Swaziland Is...

1. geckos, lizards, frogs, stick bugs, mozzies, brightly-coloured birds and large beautiful scary insects
2. cows on the highway blocking traffic, potholes in every direction, mud, giant morning glories along the roadside fences, and people walking everywhere at that leisurely, African pace
   
3. misty sub-tropical forests, pineapple fields, rolling green mountains, sugar cane fields, green mountains topped with smoke and the smell of roasted mealies
4. like being in the Sound of Music only with loin cloths and spears instead of nuns and habits
5. just under one million people, 40% AIDS rate, life expectancy of 33, entire country in one phonebook, and a king who throws lavish birthday parties and has 16 wives.
6. sleepy, forgotten by time, lacking movie theatres or many amenities but content, peaceful.

I love Swaziland. Time stands still in Swaziland, and that speaks to my soul.