Monday, December 29, 2008

Just Me?

Is it just me or are the advertisements appearing on the right bar of this page now generating South African ads? If so, that's what three months here will do to you (or your blog!).

Sweeeet.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

The Cape

After a long month of travelling I'm now in Cape Town enjoying the sights. This morning was museum/gallery morning, highlighted by a tour of Slave Lodge, The South African National Gallery, and a Bushmen art gallery.

 
Primarily dominated by local crafts, I presumed South Africa's contributions to fine art would be few and far between. The National Gallery here (not to mention the gorgeous surroundings of Cape Town's Botanical Gardens) has changed my impressions not just of the city, but of South Africa as a whole. From the modern genious of Andrew Verster to the evocative portraits of Mustafa Maluka, today has been a fantastic day of cultural exploration. 
What a great city!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

It Just Keeps Getting Better


To be completely serious, I miss snow.

But...

South Africa just keeps on keeping on being its wonderful sunny and beautiful self. From Plett to Hluhluwe to Underberg to Coffee Bay and finally now to Chintsa. Christmas on a sunny day may not be that bad after all...

Friday, December 19, 2008

On The Horizon

In addition to a love of politics, photography, and travelling around I happen to be quite a big U2 fan. So, despite the news having been released a few hours ago, I'm celebrating the upcoming release of the rockers' new album, "No Line On the Horizon" this coming March!

I've been excited to return home for quite some time, but the impending release of a new single around the time of my arrival just adds to the fun.

Christmas approaches!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

One Week

7 days left until I'm back in Plettenberg Bay for a South African Christmas. (Apologies to the vegetarians...) The lambs are ready for slaughter and I've been told there will be a tree to decorate, but it's sunny and warm here, not the kind of holiday season I'm used to.

I could get used to this view though...

Friday, December 12, 2008

Off Again

After a quick overnight in Durban it's off to the Drakensberg Mountains this afternoon.

A 3-day horse ride over the mountains into Lesotho...perfect.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

From Rage to Remote

I'm about to hop on a bus for the (very long) trip to the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi region of eastern South Africa. Though I don't really know what to expect, I found the following picture while doing a search of photos from the area, so hopefully a similar foggy sunset awaits me!



(photo: Chris Berger)


I'm leaving behind a wild week of parties and clubs here in Plettenberg Bay...it is Plett Rage Week by the way, so that explains why this small community has been transformed into the playground of South Africa's wealthiest and craziest post-exam students. As much as I enjoyed it, the above picture looks like a lot more fun than being out to take the picture below was.



Off on an adventure!!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Falling Into Place


With two months behind me here in South Africa I'm now looking at a nice old chunk of time traveling around the country from coast to coast and from mountains to the sea. Downed trees and powerlines have made planning painfully difficult, but four days from departure things are beginning to come together nicely.

As Al Franken continues to edge closer in Minnesota and we have a clearer and clearer picture of Obama's new crew in Washington I will be here packing up and scrambling to make plans in advance of a Saturday departure.