Out of Africa Week 3

Well, this has been the last week in our orientation with the former couple, The Henrichsen’s, as they are departing for the States on Sunday.  I suppose we both have a dozen question to ask them on how some tasks are done, but now it is on our shoulders to solve.  It has been a long hard learning lesson.  It is so stressful trying to remember how things are to be done to keep the mission going. 

We had a 4^th of July celebration picnic indoors due to the cold and said goodbye to the

Hendrichsen’s and Watt’s, our two leaving office couples and welcomed the new mission president and wife, the Omer’s.   We had boerwores (sort of a hot dog) that was grilled over a pit on a long strange bun with a very unusual local chilly sauce that was delicious.  We had salads and chip with Stony soda (a very strong ginger ale) and other soft drinks.  To top the evening we had fireworks that was recorded from Boston last year on the television.   Not the same as being home.

This past Saturday we decided to get out to try and see something other than city in Africa.  We drove a lot and finally arrive at the Johannesburg Airport.  We were using our GPS to find a site, but we were disappointed after travelling so far to just see city and the airport.   We decided to return home and did a little shopping at the charity shop and picked up a few kitchen things and some native carved mirror frame and coat rack.  Now we have to find a glass shop and get them set up.  After shopping for a few groceries we decided to go to the mission office and met the Elders who were meeting with the Mission President.  They helped us to locate a place to see some sites.

We decided to travel to Rustenburg which was about 1.5 hours north of Johannesburg.  We were a bit disappointed not seeing many African animals, but it did seem familiar country to our beloved Kenya.

                                            

It was nice to see the locals playing soccer ball and having picnics on the way.  We saw a number of people begging for a ride.  They do this by holding their arm out and hanging their hand down.  We use the thumb.  This is the way the hail a taxi or a lift.  We did see one monkey and a couple of antelope on our long journey but not much else wild life.  As we came nearer Rustenburg, we came closer and closer to a long range of mountains which you can start to see in the above picture.

 The countryside with rolling hills and lots of grasslands.  Often times they are burnt in hopes of green pastures when it starts to rain in November.

 We stopped at a reservoir and dreamed of sailing our Sunfish, but just took a moment to enjoy the scene and absorb the weather and waves. 

                               On our way home we caught this picture of a very interesting cacti.

This was a mountain range that arose out of the horizon.  This is a designated preserve with native vegetation on it.