Frankies Travels - Gaborone Airport

I am only blogging now cuz I am bored... Doot dee doot The fan is moving but there is no cold air to be channelled towards this weary traveller. Lemme tell you what I learnt today...

Double cab bakkies and cars of that general variety will always have extremely friggin uncomfortable passenger seats - the second row I mean. The height of the seat (too low) and the leg room (too little) and the arm rests make for a ride in the very armpit of comfort.

Foreign contractors will complain about a rough ride off road until they work out how much other foreigners pay to do the exact same thing for leisure.

Donkeys and cows meet tragic ends when they walk into the national roads (much to the delight of the locals - they were smoking the meat on the side of the road!) but never ever ever have I seen a road-kill goat.

Squirrels can run like the blazes when they hear a car coming - like a tiny furry streak of lightning. (I saw a squashed hedgehog tho :C I was very very sad for it having it's short life snuffed out)

Swedish people are peeeeee-dantic about saving paper. (blush - mean old men)

It's expensive to check your email from outside the border and expensive to recieve text messages but it's so worth it to know that someone misses you :D

Yaay for December time - bring on the iced pink drinks and the swimming pool - and the sunscreen. Sunscreen smell always makes me think of the beach and holidays - it's a happy smell, a memory of younger more carefree days ...sigh :)

Frankie's Travels - on the long road back home

So we travelled to Selebi Phikwe yesterday and stayed over at the Syringa Lodge. Lesson : Franchise in SA with decent food does not mean Franchise with identical name has identically nice food. I ordered a chicken snitzel at Spur - yuck yuck yuck yuck yuck! My colleagues think I am a fussy fuss pot for only eating half the portion.

It was hot and humid and so much so that I stood in the shower with the cold tap on full throttle and then tossed and turned the night away. Aaah a business trip to the Tropics my friends! (I saw we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn)

Today we drove 60km off road. The first 20 were pretty smooth. The second 20 was pretty stoney. The final twenty was driving in a straight line only in a seven dimensional reference frame. I had my arm around my belly to hold my intestines from being jiggled into knots!

But at least I saw some squirrels and a little bokkie and a hornbill and some guinea fowl. It was kinda amusing watching the Chief and Principal engineers getting medival on the bos with a bush saw!

My scrambled eggs and tinned pears breakfast has long since been absorbed into my blood stream.... Hungry Frank :C I hope the aeroplane food is nice...

Frankie's Travels - Back to Site

So I find myself again on the road to Palapye. I dragged my sorry sad self out of bed at 3am this morning - this is exactly 24 hours after the time that I flopped into bed after a post-wedding visit to The Doors.

Coffee = Happy Juice

After all my complain complain complain complaining - I managed to get my pocket money from the bank And! And! And an apology for wasting my time. And then we arrived at the airport expecting to get a Yaris and the travel agent had managed to get us a 4x4 for our off road excursion! (I was intruiged to see what would have happened with a little car - the off road route has a ditch deeper than the height of a Yaris - we woulda got a lift along the route me thinks)

The rental car has dents and scratches, a rip in the seat and a windscreen that is cracked in at least three places - ooooh but the aircon is making for awesome frost inside the vehicle!

I have the both ears of both the substations and lines specialists for the next three hours - I wish I had prepared questions to ask while they have no escape! I could get soooo much paperwork out the way this morning if it wasn't too bumpy in the car to write! Perhaps in the driving break I shall ply them with muffins and apples and unanswered bid clarifications!

Amendment: this is a Late post -Network issues. It's too hot and humid to sleep or make a more current post.

Frankie's Travels - Jiggle jiggle jiggle

So we traversed our line route. We started off on a nice sandy grassy dirt road.... And then turned off onto a much more rough road (first passing through a river bed -Vertical down then Vertical Up!) The way we followed from slightly narrower by over grown bushes to driving over/around/under/through Thorn Trees! I think the guys who came with us are going to send us a big fat bill to repaint their cars! Of course the driving surface was no better - strewn with stones, boulders and ditches...with patches of soft sand... Nice sink-y soft sand. So after the first tense moment trying to navigate across the first soft patch in our heavy 4x4 vehicles, we started drive straight through the bos to avoid the next few soft looking patches ^ss-scc-ccr-aaaaaaa-ttttt-ch!

Oh did I mention we were doing some of this at 60km/hr?

