I AM BACK......

My dear blog readers...So sorry for taking so long to update again BUT I have to get myself sorted again and this took some time. As I arrived in Dubai Hannes put the next set of airline tickets in my hand. He had planned a surprise tip to Jordan for 5 days for the 2 of us. I WAS STUNNED AND EXCITED. Another reason for taking so long to blog is that Hannes has so much time off. I am not complaining as this is why we are here BUT I have to do all my work (washing ironing cleaning) when he is at work for us to have time together to do the "lekker stuff"
Now as I do not have a "Rita or Promise" here in Dubai it took some planning to have all the washing done after my arrival and add to that our five days washing from Jordan. I have to tell you I am now getting it done at the speed of light. To top it all Hannes worked 3 days after Jordan and now has 3 days off again...
OK I think I have apologised and grovelled enough..... You will need lots of coffee and smokes for this one.
Here goes.
We left Dubai at 05h15 in the morning to catch our flight to Amaan in Jordan. Hannes wanted to see Petra and in the end we did a 5 day trip with the bible history also in the itinerary. We flew to Amaan with Jordan Airline and what a pleasure it was. Hannes had arranged for "limo" service to fetch us from the apartment as well. Now anything here other than a Camry is a limo...... None the less very nice not to drive and park the car at the airport. There is a 2 hour time difference between Dubai and Jordan so I was massively confused as from Mauritius I had a time difference and then again in Jordan. I just went with the flow of what the time was although my body was screaming a different agenda at times...... I would fall asleep shortly after breakfast in the car while travelling to the disgust of our driver/baby sitter. I was then woken immediately by Mohammed (our personal driver/ baby sitter for the 5 days) and Hannes.
On arrival in Amaan Hannes and I had the early evening and night at free leisure. I should have known better as to trust hannes with his little walks........This man is a lunatic with very very long legs....
CITY OF AMAAN IN JORDAN.

As this photo shows Jordan is built over 7 hills (They call it mountains....) Now Hannes saw the Citadell in Amaan ( a roman city of the year "voertsek") was near to our hotel....... We walked and walked uphill and down hill and reached it eventually. Now please bear in mind Hannes reads real books and remembers history, I read the Heat, Huisgenoot,OK, hello and any magazine for sale. So Jordan to me was the country of Queen Rania.....to Hannes Roman and Naebetean Times and lots of history. I wander down the street with him looking at the people and what they wear and he looks at the map of how far to the Citadel etc. What a pair we make..... between the two of us we get the full picture he knows where it comes from and I know what's happening now.
Ok we visited the citadell and saw lots of big ruins and I opted for a taxi ride home instead of walking those hills again.
Our taxi driver suggested Hannes takes a "Turkish bath" while in Amaan. So off we go. This is where the men recline on big stone slabs and some other big man comes and scrubs the living daylights out of you....... You also have a massage afterwards. Looks so nice on the photo's and in movies.......Hannes left after half the treatment. he was not impressed. He also had a bad skin rash afterwards. I think it was where his skin was scrubbed off...........
The people of Jordan are very very friendly and every where you walk they will all say "hello and welcome to Jordan" A very easy and safe destination. Most of the Jordanians also speak English and the ladies wear western clothes in the street if they want.
We had a good sleep.

NEXT DAY
MOHAMMED "DRESSING" ME FOR A VISIT TO A MOSQUE...

Mohammed (our personal driver and babysitter) is a Bedouin by birth so he did the head scarf (sheila) as the Bedouin woman will wear it. I had to be covered and Hannes was not allowed in the Mosque as he had shorts on.

HANNES IN HIS GUT RA AND AG HAL (MENS HEAD GEAR) HE WAS AL DRESSED UP AND NOWHERE TO GO.......................

QUANAFA

After the visit to the Mosque Mohammed took us to this tiny shop where the best Quanafa is sold. It is a quick snack for anytime of the day. (Middle tray) This is apparently the best one in the whole of Amaan. We were a little apprehensive as it is very sweet and made with sheep's cheese, dough and pistachio nuts.

