I've complained a bit lately about strikes and power outages, so I decided it's time to write about why I have fallen in love with South Africa.There's something about the red clay soil, the soft colours of the veld and brilliant sunsets that gets into your blood. The coral tree, palms, bougainvillea, and jacaranda blossoms burn colourful imprints on my mind, and my ears are ever attuned to the birds - kiewiet, hadeda ibis, mossie, vink, dikkop, grey lourie, crested barbet, glossy starling.
One has only to open a window to hear the buzz of life - cicadas humming, taxis hooting,children laughing, street hawkers selling anything from maps to Rubik's cubes to cell phone chargers to homemade fudge.
And the people... someone once said a nation's greatest commodity is its people, and nowhere is this more true than in South Africa. Never will you find a more hospitable, smiling, resilient, joyful, resourceful, flexible or vibrant people than here.
South Africa gets a lot of bad press, but I want to say emphatically that South Africa is one of the greatest places on earth to visit, and I can't wait until the World Cup next year when the world will have a chance to see what I already know.
You are beautiful, South Africa.
5 comments:
Well said. Couldn't agree more...
Great post! The sounds and songs of the birds and other wildlife in South Africa still echo in my mind, even though it's been since February that we were there. It was incredible to wake up in the morning (windows open, of course) to the unique warbles and chirps of birds that we had never heard before. Alas, our time to move there can't come soon enough!
I love this post too. I couldn't agree with you more. And the smell of Putupap cooking in the morning.That's why I love your blog Annie, you can put it all down in words what I think and say everyday,but so much better. Thanks!
Ek is ook lief vir jou, Suid Afrika
Sam/Shelley - I can't wait for you to come, either!
Liza - You're too kind. You already have some amazing stories to write down yourself!
Rian - when is the baby due? I can hardly wait. Tell Jess I'm praying for a safe and easy delivery and a healthy, incredible "American African" baby!
Baby due Sept 27 -- but we (especially Jess!) is hoping she'll come a little sooner. Jess is starting to get really uncomfortable now... She just started maternity leave today though, so she's happy about that!
Thanks for your prayers, we certainly need it -- lots of change coming...
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