Update on recent holiday in SA

As most of you know, I once again found myself walking through immigration on Taipei's airport , two weeks ago as to this day. My feet felt like rubber, looked even worse and my eyes didn't have any water substances left!
But, my heart was warm! It still is. Do you guys have any idea how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful country? I just realized again how powerful and amazing our Creator is! We have so much to be thankful for and we should rejoice everyday!

We have the most beautiful people on earth. Inside and outside. We have sunsets that take our breaths away each day! We have families and friends who will never stop loving us, no matter what. Yes, we also have violence and poverty, but we can see it as an opportunity to help and reach out. We have hope. We also have the "kommin" people who we love to joke about, but can't live without. What more do you want? Ok, a cut on the petrol price would be a nice start.

I attended my cousin's wedding in Oudtshoorn and had so much fun, that I woke up the next day in a total different room as my own! And that's not all. I seemed to have fallen asleep (after I did some sleep walking of my own) under my "kleinniggie's" beautiful red dress she proudly wore to the wedding. (No more Jagermeister of hoe Zanie?)
I also had some lovely family time and we went to Rozelle and Jaco (the newly wed's) farm. After an amazing sunset from a "koppie" on the farm, we spend the night having a feast around the table. The next day we had a spectacular trip back to Oudtshoorn from their farm Vreesgewaagd. We drove over the "Swartberge" (Black mountains if you really wanna know) and saw some amazing sights! God is great you guys!

After a week, I sadly had to leave my family behind and took on one of the shaky SA express Aircrafts. As Africa would have it, my flight was delayed for and hour and a half. Luckily I had some "Saries" to keep me company on the airport (Thanks to Potters mom). Directly after landing in Johies again, Pidi and I took the road to Potch to see what was going on at the famous Aardklop National Arts Festival. It was nice to see al my best friends again and believe me, we had so much fun. Thanks to my best friend in the world, Toera Meeres, for letting us all crash at his place. It felt like a home away from home toera. You are the best.

Me and Tinus (my best friend from Taiwan) were supposed to fly back on the Tuesday after aardklop. But as the week progressed and as we enjoyed the company of everyone in South Africa more and more, we got good news from Taiwan. On an early morning, Mary phoned and told us that the Taiwan government decided to give us a few days off. 1 to be exact. But, that's not all. We have to work it in the next Saturday. Trust lovely Taiwan. So then we wangled our stuff and could stay for almost another week!
I was in absolute awe, because I met someone very special and now I could spend more time with him. I went with Henry to Gerdau and had so much fun, that I considered not returning to Taiwan. But, as reality stroke, I realized that nothing's that easy. I met so many great people in Gerdau and Lichtenburg, and I even went to say hi to Toera Ricardo's parents in Coligny. Was great to see them.

The last few days, I spend in Johannesburg again and me and Henry took the term "eating out" to another dimension. I really went full out this time and enjoyed SA's food as much as I could. (Dit het my wel 4kg gekos) There were some favorites I want all of you to go check out if you have the chance!

• Crawdaddy's seafood chowder!
• and Lukraakitaar's new CD's (Thanks G man! Ek het een gekry in Centurion)
• Anything at the Fishmonger in Potch!
• A daytrip through the exotic Melville.
• A quiet sunset on in open field (which you don't get much here in Taipei city)
• Pit stops and picnics at dams and rivers (a must for all! - champagne recommended!
• Ice you guys. Be creative!

I miss everyone already so much, but I have assurance in my heart that everything is as it should be. I have a wonderful future to look forward to thanks to people I love deeply! Me, Potter, Tinus, Henry, Andrea and Nicola are starting to plan out trips to Thailand in Feb! It's going to be a blast. Especially with people you love. I hope that you'll all be blessed with an opportunity like this one day.

I will keep you all updated on my plans as soon as I am certain of everything. Love you all so much and thanks for bringing so much joy to my life. CHJ - Miss you so much!

Bye

Alwyn