The people in the middle east also serve HUGE portions. So we had to try Quanafa in a huge portion. It is also very rude to refuse hospitality..... Luckily I was crazy about it and it id very good. Those trays are huge. When they saw how much I liked it I went to the kitchen to see them make it. The dough (like a crumble but very fine is put in the tray, cheese is then grated on top. This is baked/fried a gas burner till done. Then the tray is flipped over into another tray. (now the cheese is at the bottom and the cooked dough is on top.) Syrup is poured over and pistachio nuts sprinkled on top. You eat it warm and it is very very very good.

LEFT AMAAN TO THE RIVER JORDAN
CHRISTENING SITE OF JESUS CHRIST

This is the christening site of Jesus. It is in the flow of the Jordan river but through time it now only a spring as the river does not flow so strong anymore. Amazing to be able to stand at this site. The area has many churches as well. Christian and catholic and Greek orthodox.

HE RIVER JORDAN WITH ISRAEL ON THE OTHER SIDE

We were the closest we will cone to Israel as we will not gain entry to the UAE again if we have an Israel stamp in our passport......Talk about living on the edge....

hannes and I both had a drink of water from the river as they sell it as holy water. We took ours for free.......Some other tourists did a full christening of themselves in the river as well.

The song that comes to mind is: We are going down to Jordan to walk he heavenly road. This we surely did

After this visit and also going to Mt Nebo where Moses could see the promised land but was not allowed to enter after trekking the desert for 40 years with the Israelites. We could see Jericho in the distance.This is also where Elijah went up to heaven.(we walked a lot as the site is very big) we left for the dead sea.

HANNES AND MYSELF ON OUR WAY TO THE DEAD SEA

The dead sea is 400m below seal level. This chart shows you this. It is not called the dad sea for nothing as nothing lives in it.....

HANNES FLOATING IN THE DEAD SEA

You really float as if a lilo keeps you up. A very strange sensation and the water almost feels soapy. If you turn onto your stomach it feels as if you are going to topple over. The worst is to get a drop of this water in your eye. It burns like hell........ We were many tourist doing the same thing. Floating in the water. It was a little cold as summer is not yet in full swing.

DEAD SEA MUD MASK - FULL BODY

We decided to get a full body dead sea mud mask. You leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash off in the sea. This mud comes from the sea floor. It is very sticky but not bad. I kept my shoes on in the sea as well as the salt crystals on the sea floor cut your feet. We went back into the sea for the rinse off.......It took ages. When we were done and came out our skin felt like silk
We stayed in a hotel at he dead sea and went for a very lani dinner that evening. As we were having dinner a thunderstorm broke out and it was as if the heavens opened up as it rained very hard. Lots of thunder and lightning and water. felt so familiar..

After breakfast Mohammed, Hannes and myself took to the road again. This time our destination was Petra. About a 5 hour trip. Along the way we passed a the agriculture areas. It is green and lush and full of olive plantations and citrus plantations. The oranges from here are fantastic. Mohammed went out of his way to tell us all abut Jordan and the areas. We also stopped for coffee along the road. Now this is strange number. A man will be along the roadside with his coffee kettle. You stop pay him and he brews you an Arabic coffee. A taste you have to learn to like. It is like espresso with cardamom added. Also sugar is added to your taste before brewing.

PETRA

THE SIQ

Entry to Petra is a huge canyon which was caused by earthquakes many moons ago.....nabatean times. (100AD) Our guide in petra was SAM. He was an archaeologist in Petra but decided to become a guide instead. He says the burocratic system was not good to him....He was very good to have to explain all of petra. 80% of Petra is still buried underground.

The "road" you enter petra with is called a siq. Along the way he showed us the water system used to get water to the whole city. he also explained all the statues along the way and why they were there...

SIQ AND FIRST SIGHT OF PETRA.

