South Africa: the good, the bad and the ugly
We've been back in Davis for a week now. The jet lag is gone, the laundry is done, and life has returned to some semblance of normality. And everyone keeps asking: "how was South Africa?" The short answer: we had a WONDERFUL time. It was 5 weeks of good, good good.
The GOOD
We got to spend time with ALL the parents, all the cousins, and almost all the aunts and uncles. I got to visit with friends I haven't seen in years, visit my home church, do some traveling, see some fantastic sights and even walked with a herd of elephants and touched them... and in between those exciting things also spent many long, unhurried hours watching my kids play on the beach or with my Mom in her garden. Sweet, sweet times.
The plane rides went well. I could do seminars on "how to fly with small children", now. The combination of plenty of organization and planning on my part, and PLENTY of prayers on the part of others, had their effect and even the 38-hour trip home (25 hours flying time on 4 flights), with just me and the kids - really went well.
It was wonderful to be back in South Africa: it is a breathtakingly beautiful country. On the drive back from Knysna to Cape Town I WEPT as I looked at the scenery: it was so, so lovely, and it made me so sad that we don't live there anymore.
I was stunned once again too at the amazing friends I have in Cape Town. Day after day, in conversation after conversation, I was amazed at what warm, accomplished, wise, hospitable, incredible people I know in Cape Town. I was encouraged, stretched, entertained, and felt deeply loved. WONDERFUL.
But South Africa is a little like the little girl who had a girl right in the middle of her forehead. When it's good - it's GREAT. But when it's bad.... it's horrid.
The BAD
Amidst the loveliness and friendliness and feelings of safety and home I experienced while there, I confess I was SHOCKED at how expensive it has become. Groceries cost pretty much the same rand for dollar now... which means by South Africa income standards they are exorbitantly expensive. It made me sad to think how many millions of people must be close to starving with food prices as they are. The week we left, electricity was set to go up 12%, and gas/petrol prices a further 52c. Yikes.
The UGLY
I was all set to write a blog post singing the praises of South Africa and its wonders (despite the sadness of the high prices), but since last week after I returned something ugly transpired which I am still processing. While I was in Cape Town I bought the newspaper most days because I really like the cryptic crossword in the Cape Times... but from time to time I read the front page before skipping to the crossword. Stories of corruption and crime and lawlessness appeared, but I "ostriched" them: chose to put my head in the sand and just ignore the ugly side so I could enjoy all that was lovely while there.
But then last week my Dad, who was still in South Africa tending to his business interests, stood up for one of him employees who was being intimidated by one of the local police reservists... and after a sequence of events, was ARRESTED and imprisoned on false charges. The corrupt cops, it turned out, were hoping that the prisoners in the cells would rough him up and do the intimidation for them. My dad was frisked by his cell-mates and has a spine-chilling tale to tell of what happened that day, but in the end was released after a couple of hours and the charges summarily dropped. While my Dad and his employee have, on his lawyer's advice, pressed charges for wrongful arrest against the Minister of Police, the corrupt cops will not be removed from office.
I am SO THANKFUL that he is okay. SO THANKFUL that it was only a couple of hours and not a couple of days. So thankful that he was able to 'befriend' the prisoners in the cell instead of being beaten by them.
And thankful too that we didn't see or hear anything like that in the 5 weeks we were there. Thankful for a wonderful, sweet time with family and friends. Thankful for safe travels and a safe return... and for MANY other blessings. As I think back on our trip to South Africa my heart overflows: with ache for all that is lovely, and with ache for all that is broken. Land of contrasts. Davis is quite marvelously boring by comparison.
It was good to be home. And now it's good to be home.
The GOOD
We got to spend time with ALL the parents, all the cousins, and almost all the aunts and uncles. I got to visit with friends I haven't seen in years, visit my home church, do some traveling, see some fantastic sights and even walked with a herd of elephants and touched them... and in between those exciting things also spent many long, unhurried hours watching my kids play on the beach or with my Mom in her garden. Sweet, sweet times. The plane rides went well. I could do seminars on "how to fly with small children", now. The combination of plenty of organization and planning on my part, and PLENTY of prayers on the part of others, had their effect and even the 38-hour trip home (25 hours flying time on 4 flights), with just me and the kids - really went well.
It was wonderful to be back in South Africa: it is a breathtakingly beautiful country. On the drive back from Knysna to Cape Town I WEPT as I looked at the scenery: it was so, so lovely, and it made me so sad that we don't live there anymore.
I was stunned once again too at the amazing friends I have in Cape Town. Day after day, in conversation after conversation, I was amazed at what warm, accomplished, wise, hospitable, incredible people I know in Cape Town. I was encouraged, stretched, entertained, and felt deeply loved. WONDERFUL.But South Africa is a little like the little girl who had a girl right in the middle of her forehead. When it's good - it's GREAT. But when it's bad.... it's horrid.
The BAD
Amidst the loveliness and friendliness and feelings of safety and home I experienced while there, I confess I was SHOCKED at how expensive it has become. Groceries cost pretty much the same rand for dollar now... which means by South Africa income standards they are exorbitantly expensive. It made me sad to think how many millions of people must be close to starving with food prices as they are. The week we left, electricity was set to go up 12%, and gas/petrol prices a further 52c. Yikes.
The UGLY
I was all set to write a blog post singing the praises of South Africa and its wonders (despite the sadness of the high prices), but since last week after I returned something ugly transpired which I am still processing. While I was in Cape Town I bought the newspaper most days because I really like the cryptic crossword in the Cape Times... but from time to time I read the front page before skipping to the crossword. Stories of corruption and crime and lawlessness appeared, but I "ostriched" them: chose to put my head in the sand and just ignore the ugly side so I could enjoy all that was lovely while there.
But then last week my Dad, who was still in South Africa tending to his business interests, stood up for one of him employees who was being intimidated by one of the local police reservists... and after a sequence of events, was ARRESTED and imprisoned on false charges. The corrupt cops, it turned out, were hoping that the prisoners in the cells would rough him up and do the intimidation for them. My dad was frisked by his cell-mates and has a spine-chilling tale to tell of what happened that day, but in the end was released after a couple of hours and the charges summarily dropped. While my Dad and his employee have, on his lawyer's advice, pressed charges for wrongful arrest against the Minister of Police, the corrupt cops will not be removed from office.
I am SO THANKFUL that he is okay. SO THANKFUL that it was only a couple of hours and not a couple of days. So thankful that he was able to 'befriend' the prisoners in the cell instead of being beaten by them.
And thankful too that we didn't see or hear anything like that in the 5 weeks we were there. Thankful for a wonderful, sweet time with family and friends. Thankful for safe travels and a safe return... and for MANY other blessings. As I think back on our trip to South Africa my heart overflows: with ache for all that is lovely, and with ache for all that is broken. Land of contrasts. Davis is quite marvelously boring by comparison. It was good to be home. And now it's good to be home.
posted by Bronwyn at 1:15 pm
2 Comments:
Wow. I am not sure how else to respond.
Good gosh, Bron! What a terrible thing to happen to your dear Dad! So glad that you are 'home' safely and that you had such a wonderful holiday - despite the sadnesses of SA. Was great to see you, my friend!
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