We finished earlier than expected (surprise!) we shook hands, wished everyone well and parted. (French people are like SO funny :D )

After lunch of a very spicey Lemon and Herb Chicken Pita, I convinced the colleague that I would rather leave for Jozi tonight than beg borrow and plead for accomodation in Gaborone. So with some good luck at the airport... I should be sleeping in my own cosy (non-P500 per night) bed tonight!

On the road from Palapye to Gaborone in the meanwhile trying to drown out someone else's idea of good music with Yellowcard and Hammerfall...

Frankies Travels -Business Trip Day 3 Offroad!!

I almost missed breakfast again!! But not :). I have never liked scarmbled eggs but lately I seem to be noticing it disappearing off my plate into my mouth - Sshh don't tell my mum!

We're driving out of the town Selebi-Phikwe almost back to the thrilling 400/220kV substation to pick up the proposed line route to follow. I saw the towers and thought "Oh wow the towers are painted brown to blend with the landscape. How considerate!" When in actual fact I should have been thinking "Holey Moley the rust on these towers is bad!!"

I hear there is a copper mine down the way that uses Sulphiric Acid in the refining process. Can you say acid rain? In the Botswana wilderness nogal!

Here we go Day 3 Off road!! - I hope I can trust in the skills of the driver :/

Frankie's Travels - Day 2

I managed to survive without breakfast (aside from inhaling a mashed Jungle Oats bar I found at the bottom of my bag at about 12) all the way through to a very late 3pm lunch! (Spur makes crap chicken mayo toasties)

So after negotiating the Gaborone rush minute, we drove 240-ish km to Palapye. I saw lots of trees sand goats and donkeys. The animals look extremely fluffy and cuddle-able at 160km/hr!

We turned off the A1 and found our way through the Blink-and-you-might-miss-it town and got on with another meeting with some bigjobs (some from france and india) and some very cool calm exchanging of business cards. (left mine behind in my desk drawer :/ not cool)

Then we shot across the road to the opposite side of the A1 to visit the power station. We signed in and drove around the fence to inspect the switchyard and the clusters of steel lattice and wood post towers hanging their strings of conductor around the place. The Power Station itself was Enormous!! With very tall candy stripe chimneys.

Then we drove another 150 km to the other end of the project. The green scrubby bush changed into sand and wooden stick-ish thorn trees. We followed the power lines to a 400/220kV substation. I climbed out the car to the hot red sandy dirt road to the chorus of cicada beetles and the buzz of the 400kV equipment. Highlight of my Trip!! I say!

I mean I love nature and the outdoors and aside from the heat, the area was really pretty in a dry african way. Clear blue skies, fine dry red sand, brown thorn bushes with white thorns and the occasional hairy wiry donkey. :)

Then I find the High Voltage switchyards extremely impressive. The tall lattice steel, The enormous insulators for clearances, the glass string insulators that look too heavy to stay hanging from the gantries 20m off the ground.

Anyway enough engineer-nerd talk for now....

We found time to drive around the area when we were done for the day and I managed to snap some pretty pictures of the bush and the sunset and a really tall impressive anthill. Top prize tomorrow will be a picture of a happy hairy wiry donkey as we drive off road along the line route. Thrilling!!!

Frankie's Travels - Day 1 complete onto Day 2

So we arrived in Gaborone on a thrilling bumpy flight. We took off a little late too. The plane taxied the entire runway and then I think the pilot said "there is this funny flashing light here - we're going to get some one to take a look at it"... But I am sure what he actually said was a lot more professional .... Right?...

Anyway, Gaborone may look small and peaceful and spaced out but the traffic is a NIGHTMARE!!! Imagine a highway with big traffic circles every few km's... Bad Traffic!

Anyway we booked in at our coushy hotel - I used my cunning engineers intuition to drop my bags off in my room (swipe the card in every possible orientation until the cleaning lady helps you :D ) and we zipped off (or first geared for 30 min) to our meeting.

After all the horrendous traffic, we decided to go to the hotel restuarant and half a bottle of SavBlanc and a three course buffet - I was ready to rest my weary travellers head.

Anyway we stayed in an awesome classy hotel - palm trees, free shampoo and pretty white towels included! And a kettle and free coffee in my room Awesome!

Slept like I was dead... Woke up, got packed, drank my free coffee and hurried downstairs.