This was a wow moment to have this huge stone carved city emerge from the rock.

PETRA. THE TREASURY BUILDING.

Myself and one of the guards. See how warmly I am dressed as it was very very cold that day.

AN INTERESTING BOOK TO READ.

On our stroll in Petra they have the usual tourist traps of goods to sell. I was taken to this stand by Sam our guide. The young man selling the book to me was Raami. He is a Bedouin/Kiwi. His mother (marquerite van geldenmasen a kiwi) married a Bedouin. Ts is her story of how she found he life and what she had to adjust to. I like the idea that he grew up i Petra as a Bedouin and then went to New Zealand to study and is back in Petra living and doing business. His father had died. If any of you can find the book it is a easy read of her life story. I now have a copy signed by her and her son. I enjoyed the read.

MODE OF TRANSPORT IN PETRA

TRANSPORT.

Pera is huge and very steep. We did our fair share of walking and on our return we opted for the donkey ride back to Mohammed. I loved the donkey ride and it was very easy to do. Donkeys are not emotional but very temperamental. "hardegat" is the word that comes to mind. You have to have a very firm hand or you might end up on the the side of Petra if he has his way. Lots of laughs and giggles...........some swearing was done too.

Jordan was fantastic and I must say not a destination I would ever have even thought of to do. Hannes and myself enjoyed it too much. We went for dinner to Mohammed's house on our last night in Jordan. We had some chicken and Jordanian "spinach" dish (not to my taste at all) with rice AND remember it is very offensive and rude to refuse any food or drink offered unless you are allergic........or against your religion. We were stuck. hannes did not find it too bad and even had a second portion of rice to dilute the flavour. I did my best and leaded to full at he offering of second helping. His wife and kids were fantastic and it was good to see a real Jordanian family's life style. Very neat clean and proud.

Arabic word learnt on this trip. (Spelling will not be correct just do it phonetically)

Salaam halikum - Hullo greeting

Halikum Salaam - To greet back.

Habibe - My darling

Hazize - My dear

Mush Mush ikila - say back to person who apologised and means it is ok don't worry

Ghalas - it is finished

Ghalas mei - realy finished

Ghalas bes - finished and not to ask again

hala hala habibe. - Hi my darling

humdillalah - praise to god

Mohammed and his wife(Nebal from Cyria) was an arranged marriage. They are very happy and think it is the only way to go. His mother did all the arrangements for them to meet. They were married shortly after the introduction. They have 4 beautiful kids. Saud (boy) Noordean (boy) Moenera(girl) and Abdullah(boy)

Thank heavens I do not have to do that.....I have my own free choice.

We came back to Dubai and I was pleased to see our city again. Jordan is a little behind the times and not as upmarket and beautiful as Dubai.

I got a sms the next morning to fetch the stuff I had sent with cargo to Dubai.

I DID MY MAIDEN VOYAGE. I took the car by myself and went to the AIRPORT. I took the wrong turn off from the highway and nearly ended in on of the other emirates to turn around. I was still proud of myself as I found my way back and to cargo at the airport........

It took 4 hours to do the paper work and get customs to clear the goods and get my boxes.

Now to next dilemma... Prado.... eish..... too small for all.

MY DELIVRY SERVICE

I saw a pakistani man with this little bakkie and asked him if he will deliver the boxes for me. After a haggle about the price it was agreed. I simply gave him a peice of paper with my address on it and my cell number. he in turn only gave me his regisration number of his bakkie. I did not understand at all.....How can I trust him to deliver the stuff and not take it home?????

I asked the security at the cargo section if it is ok to o it this way. he then told me if I only have his registration number I can find anybody in Dubai as it is all computerised. So here I learn again.

MY GOODS ARRIVED AT HOME

All the small vans in Dubai have this Ornate "cage" for the back of their vans. It is beleived to make the bakkie look nicer and all lok like this. The driver was moanig as he lost his way and wanted more money. I told him no way.... he then got his panty hose in a not and just unloaded all the boxes infront of the lift and left. I then did the taking it up to the 7th floor. What a bleddie job. I just hope I still think all that I sent is worth it after the unpacking.

