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I'm sitting in a cottage next to the Steanes'...
December 24, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek
I'm sitting in a cottage next to the Steanes' home in Harare. The rest of the family is sitting by the swimming pool, drinking gin and tonic, and Zimbabwe beer. There is a huge palm tree and lush tropical plants everywhere. The family consists of Brian, his wife Irene, and their five year old Holly, as well as Brian's daughter Ashleigh and her boyfriend Mike, who are down from their home in London on holiday. They have been wonderfully hospitable family (Holly just came in and crawled up on Sadie's lap!) Holly is another smart, cute Steane family offspring - Holly agrees with Sadie that she should be referred to as a character.
The fact that it is warm and sunny and doesn't feel like our soggy Christmas weather makes it easier not to feel homesick to see you all at Christmas. Nonetheless, you are all in our thoughts, and we hope you all have a good Christmas day.
We have lots to tell you, mainly that Africa is incredibly beautiful. Zimbabwe is so lovely that it breaks your heart to see that everyone in the country lives with worry about the future.
We wish you all a happy day tomorrow. Sadie and I stood on the top of the world and sent the sun back to you.
Much love to all, Old Mom Sue
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Hi, here we are in Gabarone, after spending y...
December 18, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek
Hi, here we are in Gabarone, after spending yesterday visiting Sadie's family in the village, and one here in Gabarone. We really liked the families we met. The family in Kanye was sitting in the shade trying to stay cool when we arrived. They welcomed us with a round of handshakes and 'dumelas'. All were well and our conversation was an interesting mixture of partial Setswana, English, and translation by Sadie's sister and Sadie herself. The family in Gaborone speak English perfectly, whith amazingly British accents. Aunt Jean runs a preschool in the back of the house to teach children English before primary school, which is taught in English. Uncle Douglas is funny, outgoing, and basically fantastic in every way (says Sadie). We are in much better spirits and excited to go on to Serowe to stay in the Rhino Sanctuary. Much love from us.
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Lots of lovin
December 15, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek
Lots of lovin. See you soon.
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I'm sitting here in the "Internet cafe" porti...
December 15, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek
I'm sitting here in the "Internet cafe" portion of this hotel. On my left is Dick, checking the e-mail, and on myy right is Sadie. She arrived safely yesterday afternoon, looking brown and healthy, full of good information and funny, insightful comments about her life and times.
Being in this casino has been ridiculously hard for Sadie, she notes, and it's amazing that she left her room. Being in this casino has been ridiculously weird for Dick and me, and in itself provides an interesting insight into the problem of crime in Johannesburg. You could come here as a tourist and never leave the building. And I suspect a lot of people do just that.
The rand, worth about 10 cents, lost 12% of its value yesterday because of civil unrest in Zimbabwe. There are more thzn 15,000 murders annually. So we're in for an adventure, says Sadie.
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Dick and I are staying at a hotel casino whic...
December 13, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek
Dick and I are staying at a hotel casino which proves that
excessive bad taste is not limited only to America. There is a huge bronze statue of Caesar (the hotel is named Caesar's Emperor Hotel).
It's time for the travelling mantra. Dad and I developed this while we were in England.
Here I am in Bembridge,
Home of crumpets and tea.
I am ready for Bembridge.
Is Bembridge ready for me?
So, I leave you with:
Here we are in Joburg,
After all of that travel and fuss.
We are quite ready for J'burg.
Is Joburg ready for us?
More soon.
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