Marie-wind! Take Six

Fun, Facts and Follies from the last few days...

• I have arrived back from Zambia and Zimbabwe safe & sound, with all limbs intact, and malaria free! Hurray! But disappointingly enough, I also never experienced any trippy dreams while on my malaria pills. Aaron (Sarah's brother) did. While the daily meds gave the rest of us tummy aches, nausea, and pooping problems, Aaron was gifted vivid zombie attack dreams. 

• I become more and more impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit of young South Africans the longer I stay here. Today I went for a waxing and met the owner of the spa. At the age of 22, she owns and runs the salon herself. Another friend of mine is 24 and has built his own law firm and is doing impressive business specializing in Divorce Law. The labour marker here is plagued with racial, social, and economic issues, but instead of hold South African youth down, it seems to be encouraging them to step up and go beyond the status quo. It is inspiring to say the least. 

• The first day Sarah and Jason arrived, us three and the neighbor's 14 year old daughter piled into a little boat and took off into the harbor to do some fishing. Despite our infinite boating knowledge (cough... cough...), we had problems keeping the motor running for more than 30 second bursts and Sarah and I ended up paddling our way home. But, in the end, Sarah and I both caught one banana fish apiece :) 

• South Africans use the paved shoulder on highways as an extra lane. Which means that if you are driving on a single-lane highway and want to pass a slow driver, you don't have to wait until on-coming traffic is clear. The car ahead of you simply starts driving on the shoulder and you gun it around him, coming inches away from the opposing vehicles in the lane beside you. Terrifying.

• Right before I left Richard's Bay for Joburg on the 23rd, we were treated to a magnificent lightening storm. Jason, Sarah and I stood atop the 2nd story balcony and took in the stunning view. The powerful flashes lit the entire harbor up like broad daylight, while massive spider bolts raced across the black cloud-cover. The cracks of thunder were enough to stop your heart but it was so damn beautiful.  I'll remember it for a long time as one of those moments with friends where everything is calm, happy, and you're just thankful to be alive. 

• Christmas with the Wrights and their friends, Delia and Grant, out at Boulders was lovely :) Jenny even cross-stitched a stocking for me to hang up alongside Justin and Tarryn's. Complete with a Christmas bunny sewed onto the nameplate! We enjoyed a delicious turkey feast complete with cracker paper hats, toasted the holiday season with champagne on the deck, and stuffed ourselves silly with chocolate and treats on Christmas day. The family dog, Monty, even sported a santa hat.  

• I came face-to-face with my first Dorado. It's a fish that's known for its vicious teeth and fighting stamina on the end of a line. The neighbor, Jo, is an avid deep sea fisherman and brought it over for us to see. Jo also caught a marlin (remember the Old Man and the Sea??) the other day!! Maybe one of these day's I'll make it out to sea with him and snag one myself! ha...ha...no. 

• There is a new love in my life: Thai food. How have I lived 23 years without discovering it?! HOW! It is salty, sweet, and savory all at the same time. The flavors are to die for. There is a fantastic restaurant which sits on the harbor here in Richard's Bay where the Von Hagens and I had our first dinner out together. Can anyone suggest a good Thai place in Winnipeg? I need to put them into my speed dial once I'm home.