44° C = Elevendibillion° F

Yep. That's a scientific fact.

Ok well 44° C is actually 111.2° F but still. The surface of the sun has had cooler days than the temperature today in Perth. Makes me think that a 'Polar Vortex' would actually be a welcome respite from feeling as though I'm walking through heat molasses in Palm Springs. Thank god for dry heat and air conditioning.

Despite our rather cool house, Bob and I have decided to decamp to the local mall. Hopefully our tires don't melt on the drive there. Wish us luck.

Best of South Africa (part 2)

Visiting Mandela's South Africa
Needless to say, visiting Madiba's homeland so soon after his death made all of the tours and museum visits even more meaningful. We saw both of Mandela's homes: where he was living when he was arrested in 1962 and where he moved once he was released. Both places were packed.

Mandela's home after his release. Reminiscent of Kensington Palace after Diana died.

Reverand Jesse Jackson outside Mandel's Soweto home. Peeps went cray.

While we were in Cape Town we also went to Robben Island, the prison where Mandela was held for 18 years of his 27 years in prison. It looked very similar to what was shown in Long Walk to Freedom (they used parts of the island as a set) but the most interesting thing to me was how visible Cape Town was, how close it seemed. To be on that island for almost 20 years, knowing the world was continuing on without you, and yet come out of it as strong and peaceful as he did. Amazing. Big time Mandela fan after this trip.

Mandela's cell. Excuse the poor quality. Lots of peeps. Had to make my viewing snappy.

Stunning views of Cape Town from Robben Island. Table Mountain is in the background with its cloud 'tablecloth'

Touring Soweto Township

On our second day in Johannesburg we took a tour of Soweto, the township where Mandela lived before his arrest and the area at the epicenter of the anti-apartheid movement.  It is also one of Joburg's poorest areas. No running water or electricity and most of the residents lived in small shacks. (Is it appropriate to say shack? Not sure but I feel it is the most descriptive option.) We had the chance to go inside one of the homes with our tour guide and it literally felt like we were being roasted alive. So. Hot. And just so...confronting. I could go on for days about my thoughts on the social/economic/historical situation that I know very little about so I will refrain. Let me know if you would like a Skype overview instead :)

A house in Soweto with rocks holding down the roof tarp for rain protection

Wine Tasting in Stellenbosch

Love me some wine. Seriously love me some South African wine. We spent our last day in Cape Town drinking our way through the beautiful wine region there. Secured ourselves 6 delicious bottles of wine that made packing for our trip home pretty interesting. Wine + blue skies + green vineyards = excellent end to our trip.

Beautiful Stellenbosch

Hope you enjoyed my insanely long review. Happy to provide detailed stories when you come visit :) Happy New Year everyone!

A very South African Christmas

I have to say, a hot Christmas weirds me out. It lacks the cozy sweaters, crisp air and warm Starbucks drinks that I look forward to every year. Alas, I've decided that hot Christmas in South Africa > normal Christmas spent in most other places (except of course for my beloveds: San Diego and London). Needless to say, the trip was amazing and will be quite hard to top in the future.

In an attempt to summarize/summarise some of the amazingness, here are some South African highlights:

Safari through Kruger National Park
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Ok well no bears per se but man did we see some quality animals. And by 'see' I mean 'almost touch because they were so freaking close.' During our trip to Kruger National Park, we saw 4 of Africa's 'Big 5': elephant, buffalo, leopard & rhino. Sadly Simba and his lion pals eluded us but we saw some beauties up close at a lion park the day before. So it's cool, Kruger lions. I forgive yous.

I have elevendybillion elephant photos. They were my faves. Especially the wittle babies!

Coastal Cape Town

So you know how beaches and the ocean are--without fail--gorgeous? Well. The Western Cape in Cape Town is gorgeous (sand, water, yada yada) but I think the best word to describe it is dramatic. As in waves crashing into huge boulders on the coast. Sharps cliffs diving straight into the sea. And windy roads that hug those cliffs like scary status. It's just plain stunning.

Capturing the coastal drama proved difficult so you get a photo of us on Christmas Day instead.

Note: I am writing this at 3am because jet lag ruins my life. Bob says I need to go back to sleep now. More highlights to follow tomorrow.

This time for Africa!

Well slap a hula skirt on me and call me Shakira because I can't stop singing that Waka song. Yes, it's about soccer and no, I won't actually be watching soccer but...I'm going to Africa!

South Africa, to be exact. Bob, his parents and I leave tonight for 17 days of South African goodness, starting in Johannesburg and then heading to Cape Town. We are going on a mini-safari, seeing the Robben Island museum & doing loads of wine tasting. Should definitely be an interesting time to be in Madiba's homeland and to be a part of the local celebrations/memorials that are still going on.

I promise to post an annoying number of pictures when we are back. For now, I leave you with Waka Waka herself!

It's highly likely I will be recreating these sweet moves in the airport. Sorry bout it Voss Fam.

Little Man Loves His 'Roos

It seems I am not the only one to have fully embraced Australia. My very own favorite Jamoney is sporting some quality 'Roo-wear, courtesy of yours truly, and is clearly loving it.

Now if only his mommy & daddy would get on board and plan a visit...the kid is ready!

I Say 'Toilet' Now

Made a sad realization today: I've started saying 'toilet' instead of restroom or bathroom. All through my time in the UK I held strong to my aversion to using toilet as a stand-alone word for bathroom but somehow Australia has crept in and settled in my vocabulary. Behold, other words I have also started using:

• mozzies (mosquitoes) 
• prezzies (presents)
• bin bag (trash bag)
• mobile (cell phone)
• coriander (cilantro)
• good on ya (well done)

The list goes on. I am shamed--'losing' my American-ness has started much sooner than I thought. Turns out life is just easier when people can understand you. But I promise the BIGGEST of promises to never develop a quasi-Australian accent a la British Madonna. It.Will.Not.Happen.

Bringing the Pilgrims to Oz

When you live in a foreign country, celebrating American holidays can help make you feel closer to home. After a successful Thanksgiving-esque celebration in London 2 years ago (that technically involved more international folk than actual Americans...) I decided to bring the tradition to Oz. Well. Easier said than done. Here is a partial account of my attempts to acquire ingredients. Australian pronunciations included for accuracy. 

Grocery store example #1:

Me: "Do you have any whole turkeys?"

Clerk: "Tehrkey? Ya we'vegotem, ma'am (ma'am?!!). Over thehr."

Me: "Oh yeah I saw those but they only seem to be about 2kilos (aka 4lbs) and I need something a bit bigger."

Clerk: "Nah. Don't harv anything biggah. You American? You guys eat a lot of tehrkey."

Me: "Um I guess?"

Grocery store example #2:

Me: "Do you have any fresh cranberries?"

Clerk: Weird look "Nope."

Me: "How about frozen ones?"

Clerk: "Umm we harv strorberries?"

Me: "Hmm don't think those will work but thank you."

Fancy butcher example #3:

Me: "Do you have any whole turkeys? Bigger than 6kilos?"

Clerk: "Yeah we do. Last one actually."

Me: "Oh that's awesome! I'll take it!"

Clerk: "Ok that will be $96."

Me: FML

Despite these minor setbacks, Bob & I successfully hosted 10 people last night for a slightly belated Thanksgiving. There were sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts and everything in between. I even made everyone go around and say what they were thankful for. Feelings for the win!

 This is not a fake picture. I really did cook things. And they were delicious. 

I take full responsibility for encouraging over-eating amongst Aussies.