Cape Town, you old friend

A reason for a business trip is a reason for another short vacation to Cape Town, in our book. So, we loaded up the wagon and headed for the airport. This time, we caught some fantastic weather, making a trip up the cable car to Table Mountain a no-brainer (above). Up there, you can marvel at the whole city below, and peer around the corner to the peninsula that heads south of the city towards the Cape of Good Hope.

And, if you can squint hard enough at the cable car below, you can even see the sweetest corporate branding this side of the Mississip'...brought to you by Visa. (They were a major sponsor of the World Cup in 2010.)

Not a bad view, eh? We even got to meet a few 'dassies', or rock hyrax. These little critters are something akin to the pika that roam the rocks atop the peaks of Colorado. Cute little buggers.

Ryder and Ginger, taking it all in...



...and me too.

Now, a trip to Cape Town is a special occasion, right? So, why would you rent just any car, some boring, lame-o Toyota for such a special occasion, when you could rent a 'classic' car for a few dollars less. Exactly. What kind of classic do I mean, you ask? Well, I found a German ex-pat who lives in Cape Town on our last trip, and he specializes in (not surprisingly) the Benz. However, since most of his actual classic rides are 2-seaters, we went for the more family-friendly option, complete with seat belts in the back. This time around, he had a 1980 350 SE olive green sedan for us. Nooiice! Complete with the original interior (in great shape) and push-button radio, she purred like a kitten.

On road up to Table Mountain, we happen to pass by one of my favorite bizarre cars in the world, the old 1968 Citroen DS Pallas. In the late 60's and early 70's, this baby ran you about $4,000. Totally worth it? You decide. Something about it just says 'I am ze French, oui?'

Before we got up to the mountain, we spent a couple days staying downtown, near the marina with our friends, The Ali's, from Kigali. It was nice to be able to walk up and down the colorful streets (below) of the city, and be so close to the water. The Ali's were at the end of a 2 week stay, so they kindly let us share their apartment. The boys got in some play time, and we hit the sandy beaches of Camp's Bay for some tide pooling.

The 3 pictures above were taken over the course of about 30 minutes - clouds rolling back behind Table Mountain. Very cool. The tide pools were a great place to throw some sand, climb on the rocks, get some sun, and let Ryder meet the local honeys. (She was diggin' the swimmy diaper/taupe Crocs combo.)

Orion relaxing at the beach (above), and a cloud hat (below).






Ginger took a swig from Ryder's cup before making it into the
background for Eric's rasta-James Bond cover shot. Classy.



Sunset at the marina/downtown.

As you might expect, the chill vibes of lovely Cape Town were soon drowned out by our need to escape into the wine country, only an hour away. This time around, we checked out a new town in this area called Paarl, just up the road from Stellenbosch, where we were the last time. It's pretty much like shooting fish in a barrel up there, as far as picking a gorgeous place to stay and sipping on some wine. What we didn't know, though, was that we happened to pick a small vineyard that boasted the coolest single sandbox south of the equator:

Yes, it was a hit. The grounds included this sandbox, a
little trampoline/playground combo, and a beautiful pool.








Oh, and they had a few thousand olive trees on the property, and did olive oil tastings.



The trampoline was a nice touch - recessed into the ground for better-ish safety. Ryder had fun.






So did Mama (show off).

The best was when another couple's 2 year old got on the trampoline with Ginger and she had to put her in her place. "Bam! Get outta my kitchen, chica!" Take down!

The vineyard also had some little trails through the olive groves that made for some nice shots...

One other nice feature of Cascade Valley Farm was the resident cat, Rex. Now, those who know me well are familiar with my well-documented hatred of cats. Maybe hatred is too strong a word, but let's just say I'd never pick one up that was hitch-hiking, but I would pick up every dog I laid my eyes on. That being said, the universe was probably sticking its finger in my eye by making this cat really cool, exceptionally beautiful, and a great friend to Ryder. He had the greatest time watching him and playing around the sandbox with him. Ok, yes, I'll admit it, I liked this cat, too.

"Haha, Dad, this cat is awesome."

(Yes, we've had the advent of a new phenomenon where Ryder will enthusiastically 'cheese' for the camera. I'm sure he'll soon learn from me that a smile is just too plain. Cross-eyed is much better.)

On the trail that lead to the small waterfall. Love this place!















On the way back to the ranch one day, we stopped by a new winery that had a great outdoor dining area, and was gorgeously tucked below this mountain.



It also gave me a serious case of garden-envy...






...and Emu envy?



Back at the ranch, Ryder grappled with the very real problem of cheese tray item selection. Nerve-racking.



Ok, this one!

After heading out of Paarl, we flew back to Johannesburg for a couple days. Ginger had some business to take care of, so Ryder and I took it easy. If you've been wondering what it looks like when we're on the go, below you can see G working away, while Ryder's tent waits patiently for its tenant.

A dramatic Johannesburg skyline at sunset.







Thankfully, the hotel was situated in a mall complex that had a great book store, complete with kids' play area. I'm pretty sure we spent close to 3 hours one day, playing with the toy train and wooden hammer set.



Ryder attempts chop-sticks...



...then takes a step back for some contemplation time in the 'Ohm-chair.'

By the end of the trip, the big man was ready to kick it in the taxi back to the airport and on back to our house. Thanks again, South Africa! Nice to see you again.

Westward to Kibuye (and other assorted pictures)

Since we've gotten our stuff, life at the house has been pretty busy - unpacking, breaking down boxes, wearing capes. The usual. Ryder has made a special effort in the last month to understand gravity... and hard surfaces. At school, he opened up a nice gash on his left eyebrow by falling down on a brick path, then followed it up with another one just next to his eye. This time, a concrete step right in front of our door was the culprit. A Dad can only be so fast. Thankfully, he forgot about them both after 15 minutes and life rolled on. Time for coloring!

