Dad's trip, pt 2

Part II- South Africa

After spending the night in Johannesburg, we hopped the shuttle to the airport to rent our car that would take us down to Durban. After going through all sorts of license processes, credit cards, signing on the dotted line, we had a small but suitable Toyota Corolla to ride the open road! So we set out, two intrepid adventurers with only our Garmin, a pack of gum and some water to see us through (we stopped for snacks of course). The road from Johannesburg to Durban was a straight shot, I took many pictures for Dad of the geographical changes, and there were many times that we swerved off the road when he got too excited about something and would point and exclaim. That’s classic "Driving with Guy" for those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of such an experience. Growing up with said mannerisms and death-defying car acts, I have grown accustomed.

We arrived in Durban, after sitting in what I could only compare to Los Angeles traffic, a bit frazzled and bladders on the edge of bursting. Luckily our little guest house was easy to find, the owner pleasant, and the room a perfect size. That afternoon we did a bit of exploring around the small town - we stayed in Salt Rock, about 20km from the actual city of Durban. A great beach town, small, with good food, what seemed like decent night life, and right along the coast. Both dinners were filled with fish and shellfish, and in my case, paired with a glass of wine.

Our day there was spent on the beach, Dad of course got in the water and did some bodysurfing. . .I stayed on the beach with jacket and hat on. After living through a Mozambique summer, I have become very accustomed to warm temperatures. Basically I can’t handle cold anymore... it’s going to be rough goings whenever I do make it back to the 412 just in time for fall/winter. . .yeesh.

Either way, I hung out on the beach, read my book, looked at all the white people - for once I wasn’t an anomaly, I wasn’t really sure how to handle it! I forgot what it was like to just be another face in the crowd. It was kind of nice.

Unfortunately during his time frolicking in the waves, my Dad lost his wedding band. Not sure how it happened, but King Neptune really wanted it, so he took it. Leaving my Dad to be constantly fidgeting with his ring finger for the remainder of the trip.

That afternoon we went into the town of Salt Rock, and I GOT MY HAIR CUT! After over a year, of self cutting, and crappy personal dye jobs, I sat down in a spinny chair and had professionals cut, color and play with my hair. I had forgotten just how nice it is to go to a salon. One of the first world luxuries I may miss the most. Something about being in that comfy chair, having someone massages your head and care for your hair. . . sigh. I miss it already. The stylist just sort of clicked her tongue and shook her head at me when I took my hair out of its braids, "been a while eh?" . . . I explained my living situation, and the work I was doing, and you could just see the expression soften on her face. The woman who washed my hair took extra care to give me a scalp massage. I have never felt more pampered.

That evening, we drove into the city center of Durban, mind you it was a major holiday weekend, and the Top Gear festival was in town, so again there was a bit of traffic. Dad hit up the casino, losing a bit of money, but I still think he enjoyed himself. He never found a craps table, which upset him a bit, but he played blackjack in Africa, so I think he will live. I didn’t enjoy my time at the casino, but then again, I don’t gamble, nor spend time at them in the states, so why would I here? It was my concession for making Dad wait two hours for my hair to be done. We were even.

The next morning we were up brrrrriiiiight and early, the crack of 2am early. Back on the road, this time heading north. Destination? Pretoria. Mom had made most of the reservations for places in South Africa. . .hindsight I wish we had just stayed in Salt Rock for another night, and gone to Mozambique from there. . . but nevertheless we made the best of our trip. Pretoria was cold, we were exhausted, and I was very uncomfortable in the town. We got lost a few times wandering around, but eventually made our way. Had some breakfast alongside a rugby field, wandered through Church Square, and had a beer in one of the oldest pubs in Pretoria. It was an OK day. That evening at the backpackers we were able to skype with a few people, Dad went to bed early and I followed close behind. The Intercape bus trip the next day from Pretoria to Maputo was a LONG one. Let me stress that again . . .12 hours LONG.

But the end result was that we made it to Maputo, had seen some cool sights in South Africa, and had been spending all of these adventurous times together. Something we hadn't done in over a year. It’s never that bad when you have a loved one to hang with.

Miss you already Pops.