Borders

Hey, I am in Zambia..Livingstone that is. The first visit across the ditch, this year. (The ditch being the Zambezi River). It is nice to be here again, I have spent so many times here over the last three years that it is strange to not have been here for so long this year. Have seen many friends, and they are all full of welcome - a very typical reaction and response that you will get from people in this region. Thank you all for your hospitality and help, and friendship.

I think that the Mozi (beer) tastes better than it did last year when I was here! At last there are a few trips which will bring me through here over the next few weeks. Time to visit that beautiful spot, Taita Falcon Lodge, on the Batoka Gorge.

Love for nature and the world around us, is something we have to remind ourselves about from time to time. For some of us, the natural world is around us and we see and experience it. Better than only being in a city - I mean IN a CITY, not in a nice suburban area away from the real Concrete Jungle. Those are the folks who need to have a chance to get out into the natural world.
Life should be a balance - for those not out in the nature and for those who are - because I can take the city and the built up world. But I know it is nice to be able to "work" in the bush, in the natural, nature world. And to share that love, and life, with friends and close, loved ones.

And, Man's Best Friend..the dog. Well, Marty sure fills that description. Loyal,waiting, patient always there when I get back from being away. Always happy and always only to pleased to share any moment with me. He is not the only one..many, many of us have such a friend. They are quite amazing companions. Enjoy them.

And now, in the late hours of the evening, I must close my mind to the things that have to be done, to the day ahead and the things not yet done, and merely relax in the knowledge that I, too, am loved. And that I do have people who care about me, in some way. And to find comfort and solace in that knowledge, and happiness.

No pictures today, I don't have the drive connected with those on...so tomorrow or the next day, we get some photos for you again.

Days of Learning

Beautiful coastline, Eastern Cape South Africa.

Giraffe and leopard in the Chobe National Park.

It was time to gather the force of my one sibling and share some time together! We had given this a bash two days ago, to find that she had come down with the worst flu you could wish for; and our visit together turned into an evening of medicine and remedies, no supper together and so on. So Saturday was sunny and seemed perfect. We managed a quick lunch together at a nice outdoor pub/restaurant, soaking up the warm sun..funny, how hot the sun is in winter when you sit in it with long sleeves or a sweater on!!

I am hoping today to catch up maybe on a bit more time together before I return to work in the Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve next week.

I had the pleasure of spending time also with new friends, young folk who I am getting to know and appreciate. Being a part of their world for this short time has also been eye-opening and a learning for me. One where I have enjoyed what I have done and learnt.

And amongst this, still time to be in touch with (old) friends and share experiences and plans together, to exchange thoughts and feelings with folk through some correspondence. And today, it's also time to make contact and catch up on the news with family I have not spoken to for far too many months.

So, Sunday it is..and a busy schedule ahead. Why, I even have some work to do too!!

Winter and it's toll

Full moon setting, Johannesburg, 07 July 2009. 0650
Sunset Johannesburg, 07 July 2009. 1850.

Hi! The subject line is a bit all-encompassing, but anyway. Suffice it to say I am only going to comment on its immediate effect on me and some close friends in the last week! Temperatures in Johannesburg region get pretty low in winter and for folk like us coming from the northern Botswana, mild climate, well..I never seem prepared for it. And I never get sick where I live - ok maybe a day now and again over a couple of years. I consider I have a system pretty well able to tackle anything the outdoors, dust, people, animals etc can throw at me. It seems to work. But not in Johannesburg. Man, someone had a cough and flu and I said don't worry it won't get to me. Yeah, right. Here I am sick and miserable. Nasty bugs they got here. They ain't friendly!There are another 3 around me going through various stages of being sick. No wonder the chemists and medical profession thrives so well down here!

No exscuses. I am going to post a photo I took of the moon in the early morning, and hope it looks as good as it did in real life.

One thing for someone like me who comes from such a small town with very few amenities, in a place like Johannesburg, Pretoria, or whichever city we might be in, we can look forward to a huge selection of good restaurants, bars and shops to entertain us! It's easy, for a while, to not get bored and to enjoy the lifestyle for a while. For a while. Then it's good to be able to get away from it again, not having to live in the bigger cities full-time. Even a break of a few days out, is good.

Friends, family, companions. They make the difference. They are always above material issues such as city life,work, stress, entertainment and so on. Relationships with people are above these things, and will always be more rewarding.