I happened to misunderstand my accompanying colleague and I missed breakfast. So our intrepid traveller is now embarking on a 3 and a bit hour journey on a cup of strong coffee and sheer beginners enthusiasm! - I am going to probably want to die soon.:.. Until I see the switchyards of course!!

Frankies Travels - Botswana Business Trip

So I have done this several times already but it's about time I add Botswana to my travelogue....

So this time I am jet-setting off there for 3 or 4 days (I am disturbed that even I don't know anymore when I am coming back... I think it's Thursday evening - alert the police If I am still missing this time next week)

So we're popping over for a progress meeting this afternoon - there are high hopes of pinning a senior bigjob down to sign some paperwork so we can finally issue some invoices to them. Yaaaay Invoicing! (frankies to do list grows faster than she can cross stuff off of it some weeks)

Then tomorrow we're driving to the next meeting and visiting a power station and substation. Weather report points to the warm side of mid-30's day time temps. But the sheer awesomeness of 220kV and 400kV switchgear will surely drive all yucky I'm all hot sticky sweaty thoughts from my head. Double Pole Centre Break Isolators!!! Ceramic Post Insulators!! CT's!!! VT's!!! CVT's!!! Surge Arrestors!!

Moving along.... On the next day we'll be doing some offroad driving along the line route - Bring your own 4x4 and wheel preessure pump Style!!!

Secretly I am way way excited for this - under my cool reserved proffessional of course.

Will have to try take pictures like a crazzy snappy happy person - all for the good of the business right? :D

Frankie's Non-Travels - End of Camp

Some how looking after 40-something young things is more tiring than just about anything else in my recent memory.
I am EXHAUSTED!!! I am shattered My muscles are stiff My neck is sore My nose is running My head is pounding and I think I may border a Horrendous Sense of Humour Failure if something goes wrong this evening.

But all in all I actually had a pretty great weekend! It was great to have so many of my own little Brownies there with me on camp and It was a pretty chilled weekend (aside from the sheer forces required to direct the traffic of 40-ish girls to eat shower play listen and sleep!

(I actually snuck off for a quick kip myself mid-morning and one of the naughty girls took a picture of me!)

I have a big week ahead with some deadlines looming So Ill have sleep when I am dead but at least the busy-ness keeps me feeling alive and out of mischief!

Aside: Mr-Let's-Go-For-A-Coffee/Date hasn't called or messaged (Ihave been checking) - I wonder if it is too early to write him off as a once off pleasant evening experience. No Explanantion required from him...

Frankie's Non-Travels Day 2

The day started with the rustle of sleeping bags at about 6am this morning as the girls gradually moved from sleeping state to Energetic state.

They all got a cup of tea and were turned outside to frolic on the grass and boss each other around...

After cereal sausages and scrambled egg breakfast (again some ate a whisper, some were still hungry after thirds!) we went for a walk in the park... Then climbing in trees... Then games.... Then lunch.... Then litter pick-up... Then more climbing trees... then chair games... Then dinner.... Then a campfire... Then Collapse!!!

Sadly two girls got hurt in the course of the day - Hurt enough to warrant bandages and savlon... And BOTH from my Brownie Pack!!! I am afraid the parents will think me irresponsible...

Amusing Incidents of the Day:
1. All the Pink Zoo Biscuits were taken before any other colour at Tea Time.
2. The girls want to give me a camp name - Flamingo
3. They have endless appetite for mash potato (like over 4 kg's) but no appetite for veggies!
4. Every girl has their own version of a new verse for the Kookaburra song! Most not dinner-table appropriate!

Frankie's Non-Travel - Brownie Camp

So I got involved in the running of a camp for Brownies this weekend. 48 young girls all between the ages of 6 and 11 years all weekend!

Now I am pretty sure that each girl individually is quite polite and pleasant and easy to look after. But when they are all together, the average niceness and politeness goes way way down!

Oh and the Noise! The Noise I tell you! I bet that it can be proven that chaotic noise induces feelings of exhaustion in adults!

Jugs of water "landed" on the floor...
Some ate a teaspoon of food and were full and Some wouldn't stop eating. (Massive appetite always for Peaches and Custard of course...)
How to GIRLS manage to miss the toilet bowl???

