Lazarow World-Hike-About: 49.27 California (north) Black Butte Volcano, (not a beaut) including some observations from South Africa.

A rock with a view.

Tip-toe through the 'bloody rocks' with Mount Shasta partly in view.

There is a way to the peak which seemed impossible when viewed from the base.

We arrived in South Africa without our boots although we had good feet-covering. While the manner of our dress is irrelevant to anyone reading this, it does have significance. We will not be hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains, which is a shame. This visit is to be with Mom who has not enjoyed decent health these past few months, unfortunately.

The issue of aging is difficult to accept but nevertheless, that's reality. We have noticed how age creeps up on a person and unfortunately, emboldens itself, never shaking loose. Perhaps the one thing we have learned is an appreciation of aches and pains as we struggle up-and-down mountains. Who enjoys pain? Sounds dumb. However, pain is a reminder that at least we are able to be out there and pushing onwards. It is also a reminder that should we not be facing the amazing challenges and witnessing the sights that range from beautiful to unbelievable, then we would be sitting on a couch or in front of a screen. It seems a ‘no-brainer’ to exchange daily exhaustion for the benefits enunciated. That’s another advantage we have: ‘No brains’...continues at end.

What me worry, Alfred? Those rocks are bonded together...aren't they? Jen makes her way up.

8 years ago I lay in that position viewing the incredible Shasta. Only after I positioned myself on the rock did I remember that was the same position. Whether it illustrates we are creatures of habit or what I'd like to believe: We are attracted to certain things naturally rather than just as one-off chances.

If you don't look up, you don't have to think about what can roll down. Logical but not that wise.

Most residents of the USA have heard of Interstate 5. Those residing in California, Oregon and Washington drive along it regularly. It links Mexico in the south to Canada in the north. Here's a different view than through a windscreen.

What a place. And they throw in views of Mount Shasta for the same price.

From that position, it matters not whether a person goes up or down.

A few trees on the volcano and a lot more at ground level as Jen minds the footing.

Talking of Mom, we thought of relating a few stories covering the period since the demise of apartheid. It was a great victory for South Africa to emerge from an ugly system into one of universal rights. The world had been outraged, obviously correctly, at the previous political system. Under Nelson Mandela, South Africa was poised for a new beginning filled with hope and opportunity. Unfortunately, the new system is fraught with corruption, violence, theft and fear for one’s safety while undergoing typical daily routines. The outrage of the world is muted to the accelerating deterioration of the country (in our opinion) under the succeeding regime.

Before proceeding, it’s fitting to mention the feel of the city of Johannesburg as background. Although we have returned to the country each year, we did skip 2020 for obvious reasons. Most of the people we talk with in airports, vendors and so forth are friendly and respectful. As is typical, it’s a small minority that is bent on violence, intimidation and theft. Nevertheless, it’s a big enough number to be most harmful. Each time we return safely from a trip in the city, we feel grateful. (Clearly, this is not normal).

A good indication of a city, we have determined, is traffic. Johannesburg motorists are aggressive but not overly. It’s not unusual to notice many drivers will stop at a traffic light showing red but keep on going should there be no cross traffic flowing. Hostile and impatient drivers are aplenty. Taxis are aggressive and dangerous and it’s not a surprise to be caught in, not only cross-traffic, but crossfire in taxi wars. It also helps to know where one is going because there are some extremely dangerous areas in which one does not wish to be.

Having mentioned a little of Johannesburg, there are only two cities in which we have not rented cars and driven in our travels. One is Cuzco in Peru and the other, Kathmandu, Nepal. Both cities were overcrowded with drivers showing extreme aggression. Johannesburg is like Disneyland compared with those cities. I remember when we were in a taxi, heading to our hotel in Kathmandu from the airport. After twenty minutes of traveling, I turned to Jen and asked whether she knew what side of the road motorists were supposed to drive. We could not tell from the backseat.

Back to Mom and some of her experiences which a citizen should not experience. One day, she entered a bank and was met by a policeman. He approached and whispered that a bank heist was in progress. He beckoned her to follow him. Respecting the uniform and the circumstances, she did as instructed. He took her to the vault and locked her inside with a number of other hostages. As a parting gesture, he relieved her of her watch. When we heard of this terrible experience, we thought that the use of police uniforms was a pretty smart idea. Impersonation of police officers which gave them easy access to the bank and the ability to move the customers around without having to display weapons. Smart. It turns out that the bank robbers were in fact policemen. The uniforms were genuine.

On another occasion, she headed to an ATM to withdraw cash. A soft-spoken ‘gentleman’ approached and explained the machine was not working. ‘Follow me and I’ll help you with the other machine which is operating’. She tried making a withdrawal but had some issue which was caused by this fellow. He then persuaded her to pass over the card and switched it. He had observed her using the PIN as well as asking her for it once he had offered to help. Of course, the machine did not work either. My Mom found out later that a maximum withdrawal had been made from her bank account moments after the incident.

Each day on her way to and from work, (Mom retired at about 86 years old), she noticed a well-dressed man who was either a vendor or (who knows what) who used to hang around a corner on her route. One day, he approached her and inquired whether she would give him a ride as he was feeling ill. She hesitated but he kept on nagging. It’s typical for a South African woman to lock her handbag/purse in the boot/trunk of the car, for obvious reasons. (It’s not a safe place, the city not the trunk). He opened a rear door and seated himself behind her. Mom did say he seemed to be awfully restless.

After dropping him off, she noticed he had a black bag in his hands. On further investigation, her bag and wallet were missing. He had stretched his arm between the seat and backrest into the trunk to retrieve the handbag/purse. That day, we were departing from South Africa to return to the United States. We will never forget the expression on her face when we opened the front door and saw her sitting on a chair with a look of utter despair and dejection. The cruelty and harm that many cause their fellow citizens is beyond comprehension.

I remember a statement a woman made to a gathering one day while we sat around a table enjoying lunch. She said people are basically good. Many of us echo that positive thought which is a wonderful theoretical concept. I would strongly disagree though. People are not basically good or bad. It’s a choice. It's a conscious decision to perform good deeds or not.

No Jenni but more forest.