Got to the hotel really early, around 08:00, since there was nothing else to do after exploring the airport and having breakfast. The clerk couldn't have been nicer, despite the early hour, checked me right in. Had a couple hours nap that I really needed after another overnight flight.
I was determined to get out for a walk despite the cold weather. Forecast high 16C. The shuttle driver had pointed out a flea market on the way to the hotel, so that seemed a good idea. The short walk was just what I needed so I went for a look. Too organized and permanent for my taste but fun to look around anyway. A band was playing in a courtyard sort of area to a pretty large crowd. I swear they were playing their own applause over the PA between songs, this on top of the singer lip syncing her part.
Bought a used Heinlein paperback (R15) from a nice lady and a tee shirt (R80) from another. Passed on the cap with the "big five" on the front. That's the five big game animals you are suppose to kill to be a real hunter. (look it up). Didn't really feel like wearing that symbol even if part of me knows that hunting is a big business here.
I also passed on the Soweto tour. That's the infamous slum south of the city that played a role in the fight against apartheid. That role included a lot of violence that is too recent for my stomach.
Coming out of the market I was a bit disoriented after navigating the aisles. But the clue to the way back to the hotel was right over my head. I had noticed that my room was right in the glide path for landings so I just followed the planes right back home.
This morning off to CPT.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Back "home"
Flew in last night to our West African home. Plane was late out of SFO, missed our connection at LHR (despite assurances to the contrary, thanks BA). Took later Virgin Atlantic flight and got into the airport (LOS) at 05:30. Never been there in the morning before, always late at night. The parking lot that seems vaguely threatening at night with flicking lanterns, and shadowy figures between the vendors and money changers looks just like a parking lot in the morning.
Pickup bus was delayed so we had to stand around for a while. Richard, the assigned fixer stuck with us so no big deal. Good thing it was overcast though. In fact much cooler than the 40C plus that we had been experiencing in California. There were some of those crow like birds squawking around so I asked Richard what they were called.
He said "Okada".
"You mean like the motocycle?"
"Yes" he replied.
But then when the transport boss showed up to move things along, I asked Richard what his name was. He replied "Okada". So perhaps we hadn't been communicating after all. Sometimes it's hard to tell.
The ride home was towards an overcast, brownish sky as the sun tried to make an appearance, the "Third mainland bridge" stretching off into the haze. The smoke from the morning charcoal fires from the stilt village along the way adding it's part. Traffic was heavy but moving. Being out of practice at ignoring near collisions I found myself clutching at the seat in front of me.
One new sight that surprised me was women dressed like the Cat in the Hat sweeping the road. Well, not exactly but they wore tall floppy hats, all yellow with green smocks featuring yellow trim on the cuffs and hem. A very bizarre uniform. Now that I've got my camera again, I'll try to get a snap. It took a seeing a couple to believe it. But there they were, diligently working away, armed mostly with just a short broom made from a bundle of palm leaf ribs.
Wife fired the driver this morning after he showed up late again. I'm just a softy and like the guy and he is creative with his excuses, but I guess enough is enough.
Off to JNB (Jo'burg) this evening and then to Namibia for a couple weeks. Computer gave me a real scare this morning when it shut off on it's own. Repairs here could be a real problem. I got an electrical tingle from the power strip and it's now out in the trash. The thing was incredibly poorly made and I'm sure to live longer with it gone. I thought for a while it had toasted the computer too, but it survived. Borrowed the more robust strip from the kitchen at least for now.
Pickup bus was delayed so we had to stand around for a while. Richard, the assigned fixer stuck with us so no big deal. Good thing it was overcast though. In fact much cooler than the 40C plus that we had been experiencing in California. There were some of those crow like birds squawking around so I asked Richard what they were called.
He said "Okada".
"You mean like the motocycle?"
"Yes" he replied.
But then when the transport boss showed up to move things along, I asked Richard what his name was. He replied "Okada". So perhaps we hadn't been communicating after all. Sometimes it's hard to tell.
The ride home was towards an overcast, brownish sky as the sun tried to make an appearance, the "Third mainland bridge" stretching off into the haze. The smoke from the morning charcoal fires from the stilt village along the way adding it's part. Traffic was heavy but moving. Being out of practice at ignoring near collisions I found myself clutching at the seat in front of me.
One new sight that surprised me was women dressed like the Cat in the Hat sweeping the road. Well, not exactly but they wore tall floppy hats, all yellow with green smocks featuring yellow trim on the cuffs and hem. A very bizarre uniform. Now that I've got my camera again, I'll try to get a snap. It took a seeing a couple to believe it. But there they were, diligently working away, armed mostly with just a short broom made from a bundle of palm leaf ribs.
Wife fired the driver this morning after he showed up late again. I'm just a softy and like the guy and he is creative with his excuses, but I guess enough is enough.
Off to JNB (Jo'burg) this evening and then to Namibia for a couple weeks. Computer gave me a real scare this morning when it shut off on it's own. Repairs here could be a real problem. I got an electrical tingle from the power strip and it's now out in the trash. The thing was incredibly poorly made and I'm sure to live longer with it gone. I thought for a while it had toasted the computer too, but it survived. Borrowed the more robust strip from the kitchen at least for now.
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