But aside my complaints, I think I might just have a good time this weekend, The laughter of 48 happy girls may be noisy but it is joyful. And I get to be childish as well and get in on their fun. And of course through their eyes I am infinitly All-Knowing and Awesome.

I do love the adoration...

Frankies Travels - Final Day Aaaaah :(

And on the last day - we relaxed... Drove through some city centre and saw some marathon runners (some ladies in blue uniforms stoppd us running them over...) Then we cruised through Clifton to Camps Bay for a massive magnificient breakfast (wish I had taken a picture) Eggs/Bacon/Sausage/Tomato/Hash Browns/Toast/Grilled Mushrooms... Sunday Morning Happy-Food.

Then we went to go and enjoy the beach (for the last time in a while for me) I went to go dip my toes in the water (as usual managed to get my pant wet)

A Zimbabwean came to ply his wares and perhaps due to his effort we purchased a painting of a giraffe. I should snap a photo of it to show off - It has become another item of my collection of travel items for my new home (when ever it is that I manage to have a new home...) I am just not sure of the best way to mount it. I would want to preserve the fabric from aging so I was thinking of "laminating" it in glass with the unhemmed edges giving it a raw look ... but the glass will make it monstrously heavy to hang... hmmm... Ill have to give it a think.

Then we made our way back so I could finish packing and enjoy the sunshine (just about the only sun we saw all weekend) at least the mountains popped out from the clouds in farewell.

The airport was INSANELY busy and by flight was ultra full but at least I sat next to a pretty friendly Indian gent. Can't say the same for the drive home. I discover I am a bit of a hazard on the roads... Thank goodness for the more experienced drivers that were driving near by... And as much as I hate the drive to and from the airport... I should be driving it myself more often so that I can do it without having to Make my Peace with God along the way...

The End! :) ... until next time at least...

Frankie's Travels - On the Third Day

.... I remembered what rainy weather was. we have just come through
the dry dry Joburg winter so I haven't seen a lot of rain lately
(except for those 3 weeks in Germany...)

So on Saturday we woke up to a cloudy sky - the shy mountain was
almost completely hidden. We decided to make our way across to Cape
Point. So after a very scenic drive to and through and beyond
Simonstown (again) we paid our International Tourists Hiked entry fee
to the Nature Reserve. I decided that first prize would be seeing
Zebra and Ultra first prize would be to see Whales too. With the
gentle swish of the windscreen wipers we admired the alternate views
of the opposite coasts and made our way through to Cape of Good Hope -
snapping pictures of the view along the way. Like any intrepid
traveller we decided to brave the wind and the cold and climb up the
hiking trail at C of GH....

And OH BOY!! The wind was strong! It was all fun and adventurous on
the way up having my hair whipped around and trying to negotiate the
next step... (my co-tourist had his hoodie up and tied down - he
looked like a ninja!) And then!!... I got sand blown into my eye and
suddenly I was not having fun any more. So we turned around and slip
slide stumbled our way back down with one eye shut and the other half
covered for protection and made it back to the car for some precious
eyedrops. And happy Frankie returned. :)

Then we drove up and round and along to Cape Point where we tackled
the walk up to the lighthouse and were appalled to find out how unfit
we were. Ill say We found plenty of excuses to stop and admire the
incredible view...

It is amazing how clean the beaches look at the bottom of the cliffs -
like very clean and untouched. By now it was more than a drip drip of
rain and closer to a windy horizontal drizzle...

Let me say that I saw more foreign tourists at Cape Point than I saw
at OR Tambo international airport on Wednesday. We played a game of
guess the nationality by the accent - Lots of Brits, Aussies and
Chinese Tourists.

We made our way down again and paid for an overpriced lunch sarmmie
and moved on to seeing the last few sights of the park through the now
rapid swish swish of the windscreen wipers.

Saw Da Gama and (oooh can't remember the other spanish name...
Something also with a D - an old guy with a poofy hat) ... Diaz!
Crosses and some penguins and very big seagulls And then we decided to
leave and go on to drier more indoor sights.

So we looked up the Iziko museum and swished across there! Pleasant
surprise was that entrance was free for Heritage Day week... Score :)
And so we wandered around in the warm dry museum and saw life size
skeletons of enormous sea living creatures and a lot of taxidermied
animals (including a very very cute baby quagga - The Baby Quagga) The
dinosaur exhibit was interesting but I had my own personal views
raising big flags at the back of my head... just because the museum
can make a beautiful display of the artifacts, doesn't mean that I
believe the surrounding science is true... but Ill let these views
stew a while longer and make a proper blog post on it.

