Thursday, May 15, 2008

Robben Island

Prisoners only had one to two changes of clothes. They were always cold in the winter because they wore shorts and only had one blanket for warmth. Nelson Mandela was born in Transkei, SA on July 18, 1918 and was the most famous inmate at Robben Island. He joined the African National Congress in 1944. In 1962 he was arrested for treason and sentenced to five years of hard labor. On June 12, 1964 he was arrested again, along with eight others for plotting to overthrow the government and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was at Robben Island from 1964-1982, thereafter at Pollsmoor Prison nearby on the mainland. His reputation grew and he became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength. He consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom. On Feb. 11, 1990 he was released from prison. In 1991 he was elected president of the ANC which was banned in 1960. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Most of the South African's all love him, even now and wish that he wasn't so old (90 years). They thought he was great for the country and he understood all of the people, no matter if they were black, Coloured, or Afrikaans. Okay, I think that's enough of a history lesson!!!

Cables Up to the Top of Table Mountain

At Boulders Beach

Around Cape Town

On the Cable Car up to the top of Table Mt.
The Lion's Head Near Table Mt.

My mistake!! This is still UGLY but I was informed that's it's a baby marabou stork!!!

Some of the Game Rob Aquired, Except the Elephant!!!

Caracal

Greater Kudu
Duiker
From our B & B at Huntershill Safari
White Springbok
Kalahari Springbok

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

It's About Time!

Well, for Pete's Sake! I guess I'm not really into blogging. I've been meaning to do this for ages but 'things' just keep getting in the way!!! I really want to finish up our trip to South Africa so that I can get on to exciting things, like grand babies!!! It's been almost four months since my last post, so it really is, ABOUT TIME!! Hopefully, I'll get a few pictures and thoughts down so that I can revisit our trip whenever I want and not have to rack my brain...which at my age is a real chore...

First, I wanted to list some of the words and sayings from South Africa before I forget them. I wrote a bunch of them down but can't seem to find the paper I put them on...so, I know there are more but can't remember them right now. If you can think of other sayings I've forgotten, please refresh my memory and feel free to post them!

1. Bakkie (buck~ky) ~ a pick up truck.
2. Biltong ~ (bull tongue) ~ beef jerky, made from ostrich, beef, kudu, etc.
3. Bottle store ~ Liquor store, on every street corner.
4. Blotto~ Extreme inebriation.
5. Boykie ~ little boy.
6. Buy a dankie (donkey) ~ thank you in Afrikaans.
7. Braai ~ (bry) ~ Barbecue.
8. Boerie, Boerewors (Vors) ~ farmstyle sausage on the braai.
9. Biscuit ~ Cookie, twit.
10. Bye-Bye ~ Said monotone sometimes and drawn out...
11. Chemist ~ Pharmacy.
12. Chips ~ French fries.
13. Chalk a block ~ Lots of traffic, busy, full.
14. Farm Stall ~ A fun place to get refreshments along the road; they sell fruit, breads, teas, and yummy desserts!
15. Gatstad ~ Grahamstown, a town between P. E. and East London in the Eastern Cape.
16. Go Mental ~ Going Postal.
17. Go well ~ said after a visit when you are leaving a friends house.
18. Howzit ~ How is it?
19. If God wills ~ Also said when you are leaving a friends house.
20. Just now ~ very soon, eventually, or never!
21. Ja ~ (Yah) ~ Yes.
22. Lekker ~ Nice, pleasant, good time.
23. Mielies ~ Corn.
24. Pavement ~ Sidewalk!
25. P. E. ~ Port Elizabeth, a town along the east coast near Jeffrey's Bay.
26. Robot ~ Traffic light.
27. Rooibus ~ Red Bush Tea, very good and has many healthy benefits, plus no caffeine. I ordered three boxes from South Africa. On a side note, it's next to impossible to find a good cup of coffee in SA. Most people drink tea or INSTANT COFFEE (Nescafe')!!!
28. Same Same ~ Okay.
29. Samp ~ A South African dish made from rough maize (corn). It's often mixed with red beans (samp & beans) and is delish!! Yum! I had Brynna bring me back some samp because I couldn't find it in any of the stores around here. I guess I'll have to look for it online.
30. Shame ~ Said A LOT, meaning poor thing or I feel sorry for you.
31. Shushu ~ (Not sure how to spell it, I think it's Xhosa or Zulu) Very hot!
32. Sorry ~ Excuse me, come again.
33. Slum Town ~ East London, a town which is near some excellent surfing, namely Nahoon Reef, Yellowsand & Queenberry Bay, to name a few.
34. Torch ~ Flashlight.
35. Veld ~ South African countryside.
36. We need to 'make a plan' ~ Self explanatory.
37. Xhosa ~ ([Huh] kosa) ~ Strong, handsome black people that speak with 'clicks' coming from the back of their throats ~ I read this definition in "The Covenant", by James Michener, a very good (LONG) book, by the way that I'm trying to finish before next year! I wish I would have read it before we went to South Africa because it's very informative.
I found part of my list of 'sayings' so will add them!
1. 100%~ Okay!
2. I'm really chapped!
3. Bob's your uncle~Cool!
4. Long fingers~To steal.
5. Green fingers~Green thumb.
6. We'll give you a tinkle~Call you.
7. Loo~Bathroom.
8. No over nighting~spend night.
9. Heavy~Same as in the 70's.
10. One click~ One kilometer.
11. Traffic calming~ Speed bumb.