Back from the Cape

Its Sunday morning in Johannesburg. We arrived back from the Cape Yesterday afternoon. What a spectacular place. Its a city at quite literally the end of the world. The weather did not cooperate very well. A couple of decent days and a couple of rough ones.

We were able to meet Terry's friend Michael who is the Shadow Minister for Health in the South African Parliment. He would become the Minister of Health if his DA party ever became the majority party. Quite doubtful as the ANC (African National Congress) has quite a large majority of the Parlimentary members. We were able to eat lunch in the Parlimentary dining room with the MPs. Michael said that during apartheid it was quite a bit more formal than now. A small price to pay I think for civil rights progress.

Visited a number of the winerys. I was suprised by how good the South African wines are. They can compete with other world wine regions but we don't see many of the better ones in the states. The Savingion Blancs, Syrahs, and Cabernet Savingions are really nice wines. And we consumed many! The liver is crying foul......

Met some great friends of Terry's while there. The South African's have been really good to us. Both black and white. They really seem to be fond of American's. I though maybe with the pressure Washington put on South Africa during the apartheid years that there would be some resentment but there was none evident. Went to a couple of nice dinners and had a great time.

We did however see a number of the townships which are the settlements that some of the blacks and coloureds (malays, indians, etc...)  have been forced into over the years. We did not go into them as it might not have been safe but we have some pictures we will be posting. Pretty horrendous. Not one of South Africa's better accomplishments and the ANC party does not seem to be attemtpting to do anything to resolve the issue. I don't know if it is due to lack of will or resources. The South African's seem to not consider themselves a first world country. They may be right........

Anyway we now fly out to Namibia today to start what I would think is an American's view of going to Africa. The bush. Massive desert country that is one of the most spectacular in the world. Will take lots of photos and post when we return.

cya