OUR GUEST BEDROOM.

This bedroom has beccome the temprary storage rom. I will do the unpacking day after tomorrow when hannes goes back to work again. I have get it al done and packed away by next week as we have friends from Oman commng over for 2 nights. he unpacking does not bbother me BUT where on earth am I going to unack it too.......

I again took to the highway by myself and fetched hannes from work. I can now fetch any one of yu at the airport and bring you home..........................

OK ENOUGH

L

DUBAI HERE I AM

I have arrived safe and sound and am very happy to be here. annes is so glad to see me and have me back in the UAE. I am also very happy to be here at last.
I have to run now as Hannes surprised me with a 5 day trip to Jordan. So I will give you all the gosip when I get back.
Jinny thanks for your comments. I enjoy them so much, and makes me feel as if we are in touch.....I love you lots.
Ok all, have to run.
L

COUNT DOWN CONTINUES....4..3...2...1

Sorry it has taken so long to blog, but here goes. Sorry no photo's as the "travelling Internet" no can do !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
COUNT DOWN ..4..........
I left PE from Dian to Aloma my dear friend living in Dana bay near to Mosselbay in the eastern cape. I rented a vhicle and did the 4 hour drive as it was quicker and cheaper and i got to see that area of South frica again. It is a very beautiful country. So much diversity in the country side. From beautiful forrest to the ocean in all it's wild glory.
On arrival at Aloma and Johnny it was as if we has seen each other only yesterday and not 4 years ago.
he two of them looked good and we had man laughs. One which was very funny was at a restaurant in Mosselbay. Aloma's daughter had her birthday celebration and we all were invited and arranged that each will pay their own account... I asked the waiter to "run a tab" for me and to get me a vodka and red bull (my faourite drink ) Well well to my amazement the waiter comes running to the table with his tray in hand, he delivers my vodka and rebull AND a tin of Tab and a glass of ice....................Get it ?????????????? he bough me a "run a Tab". To my international friends Tab is a ugar free soft drink...
We had a huge laugh when we had worked this number out.....
The rest of three days we were like chatter boxes 24/7. I shared a room with Aloma as she also had her kids there at the same time.
We would decide to go to bed at about 01hoo. As soon as the two of us were settled in bed and before good night was said we started chatting again and ended at turning out the light at 04hoo. We have always has this huge talking and sharing relationshp.It was marvelous and felt like my days studying as then the girls would get together after the evenigs and just talk and talk and talk. many laughs were had too. I think this female relationship of chatting up a storm recharges our batteries. We after all come from venus don't we........ so we talk the same language. I also think men find this so boring to talk for hours on "useless" information....................That is why we also go to the toilet in goups........It becomes a social event..........
The 3 days flew past and it was far to soon for me to leave to see Rossouw. I left from George airport for Johannesburg.
Here again I rented a car to go to.............

