First Days, First Impressions . . .

First Impressions . . .

Jo'burg airport is gleaming and modern.  Deplaning is very efficient (we're both very impressed with Delta) and in no time we're in the immigration line.  Ten minutes later and with a 90-day visa stamp in our passports (at no cost) we're on our way out when we are stopped by the sweetest welcome imaginable.

A SA children's chorus has flown over with us - around 20-25 youngsters between the ages of 8 and maybe 15.  They've just cleared immigration and stop and assemble in two rows. With a nod from their director, they begin singing - a cappella - in that wonderfully, seemingly effortless style of voices in perfect harmony. Two songs later and to the enthusiastic cheers from a most appreciative audience, they grab their backpacks and are off for home. What a perfect introduction to this country!! 

Paul is waving enthusiastically at us in the arrivals terminal and after hugs and kisses all around, goes outside to hail our uber cab and driver from the line of taxis.  When I get into the car and greet the driver with a cheery 'hello' he responds with a huge smile and a ' 'Hi granny!'  I choose to take it as a term of affection and respect for his elders :)

It takes about 20" to drive to Ferndale, a neighborhood on the outskirts of Jo'burg and the home of our hostess, Sybille.  She's already hosted Debbie and Paul for several days and has graciously agreed to also have us spend the next two nights with her before the four of us take off on our tour.  They met in Thailand a few years back, have become friends, and she's delighted to finally have them come for a visit.

Our biological clocks and diurnal rhythms are completely topsy turvy.  We left Atlanta on Monday at 8pm and it's now almost 6pm Tuesday in Jo/burg - 9 hour time difference and a 15.5 hour flight from Atlanta.. It's an early night for both of us.

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Early the next day, Paul heads out to retrieve our rental car which will be our touring vehicle for the next 75 days or so as we explore South Africa.  It's generous and has a big boot for all our luggage and stuff. 

Our first excursion is to a nearby shopping center and an ATM.  We're delighted to find one that's 'no fee' and then a lovely little cafe where we all have lunch.  Good start!   

Couple of quick observations before closing out this post.  This is an incredibly lovely part of Jo-burg.  All the homes are very upscale and very well kept.  The streets are lined with jacaranda trees which, it being spring, are in full flower. 

Almost no one walks in this neighborhood.  All cars are locked while driving and all packages, handbags, etc are stored in the boot, out of sight.  As we get closer to commercial areas, cars at stoplights are surrounded by vendors selling everything from today's newspaper to 'original' art.  The first time this happened, I found myself startled and had to force myself to stare straight ahead . (I'd read that if you're carjacked in SA, do not look at the faces of the men.  If you do, then you could potentially identify them and that would put you at even greater risk.)   You may be thinking, wow this sounds kinda paranoid . . .  I think of it as simply being an alert traveler. 

This hyper security mindset is borne out by everything we see in this neighborhood.  Every house, every estate compound, every structure has some sort of security - ranging from a simple remote entry gate with cautionary signs to the more common full-on reverse angled electrified wire on top of 8-10 foot stone walls with a sign reading 'armed response'.  Okay - I get it.  This is serious security!!

Yes, that is ADT alarm systems and you can just see the 'response' in 'armed response.'

We meet a brand new bird nesting in a tree on Syb's front lawn - a weaver.  What a delightful wee bird this is!  I learn that they make two nests - a nest to live in and a nest to breed in.  Interestingly, their nests (not sure which type) are all clustered on one side of the tree, all their 'doors' facing one direction.   Not such great photos but I think you'll get the idea  . . .

And these trees bear a remarkable resemblance to our mesquite trees in the SW - just a whole lot bigger!

Tomorow, Thursday, bright and early we're off to Kimberley (a 5+ hour drive) and a nice long, recuperative stay in a self-cater guest house about 10km out of town. 

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