We made an exit from the museum when it was getting close to closing
time and drove through a slightly less wet Cape Town back to the place
of residence.

For dinner we went to a L-A-R-N-Y French restaurant. We enjoyed fine
conversation, a fine Shiraz and I had Beef Medallions in red wine,
onion and cocoa sauce. the cocoa was a brilliant ingredient and really
added to the flavour. then we made our way through ice-cream, meringue
and chocolate mousse for afters.... and proceeded to go home to digest
and sleep.

I saw a beautiful jersey dress through the window of a closed shop and
it can to call me to go and buy it in my dreams. Pity the shop was
closed in Sundays, - Frilly woolen jersey dress- I long for you (but
probably not your price tag!)

Frankies Travels Cape Town Day 2

... Written with some head scratching at the end of day 3...

Sooooo... On Friday we went off to Ratanga Junction. True we were among the oldest people in the queue but at least we weren't spending our parentally supplied pocket money on the entrance fee so there!

So of the rides were wild and some were pretty exhilarating and some were slow (boat and train rides) and bizarrely the longest queue was for the Bumper Cars (???? What's so exciting about that) Some of the kiddies rides looked like enough fun to be popular adult rides. We had a good time enjoying the rush of adrenalin and we got plenty of exercise walking from end to end to end of the park. My only real complaint was that the music was really bad - like taking an average of all the popular music on the radio and playing it at Full Volume ... Let me also say that renditions of the Single Ladies dance is so so so so last season ans old and going out of fashion - it's been done and dusted and youtubed and it's just about ready to be translated into Afrikaans and added to Sokkie Treffers 2009 to be blasted out at every caravan park New Years party along the Natal Coast! Give the song a break already!

Aaanywaay... After the childish exuberance of the theme park (couldn't figure the theme tho...) we decided to swap over to the adult solemnity of wine farm visits and wine tasting. First at Durbanville hills we sampled some of their best (which was a good way of learning which names go with which flavours: Sav Blanc - white, Cab Sav - Red, Merlot - Red fruity) I now can't decide if I prefer Shiraz or Pinotage but my education in vino is by no means coming to an end... (H: when you finish laughing at me... I welcome your guidance :P )

Then we decided we had time for one more wine farm so we drove along the road with all the wine farms and randomly turned off at the second next suitable wine farm. (for the sake of the story - D'Aria) There a super friendly lady behind the counter let us have a taste of their finest... I was amazed that the white wine with hints of asparagus Really did have a taste of asparagus! And the wine with a hint of green pepper really did too - didnt like it very much tho. Anyway I purchased a very tasty Merlot-Savigion Blanc blend called Blush And a very pleasantly light and fruity Merlot.

The novelty factor of the wines was that the labels were also in Braille! Extra points for originality!

Then we made our way home through the sights of town and District 6. After many several sip sip sippys of wine my gracious host decided to haul my fuzzy slightly inebriated unfit ass halfway up Lions Head and back my pounding head was soon replaced with the foul cursing of my buns-and-thighs. But at least the view on the drive and walk up and down was so totally worth it! Except that the clouds closed in and it all began to feel eerily like a computer game with a lazy scene designer...

and then I made dinner which was complimented by some of our newly acquired wine. High Five to my Domestication! I even washed dishes!

And after a DMC (look it up - I hope I got the TLA correct... or just ask...) we passed on to the exhausted happy dream-like state...

Frankies Travels - Cape Town

So I landed safe and sound in the famous Mother City and after negotiating an exit from the Parking Lot we (being myself and my host)made our way across to the foot of Devils Peak to stay for the next 4 days.

I got a tour of the sights of the area which was to admire the view down onto the city (sparkly yellow and white), how close the burning mountain became burning complex (very close) then to admire the hulking great view of The Mountain (invisible due to clouds).

Yesterday we went and looked at some natural sights of the area. First a visit to the Sea - Camps Bay (altho too cold to take off shoes let alone swim) Then Hout Bay area which became a search for the Hout Bay Embassy (snooty exclusive bunch...) which resulted in a stop for a delicious Lindt Cappucino and a magnificient slice of Lemon Meringue Pie.

