Each day is becoming a blur. We are ready to come home. Kai needs a normal schedule. Louisa needs a normal schedule.
We went on a township tour.
Starting in the early 1940's the SF govt made black Africans leave their homes and move to the Cape Flats. We went to visit three. The smallest has 30000 people living there, the largest has a million. The homes fluctuate between being brick houses to shacks. People live in half built homes and homes made from junk they find. There were alot of small businesses selling food, hairdressing services etc. It is hard to describe. Pictures speak but I hardly took any and I can't upload/download any pictures in my present location. We went to a preschool where 3 ladies were looking after at least 60 children. It wouldn't pass any regulations in Canada.
Was it a good tour? It was okay but I wish we had the opportunity to talk to more of the people that live there. However, I realize that I talk to them everyday. The majority of the people working in the hotel, restaurants live in the Cape Flats.
Thursday was a lets find a store that sells the right formula, diapers and breakfast cereal. We tried going to the planetarium however after five minutes Kai LOUDLY and clearly expressed that he wasn't watching the stars. Kai was mesmerized by the pigeons at the park. He actually fell asleep and I got to enjoy a salad. SERIOUSLY this is a big deal.
Kai wore three different outfits.
Today, we went to the botanical gardens. We drove around on the tourist bus, Kai loves looking around and hates when I try to make him have his afternoon nap. We stick around the hotel in a.m. so I know he gets a good nap then. He usually falls asleep in the afternoon after his bottle.
Our last full day is tomorrow so I plan on shopping. I have bought a t-shirt and CD of African lullabies. Shopping is on the agenda tomorrow little man, so get ready! (he is sleeping peacefully now)
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
PASSPORT ARRIVES
I just received Kai's passport this morning, we are coming home. (not until Sunday though as that was the earliest we could get a flight)
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Day 2 FREEDOM DAY
Visited Robben Island
At night when we give Kai a bath, we sing the song, Splish Splash we're taking a bath and Kai gets into the action by kicking his arms and lets to the music.
Day 2 was a success!
Cross your fingers passport arrives tomorrow.
Freedom Day celebrates the first free election in South Africa in 1994.
- Kai peed on me twice
- Kai didn't want his afternoon nap.
- Kai cried when the tour guide was talking and when he finally fell asleep, the tour guiide actually made a crack about not liking his crying.
- We watched these funny performers and Kai enjoyed the performance by jumping around (very cute)
- I took a total of three pictures all day. Baby + pictures = hard
At night when we give Kai a bath, we sing the song, Splish Splash we're taking a bath and Kai gets into the action by kicking his arms and lets to the music.
Day 2 was a success!
Cross your fingers passport arrives tomorrow.
Freedom Day celebrates the first free election in South Africa in 1994.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Day 1 of SMITC
Can Kai and Louisa make it without Bob?
I’m going all Carrie Bradshaw on you (title character in sex in the City). Obviously this is “Single Mama in the City”.
Day 1 is almost done! Five more to go!
The family had a great weekend after the initial shock that we weren’t going home together. We enjoyed a winery and agreed we would return one day to sample more of South Africa’s wine. We drove back to Cape Town and visited World Cup Stadium (it looks like a pringle chip), we all agreed (yes even Kai) that Durban’s was definitely prettier. We then returned to Table Mountain. It was a clear day without a cloud. What a view!
We drove to Fish Hoek and got lost trying to find our B&B. There are four different Mountain roads. We finally got the right one, it was a relief. Kai took an instant dislike and woke up at 3:30 am and REFUSED to go back to sleep. We brought him to bed, we sang, we changed him, we let him “cry it out”. At 5:30 we gave up and just pretended it was morning.
Sunday was another beautiful day in Africa. We drove down the coast to Boulder Beach where African Penguins live. Very cool. We then drove to Cape point (it’s the small point near Cape Town). Considering my son had no sleep he was in a FANTASTIC mood, chatting up a storm. We took a hike up to the lighthouse (I mean UP). Bob carried Kai in the ergo, a lady said now he knew what it was like to be pregnant. It is a beautiful area and we had a great day. A perfect last day in Africa. FOR BOB!
Not us though! Bob dropped us at our hotel this morning. Yes I was a crying mess. It was hard for him to leave. I can’t explain how much our son already adores Bob. I could watch them for hours together.
