We hear it's cold and snowy in the Northeast. It's warm and sunny here - about 80 degrees and dry each day. The wind kicks up a bit late in the day, but that's what helped draw tons of kiteboarders to the Muizenberg beach yesterday late afternoon. (see photo) We continue to have GREAT days and have taken them slowly to be sure we are properly pacing ourselves. There is a lot to take in and when the proverbial gas tank is empty with fatigue, hunger, or any number of unpredictable human conditions, noone benefits at all. So, we've tried to be realistic about what we are capable of doing well in a day. Home is a great spot to relax, swim, braii (BBQ) and look at the map or guidebook for our next outing.

We miss our dog Mayzie a LOT and while we were walking down the beautiful Hout Bay beach a few days ago, we came across this yellow lab, Rupert, who substituted for dear Mayzie for a quick round of "puppy love." She is the only yellow lab we've seen. South Africans are dog crazy - beaches have dog zones and there are many jack russells and lots of mixed breed, small rescue dogs. When we saw Rupert, we HAD to snap a picture.

The other day, we decided to explore the Victoria & Albert waterfront area - as we heard there was a great craft and wellness shed there. There were some amazing crafts and ayurvedic booths for massage, shiatsu, etc...I plan to return for a massage at some stage. Just in front of the craft shed, there was a(see photo) Mobile Reptile wagon. I HAD to face my fears and go inside. There were some of the most revolting reptiles - some of which live on nearby Table Mountain. The giant Puff Adder is something I dont wish to see, though I am told I might encounter on a walk sometime. I made it out of the Mobile Reptile thing alive and grateful to be unscathed so I was ready to celebrate by dumping tourism dollars into the craft shed! There are some great crafts for sale where the profits go to needy charities that help empower women and children, many with HIV/Aids and those that seek to stop human trafficking. The charities are extensive and powerful.

We visited the Imizamo Yethu township yesterday, a settlement of more than 20,000 Africans, located about 5 miles from where we live. Our tour, (see photo) by the grand-daddy of the township, Eric, lasted about 90 HOT minutes. We witnessed the destitute conditions and heard many shocking statistics including that 500 homes of people share 4 toilets in a certain part of the township. They also share one water spout - fortunately, it's clean water! Wow!

On Muizenberg Beach at low tide, we saw a Blue Bottle. This is a jellyfish that is the most striking blue and purple. It has a vicous sting when it's alive. The snails here are feeding on this dead Blue Bottle.

Muizenberg beach is known for its coloful changing shacks. This picture is JUST like as if you googled it. These changing rooms make for a vibrant addition to a simply stunning beach.

No pictures from the local food/craft Porter Market, as cameraman Dave didn't join Lyle and me on this mornings outing. I sampled so many yummy, natural foods - Lyle and I got a fruit smoothie, and drooled as we watched it being made, I sampled the falafel (a memory of my trip to Cairo), and then I bee-lined for the curry booth, where I purchased a homemade chicken curry, black eyed peas and eggplant dish. The WILDCARD success of the day is that Lyle tasted the chicken curry/potato dish and she loved it AND her stuffed nose began to run like the wind...I have been serving both as mother and family doctor as Lyle's long standing cold still hangs on. I also got a GREAT idea for an elephant craft I cant wait to bring back to my friend, Cathy "I can make something out of nothing and for like 2 cents" Karp. Watch out eBay!

I think it's time to upload pictures. We'll post again before we head out on Wednesday. We are heading up the Garden Route to meet my sister, Blair, and her family for a few nights in a tee-pee eco-resort in the middle of nowhere. Did I mention that frequent visitors to the tee-pee camp include reptiles and scorpions? Blair and her crew will follow us back to Cape Town for Xmas and New Years. We are also very excited to welcome, SA-style, our friends from Groton, the Daveys. Hoping to serve them some grilled ostrich burgers and some fine Constantia wine. We have a whole lot of fun things, including a safari, to enjoy with them.

Tomorrow we are headed to the Kirstenbosch National Gardens and their well known holiday fair. Once the tour buses arrive, we'll promptly get outta there and head straight for Muizenberg beach for some low tide boogie boarding. Monday, we have plans to take our Concord, MA friend's sister and 5 year old nephew (who lives here in Hout Bay) on a boat trip to the seal colony. By the way, Muizenberg beach, one of our popular hot spots, is about 10 minutes drive from our home. We continue to marvel at how centrally located our home is to our important things like the beach, market, school, squash club, etc...

So, maybe you're still waiting on Dave's Ukraine write-up...I think any day now...

Love from us all!