December 4, 1996
I met up with Rob Breen from Alaska, in Africa. He’s living in Johannesburg. Traveling takes a lot of time and it’s nice to chill out for a while. But, I am leaving for Maputo [Mozambique] tomorrow. Finally, Mozambique. Jo’Burg is actually quite nice when you know somebody.
Rob Breen, whom I met in Alaska. Visiting him in Johannesburg
I decided to buy a tent and found one for cheap. Now, I’m just trying to sort out the Malawi stuff [visa]. It’s been excellent here. All these guys are quite friendly. They all sort of show up…whenever…and often they all do a big feed. Very familial.
November, 20, 1996
Cape Town is left far behind and now I’m in Durban. I’ve traveled most of the Garden Route and my time in South Africa is almost done. It’s really sort of odd. I haven’t yet felt I’ve really “lived” Africa. South Africa has been somewhat of a disappointment to me. My route has taken me from Cape Town where it rained. I did try to get to the top of Table Mountain – got into the clouds and couldn’t make it. Went to Oudshoorn and rode an ostrich.
Oudshoorn - Ostrich Jockey
Knysna was beautiful – Natures Valley – like a tropical jungle next to the ocean. J-Bay. Ahh Jeffrey’s Bay – legendary surf spot. Most exciting place thus far. I actually got up on a surfboard there.
Now Durban. Actually, Durban is all right. I”m going to try to SCUBA and maybe deep sea fish. But I’ve been a complete idiot – leaving stuff all along the Garden Route. Hard lesson. I’m very excited to leave South Africa actually. But traveling hasn’t filled the void , which I’m feeling. Perhaps when I leave this part of the country and see the rest of what I cam to see. I’ve met billions of people and won’t remember any of them.
Little girls braiding my long hair.