COUNT DOWN ... 3.........
POTCHEFSTROOM.
I have laugh at yself with rental vehicles..........I pick one that has a steering wheel and not red in colour. Each time I have to adjust to where the indicators are and how to drive these little loaves of bread......They also do not put off the lights when I get out.....So my learnng curves are still being tested.
My little car ( the names do not come easy either) and myself drove to Potchestroom, via Soweto,............. I took the wrong turn off from the highway...to see Rossouw. The trip should have been 1 hour and in the end took me nearly 3 hours. I did many turns in Johannesburg to get on the right road again. Soweto was not a place on my wish list at all. In the end all well and I arrived safely in Potchefstroom.
I stayed in a guest house which was very nice and comfortable.
I met some of Rossouw's varsity friends which is always good to know who they are. Rssuw had a busy time as he had 2 tests and rugby practise and a match in the time I was there. It was such a pleasure to see him on the rugby field again and he scored the first try of the game. That cost me money as i always pay for tries.....I was so proud that I paid up with a smile. His finases are terrrible so he was just as happy for the money. The evening after the rugby match was my last night with hm so he suggested we go for a cocktail at a bar n town. I was very tred and really did not feel up to it BUT I went as I thought this my last tme with him and he WANTS me to come. This is when I miss hannes the most in my life.............The micro chip which most people have which kicks in to say one is enough I never received.......... I have the worst judgement of what is good for me.......................and when to say enugh. We had one cocktail and I met more rugby friends when Rossouw suggeted we go to a different "joll". I went with and ended leaving at 05h20 the next morning.....We danced and jammed the whle night. I did not drink so I was not under the influence or any other excuse for my choice BUT it was so good to have had that time with him and his friends. When I said goodbye to him at 11hoo he was man down and I was a real duracell bunny hopping all over the place........Yeah I am the boss as he was hanging badly.....
Good to see him and to see that he is standing onhis feet and ready to fly...........That is what I worked for with my boys that they can stand on there own with lots of love and support from us only and not dependant kids who cannot function without Hannes and myself.
In potchefstroom I also contacted a friend who I nursed with 25 years ago. I met up with her and her daughters and had a "lekker kuier"
I also saw Murtle (JC's ex girlfriend) and had coffee and lunch with her. Luckily JC and herself are still good friends. So no pressure there as herself and me always had a very good friendship.

COUNTDOWN ...2......
JOHANNESBURG
I stayed with Mike and Estelle ( my brother and his wife) in Johannesburg and spent the evenings with JC. On the monday I stayed home with Estelle and did my nails and relax. Mike made a special dinner that evening and we had curry tripe. DEVINE..............Brings back many child hood memories......It was one of my dad's favourite foods.....
JC joined us for dinner and I had such a large meal that all I could do was sit and chat to him. Again so nice to spend time with him and just talk about where he is in his life and what his dreams and aspirations are for himself. I am very proud of him as he has climbed many big obstacles (all caused by him with bad life choices) BUT he is now ready to fly as well and is in a very good place inhis life now. Makes me feel more at ease to leave to Dubai and now he is on his way. He is so talented in many ways and seems to be finding himself again.
The words that parents spend many nights just praying is so true...............
My eldest brother, Gerald, also came to see me and say goodbye. Was very good to see him too.
The next evenig we went to my favourite chineese restaurant in Johannesburg. The last meal I had there Pierre was also there. I feel I had my dad and Pierre there those few days as well. Even if it was just with food types and last place I had a social evening with Pierre. Hell I miss him so much and it does not seem to get better......
I also went to JC's work place and met his boss (the owner of the company). What a special man and JC is very lucky to have him in his working life.
I went to where Jc stays and saw Rambo again. It was so good to see him and he only had eyes for me. He wanted nothing to do with JC. It was so strange to think that that bird brain remebers me so well. He was positively over the moon to see me and would not leave me alone for a minute. Jc is looking after him so well. He has a huge live and play area in JC's room. So he has total human contact which is so important for him.
JC had tears i his eyes when he had to say godbye and says it is only because he will miss me....Ah a mother heart goes to jelly at the thought.............

