Wednesday 6th December 2023
I'm back in the space of nondescript days, time and dates. I almost wrote 'September' for the month above! It feels like I've been away both 10 years and also 5 minutes. It's been a very quick day though and now I'm two hours ahead or behind? See, no wonder I'm confused!
My sleepover at the hotel was great. My brain was buzzing so only switched off the light/brain after midnight and woke up confused as to my whereabouts. I stayed over in the same Southern Sun hotel last year and they've tried to spruce it up a bit. My room was freshly painted and was massive and they've removed the bath and put in a walk in shower. I think a lot of hotels are still trying to recover their losses after our crazy lockdown 3 years ago so I was less brutal in my hotel judgments for that reason. Haha - like I'm some kind of hotel critic... hey, I could be?
While eating breakfast alongside the Independent Election Committee (IEC) conference delegates, I had a flash of an idea to connect with a friend who'd asked me to bring something over for her. I was in luck, she had a free morning and could meet me. Suddenly my morning was planned, so I quickly packed and headed out to catch the Gautrain into the nearby business center.
The fast train is still incredibly efficient. Compared to the vast railway network I left behind, it's like a miniature event but for South Africa, this is magnificent. The building of it was documented and I found the details fascinating. ( If you're so inclined you can watch it here too). In a country where all the main infrastructure has been grossly neglected and crumbling, this train is still world class. I loved watching the landscape change with fields, industry, farms and the contrast between the haves and the have not so glaringly obvious on the quick 15 minute trip.
On entering the lift in Sandton station, a fellow traveller lamented at how he'd hoped to return to love the country more but he was disappointed with the sad look of everything needing maintenance and attention. I laughed and said you never come to South Africa for the infrastructure but for the 'gees'(spirit). We laughed and then I reminded him to keep a torch handy for the relentless power cuts.
My friend was waiting for me and we chatted while I was observing the changes on roads and new buildings, cars and beggars. I'd forgotten how bad drivers can be with triple parking, taxis cutting in and I laughed at the chaos. We had coffee then I collected my car, had some lunch and more catch ups and said hello to the animals.
It's a comfortable 18°C and the crickets are chirping in the distance. There's a breeze tickling the wind chimes and the trees are anticipating big summer rains. Now, if only my body clock could settle down and enjoys this Thursday... ahem.. Wednesday evening.
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