2022 AfriCAN

  7/10/22 - I thought our hotel was called Hotel Heaven because it was heaven to get to sleep.  But actually it's called The Retreat.  Makes sense.  I had to retreat to the bathroom after breakfast. Breakfast at the Retreat Another celebration of life today as we celebrate the anniversary of Amy and Brad Pearl.  27 years of bliss. Happy couple We headed out from Rigali to the Gorilla's Nest - about a 90 minute drive.  Which means 2 hours in Africa.  Our drivers were Claud and Manuel.  We split up boys and girls this time and drove by Hotel Rwanda, the one from the movie. I think they changed the name to protect the innocent.  Or the new owners. Car #2 2 hour ride.... Some history of Rwanda.  I won't get too political but so many life lessons on these trips.  More and more vacations are becoming a time of reflection and learning.  In 1994, the militia groups shot down a plane carrying the Prez.  It was going to land at the ...

  7/8/22 -  Landed in Johannasburg and had a group COVID test (needed for Gorilla trekking).  It's kinda like group sex, without the sex, and questions like, "How far up the nose do we have to go?" 8 for 8 Tomorrow is our all day flight to Kigali, Rwanda where we will make our way to the Gorilla’s Nest. Travel days are hard blog days.  We decided to take Wendy out for a birthday dinner.  She likes Indian. We ate at  Ghazal’s, in the Melrose Arch district. Marty, the Manager, did us right.  Food was really good.  Sunshine had an amazing birthday and she was receiving love from near and far... Kissing Cousins Indian Feast.  My stomach just started to rumble.  Oh no. Love from the East Coast Love from the Midwest Love from Chippendales Love from X Chippendales Applicant.  "Is there any extra cake?" What a great day.  The next morning we got up for our all day trip to Rwanda.  Thank you South Africa.  See ya. And one last...

 7/7/22  and 7/8/22 - Our final full day at Chitabe. We are all loving "da bush."  Lisa found this and it pretty much sums up what this place is all about. It is shouting, Jeff, don't forget to smell the roses.  I wonder how much we really miss everyday?  It's hard to miss things at Chitabe, because the everyday distractions are gone.  Back to the bush... The baboons are not friendly and hound the camp.  They like to play games.   Pull my finger.. Some morning bush highlights.  Saw a couple jackals.  They run from us, but are major predators.  Look like dogs, not nice dogs. Jackal Asses One of our favorite games in the bush is guess where Goodman is going.  We were wrong a lot.  There are no street signs or stop lights.  Which way Goodman? Backseat Driver Meeting  A hoping prey.  Let's all pray. Rob decided to do his praying mantis/Craig Kimbrel imitation.  I know you Dodger fans know this.  A...