing but I would love to hear her so she sang twinkle twinkle little star for me!! She asked how she sounded! Of course beautiful!! As I was pushing her around in the cart she was asking me all these questions that young children ask. One of them was if I had any kids? I told her no. She looked at me in dismay (I wish you could have seen her face) and asks why? My thoughts are hum, I must not be fun enough for her. I responded that I needed to wait until I came home…and as young children’s favorite question is she asked why again… As we were checking out I lifted her out of the cart and was holding her…she started touching/rubbing my skin and asked why I was so dirty (referring to my freckles). I was almost in tears as I was laughing so hard. I told her that I get these from the sun, she responded, “the sun makes you dirty?”! Isn’t she adorable! I told Tabisa that I wanted to make smores with her daughter! This is something that is unknown here but the supplies are available, I will have to see what I can do!!
For Easter weekend we went to Port St John’s and Coffee Bay. We started off in Port St. Johns and it was just a little too crazy for us. I was sick to my stomach on Friday when we arrived so I laid down and slept while Katie and Justin went out to eat. Well I wake up to this woman talking to herself (we were warned about this woman when we came to stay here). Anyway I wake up and she asks me why am I sleeping I tell her I was not feeling well. She asks me my name I respond and ask her hers she tells me she can not disclose this information. Ok? So we are having a conversation which is somewhat difficult because she really does not answer your questions or will start talking about another topic. During our discussion in mid sentence she asks me if I prefer hot raunchy sex or an intelligent conversation. I look at her wide eyed in disbelief that she would ask that question, respond and run off to the bathroom and call Katie to tell her to hurry back. This woman is quite the character as we had a few interesting conversations with her. On Sunday we left Port St. Johns and went to Coffee Bay. This was relaxing and a comfortable environment. On our way home I ended up having to work some of my magic. I was driving and see a car and this guy is flagging me down. I pull over as I think it is a check point for meat as we have gone through a few of those while we have been traveling. So I pull over and it is traffic control. DANG IT. The officer we will call him Officer A tells me I have been speeding. 106km in an 80km Opps. I tell Officer A I did not realize I was speeding (I am being honest here). Officer A asks me to come and see what he clocked me at. I look and he tells me to see Officer B. Officer B shows me that I would owe 500 rands (71 dollar ticket). I respond, “Your really not going to make me pay this are you?” Officer A states if they drop it what can I do for them. I am somewhat confused and ask, “Do you mean pay you under the table” Officer A raises his voice a little bit and says no, but repeats the question. I stated I could fork out 200 rands. They also ask for my license and while I am looking for this they have a normal conversation with me….how long have a been in SA, what have I been doing, do I like it here, where have I been traveling? So these officers are some pretty nice guys. I am still looking for my license and can not see it in my purse. I am somewhat freaking out as I CAN NOT find my license. I start taking out the things in my purse and both officers state that I should not do that and I need to put my things back in my purse. Officer A asks me if I have a license and I swear up and down that I do have one. I give them my student ID card instead. Officer B then states that they will drop the ticket if I put 100 rands (13 dollars) inside the door 100 rands, not 200 rands. Hell yeah!!! I am ok with that. So I get 100 rands and hand it to the officer….he points to the door. I put it in the door and tell them to have a good day and off I go!!! I was very calm during this incident for those of you who know me…you would be proud! Needless to say I had Katie drive the rest of the way home…and I found my license at home in the bedroom. A lot of good it does me there! Ha!
Well thats about all i have! Hope you are all well! Keep me updated on your life when you have a moment! Take Care!