Jan 4 - 8 Saturday

Kaimans River flowing into ocean at Wilderness

We made it … indeed it was a very long trip.  We were able to ride the school bus from Kijabe to the airport which was going to pick up kids returning to school.  This saved Doug from having to take us in the midst of arrival day for their dorm girls.  What normally would take an hour and half took about 3 and half hours due to bad traffic / maybe an accident but we never saw it ….we arrived at 7:30 and were told we could not enter the terminal because it was too full and since our flight was still several hours (8 hours to be exact) away from leaving we needed to wait outside at one of the little “pubs” .  So we did….  We ate and people watched till about 11:30 when they allowed us in.  From then on most everything went well except having to pay for excess luggage for the first time and almost missing our flight in Johannesburg…we were so glad to arrive in George and see friends waiting for us there.

Brian and Trish

We are staying the first half of our time here with Brian and Trish Elliott.  They are dear South African friends that we got to know when we lived here in 1989-1993 on business.  When we were here we went to the same fellowhip … grew together spiritually as well as our families becoming very good friends …. spending hours together over tea or meals … camping together often and learning about each other’s cultures. 

It has been like stepping into a cool refreshing pool to be with them again.  We have spent hours catching up on so many things we have missed over the years and even tho it has been so long apart its as if we were never apart now that we are back together.  So that is why I have not blogged …. been to busy chatting away.

George Peak from Elliott's backyard

George is a town that has a small town feel but is a good size.  It has grown quite a bit since we were here (17 yrs ago)…they even have 2 McDonald's now!!  Years ago the only familiar restaurant was KFC.  The ocean is about a 10 min drive away in one direction and there are mountains the other way.  Particularly a large mountain called George Peak that you can pretty much see from anywhere in town.  Brian and Trish live right under the peak and so as I sit in the back yard and look up I see this gorgeous mountain.  Its appearance changes throughout the day depending on how the sunlight is hitting it.  I never get tired of looking at it..

Braii

On Wednesday it was Sally’s (their daughter) 30 birthday and so a few friends came over for a braii in the eve.  A braii is a cookout but usually everyone brings their own meat and the grill is started as people arrive…with wood…so its quite a social time till the wood burns to coals and you can cook your meat.  They love their boerwors (like sausage) and steaks.  Of course everyone brings side dishes to so there was plenty of food.  Sally is getting married on the 29^th and we planned it so that we will be able to be here for that ….a blessing to get to attend it.

Beautiful Flowers in yards in George

On Thursday there were some errands to be ran so Roger and I asked to be dropped downtown to walk around.  We did quite a bit of looking around trying to find a place to get a card for Internet access.  We finally figured out where to go but had forgotten our passports .. such a bummer.  But we had fun looking around places…many we remembered…we headed home walking and it took us about a half hour to get to their house.  It was one of the hottest days since we have been here so were glad to have a pool to jump into when we got back.  Friday was more everyday stuff … grocery shopping, cars to work on …etc.

Farmers Market Breakfast

Today … Saturday we went to a craft /farmers market fair.  We had breakfast there and it was very South African affair.  We were in line at a popular place and ordered boerwors on a roll …or eggs, bacon and boerwors on a roll etc..  I saw later that there were a variety of other types of food to buy …fruit, yogurt, crepes … etc.  but we went for the more traditional…with definitely the longest line.

Wilderness Beach from road (one of first views years ago)

We spent some time walking around looking at the different booths before heading home.  The drive there which took about a half hour is gorgeous …over some ravines, and forested areas and then along the ocean with a gorgeous stretch of beach in an area called Wilderness.  This country…particularly this area which is called the Garden Route of the country is just gorgeous.  We came home to a nap and then swam this afternoon before I realized … its time to blog … hopefully I wont go so long next time…