7.05 Odds and ends and a visit to the world’s greatest zoo, Kruger Park

In the short time we spent in Mpumalanga, we experienced some interesting incidents and enjoyed ourselves immensely. The hikes were outstanding, the scenery gorgeous and the roads a challenge. Why fill a pothole when you can erect a sign next to it offering a warning. It’s considerate but how about spending less on signage and just cover the potholes. Then there are the solid white lines, (yellow in USA), painted in the center of the roads. In the ‘old days’, this indicated in the strongest terms to the motorist not to cross it—no passing (overtaking). We notice that even around ‘blind bends’, these solid lines are treated only as a suggestion that the motorist should not cross them. We may be interpreting the law incorrectly or they are wasting an awful amount of white paint.

Bye to Mpumalanga--thank you

Even when a person thinks of doing the right thing, one may be acting incorrectly. We hired a car and found another set of keys in it. Hertz will be happy when we return the car, we thought. Shabbos was approaching and we drove into the garage in a hurry. An African fellow walked up to us and asked whether we had hired the car the previous Sunday. “Yes,” we replied. “Did you happen to find a set of keys?”
“We’re about to make your day,” we answered. His eyes shone as he exclaimed: “You have saved me nearly R 2,000, an amount to be deducted from my wages. When I get married, I’m going to bless you.” He then followed through and said, “Right now, I’m so happy I could hug you.” We replied, “Let’s do it,” while onlookers wondered about the budding relationship. It then occurred to us that it would have been more considerate had we called Hertz when we found the keys. That would have spared the fellow much anxiety. Live and learn. Hopefully, he marries soon.

Fascinating Bourke's Luck potholes--like a slot canyon

We stayed at the Summit Lodge in Graskop for four nights interspersed with a night in the bush as mentioned previously. We let dear Jen down by not making a fire or singing camp songs. Somehow, it didn’t seem that we would capture the right atmosphere, the two of us alone in hundreds of square miles of open veld, singing “We are marching to Pretoria”, especially as we were hiking in the opposite direction. We know she enjoys every opportunity to hear us ‘belt out a hit or two’. We understand her sentiments for she often suggests that we ‘belt up’. Anyway, we decided to visit the game park as we were only about 40 minutes distant. We set out at 5:30am and after traveling 30 yards, arrived at the closed gates of the lodge. The sign stated: ‘Gate opens at 6:30am.’ “Ja-nee”. We missed that one.

G-d's Window--the official name

Jenni could not understand why her hair was standing on end while in the lodge. We were baffled, too. Then, like a light bulb electrifying, we noticed that our bungalow was positioned on the perimeter of the property, along the fence. For security reasons, the fence carried 8,000 volts along it. While all boots are meant for walking, some fences are not for climbing. We wonder if keeping guests inside the compound falls within its scope.

The temptation of keeping kosher on the road?

There we were sitting in the car searching for animals, traveling miles and miles looking out for the “Big Five”. We failed, achieving only one-out-of-five, as we spotted elephants from the high-five group. Who can’t spot these rather large animals anyway? We doubt that animals would travel miles to find humans, unless of course they were very hungry. In the end, we were lucky to get into the game park as the credit card terminal was out of action. Had we not carried cash with us, it would have been a long drive back. It’s interesting how tourism is encouraged. Forty-eight rand entry fee for a South African, one hundred and ninety for a foreigner. They obviously have no idea how the dollar is suffering.

Every son should have a mother. That sounds like one of our more stupid statements. For the record, we admit we have a number of those. However, maybe what we are really saying is that it is so nice to be together with Mom, even if it is only over the weekends. During the week, she goes to work and we go to the mountains…with the money she earns. What a system.

We spent the last two Shabbos’s at Chabad in Lyndhurst and were welcomed warmly. Rabbi Carlebach gave a sermon based upon the thoughts of the Rebbe. “No matter what the quantum of our material wealth, we always seem to measure ourselves against those who have greater amounts than ourselves. Regarding our spiritual attributes, we tend to look at others who have less than ourselves and, of course, feel satisfied. Surely we should view it conversely. We should see our fortune by noticing those who have less than ourselves and look to those with greater spiritual wealth in order to seek to grow to that level.” We thought it was most poignant in its simplicity and clarity.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

We thought the Jews are reputed to be a stiff-necked nation--How about this creature!