Jacs

Berlin

2006-10-21T23:52:00.000+10:00

I arrived in Berlin yesterday morning, and crazy person that I am, decided to do an 8 hour walking tour in Converse sneakers with a sprained ankle. Not so clever, although you may be glad to know that I am still alive and last time I counted I still have 10 toes.

Needless to say, I bought an ankle brace which helps - actually my ankle is the least of my problems. I need to buy some decent shoes for walking, because Converse sneakers are not working for me.

On the walking tour I met a Puerto Rican guy called Rafael - he lives in New York and is a trainer for a baseball team there. We are staying at the same hostel, The Circus. We both planned to take the train to Prague tonight, so we're going together. He's been really helpful, although he takes waaaay too many photos for my liking (except I can't complain because my camera's charger is not working so he's taking photos for me as well).

Berlin is amazing, the sense of history is very strong, everywhere you look. Today Rafael and I went to Sachsenhausen, a concentration camp about an hour out of the city. I cannot even begin to comprehend the horrors that occurred there. The place is very quiet, even the birds don't make any noise. Over 50 000 prisoners died there, from disease, starvation, cold, brutality or by execution, including gas chambers.

In Prague I am staying with Ben, a friend of Kirk's - looking forward to a friendly face. I don't know that I am cut out for travelling alone - even thought you meet tons of people along the way, I wish there was someone here that I have known for more than 48 hours!

Jacs

Totsiens Suid Afrika en hallo Europa!

2006-10-16T04:17:00.000+10:00

Thanks for all the emails, text messages, phone calls and comments! It's good to hear from everyone!

Apologies for the lack of postings, haven't had much internet access - been staying with various relatives. Time has flown and I leave South Africa next Thursday (19th) to fly to Berlin via Frankfurt. Next stop Prague.

Tomorrow I'll be staying with Tamara, my best friend from primary school - haven't seen her in 6 years but I don't think that will make any difference - even in phone calls we just pick up where we left off. Except that now she is engaged!

Since I don't have a lot of time to write a witty, interesting post, I decided to let you in on the perceptions that people have of South Africa:

Q: Does it ever get windy in South Africa? I have never seen it raining on TV, so how do the plants grow? (UK)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

Q: Will I be able to see elephants in the street? (USA)
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.

Q: I want to walk from Durban to Cape Town - can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it's only two thousand kilometers, take lots of water...

Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in South Africa? (Sweden)
A: So it's true what they say about Swedes...?

Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in South Africa? Can you send me a list of them in JHB, Cape Town, Knysna and Jeffrey's Bay? (UK)
A: ....and what did your last slave die of?

Q: Can you give me some information about Koala Bear racing in South Africa? (USA)
A: Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific.
A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe which does not... oh forget it.
Sure, the Koala Bear racing is every Tuesday night in Hillbrow. Come naked.

Q: Which direction is north in South Africa? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 90 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.

Q: Can I bring cutlery into South Africa? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is... oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Hillbrow, straight after the Koala Bear races. Come naked.

Q: Do you have perfume in South Africa? (France)
A: No, WE don't stink.

Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in South Africa? (USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

Q: Can you tell me the regions in South Africa where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes. Gay nightclubs.

Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in South Africa? (France)
A: Only at Christmas

Q: Are there killer bees in South Africa? (Germany)
A: Not yet, but for you, we'll import them.

Q: Are there supermarkets in Cape Town and is milk available all year round? (Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter-gatherers. Milk is illegal.

Q: Please send a list of all doctors in South Africa who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-me-ri-ca, which is where YOU come from. All South African snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

Q: I was in South Africa in 1969, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Hillbrow. Can you help? (USA)
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.

Q: Will I be able to speek English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.

That's all folks, next post direct to you from Europe!

Jacs

South Africa - week 1

2006-09-30T01:46:00.000+10:00

I don't know if things have become worse since I left South Africa seven years ago, or if I just had a picture in my mind that was different from the reality.

Land of Contrast
South Africa is a curious mix between a first world country and a third world country. There are people everywhere, sitting on the side of the road, sitting outside a shop in the middle of nowhere. Beggars everywhere, people selling curios on the side of the road, potatoes, avocado pears, oranges. Yet every second car on the road is a brand-new model (perhaps a testament to the fact that a hijacking occurs every few minutes in South Africa), people everywhere are chatting on their cell phones and the fancy shopping malls are packed to bursting point with people ready to spend their cash.

I have been here less than a week and already I am homesick. I long for cautious, polite drivers, speed limits that people obey, not having to lock myself into my car and hide my handbag even for a 5 minute journey down to the shops for fear the window will be smashed and my handbag gone even before you can say "Nkosi iAfrica" (God Bless Africa).

Die Taal
I have discovered that I can still understand Afrikaans very well, although my accent and my inability to recall words means that I don't even think of trying so speak it. Even speaking English is inviting mockery from patriotic South Africans - the minute you open your mouth they're remarking upon your accent.

"He who drinks from Gecko Glen's Fountains will return to quench his thirst again"
But onto lighter topics - Gecko Glen and African Grey parrots...

On Monday 25 September, Heritage Day, my cousin (the bride), aunt (her mother) and I drove to Gecko Glen, a day spa which is owned and operated by another cousin (the bride's sister) for a full day of pampering. As you arrive, the staff sing and wash your feet in a shallow basic strewn with rose petals, then slip your feet into slippers. We spent all day in our swimming constumes (South African for bathers) and a comfy robe. We had pancakes and fruit for breakfast, unlimited drinks (alcohol optional) and lunch, in between a pedicure, head and neck massage, full body massage, facial and a stint in the sauna and jacuzzi. Magic.

