The Journey Inward

Saturday began with tea while grocery shopping, though my favorite barista wasn’t there and this one made my dirty chai very dirty!!

Back home, I watered plants and tried to set up Alexa while my landlord, Slie, and the handyman, Sergio came. Sergio took the whole oven out and replaced the part he’d been waiting for. But with that in place, the oven still didn’t work, so another part needs to be bought. In the meantime, they sorted the garage door opener, and I paid for it just to get it done. Maybe HR will pay me back, maybe not, but it was $28.46 worth spending for some ease and peace of mind. (using the word sort or sorted is one of my favorite words here!).

Four hours later, the jobs were complete and Walter had arrived, so I gave him some choices for lunch. He chose Cairo Kitchen, but then felt bad since I’d just gotten takeaway from there last night. No need to feel bad! I was on board. We ate at a picnic table with views of Plant Land and the sounds of live music from my favorite bar. We talked to the owner for quite some time and he talked New York with me because he spent some time there. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt and finished high school at 15. He went on to college and there was an exchange program with the US. His parents made him wait until he was 17 to go. He’s an entrepreneur and has had several businesses. This one is his current and favorite and he and his wife work together. She’s South African. Their children go to school nearby. After our lunch, he had us try the rice pudding with custard and the baklava. I told him I thought baklava was Greek and he said they like to pretend so! We were there for several hours and it was a pleasant way to pass time. From there, I drove Walter over to Morelata Park to see the zebras and walk a bit, but I got lost and it was closing as we arrived. We asked if we could just turn around down the road so Walter could see the restaurant, but really, I could see the zebras from there and just had to see them up close. The guy was none too pleased, and my “But, zebras,” was not very moving, but I still got it in!

I got to talk to Jan and Mark last night about my crazy car situation and they were a big help. Hopefully I’ll get something soon. Or just keep renting until I go home in December.

I went to book my flights last night and had sticker shock from the holiday pricing. Yikes! Round trip is not cheap, and then I still have to fly to San Diego, then Portland, then back to Newark!

This morning I slept in properly, which was good because I stayed up until 1 am! I met my friend, Maria, at a nice restaurant in Menlyn. It had a wonderful breakfast menu and I had a spiced latte and lots and lots of still water! She is so easy to be with and we really hit it off. She is divorced with three daughters, too, but several years younger than me and mine. Her parents are Greek and I got to meet her mom at the rugby party. Our waiter thought I was English, then German, but was thrilled to find out I was American. He guessed I was from California because he said I was tan and everyone there is tan. (Not sure why he wouldn’t think me being in the African sun wouldn’t do the job!!). He knew Miami, too, and a little about New York. It is sweet to see how excited people still get about the US. I took a break from US news this week and when I caught up this morning with my podcasts, I was nauseas. Hearing good things about your country feels nice right now.

Maria and I stayed three hours and then I headed back to grab a few things for lunch this week and maybe find some picture frames (sizing is not the same here). But first, I thought, let me visit my zebras! I thought I’d only park and go say hi and take pictures, especially with my flowy brunch outfit on and flip flops. The zebras were first by the farmhouse and let me get so close. Two of them wrapped and rubbed necks and I was so in love with them, I didn’t think to raise my camera. They eventually walked into the field, so I followed. And there was an ostrich and some big black and white bird that made me think of an eagle. Then there were some springbok and then there was the entrance to the hiking trail. I’ll just go as far as the bird hide, I thought, and come back and get on with my day. Two miles later, I had taken in such beautiful sights and sounds and couldn’t believe I was doing in it my flip flops when crunch! My foot rolled off a rock and my flip flop snapped. I felt the pain right away, but tried to keep walking by gripping it with my toes. Slow going, I thought, and I’ll be fine. But I stepped on another rock and my flip flop shifted out and away and my foot was screaming in pain. I limped to a bench and sat for awhile wondering what my plan was. Seeing no other plan than to keep moving, I took off my shoes and limped barefoot the two miles back to the car.

By then, the clinics were closed and I didn’t want to go to the emergency room, so I went to the pharmacy (closed) and finally the grocery store. I put on my sneakers (yes, I had them in the back of the car the whole time! I can feel Mark’s blood pressure rising with this story! He made Jan and I walk in reflective vests from dusk on! Sorry, Mark! I’ve learned my lesson, I promise!).

Anyway, I came home and RICED my foot. I then looked through my pictures and they were nearly as good as I thought they’d be!!!

Chatted with the girls, rested, ate some dinner and now sitting down to schoolwork and the Sunday scaries! Hoping to wake up tomorrow to a foot that feels much better!!!