Week 4's quick 10

1. I saw my first snake. Thought it was a piece of cardboard on the highway and lined my car up as I was approaching so it would go between my wheels. Right before it went under my car it moved and I realised it wasn't cardboard at all but a huge fat brown snake. I drove right over it, let out a little yelp then checked my rear view mirror to see it had missed my wheels and continued to slither across the road.

2. We still don't have our car, or proper Internet or a bank account.  Sorry to those that want to skype. Still holding out for a better connection. Hopefully early next week now. Am learning the expression TIA (This Is Africa) and these things take their own sweet time.

3. There is a secret little language of the blacks when hitchhiking. They hold out their fingers. At first I thought I was being given the finger but then someone explained that it has to do with the the direction they are going.  I don't know what it is but it goes something like 1 finger is north, 2 fingers west etc. If you know this code, please let me know.

4. The mall shopping is pretty amazing.  Am really really really enjoying the malls.

I never brought this dress, Marcus thought it clown like with those sleeves but it sure was fun trying on!

5. Marcus and I have joined the gym. It is just across the road from our house so we thought we should take advantage. The lap pool is right in front of all the tread mills so as you run you are staring at some poor unfortunate who is swimming laps.  Knowing this and knowing how unco I am with goggles and swimming straight in general, or managing a whole lap without leaning on lane ropes, I don't think I will ever be taking advantage of the pool, hence I asked for a discount on our membership. They gave me a free swimming cap instead.

6. Nathan loves Biltong and I keep thinking how great this stuff would be for teething toddlers. Beside the fact that it's dried meat so must be wonderful for iron, It's chewy and salty. I'm doing what I did with coffee years ago and eating it in the hope I develop a taste for it. I want so much to like it. Early days.

7. The couple whose house we are renting have a select few number of CD's. We didn't bring any over so are making do with their selection.  Best of the pick is Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits. Kathy and Sarah I know you know what a long car trip with only this CD is like.  My kids now know the gambler and coward of the county by heart.  

8. We have out first home group outing this Saturday. Looking forward to making more connections with those in the church we have been attending. 

9. We have been sick with something ever since we stepped off that plane. That is almost a month of visits to the chemist who know me by name. Vomitting, diarrhea, worms, cold sores, nappy rash,  infected cuts, coughs, runny noses and the latest on that long list is sore throats. I'm looking forward to the morning when we wake up and we are all well at the same time.

If you leaned over with a 30cm ruler you could touch these guys. Thankful it is winter and they don't feel like eating in winter. All Nathan wanted to do was have a  ride on their back.

10. We visited a crocodile farm half an hour away. HUNDREDS of crocodiles with only a tiny little barrier  between us. I couldn't relax after I turned from taking a photo of Lucy holding a baby crocodile to seeing Nathan climbing up the barrier. It was pretty cool but I cannot believe there have been no accidents in their 50 years operating. I was certain that on that day, my adventous boys were going to damage their safety record. 

Note the tiny easy to climb chicken wire fence straight into a croc invested river.  Sheezzz!