Oh, and he's learning how to use the potty. Sometimes breakfast becomes mobile...

...and so do clothes.







We also spruced up the driveway with a new plumeria tree (with flowers) and a guava tree sapling riding sidecar.

Then, just this past weekend, we made a break for the western border. Out west (about 80 miles - love this place), there's a great big lake, Lake Kivu. Right about at the midpoint of the lake (on the Rwanda side) sits Kibuye. It's a fairly small town, and with the mountains dropping dramatically into the lake, it's simply breathtaking all around. You can sit on the shore and look across to the Dem. Republic of the Congo and wonder what that's all about. On this trip, we didn't venture into the lake, but it's on the list for next time.

The drive to Kibuye was fun, in and of itself. Leaving the bustling streets of Kigali on a Friday afternoon, we marveled at the landscape. It's gorgeous. It's also simply incredible how nearly every single strip of land is used for agriculture. Hillside after hillside, pitched steeper than a 45 degree angle, all growing something, anything.

Ryder manned the maps and Ginger took the wheel as I sat shotgun and took in the views.

We even caught a wedding march in progress on the road (below - the bride is right about center, with the flower girls in front of her). We passed the whole wedding party on the road - they were making their way to the next town.

Eventually, the endless mountain curves give way to the lake vistas. Nice.









Some friends recommended a great place to stay, complete with its own little beach, which was a hit.









The views were fantastic!









The drive home wore out the navigator, but thankfully, the driver stayed awake. We'll be back, Kibuye!

Christmas in February

Gravity and physics.

These two things travel with you everywhere, no matter what you are. Unfortunately for the driver of the trailer below (with attached 20 foot canister holding the stuff we packed in SF back in August last year), these two things were working against him when our shipment arrived.

I really wish I'd gotten the photo of the cab of this trailer, as it lifted off the ground. Trying to back in a 20 foot container on a 40 foot trailer on a two lane street down an inclined driveway is no walk in the park. In fact, it's pretty much impossible. Just ask the shrubs that are no longer with us.

After an hour of maneuvering, trying to put rocks and wood under the wheels of the cab that was unable to get traction, and general physics hilarity, the movers had a great idea. Let's just unload this stuff here and walk it down the hill. Then, once the trailer weighs less, the cab can drive again. Thankfully, it worked.

"I can't believe it. It's here!"



Good thing there were no stowaways. Pretty tight.

Soon, our front living room went from this...

...to this!



Then, the unpacking again. It was Christmas in February...

...and Ryder could finally practice the drums.

My Friend Georges

Hello again, it's Ryder. I've been meaning to talk more about one of my new friends here in Kigali, Georges. He's a really nice man. He stays at our house as our guard during the day and we like to play together when I come home from school and after my nap. Here we are in the morning before school:

When I wake up, we look for stuff in the driveway...

...sometimes play on the ladder...

...if he can catch me, that is!



Sometimes, I show him how to rake the bushes...



...and he shows me how to draw on the gate.

Georges really likes to read and learn English. We gave him a book a few weeks ago with a red ribbon on it. He liked it so much, he wore the ribbon around his neck all day long. He is my friend (inshuti).

The Shipment

Good morning, campers! It's Groundhog Day!

I will let this Bill Murray classic serve as the backdrop for the post today (on a number of levels, this just works), for today has the potential to be a glorious day. This morning, I sit, literally, at the window, watching for a large truck to come down our street. This Friday will mark 6 months since we saw our apartment roll away on a truck, 5 large boxes sitting still in a row, upright and attentive like the first day of school.

We were told it would arrive before Thanksgiving. Then it was December 1. Then it was definitely by Christmas. Then it was the first week of January. And, well, today is Groundhog Day. Fitting, isn't it. Not exactly like we've been waking up again and again, re-living the same day, but you see where I'm coming from. (Disclaimer: I reserve the right to be a bit over-dramatic today in this post, so bear with me.)

We've been told that the truck with our container has left the customs station at the airport and is actually en route to our house. In one final kick in the teeth, however, the shipping agent informed Ginger this morning that although the shipment can be delivered to our driveway, there must be an official customs agent present with the shipment, so that they can 'cut the tape' and the containers can be opened.

Ah, bureaucracy. How you laugh at me and spit in my face.

If you haven't yet picked up on the touch of exasperation we have been feeling, then peel back the layers of sarcasm. There, you'll find us, waiting for our stuff. Someday, I'd love to go to the relocation company's files and see if I can piece together the route that our container took to get here. That'll be fun. I'll see it changing cargo boats 3 times, and I'll wonder what they really meant when they sent emails talking about the 'steamship' that is traveling with our container.

Yes, they said steamship:

I don't know about you, but I have this image of Mark Twain and Abe Lincoln shooting the breeze as they pilot some gargantuan barge down the mighty Mississip'. Steamship? Really? In 2012?

I don't want you to think that all of this waiting has been without its benefits. Far from it. We have, as you'd imagine, adopted a certain 'less is more' approach to our living situation, which has been really liberating. If you've ever opened a Dwell magazine and seen impeccably clean homes with designer furniture and bright colors, all tidy and perfectly placed, with an occasional inhabitant of such home wandering through the shot, then you have some idea of our place (minus the designer anything, that is).

I always wonder where all the actual living material and people stuff gets shoved when the Dwell people compose their pictures. But I digress...

So. Here we wait. At last. Or, at least, with less than a week to go. As it goes with many things here - believe it when you see it.

(Pictures to follow, if anything really shows up.)