The Journey Inward

Okay, Sunday news. I have been using the weekends (well, all two of them) to catch up on some sleep and have leisurely starts since my weekday mornings start so early (for me!).

As I was putting my garage door down (still not fixed), I met the neighbor across the street and his two adorable boys. Little kids with South African accents are just irresistible! I love anything and everything that comes out of their mouths!

Today’s adventure was Makro, a Walmart owned mega store that is similar to Costco back home. It has parking under shade canopies, which I thought was a nice touch. There is food service with both indoor and outdoor seating, but no $1.50 hot dog/soda special. I didn’t actually go investigate because I was on a mission today.

Backing up, though, GPS took me on a route I had not previously traveled. Makro is in Silver Lakes (I’m pretty sure no lakes there), which is about a 10-15 minute drive from me. I went through some beautiful areas and the streets were lined with jacarandas in full, glorious bloom! That made my day.

Driving there, I was able to see the mountains and truly sense that I live in a basin.

Once at the store, I got a trolley (cart) and headed in. Same as home, you must have a membership to purchase items, but completely unlike my $165 executive membership, it’s free! I told my sales guy about this and he was floored! He said he’s always wanted to come to the States, but said he doesn’t think he can afford hearing that! More on him later.

My main focus was to get some furniture for my home. I’ve tried Mr. Price’s and some upscale stores, but I don’t want to spend a lot and my car is a bit tiny for hauling. I had gone on Makro’s website last night, found items that looked good and saw that they delivered for free! I just wanted to see the quality and make sure I can put this stuff together without Gillian to help me (she built everything in the Flemington house).

The salespeople work on commission and are so helpful. My guy started with me in electronics to buy a tv and stayed with me through office furniture where I bought a desk, chair and tv stand. We had a good time together and he taught me some Zulu (he speaks 11 languages, which is very common here). I told him he better not have taught me something that would offend someone, so he had me go test it on his colleague, but I wouldn’t let them look at each other. It checked out. I can now say Thank you in Zulu. I wrote it down and he was dying at my spelling, but I told him I had to write it phonetically to remember it. He wrote it correctly. Anyway, ngiyabonga to the salespeople at Makro today!

I went up and down the aisles from there, but only bought water from the food sections, Q-tips from personal care, and a Springboks shirt, but struck gold in the garden department and got a spade, rake, shears, bags, and a broom. William comes tomorrow to begin our garden!!

When a salesperson wants to get another’s attention, they say “Hello, hi,” until the person looks at them. Most South Africans say, “Hey?” for right/yes/come on.

Driving home I noticed a castle up on the hill (sorry for the terrible picture). I got excited, thinking it must be one of the 4 forts that sit on the East, West, North and South corners of Pretoria from 1898. Walter had told me about them and I was looking forward to going to explore them. I sent him a picture when I got home, and with his mad map skills, he looked up and said it’s a private residence!

I needed to grocery shop, but had to go home and eat lunch first or that was going to be a big trip! Teighler had said the very best chai latte is at Wooly’s, where I like to shop for lunch food, produce and tea, so I treated myself as I shopped. I feel quite established now because I have a Makro card, Wooly’s card and Checkers card to take advantage of all sales. The big discovery today was individually wrapped chocolate! This is a game changer. Remember that weight I lost? Well, I gained it back through buying regular size candy bars and trying to take just one bite to equal the minis back home and instead devouring the whole bar in 4 different trips back to the cabinet. When I sent this picture to Teighler to show her I’d gotten her recommended tea, she immediately noticed my chocolate. She then confessed she had bought mini Kit Kats. My grocery bill today was R2,500, which is always frightening, but was actually $145.

Back home, I walked around my neighborhood for 3 miles and then went to the gym. I got caught up on texts and Instas. I got the most amazing Baby Myles pictures from Chris! Lori recommended the Jane Goodall Netflix special to our PodSquad. Jay and I talked cars and I sent him video and pictures of the Planet Fitness here. As a former gym owner, he was impressed! For those of you who know my house well, Pete fixed the front door!!!!! I asked if it was magic or sorcery, but he said it was longer screws. Less interesting, just as effective.

Finally, and then I have to hit the school work, Yuri sent me invitations to the various groups he oversees. I joined the Karaoke Night group, the Quiz Night Group (trivia), and the Meditation and Inner Exploration Group. I have found my people! Some of you know I have always wanted to do karaoke, but never on my home turf, never sober and preferably as a duet. I have a whole playlist of songs that seem reasonable for my vocal range (probably 3 notes right in the middle of the staff). I am definitely going outside my comfort zone here, but am trying to say YES as much as possible.