Click on the pic for more scenic p0rn

Various scenes around the Cape. Beautiful views. Not much more to say except my camera has this spot on the reflex lens inside. It’s distracting but not debilitating. It all seems like a dream now.

The last day of our travels in South Africa saw us in Franschhoek - a town everyone we met said was a necessary visit. It’s nestled in a valley of hills and mountains resplendent with vineyards. If it’s considered the food and wine capital of South Africa it’s easy to see why. The town is surrounded by wine and there are restaurants lining the main shopping street. It’s a small, quaint town with eclectic shops but a tad on the touristy side. There is, however, a lovely art gallery full of these art pieces made of lacquer and paint and whatever else. Some of the pieces are quite representational. Others not so much. Most of the art didn’t appeal to me so much but I really liked the piece shown above. It was the most original piece in the gallery and also had an ‘African’ feel to it. I heart it.

Of all the differing scenic views available to the human experience – mountain vistas, cavernous gorges etc – it is my humble opinion that no scenic eye candy beats the experience of rhythmic, moving water. Since all water moves, even calm water moves, any mountain or gorge or valley or canyon view is enhanced exponentially by water. Falling water, crashing water, serene water, traveling water. It’s all wonderful, wonderful water. Which made our South Africa trip so scenically awesome because we were surrounded on all sides by moving water. If moving water had a Faceb–k page, I’d totally be a fan.

This morning, the Fortune Cookie app at the top right of this website said, “Accept what you cannot change and you will be happy.” An overused cliche for sure and perfect fodder for the brief message of a fortune cookie, but somehow it comes at an appropriate time. In thinking about the things I cannot change, I shall consider the determination of moving water. I can’t change ocean waves. I can’t change the course of a river. The only moving water I have any c0ntrol over is bathtub water. But that’s not very scenic and it doesn’t apply. The things I cannot change are beyond the bathtub.

Thus I will accept the moving water because I know I can’t change it and can only enjoy it moment to moment. Once the water moves, it’s gone and won’t return. But luckily, it’s replenished constantly by the water behind it.

I’ve assembled the photos from our little ’safari’ adventure here. Above, the queen is waving from our chalet which was quite lovely. It included a deck as high as the chalet roof for better animal viewing. It also served as a wonderful perch for star gazing. On our first night I carried my glass of wine up there, laid on the picnic table and simply looked at the stars. We don’t see many stars around here because of all the ambient light. When I find myself in a place far from the city lights I make a point of looking up at the stars for a while.

Another recap: The Big 5 of Africa are the elephant, lion, Cape buffalo, the rhinoceros…

This guy was laying right in the dirt road. He wanted to charge us. Dennis the ranger drove around because if the rhino punctures the tire, Dennis has to pay for the tire. Dennis has his priorities in order.

The last of the Big 5 is the cheetah. We didn’t see the cheetah. Apparently the cheetah was getting acclimated to the climate of southwestern  Africa. Personally, I would rather have seen more herd animals than view the lions or the cheetahs cordoned off in their own little areas. I realize people like the big cats but driving around the free roaming animals was way groovier than viewing the lions behind a fence. I can go to the zoo to see caged lions.

Click on the giraffe to see more safari pics

Ah, the bed. The wonderful, wonderful bed. Good things happen in a bed – like sleep and sex and lounging and, did I mention, sleep. Upon arriving home yesterday, I promptly sat down. The queen asked me what I was going to do for the rest of the evening. No answer came forth. I had no idea. I didn’t want to do anything. There are things to be done that need doing but I was having none of that. Pfft about things that need doing. I eschew thee!

Then, at 6pm, I made a decision. I went to bed. It didn’t matter that I may be wide awake at 11pm. Bed beckoned. Far be it for me not to heed that call. I walked in, didn’t change, got under the covers and proceeded to sleep until 5am. Glorious!

As a result, a full complement of rest from the return trip is mine. But I woke this morning to find my right eye tender and swollen. A stye! In my eye! Like, ow. Wtf? Misery, thy name is extended plane travel. Will the madness end? So here I am today, looking like Igor of Chamonix with one eye half closed due to massive inflammation.

Let’s recap, shall we? Igor eye. Elephantine ankles. Granny glasses. Adult diapers. Old lady stockings. Sleeping for 13 hours. And then, this morning I did what would have seemed completely foreign to me even five years ago. I drove out of the way to avoid the complications of a moderately difficult u-turn. In other words, old lady driving.

Why should I complain? I bet Yitta Schwartz never complained.