We gave up on the embassy and decided to go across to Simonstown. The trip across had me marvelling at the over-mountain bos and sights and once in Simonstown, we went to Boulders beach to see (smell) the penguins. We decided to walk the wooden path before paying entrance and we got so many sights of the pink eyebrowed little black birds that we decided we didnt need to pay entrance at all!

We then decided to drive back into Simonstown and walk the historic Mile - and stopped off for a very generous hake and chips along the way!

We took the scenic route home and after all the walking and eating we settled for baked veggies and a classic movie and were asleep by 10:30pm!

Felt like an old lady by the end of it but it was all together a pretty darned great first day!

Frankies Travels - Cape Town

So after flying every month this year (except February) I am finally flying without needing a passport! I haven't been to Cape Town in more than 5 years and I am pretty darned excited. Firstly I am flying down by myself - this is like a spontaneous holiday all for me... Well as spontaneous as you can be when the flights were just about sold out a month before... Secondly I haven't been to the beach in quite a fair while so being at the sea (with or with out swimming weather) is something to look forward to for this born and breed Vaalie. Thirdly I am seeing a good friend who, despite the fact I see him VERY rarely, I could consider him amongst my long standing friends. Fourthly I just got that awesome monthly email saying my bank account just grew by a salary So I can be a lot less budget conscious this weekend. And finally (five reasons is enough) I have 4 work free days ahead and Ill be flying for at least 4 hours of it.

Let the Frankies (domestic) Travels Commence!

Reason 6 - Window Seat :D

Germany - After Home Hospitality

So where were we.. so after the two day stay back in Regensberg we went to a monastry (Kloster) in Ensdorf that has a whole program for the youth. We spent 3 days learning about alternative energy. I am ever grateful to my supervisor at work for briefing me on the stand that Soth African companies take on alternative energy because I spent a lot of time explaining myself to the german energy peoples.

We went to a solar park on a day when it rained.

The germans love to recycle sewerage and dung. Imaging a mountain of what looks like cocoa powder or a swimming pool of chocolate sauce to those fortunate enough to not be able to smell. the trouble is that the smell is so rich and powerful it did make me think of chocolate. The smell leaps out and assials your senses. the exception being that the smell does not induce a dreammy happiness but rather a strong desire to see your lunch again... mmmm dung!

we also went to a power plant that generates energy from burning trash which was EXTREMELY interesting to me and my camera battery was dead :( :( :( :( Anyway they took us into the main control room and I had to be physically restrained from jumping over the front desk and having a good and proper look.

After Ensdorf we went to a Scout camp near a teeny tiny town called Krickelsdorf - No running water, long drop toilet and sleeping on a hard wooden floor - on the positive side we were right next to a forest and by the wheat fields and the camp fires were awesome casual easy going affairs. I think the camp fires were a highlight of the entire trip for me (that and the bear playing in the rain)

While I was there I went for a walk and took this picture. The sunset and the wheat fields. I love my little blue camera!



Anyway so I stayed at the camp fire on the last night until the very early hours and then when to sleep until I couldnt take the snoring (sorry these were ladies make that heavy breathing) anymore. So I got up very very early for another walk. The only other thing awak was Mr Frog...




He actually stuck around a while for me to try all the different features on my camera to get a nice shot of him. Funny thing is this picture is the first one I took.

Frankies Travels - a desert of connectivity

So after a week in the foreign land I can say this:

Germany is very beautiful. Im getting a sore neck from staring around everywhere round and round and round.

We started in a little village called Regensdorf outside of Regensburg. in a pretty little two story house belonging to the Scouts. Out the window we could see the river Regen

It rained some.

We visited a 'green classroom' at a local youth centre and picked some herbs and made a herb cottage cheese spread. we also picked berries and made a delicious dessert.

then it rained some ... more.

We visited a kindergarten in a forest. it was wesome to see the tall tall trees and the little children playing under them. after lunch we saw the children playing with a hammer and saw. Yes, no lies a 6 year old child playing at cutting wood with a read grown up saw... hmmm... seems these germans take their forestry seriously. Mom, fancy adding a sharp saw to your school toy box?

and then it rained a bit.

we stopped off at a farm to use the facilities because the ladies have impatient bladders and the farmer who was carrying a full bucket of cherries left the bucket with us while he went to show the girls to the bathroom.