Today, Kai and I went for a walk around our hotel area (it’s in the heart of the city), we looked in stores and had lunch at a cafe. We went to the bathroom, that was a chore. We booked our ticket to Robben island and a township tour. We went to the park and Kai tried to eat sticks and leaves. We walked some more and Kai fell asleep in the ergo. (Bob, after 5 hours of walking my back hurts) When we got back we played, had dinner and then it was bathtime and bedtime. Whew! EXCITING!
I have one wish.
1 ~ please let Kai sleep
Can Kai and Louisa survive without Bob? Yes, but it isn’t as easy or as much fun! (well I can look at any stores I want)
I’m going all Carrie Bradshaw on you (title character in sex in the City). Obviously this is “Single Mama in the City”.
Day 1 is almost done! Five more to go!
The family had a great weekend after the initial shock that we weren’t going home together. We enjoyed a winery and agreed we would return one day to sample more of South Africa’s wine. We drove back to Cape Town and visited World Cup Stadium (it looks like a pringle chip), we all agreed (yes even Kai) that Durban’s was definitely prettier. We then returned to Table Mountain. It was a clear day without a cloud. What a view!
We drove to Fish Hoek and got lost trying to find our B&B. There are four different Mountain roads. We finally got the right one, it was a relief. Kai took an instant dislike and woke up at 3:30 am and REFUSED to go back to sleep. We brought him to bed, we sang, we changed him, we let him “cry it out”. At 5:30 we gave up and just pretended it was morning.
Sunday was another beautiful day in Africa. We drove down the coast to Boulder Beach where African Penguins live. Very cool. We then drove to Cape point (it’s the small point near Cape Town). Considering my son had no sleep he was in a FANTASTIC mood, chatting up a storm. We took a hike up to the lighthouse (I mean UP). Bob carried Kai in the ergo, a lady said now he knew what it was like to be pregnant. It is a beautiful area and we had a great day. A perfect last day in Africa. FOR BOB!
Not us though! Bob dropped us at our hotel this morning. Yes I was a crying mess. It was hard for him to leave. I can’t explain how much our son already adores Bob. I could watch them for hours together.
Today, Kai and I went for a walk around our hotel area (it’s in the heart of the city), we looked in stores and had lunch at a cafe. We went to the bathroom, that was a chore. We booked our ticket to Robben island and a township tour. We went to the park and Kai tried to eat sticks and leaves. We walked some more and Kai fell asleep in the ergo. (Bob, after 5 hours of walking my back hurts) When we got back we played, had dinner and then it was bathtime and bedtime. Whew! EXCITING!
I have one wish.
1 ~ please let Kai sleep
Can Kai and Louisa survive without Bob? Yes, but it isn’t as easy or as much fun! (well I can look at any stores I want)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Say it ain't so JOE!!!!!!
Bad News. Just found out Kai passport wasn't delivered today and won't be couriered out until Monday. Tuesday is a holiday here so won't get it until Wed, but factor in Africa scheduling we are changing are flight plans to Friday. Our new flight path now takes us through Frankfurt to Toronto as we should arrive next Saturday afternoon. It's been a very stressful day making changes and phoning everyone to double check details before we rebook. We had talked about me flying home alone but decided it was only a few days and it would be easier on Mom & Kai. (really mom)
We plan on staying in the city center and walk everwhere we want to go so hopefully everything works out in that perspective.
That was so five minutes ago...
How quick life changes. Well the fee to change fights isn't $80 dollars it is 380 per person to change airlines. So for all the changes it would be around 1600. YIKES! Where is my fairy godperson? Now Bob will go home Monday and yes it will be hard on mom and Kai (who adores him) and we will come back a week later on the 3rd!
The week in Cape Town won't be bad but OMG the FLIGHT!!!!! Please let there be an empty chair beside me! I doubt it with the volcano eruption/cloud. Pity the poor person cause my son has a voice like his mama! Next week you'll be reading the "Single mama in the City" blog.
We plan on staying in the city center and walk everwhere we want to go so hopefully everything works out in that perspective.
That was so five minutes ago...
