This has been one of the most exciting, lengthy, and eye-popping trips Terri and I have taken. There will be quite a bit we'll take back home with us from this one. Here are some of the lighter and maybe some deeper thoughts on the trip:
1. As far as we can tell, Charmin (or even 2 ply toilet paper) does not exist in Africa. Find a way to import it, and you'll be a millionaire.
2. The food in the places we visited was largely western. We had to go out of our way to not have a cheeseburger and fries. Although we did score some amazing feasts, the S. African Restaurants cater largely to tourists.
3. Speaking of cheeseburgers... McDonald's? Scarily similar in taste to the US. I don't know how they do it. KFC? Much, much worse. And every town that has more than 100 people and 3 goats appears to have a KFC. I think we saw 3 McDonald's, which is quite rare.
4. Wildlife: I had no clue we would see the variety and volume of animals that we did in Kruger Park. It was like being a visitor in God's Zoo. Outstanding.
5. Crime: Yes, South Africa is as scary as we'd been warned. We feel lucky that we came away unscathed. No one at all in our travel group had an incident, and that was largely due to traveling in numbers and very good guidance from our hosts and guides. However, living in S. Africa would be another story. Our guide (Mart) has had her home robbed 3 times, and that is WITH security alarms, 2 guard dogs, electric fence, and barbed wire fence. Eugene and Laura put it to us this way: The don't know anyone who hasn't at one time been robbed or mugged. It's just a part of life in South Africa. I know I couldn't handle it, but the locals appear to have national pride similar to ours (right along with mocking of the president).
6. Racism: Yes, apartheid ended in 1994. Things are better than the prior 300 years of apartheid. But that depends on who you ask. There are MANY people who would prefer to see it right back where it was. Like the U.S., South Africa is a melting pot. It's primarily made up of 3 groups.
The Afrikaans (descendents of the Dutch settlers), the blacks, and the coloreds (including the Indian and the tribal people). They appear more of a mix, but are their own distinct group. We've learned that obviously, the whites and blacks have issues in South Africa. Much worse issues than in the U.S.(in my opinion). I can say that we were treated quite well by everyone we met. However, when watching the news, reading the paper, and talking to locals, I got the feeling that things were largely unsettled when it came to racial relations.
7. Traveling to Africa. Go once. Take 3 or 4 weeks. Do it all. I don't think I could handle the flight again. From Seattle, South Africa actually is the furthest spot on the planet to reach by plane.
8. Economy: Once again, Terri and I have found a spot in the world where the US$ is strong. Even in touristy areas with inflated prices, activities and food was cheap. In the trendiest spot in the country (Cape Town waterfront), 2 filet mignon dinners, a bottle of wine, and all the fixings: $50 US. Most of our big meals were closer to $5-$10 each, including wine.
9. Cape Town is the prettiest city on the planet. With the good weather we had, I can't even think of a close 2nd place.
10. After countless hours of watching cricket at bedtime in Africa, I'll never understand what the hell they're trying to do.
11. Yes. I'll admit it. Rugby players are far more savage than NFL football players. No pads, and just as brutal. Broken leg? There are no medical carts driving onto the pitch. Carry the fool off the field NOW!
12. Terri and I are masters at clicking the "X" when saying the word Xhosa. We practice every day.
13. In the words of an unknown South African, "South Africa Isn't for Sissies." For sure.
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