NOW FOR COUNT DOWN .....1........
I booked my flight to Dubai via MAURITIUS.
Yes yes I know I am a tart but I just wanted a few days all to myself to adjust to all that has hapened and to get to hannes well rested and relaxed......
At Mauritius airport the reality of carryng a south african passport hit home. Thanks to SAA and their drug smuggling crew all south african passport holders were take to a seperate passport control counter. It took for ages to go through the process and we were all checked from top to bottom. Apparently just last week a SAA plane that had landed in Mauritius carried a huge amount of drugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our passports are also not trusted as we have so many "bought" documents in SA..................................
The first day in Mauritus it rained all day and I spent it in bed sleeping . It was so good to have so much sleep.
The next day my mood was on the floor as it was again a very rainy and gloomy day. I then went to Port Louis to check out the shopping markets.
I went by local bus to Port Louis and it was great fun sitting with all the locals and seing all the small roads on the island where the people get on and off. It gives a totally different picure of mauritius than what you get as a tourist in the lani hotels. Why did I get on the bus?? The taxi charges 750 rupee to port louis. The bus was 26 rupee. That was a "no brainer".
The market was busy and bustling and I strolled through the fresh market as well. I always love to see what is on offer as the fruit and veg and foodstuffs go. Most are familiar but some are very foreign to me. The people are very very very friendly and will explain all and even let you try it as well even if they know you are not going to buy.
Mauritus market has become a baby Bangkok. All on offer can just as well be in the markets of Bangkok. Just on a very smaller scale and rather expenive.. You also barter for a better price.
Right up my alley.
The next day was beautiful and sunny and I have worked hard at cathing a tan. It has been very good for me to do this alone number as my emotional filling has been done and I am rearing to go again for the next interesting chapter of Hannes and myself together again after 7 months of living in different counties.
One very nice thing now is I do not have to wonder where I live any more as now I can say I live in Dubai............... I just have to get to know my Dubai contact numbers as it looks so strange when I have to consult my wallet for the print out I made of all Dubai contact numbers.
Relocaion is not for sissies but it is a wonderful mind awakenig experience...
I am so lucky to hve this experience and am planning o grab it with positive gusto. I also am so lucky that Hannes gives me so much freedom t be my own person .......
I love him very much and am looking forard to our next chapter......
I leave Mauritus in 2 days for Dubai.
OK AL FOR NOW. NEXT CHAT WILL BE FROM THE UAE.....

