Wednesday in Pretoria

Graffiti in an elevator in downtown Pretoria. I'm unsure if there is any relation between the two prohibitions, but the image struck my fancy, so here you go.



We went to dinner at a restaurant called Taste of Africa--this is what I ordered. It's Makoke, a Ugandan dish made with plantains. Mmmm.

Home of Joy

On Tuesday, we went to the Home of Joy, which ministers to AIDS affected children and families in the township of Soshanguve. Here I am with a few of the girls who've participated in some computer classes that they offer at the Home of Joy. Two of these girls are named Lerato, which means "love."

Mao Monday

They made us play the game "Mao" on Monday night. I won the first round completely unintentionally.

Rain

Sun City

On Saturday, we spent a day hanging out at a water park at Sun City.


















A few of us did some walking around trails and such....please note my proper walking shoes.























Spiderweb Bridge


















Group photo with monkey fountain. Who doesn't love a monkey fountain?

Roommate!

This is my roommate, Carissa, putting up pictures in our room at Pangani.

Seafood Pizza

Yes, that's a mussel, in a shell, on a slice of pizza. I did not eat this slice of pizza, just FYI.

Picnic lunch at the Union Buildings

Katie and Luc



Sarah, Tyler, and Carissa

Scavenger hunt

On Tuesday, the five of us were set loose on Pretoria North for a scavenger hunt, designed to give us a whirlwind tour of some of the places we'll need to know in the months ahead. We found our way to exciting locations like the bank, the grocery store, the mechanic, the post office, and....the petrol station. Here you can see Carissa, Sarah, Katie, a petrol station attendant, me, and Tyler.

Trip to Voortrekker Monument

A Room with a View

(Bonus points for those who catch the literary reference.) Here's a look out my window.

Chippy at the door

This is one of the two Pangani dogs, Chippy, hanging out just outside my doorway. On Saturday, Carissa and Sarah and I took the dogs for a walk. But really, it was kind of like the dogs took the three of US for a walk.

The View from Friday

Saturday will bring a different sky and much, much warmer weather. Don't think I'll need the gloves in my backpack much longer.

Tubing with Sarah

Though not the type of Tubing you might expect.

With Jude in London

Japanese Curry

A warm welcome from Sarah.

Family Goodbye Lunch

Sunday

"Barbara and the Boys", SoCal edition. Or, "Barbara with the Wylde Men."

Spinny Park

One last beach trip

Huntington Library & Gardens

It's amazing we don't get kicked out of places like this.

Baby Dell goes to Olive Garden

Baby Dell decides he doesn't like Olive Garden.

Pirati

I finally got Melinda's picture files from Italy. And, of course, what do I post? A picture of me in my Bandana di Pirati.

Relic of the past

I came across this in my parents' desk while looking for a mailing envelope. Proof that my family is incapable of throwing anything away. I am amazed that this made its way BACK across the Atlantic more than 10 years ago (my fault), and is still hanging out in my parents' desk.

On my dresser

Have you ever received a pop-up Christmas card? I didn't think so.

Reunion

This was taken at my going away party. I was in orchestra at Biola with these girls, many years ago. (Yay for back stand second violins...and a violist!) It's been years since I've seen them--it was awesome to reunite and catch up.

Haircut

Another PhotoBooth venture. Maybe when I get to South Africa my daily photos will be more interesting.


The woman who cut my hair asked me if I had colored it. I was expecting a lecture on how one shouldn't color one's own hair, but instead she said: "You did a good job!" Nice. Especially when it was one of those 8-10 washes things, a good 2 months ago!

Self-portrait

I've been going through boxes today, sorting and packing, and I came across this picture, which never fails to make me smile. It's one of my favorite photos of me and my brother, and though it wasn't taken today, it was scanned in today.

Packing

1/2/07

Heather, Barbara, Heather (or, Fun with PhotoBooth)

1/1/07

Clock Tower, Santa Monica