Anticipation

I was talking with my dad the other night reminicing about the first blogs we wrote from Paris. Seems like worlds ago. The anticipation of unknowing what Africa would actually hold for us. The sweet bitterness of leaving the modern and beautiful surroundings of Paris. A city of wonder and excitement but also months of frustration and lonliness. With mixed emotions we left Paris and now those same emotions come rushing back as it sets in that our African adventure remains with us for a mere 22 days and counting. So as most of us do when a part of life comes to pass we try and cram everything in at the last minute. No regrets, right?

None! I love Africa, I love this continent and all that I have seen, even the not so picturesque places. It has a way of wiggling under your skin and before you know it...bam! You have to leave.

We had a fabulous weekend. A trip to Cape Point seemed like a trip to the end. The mountains drop into the sea with a dancer's grace. The ocean crashes against the western coast with powerful fury while the eastern coast rolls along with daydreaming melancholy.
Fynbos dots the horizon with beautiful protea bushes.

The tranquility was almost surreal given the fact that we were just two of 1000's taking in the view. We enjoyed a wonderful French lunch of nice bread, cheese, and coppa while overlooking the waves rolling onto the beach. The setting was perfect, the food simply yummy, yet behind it all there lied a simple paranoia...baboons. We were warned by the guy at the hostel, by the guy we bought the cheese from, by the lady at the entrance gate and they all had the same message, "Be Careful! Be careful. The baboons will open car doors if they even catch a whiff of food or try to snatch it directly from your hand. Picnic? Be careful!!!" Great, we were on a motorcycle packing an awesome but very odiferous lunch. So as we enjoyed a nice lunch, sounds of waves crashing as the soundtrack,

we were up every 5 if not fewer minutes scanning the horizon for these violent theiving animals. Luckily, the smell of stinky cheese and coppa did not appeal to these animals, and so we were left in peace. Thankfully.

I drove back from Cape Point. My first long distance drive with a passenger. I was very nervous more for the city driving then highway but it all snowballs in my head to be the biggest most dangerous event of the year. Yet, in the end. I kicked ass, if I do say so myself. I believe Todd had a fairly smooth ride and we both made it home in one piece. For me, that is a good trip. It is funny because now that we are comfortable on the bike (and this does not mean all nerves are gone, especially for me) we have a different outlook. In the past, we may have ordered a beer with lunch. But now, it is excursions for tea or coffee. Who knew biking would kick up my caffeine intake.

It is a peaceful way to spend a day, biking stopping for coffee and cake, and continuing on until coffee or bathroom calls us again. And let's be realistic, my butt gets sore from hours of riding and your hands start to lose feeling so stopping often is survival and yes, I usually do have to go to the bathroom anyway.

I don't know if we mentioned this but we now have a roommate, Alex. His family owns the farm, so we are all living together in the humble little cottage. He just finished university and is doing his best to live it up before the constraints of work and life creep back into his happy bubble. So, there are a lot of parties hosted at our cottage. All young graduates ready to feel the summer vibe as they say. It has been fun. He through a pizza party the other night. We stoked the homemade pizza oven, everyone brought toppings, and randomly flavored pizzas were shared by all. It was such a fun concept. Apparently, bananas on pizza are big here. I was reluctant but tried a bite and the verdict is that I will leave this topping to the South African palate. Mine didn't totally reject the taste, but it wasn't love at first bite either. Great party. All of his friends made us feel very welcome yet I felt quet old. When guessing our age, the ripe old age of 24 was mentioned, when we said 27, wow! We were old. Kind of funny, I don't feel old. Overall, it was a lot of fun and the old buggers stayed up much later then the young whipper snappers. I knew we still had it in us!

As the time skips away, we have also made it a point to do a lot of wine tasting. I know I said we drive and drink coffee but we do some wine tasting. Where usually one of us will spit and the other tastes to their hearts desire. A good, safe plan. There are so many S. African wines and unfortunately you cannot find them in the states. Too much red tape. Todd mentioned some of the recent tastings. I love to be surprised by a vineyard. Sometimes the big corporate brands turn out to produce excellent wine, i.e. Graham Beck, one of the best wineries around. In contrast, my heart always wants to believe that the small family vineyard will rise above the corporate giant with superior wine yet in reality some of it would better be left as grape juice. Clos Malverne hit my palate and made my heart happy to find a great small time producer. For a wino like myself, its been fun living in wine country. It makes me wonder what Napa and other California wine areas have to hold.

With 22 days to go we are trying to fit it all in, take in every moment, and anticipate what the states will be like after being gone for almost a year. I predict it will be a great 22 days and for now, I will just embrace what is left of Africa and let anticipation lay fallow for a couple more weeks.