China to Zululand!!!!

This morning our private guide/driver picked us up at Janes in Durban to take us to Shakaland in Zulu.

His name is China, the nicest fellow. He is black, 35, engaged and very smart and personable. It is raining like hell - kinda disapoointing, but Africa isn't lush for no reason - they do get rain.

This is spring. We have had mainly nice sunny 20ish days. And I finally warmed up - actually totally adjusted, and have been feeling fine in cold houses!!!

Angela, at Mala Mala at Kruger Park arranged this whole part of the trip for us. She told us our private driver would pick us up in a LIMOSINE at JAnes at 10 am Sat.

Weeeelllll, the limo is a Toyota Corolla - RIGHT, and we have a BIT OF LUGGAE. The poor guy is about my height and 125 pounds - I could see the blood vessels busting in his eyes as he loaded our stuff.

He is Zulu, so gave us a great education driving out on the culture etc. He speaks 6 African languages!!!

The greatest thing EVER EVER EVER, while still in Durban he took us to a public market that was AMAZING. Gary and Denise would have had a fit if they knew we were there, I'm sure, but we were very safe. It has a zillion shops/stals, mainly run by East Indians and Asians - weird. There are spice stalls with pyramids of spice that you would only see in Morocco.

Anyway, we just got here, checked into our "rondavel" - round, thatched roof house, it is pourinr rain, the goats are hiding under tables, or anaything else they can find. I'm using the computer in the office - no wireless here baby!!! It is quite an experience.

I will get back to you tomorrow after the dinner tonight, the dance ceremony, after the chief welcomes us to his home etc. We are wet, the goats are wwet, but the flavor and tribal feel is amazing. It feels like we're living 100 years ago.

Great photos next time I can rob some computer time - probably tomorrow in this same office!!! The goats are bleating louder - think it's supper time!!!!

LUv, N-j!