Half a bucket of cherries later.... we left... because it was raining

We had a campfire but had to chase the snails away from the beer.

Lesson: Snails love beer. Who would think?? maybe it's just the gernman snails with their little shell leederhosen.

We went for a tour of Regensberg which has a very long history. And tall buildings along the streets. We were set loose to do some shopping for curios, most girls went clothes shopping. I went to vodafone to find out about feeding my addiction to teh internet, only to discover that data is 19c (like €0.19) PER KB!!! dont faint when you do the maths back into rands. So I decided to not have a connection to the internet via the cellphone(das handy)

then it rained a bit

We packed up to move accross to Landshut. but first we swam in the river Regen. it was cold... very cold.

We stopped off at the National Mountain nature park and went for a hike. The forest was stunning but it erained and then poured and then thundered and then rained. I loved it! Hiking in the rain was way way cool - it helps if you have the group umbrella tho ha ha ha. as we ran past in the rain I saw a bear playing in a water pool loving teh rain too. way way cool! wish I had taken a photo or a video or a bear for my collection.

in Landshut we went to the town festival that happens every 4 years celebrating the marriage of the previous king of the area to a polish princes. The pagent and procession of locals dressed up all medeval was amusing and interesting. They kept shouting HAALLLLOOOOOO! - 'tis traditional I think. in the free time I snuck off and got lost in the town and had a nice time getting un-lost again. Landshut is another classically beautiful town. with a castle on the hill.

it rained during the walk back to the sleeping place.

we then went for a visit to an organic farm

Saw some sheep (Lauren, stop laughing) snuck off and snapped some photos of the sheep. the Sheep were cheesed off that it was raining. there was a tour of teh organic farm too. the organic farm... with Sheep :D

Then the whole gang was split up for visits in pairs to peoples homes. where i am now.

Yaay! (now with rain)

Frankies travels Lift off

So after months of preparation and complaining and excitement and running around Finally my trip to Germany is beginning

I assume we are on a massive plane because the queue to check-in was very very very long.

I'm kinda lonely because the girls front Rustenburg keep to themselves and all the Joburg girls are umm.... some what aloof.

Anyway Ill have to use my bossy wit and charm and make myself at home with someone.

Someone has put on some Saffer music and the girls are shaking what there mum's gave 'em Entertaining to tourists mostly. Maybe I should jump in for a dance lesson... Ai ai ai ai ai

Here's to new experiences!

Frankies Travels Germany Countdown One More Sleep!!!

So for those I haven't seen of recent days - I'm off to Germany tomorrow evening. Its kinda different from last time since
A) there isn't a delicious young man waiting for me at the airport (not that I know But Ill stay hopeful)
B) this is not a vacation but an exchange program (the difference being in wearing uniform for 3 weeks, the choice of where and what we do and the fact that I'm expected to be on my very very very best behaviour - as if that is different from normal hee hee hee)
C) I haven't had to scrimp and save and drain my bank account to go...

I'm getting pretty excited tho despite that my bag is probably overweight, I'm going with 11 other girls (interjection: of course they are all lovely nice girls but still 11 headstrong woman together for 17 days is like putting 11 alpha male cats in a basket) and I have a beautiful Amarula Cream fancy tin with a bottle of liquer in it packed as a gift that I hope will not be construed as a bomb - No more suspicious than the white brick of pap.... other than that....

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-(take another breath)-Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!! \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/

Botswana

I got up at 3am this morning.

I got to the airport at 4:30am this morning.

I arrived in Gaborone at 7am this morning.

I left Gaborone at 4pm this afternoon.

I arrived home at 6:30pm

Botswana was sunny and friendly but I am Finished uuuuggghhh....

Frankies Travels - The end...

So after a week and a bit break I am back on my blog. Internet was terribly expensive oh wait scratch that. as expensive as everything else in italy. and I was like busy seeing really really old stuff and things okay?

I think I will blog all the juicy info about my glorious Italy trip but not right now.

Patience my friends...


However right now I am sitting in a little computer room in the Dubai international airport paying a pretty price for internet and after 9 days away only 3 new emails!!! I am heartbroken.
I still have some dirhams left so I am going to go spend some money in the airport woo hoo for giant size boxes of cheap cigarettes and overpriced designer clothes. wait I don't smoke... hmmm...


See most of you sooon! I am quite homesick.. but in a nice way :)