Skeerpoort Zoo
My cousin the bride has a menagerie of pets. Three dogs, including two border collies (brother and sister called Romeo and Julirt - donated) and a sausage dog called Schmeckie (named after a small toy dog that my cousin had since the year dot); and the star of the zoo, Carolus, a baby African Grey parrot. He's not too small, just smaller than a full grown parrot, but still needs to be fed porridge every night for dinner through a syringe. He loves being stroked, especially if you ruffle his feathers the wrong way on the back of his neck (this is called "Koppie krap" which is Afrikaans for "Little head scratch", if you can translate it directly). He also has a love for shiny things and last night I sat with him on my lap while watching CSI, letting him attempt to crack open my metal button on my denim jacket like the seeds he is just learning to eat.

The Wedding Planner
Other than that I am being inundated by wedding things, we have been making table numbers, menus, thank you cards and thank you gifts since yesterday. Thankfully tonight there are only a few finishing touches and everything should be ready. The wedding is on Saturday so tomorrow's errands include fetching the wedding dress and the bridesmaid's dresses and fetching our grandparetns in Heidelberg (approx a 1 hour drive from the dressmaker, which is approx a 1 hour drive from my cousin's house). Last night I had a dream (nightmare?) where I was getting married to someone (I didn't know who) on a game show.

Homeless in Africa
Next week's itinerary for my includes staying with my aunt and grandparents at Mount Amanzi. After that I'm homeless. My cousin the bride says I'm welcome to stay at her house again but I'm not sure that I should intrude on newly married bliss. Although at least she works from home so I wouldn't be stuck at home alone.

And on that note, another thing I've noticed - a lot, and I mean, a lot of people here work from home. The dressmaker, the beautician, the make-up artist, the accountant (my cousin the bride), the spa owner (her house is on the same property as the spa). I think people feel safer in their own homes than anywhere else in this country - this way you are secure behind 6 feet of electric fencing, big dogs and a panic button. If you go out, you need to think about being hijacked, getting into a car accident or being involved in a hold up at the bank or in the shops.

Please post up comments I need some love from Down Under (and anywhere else in the world)!

J

Twas the night before departure...

2006-09-20T15:40:00.000+10:00

Tomorrow I fly to Sydney to catch my international flight to Johannesburg. But before that happens, I have to finish everything at work, finish packing, get some sleep (5 hours will do) and find a freaking international adapter.

Tell me this, what good is an multi-country international adapter for appliances bought overseas? ie, the adapter plugs into the Australian/NZ socket. Um...well although this reasonably priced adapter is a marvel of modern engineering, IT DOESN'T HELP ME IN ANY WAY, SHAPE or FORM.

It will be the achievement of the century if I can find an adapter that accepts Australian plugs and will plug into South Africa, American and European sockets. Dick Smith Electronics is my only hope of salvation. Will let you know how that turns out.

See how obsessed I am about the tiniest things? And yes, I know you're thinking "uh, just buy one at the airport" but I was a Brownie and I like to Be Prepared (actually I think that's a Boy Scouts motto, can't remember what the Brownie's one was, but I'll adopt it as my own regardless).

A silver lining to the gathering clouds of stress: found out that Wendy, a friend from high school in Boksburg, and Tamara, my best friend from primary school will both be in South Africa at the same time I will be there! Looking forward to some maaajor catching up.

And last but not least, Alan and I will meet up with Kirk in Sydney tomorrow night for late dinner/coffee at Darling Harbour - looking forward to it since I haven't seen either of them in way too long!

Thanks to all of you who have emailed me in the last few days - yes I promise to have fun, take lots of photos and come back with interesting stories.

Jax <- trying out new spelling, courtesy of Kirk, who has declared that 'x's are much cooler. Opinions welcome.

8 days

2006-09-14T17:46:00.000+10:00

I can't believe that in 8 days I'll leave Melbourne for my Big Trip. It seems everyone I know has travelled more extensively than I have, and hell, I've been to Africa!!! So, this is the plan:

South Africa (4 weeks)
main purpose: bridesmaid at cousin's wedding (Elsie I can't believe you're getting married, it was only a few years ago we were playing with diaper babies, reading Sweet Valley High out loud to each other and playing Tetris until we dreamed of it at night!), visit family, hopefully catch up with best friend from primary/high school who is also engaged! (Hmmm love is in the air, what?)

bonuses: do the touristy thing in my (not anymore) home country, venture into the Most Dangerous City In The World (Johannesburg) - but ONLY if advised it is safe to do so by the natives, shop till I drop (which could actually happen if I have to carry it all around in a backpack!)

Europe (4 weeks)
main purpose: um, hello, do I need a reason??? The main purpose of going to Europe is GOING TO EUROPE!

bonuses: I get to catch up with friends in Europe (all my gf's from St Dom's in Boksburg are living in London, surprise surprise), travel with Abby (a seasoned traveller who is super-organised, yay for me!)

Toronto (4 days)
main purpose: see above, also chose Toronto because Vishal, ex-Monash trainee lives there (and no, I'm not just going for the free accomodation), rumour has it Toronto is FABULOUS!

bonuses: ice wine, meeting Gen (one of Huy's many ex's :P)

San Francisco (1 day)
main purpose: couldn't get a flight home without stopping off somewhere

bonuses: meeting mom's relatives (cousin I think) and seeing the bridge of course!

Sydney (3 days)
Couldn't fly through Sydney without staying a few days with Alan - he'd never forgive me! So a few days to relax, rest and stress about paying off my credit card (from shopping till I drop) and going back to work.