COUNT DOWN 7....6.....5

AT LAST THE COUNT DOWN BEGINS...
7............
The arrangements for the house to move was so easy..ELLIOTS INTERNATIONAL did all the planning and packing. It took but a phone call to their rep in my area and she was there to measure up and give a quote. I phoned 4 other moving companies as well and all the others took days to quote and I was not impressed with the service. It is amazing that in this economical time the other companies were so slack BUT Elliots came through well.
Luckily I had to move very quickly as the new owners needed to move in immediately.
It took 10 days to get me out and them in.
It was very funny at times but hey I was very busy and had very little sleep. As you all know by now I am a coffee-holic. More about this later.....
The few days I had before the movers arrived I had to do the sorting. This move went in 8 directions. 1 to Elliots for storage. 2 boxes to Dubai. 3 to JC. 4 to Rossuw. 5 to Dian. 6 to an orphanage. 7 to home staff and 8 to the rubbish heap. Now the decisions come again hard and fast. I took tape and taped areas in the garage for the different areas and I only left in the house what Elliots must pack as they are like locusts.......they clean a path like the speed of lightning....
The team arrived on the monday morning and started immediately . Now I supervise every where and give instructions all over.
JC came down from Johannesburg to help and to collect his stuff and to take Rambo (my Parrot) We had a fantastic time and chatted until late at night and worked our nilly's off in the day. He was a huge help and good to have him there. Rambo was packed as well with new toys in his cage and on his out-of-cage area.
JC packed his car (a Golf) to he max. He did a superb job...BUT the two of us ended up with Rambo and his cage and no more space in the car................I am not a good packer so I called the Elliots team that were busy in the house and asked them to put the cage in the car.......I walked away like a true a "Marina Mary" nose in the air (mind you I was wearing a T-Shirt and gym pants......................................) We returned 10 inutes later and they had packed all and JC was ready to go.
He had Rambo in his cage BUT he found a way out and spent the whole trip on top of his cage talking and wistling to JC.... I asked JC to give him water along the way as it was a sweltering hot day. Jc ried his best but Rambo would have none of the water...........He insisted on JC's coke a cola.....So Rambo asked and so he received. I was emotional to say goodbye to Rambo BUT so glad he is with JC. Heis in very good hands and I am sure will have a new vocab soon.....
The pcking went on well and every evening I had less furniture to sit on......The imagination went wild and I came to he conclution that we have way too much stuff we do not really need..... I found stuff in cupboards which when i bought them I thought I could not do with out BUT I hardly ever or even never used...................Just think of the money I could have saved.............but so we learn. Thank heavens the Dubai apparment is so small as I alway think first where will I put it and then I do not buy it as I have no space.
The next bad curve ball in this move (I thnk it was he worst....) was Colonel my dog. This dog was so protective of me. He NEVER left my side when strangers were near. He looked at me with absolute adoration and love always....... I could not find a home for him, and I tried everything....,and had to make the worst decision of having him euthenased by the vet. I phoned the vet who we know very well and explained my situation. He was so caring...... He fetched Colonel on the last morning I was there ,he took him away and phoned an hour later just to say all over and done. I cried my eyes out the whole day. I felt to bad and my heart was broken..........
Now the coffee issue hits me hard. I have nothing in the house to make coffee. I find a kettle going to the orphanage and a mug and a teaspoon and perculated coffee.............. Now how to make the coffee as I have no plunger of coffee machine. In the pantry I left all the pool equipment and cleaning stuff for the new owners. In that I find a small pool filter bag. VOILLA.......One spoon filter coffee in bag. Put in cup and hold top end of filter. Pour on boiling water and wait 2 minutes. By now your fingers are a little hot as the filter draws the boiling water to the hand...... Lift out filter and drink wonderful filter coffee.....problem solved and agin I realise I can make do with much less and that I am a survivor no matter what the odds.....Also I am a camper......................
The house was handed to the new owners in perfect condition. I had the inside painted after all nails and scews were removed from where i had all my framongs hanging on the walls.. The domestic staff and myself scrubbed us to the bone to hand over a perfectly clean house. The new owners were very pleased and impressed.
On Friday morning I had a rental car deliverd to take me to Durban with the boxes packed to go to Dubai as I am delivering them to a company called Rohig-Grinod who are handling the air freight of these items.............(Thanks for that tip Sonja......It worked well)
I originaly thought it will be 2 or 3 boxes. It ends with 18 boxes. (212kg) My car size was too small......and I tok a big car......Now what.I have to get this to Durban today.......... I grab the phone book and call Kwa-ki-jima (in Zulu it means This or that fast) It is our local couries between Richards bay and Durban. Remeber this is Zululand and it is Friday about lunch time.... Well all went well and boxes and Kwa ki jima and I in Avis rent a car left for Durban. I had to say good bye to my domestic staff and that was also again tearful. Rita and Promise I will miss the 2 of you a lot. Not only when I am cleaning and ironing BUT we were 3 woman who lived in each others lives the last 10 years.
6.............
DURBAN
