Day 2 (Johannasburg)

 

7/1/22 - Half of 2022 gonzo.  Just like that.  It's been a great 6 months. #grateful.  So here is what I'm going for with my travel blog.  "How to not write a travel blog."  Maybe some things need to be left unsaid.

Waiting for Lisa and Josh to arrive.  Bethie and Rob with the family warm welcome.  And Bethie with a special "High 5"

Lisa watched Meeting Evan Hansen on the plane.  No Tarzan.  She said she had no idea what it was about, and then cried through the movie.  That's an unexpected bummer.  It's kind of like when your grandmother invites you over for dinner and then serves liver and onions.  

I learned that Josh changed into the pajamas provided on the plane.  I didn't.  Why not?  Does Josh enjoy the finer things and I don't?  Josh never wears pajamas at home?  

My last pajama set

We've been at the hotel for 30 straight hours without leaving.  Whayyyy locked up on vacation.  The hotel didn't recommend us leaving without a guide.  Today we are getting picked up on and going on a tour of the city.

In case we get lost

Thomas is our guide.  He is married and said his wife's favorite tv show is The Kardashians.   He also guessed that we were from California.  He says we dress like Californians?  

I think we dress like cold Jews

First stop is the city of Soweto.  Thomas said we had to take a picture under the Soweto sign.  Honestly, it felt like we got out of the car on Devonshire and the 118 (for all you Northridge readers).

Some South African facts.  There are about 55 million people.  Over 80% Black.  We saw a lot of poverty.  But we also saw a lot of very nice people living with what they have.  And appreciating it.  Great life lesson and very inspiring.  I can hear Julia saying, "Dad it's white privileged."  Yeah, maybe.  

We saw large mansions.  Modest brick homes.  And lots of areas with very small huts.  Some without running water.  But again, it seemed like people were getting by with what they have.

We are on a safari trip.  So I am going to start counting the different types of animals I see.  

Goat (1)

Also at the hotel I saw a Cat (2) and we saw some Cows (3) on the side of the road.  Slow safari start, but it's a start.  We were then off to Nelson Mandela's house.

Blog Education: Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. 

His pad was modest.  Like the size of Amy and Brad's kitchen.  This was Nelson's work bench.  

One of Nelson's wive's, Graca Machel actually is the only woman to have married (2) Presidents.  She must of been on fire.  

This was our guide, not one of the wives.  She taught us about Nelson.  He was a stud.  In prison from 1964 to 1990.  Fuck.  And still rebounded to become the President from 1994 to 1999.  Another life lesson.  Rebound baby.  Keep fighting for what you believe in.  We only have one of these lives...

Next stop a school where over 500 people were killed during a protest.  

This is where Thomas told us he never knew his father.  His Mom was his best friend.  And she recently died and his phone wasn't working so he got 300 texts when it got into cell range.  Everyone in tears.  Dude, liver and onion'd us right in the massacre zone.  Time for an iced coffee.

Thomas was great.  Tour was eye opening.  Josh and Lisa totally rallying and hammering through jet lag day 1.  Whayyyy I'm tired and on vacation.  Time to eat off campus.  Landed at an Italian restaurant in Melrose Place.

It was a nice way to end the day.  Had some pizza, caprese, and the arrabiatta.  Went to bed full and grateful for everyone we have.  Fiances went to bed grateful and wanting just a little bit more.  Night night everyone....