BACK TO WORK

Vacations are great. Probably the best part of going to Cape Town was simply experiencing a new environment. We saw a modern city with sidewalks, curbs and parks; buildings that required you to flex your neck to see their tops; cleanliness, and businesses that showed upkeep and pride in ownership; civic pride and organization; infrastructure that worked; and honest-to-goodness restaurants: Restaurants with varied menus; restaurants of varied cuisines; restaurants that were inviting and where you could eat confidently without thinking of your safety and health; restaurants that weren’t nondescript holes in the wall serving nondescript fat and starch. We saw the things that you take for granted in the states but we have been missing in our lives for the past ten months. One thing we relished that money can’t buy was the water: the sparkle of the sun on the waves; the view of the horizon over the surf; the fresh smell of the sea; and the hustle of the boats in the harbor.

We were at home for one day of work and then had to be back in Mbabane for an overnight meeting of the World Food Bank. Travel by Khumbi is guaranteed to leave me in a foul mood for the next 24 hours.

One thousand ‘Books for Africa’ have arrived (thanks to you who helped) and I’ll be busy (with assistance) getting them ready for shelving. I’m pleased with this shipment because they are in much better shape than last year and a better selection.

I have launched my Map Project and gotten a very good response from both students and staff. Everyone is interested, even impressed, and I’ll update you as we progress.

After coming home, we were without water for a day, we’ve had electricity disruptions, and as I write this (to memory), this is our sixth consecutive day without internet service. We’re obviously back in Swaziland—vacation’s over.