I went to Zimbali and spent 3 nights with her and Bobby and family. It was so nice. Infact it was like being in a five star hotel. I had my own suite in their beautiful home. I slept normally for he first time in months. We ate, chatted, swam, had drinks around the pool and wizzed al over Zimbali in the golf cart...... Gesi and I are like 2 peas in a pod in the kitchen. We have absolute silent language and can do all ogether without getting under each others feet.
Bobby was so special to me and clucked aound me like a protective brother without crowding my space.
Gesi invited the whole dinner club for dinner for the Saturday night. It was so good to have the "family", as we call ourselves, all together. JUST Hannes was not there and dearly missed by all.... Infact a lot of the conversation was abut him ....It was freaking hot so we were in the pool by 22h30 and floating around like fat happy hippo's. Marietjie I wll never forget what you think of hippo's in a pool and how dearly you always wanted to be one until some startling expose on hippo's burst your bubble........................
The Sunday all of us vegetated at home and it was wonderful. The weather had changed from hot and sunny to rainy and then more rain.
I received a call from the new owners of the house and guess what...........the bleddie roof was leaking........ Early Monday I phone the roof fixers (they had done a huge job on the roof 6 mnths ago) and out they go to check. It turns out a small portion of the roof has to be fixed again (luckily under guarantee) AND a down pipe is very badly blocked. So I have to phone the plumbers to sort out. It all was done so now all ok again. I just don't need this small sticky stuff to come my way now............
I then proceeded to the freight company and got al the Dubai cargo sorted out.....The biggest problem will be where to pack all that stuff....... but that can wait for Dubai to be sorted out.
I went to our flat for 3 days and it was good to see the state of the flat after all the holiday letings we have had there. Compliments to Clydene and Pricilla who look after our flat like gold and also the agency doing the rentals for me.
These 3 days were one big social event. Clydene invited me to dinner and we looked at Gia"s wedding photo's. What a beautiful wedding album. Well done my friend you did a superb job. Clydene served a zuccini dish that was to die for. Will give it a try in Dubai......
I had a lovely dinner with Barry and Karen and a lekker chat and catch up... Karen thanks for my favourite cake you baked for me. The 3 slices you gave me in a "human" bag home was such a lekker breakfast....
The Tuesday the whole dinnerclub family and Alfie and Sandra went out for dinner at La Casa Nostra in Umdloti. Was yummy food and good banter around that table. We left when the owners locked up..... Thusday night Ouboet and Ousus (Mario and Marietjie) invited me fo a braai and food and convesation was good once again.
I greeted all the dear friends and could not find a tear in my heart at all. Clydene was in tears and I felt like a traitor for not crying as well BUT I have so much to look forward to and to be with Hannes again I could not find tears. Love you lots Maietjie,Gesi and Clydene and keep the good spirit going. See you in July......................
I left for the airport in Durban very early on Friday morning for my flight to Port Elizabeth. Now my reality set in and I cried myself silly at the flat on closing the door and all the way to the airport. The flight was a blur of emotions. Between excited, happy and very sad. memories kept flooding my thoughts
5..............
PORT ELIZABETH
I arrived in Port Elizabeth to see Dian for 3 days. I had to check on my youngest at University before I left. I was so surprised as he was waiting at the airport to greet me. I thought he was at class. He did not want his mommy to go by taxi to the hotel in PE. I thought it was a great idea on his part.
I am staying at the beach hotel in PE. Fantastic. Old colonial service and warmth. It was so good to see him. I hugged and kissed him until he said ok enugh now..............
Dian looks so well and so happy. I will say goodbye to him with a good feeling in my heart. We chatted and ate a lot. I took him and his flatmates to dinner last night and was so good to see how good the 3 of them get along. Dian has his head on right and is very serious about being succesful at University as he is so happy here. His flat is bigger than ours is in Dubai. The flat is on the Hobie beach beachfront. Big airy and spacious. He is so lucky. He is fantastic with his money matters and does well within his budget. Very good to see.
Today Dian and I went to Port Alfred to go and see Leo (my late dad's wife) She is so depressed as she misses him so much. She has moved into an old age home but has her own cottage. We took her to lunch and she seemed to have lifted spirits when we left. She took us to their house, and that is were I saw my dad alive for the last time. I kept on waiting for him to call my name or come into the room. I made sure we left there very quickly. To see his photo's displayed around was vey disturbing as I have not been confronted with that before today. But there is always a first for everything.
Dian and I had the drive back to PE in his BB (bouncing bubble) car with his music on his volume level. You see in my car they were never aloud to adjust the music at all. So now I have to repay the respect. So there he two of us were listening to Bok van Blerk and Dian's other funny music at top volume and lots of bass. Even my brain was vibrating............But good fun. The 2 of us went for a snack in the hotel tonight and he will join me for breakfast tomorrow morning and then the big greeting number........ARGH..................again.....
OK all news for now. Will keep you in suspense for count down 4 that happens next.
Chow
L
PS. Spel check is not working so sorry for spelling and typing mistakes. DEAL WITH IT!!!!!!!!!!!