Sun 18 May 2008
Get Out the Map
Posted by Shanna under South Africa
[3] Comments
Few things say “adventure” like the idea of a road trip. Grabbing a map and favorite travel companion, hopping into the car and setting off into the Great Unknown for a few days–there’s nothing better. Except for road tripping not for just a few days, but instead for 31. That’s better.
And that’s exactly what we’re doing. Over the course of the next 35 days, we’ll be driving through South Africa, from Johannesburg to Cape Town. Along the way, we’ll stop, well, pretty much wherever we want to. (That’s the beauty of having our own wheels–in this case in the form of a bright blue VW Polo.)
Of course, we’re sure we’ll hit some potholes–both literal and figurative–along the way. The first is that, here in South Africa, they drive on the left side of the road, and the only cars available for rent are stick shifts. Those who know me well are aware that I can barely drive an automatic on the right side of the road. So stay tuned…it may get interesting. (Or, more likely, Derek will drive the whole way and spare us both the trouble of fearing for our lives.)
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Shanna,
I’m enjoying the mental image of you behind the wheel with a stick shift and having to drive on the other side of the road. Classic Shanna moment.
Can’t wait to read Krissy’s post about this subject!
Linda
Derek & Shanna,
Although you are now currently in South Africa (a place I was lucky enough to live in for 5 years) I want to comment on your amazing generosity to the Yangxi Social Welfare Institute in China in October of 2007. I was sent your website link by a friend who was searching the internet because her daughter was asking about where she came from. You see, we adopted our beautiful daughter from China in April of 2005 and she spent the first 9 months of her life at Yangxi. So you were able to do something that I have always wished we could have done…give back to something/someplace that as given us so much. I know that the babies were blessed to have you spend time with them and hold them and that the orphanage was blessed to have you supply them with so many needed items. Thank you for sharing so much with those that have so little. You are never the same once God has placed the need to adopt on your heart. You have helpded so many with your kindness. Many thanks from an appreciative Mother and Father.
Enjoy your time in South Africa, as I said I lived there for 5 years and met and married my husband during that time. It is an amazing country filled with beautiful people and places. You will get use to the driving…it only took a little while.
Enjoy and Thanks again,
Stephanie
If you’re north of Durban, you may wish to check out Addo Elephant Park. It has a large population of “nellies” and you can get real close to them near numerous watering holes. You can drive your own car and pick up a hop-on guide before you enter.
Rico