Reflections after 20 days-Back in to South Africa

(Nicks story).  Already, after only 20 days, Africa has been an adventure.  The landscape is stunning, probably the most impressive that I have ever seen.  Each drive that has moved us up the coast or across land has been breathtaking.  The ocean is changing color as we move North and the mountains and landscape cause us to stop and capture incredible 'WOW' moments.

But Africa is also very hard.  The HIV problem is everywhere, from posters to discussions.  In Lesotho, 40% of females aged between 16-24 have HIV.  Women have almost no rights and violent crimes are always in the news.  Strangely I have felt uneasy almost all of the 20 days, always on my guard.  We don't go out after dark and are learning a routine to try to stay safe.  We do stand out in most places we visit!

And yet the people have been wonderful.  Always a 'Hello' and a smile.

We feel the discrimination everywhere we go.  In the restaurants we have eaten in, it is almost all white patrons, with black waiters.  Cars are mainly driven by white, gas is pumped by blacks, nice houses are white owned, shanty towns are black.  It  difficult to know where and how this new country will develop.

My highlights have been many.  Seeing the kids playing football on my three day trek was fantastic, as was the whole trek.   I am thinking long and hard about a PLAY SOCCER for AFRICA not for profit organization that raises money for football and education in Africa and uses existing groups to supply the education and coaching.  Lesotho was a great surprise with its' beauty and kindness.  Coming back in to South Africa last night we felt like we were returning to civilization!

Next stop, later this week....Zululand and hopefully Swaziland for Christmas.