The Journey Inward

I spent time at various markets this morning, but the shop tenders were very aggressive, pleading their case for getting food on their tables. They all use very similar lines about waiting just for you to come! There’s also a lot of negotiating. It does break my heart and I am now the proud owner of a little mama and baby elephant statue!

While driving to the dam wall, I was sitting in line waiting, as it is one-way traffic through the tunnel just beyond. Vendors approached my window nonstop. My car doors do not lock automatically, so it’s always when I’m approaching an intersection or traffic that I check my locks.

Today a man was motioning to my tire and telling me to roll down my window. I said no several times, but then I was worried about the tire. When I put my window down just a bit, he smiled brightly and told me he loved my car and then shoved a leather belt through my window! He asked me repeatedly for money for his family. I am now the proud owner of a size 48 belt. And he is R200 richer.

The wall provided gorgeous views of the mountains and the dam. One of the men conducting traffic came over to chat with me, and when he heard my accent, asked if I was American. When I said yes, he asked to shake my hand so that he could “touch an American.” He shook my hand about five or six times and then proceeded to do a whole photo shoot with me!