Does everyone miss their first post?

Our South African friends have just left. The food is mostly away. The dishwasher has been running for an hour. The kids are asleep. I am sitting here missing Lesotho.

I miss our former frequent dinner guests. I miss them a lot. Clearing away the bottles I wonder how there is a good sized pour left in the red and another in the Port. I move them to coffee table determined not to let them go to waste. The scotch is a little lighter, so that is good.

For a night we could forget we were in China. I did have to apologize for mixing the Chinese roasted nuts into the salad, but we had beef and potatoes and nothing that resembled Chinese food. The conversation, accents, and tableware were not made in China.

J introduces herself to new friends as "South Africa". T identifies with Lesotho. In this life it is hard to have a national identity. Instead I find that I am looking for commonality with anyone and everyone. I really miss the people I left at the last post. I kind of ignore the black hole that was

Hunting Zebra in South Africa

The story of the zebra often comes up in conversation. Hunting is not considered one of the three deadly conversations, but is more controversial. Everyone kind of wants to know about hunting in southern Africa, but very few people want the details. You won't get the Henry Morton Stanley version here. It is just not something I can explain, I am not an adequate writer. In truth, the depth of the story changes on my relationship with the person listening, though I never exaggerate the shooting distance. No hunter ever would. 

For those who are looking to hunt African game, there are many venues. Whether you are looking for the colonial African experience, bragging rights, or your own room decor, there is a place for you in South Africa. A bit embarrassing to declare, that I myself upon entering Africa had a bit of the colonialist view. This view came from the limited history taught in school and books that I had read. Though my view changed during my two years there, there were still some boxes deep in my brain that needed to be checked to complete the experience. 

Friends had developed a relationship with a hunter near Kimberly, Roelof Foerie. Roelof patiently put up with the constant changes to the hunting party, billing issues, and other nonsense from us Americans. He provided the equipment, location, and accommodation for the trip. It was a memorable experience made better with his expert knowledge. 

Over two days the group walked or trucked the grasslands tracking animals on the list: zebra, blesbock, and impala. Our group of three was broken apart, paired with expert hunters and trackers. The hours of wandering the tall grasses in the hot sun provided intimate teaching sessions on the behavior and environment of these and other animals. 

We chased the massive herd of zebra for a while. The herd heard or maybe smelled us coming and charged away. Only those that have experience with herds of animals can appreciate the feeling of their pounding hooves vibrating up through your feet. Or if you have seen The Lion King, you may get the idea. 

Why not brag if you have the right? I was the first to get my prize that weekend and also a big, celebratory kiss from Roelof as the first woman ever to successfully hunt.  Roelof was as proud as I was. See his site for more information. http://www.roeloffouriesafaris.com/gallery_discription.php?id=216. 

The experience provided a deep freeze packed full of meat: ribs, sausage, loins, steaks, legs, everything you can imagine and a lot you don’t want to. I surely could not imagine what was inside those three coolers the first time I opened them. My ambitious, but ultimately failed attempts at butchering and curing were laughable. Picture me in my apron, wrapped in plastic holding my best kitchen knife while surrounded by three animals worth of meat in the garage. Oh yeah, this is not going to happen.

Good thing I am a better cook. The zebra steak, braised, was lovely served with a deep, chocolaty wine. I made it a couple of ways, but don’t remember them all. I should have taken more pictures.

The rug was a challenge. Getting it done in time for the move was an issue. Paying for it was another. The exchange of money was an issue in South Africa and Lesotho. I had to time my deposits with trips to OR Tambo because there were no branch offices for his bank in Ladybrand and the Lesotho branches do no talk to their South African counterparts. Ultimately, everything worked out the week before packout.

Only a few people thought I would be able to pull the trigger and I wasn't so sure myself. The still unnamed zebra mare lies on the floor by my desk. A little conversation piece for when parties are slow. She provides a topic when I need to crow about my cooking or prowess with a gun and a good laugh when I think of my hunting mates that weekend. "Oh, it is on!"

Pretty big rug. Not sure if the face mask was a good idea, but I like the mane.  Now where to put her?  Don't want a lot of foot traffic or wine spills damaging the hair. 

The 2012 Christmas Card Part 3

In 2012….

After a month of working on this year’s video card, I have decided to follow the lead of Peter Jackson. Why spend a solid work week of time editing and simplifying a painfully long movie, when I can break it into several movies? In the case of the annual Maguire Christmas Card, you don’t have to pay for the extra admission tickets. Such is my loss.

Movie synopsis: Ted and Josie were Brave, they are The Lucky One(s), I hope they have Total Recall of the Beauty and the Beast(s) on this Journey to The Mysterious Island Continent. Spencer and I found that the Dark Knight Rises at work, but Skyfall and Argo are just movies. Sound tracks provided by Teddy’s and Josie’s Dance Party playlist 2012.

Hunger Games: Maybe we shouldn’t get out of the car

Marveling at the Avengers: Teddy Danger and Princess Josephine Conquer the World

American Reunion: Different places, same old life

There and Back Again: The hobbit and his family’s journey from Lesotho to the United States Hitting theaters July 2013.

The 2011 card can be viewed here http://travelingmaguires.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-in-africa-southern-africa.html 

Rhino River Lodge

The Rhino River Lodge is located in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve in Kwazi-Natal Zululand. Friends suggested we go, they said the food was great and the people really nice. There are game parks everywhere in South Africa, so a recommendation goes a long way in narrowing down the options. Rhino River is far from Lesotho, I think it took us about 8 hours, less time for most people.

Our first introduction to the reserve was a little scary.

The view as soon as the gate closed was phenomenal. 

People always ask me if we see animals out in the open. There is no open land in South Africa, just like in the States. Land is either owned and developed or farmed, or set aside as a reserve. You don't have to worry about a lion running across the road, but you don't have that same Out of Africa experience.

We had a great time and recommend you make the drive. The food was great. The guided tour informative. The people were very nice. See http://www.rhinoriverlodge.co.za/ for more information.