How quick life changes. Well the fee to change fights isn't $80 dollars it is 380 per person to change airlines. So for all the changes it would be around 1600. YIKES! Where is my fairy godperson? Now Bob will go home Monday and yes it will be hard on mom and Kai (who adores him) and we will come back a week later on the 3rd!
The week in Cape Town won't be bad but OMG the FLIGHT!!!!! Please let there be an empty chair beside me! I doubt it with the volcano eruption/cloud. Pity the poor person cause my son has a voice like his mama! Next week you'll be reading the "Single mama in the City" blog.
What do Osteriches really like to eat??
What an exciting day!
We finished up driving the Garden Route along the coastline through George & Mossel Bay.
We visited an Ostrich Farm (Kai sat on an ostrich). We were given packets of corn for the ostrich to eat it from the palm of our hands. The secret though, is to put it on your palm, not the fleshy part where your fingers are joined to your hand. Anyway, after everyone in our group had no problems feeding the ostriches, Louisa was coaxed into feeding but she forgot the proper placement of the corn and the ostrich grabbed her skin along with the corn. (THIS IS NOT TRUE I PUT THE CORN IN THE RIGHT SPOT) I have a series of pictures of her reaction so be sure to ask to see them when she returns. As we were leaving the farm, our GPS decided to stop working I had to rely on the old fashion way of blaming your wife when getting lost.
As we were going down a county road, we noticed a few vehicles pulled over ahead and they seemed to be watching a herd of maybe 140 osteriches that we being moving to another farm. Louisa jumps out of the car camera in hand and starts shooting these osteriches. I stayed in the car with Kai and noticed Louisa 70 yards up shooting the herd. Then after probably getting tired of these tourists slowing them down, the herdsman snapped their stick and picture this, Louisa running towards me with 140 osteriches running towards her. The image of this would've have surely have won me money in America's funniest home video. Louisa opened the door of the car ahead of us and sat inside as the herd came running by.
The scenery around our location was gorgeous and every five minutes I was getting comments to pull the car over so Louisa could take another picture. I always pretended never to notice the scenic pit stops and zoomed past them hoping Louisa never noticed them.
Our supposedly planned route was to take this highway to Ladismith but after travelling twenty minutes, the highway changed to gravel and continued for atleast two hours (the scenery was BREATHTAKING). We arrived in Ladismith and booked the first b&b we found.
We finished up driving the Garden Route along the coastline through George & Mossel Bay.
We visited an Ostrich Farm (Kai sat on an ostrich). We were given packets of corn for the ostrich to eat it from the palm of our hands. The secret though, is to put it on your palm, not the fleshy part where your fingers are joined to your hand. Anyway, after everyone in our group had no problems feeding the ostriches, Louisa was coaxed into feeding but she forgot the proper placement of the corn and the ostrich grabbed her skin along with the corn. (THIS IS NOT TRUE I PUT THE CORN IN THE RIGHT SPOT) I have a series of pictures of her reaction so be sure to ask to see them when she returns. As we were leaving the farm, our GPS decided to stop working I had to rely on the old fashion way of blaming your wife when getting lost.
As we were going down a county road, we noticed a few vehicles pulled over ahead and they seemed to be watching a herd of maybe 140 osteriches that we being moving to another farm. Louisa jumps out of the car camera in hand and starts shooting these osteriches. I stayed in the car with Kai and noticed Louisa 70 yards up shooting the herd. Then after probably getting tired of these tourists slowing them down, the herdsman snapped their stick and picture this, Louisa running towards me with 140 osteriches running towards her. The image of this would've have surely have won me money in America's funniest home video. Louisa opened the door of the car ahead of us and sat inside as the herd came running by.
The scenery around our location was gorgeous and every five minutes I was getting comments to pull the car over so Louisa could take another picture. I always pretended never to notice the scenic pit stops and zoomed past them hoping Louisa never noticed them.
Our supposedly planned route was to take this highway to Ladismith but after travelling twenty minutes, the highway changed to gravel and continued for atleast two hours (the scenery was BREATHTAKING). We arrived in Ladismith and booked the first b&b we found.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Waiting at the Airport
It is 5 to 8 in the morning and we’ve been up since 5:45. Kai fast asleep. Yes, he slept thru the night. Mama did not. No mama could not sleep, it was either too hot or too cold. Sa la ve!
We said goodbye to Shayne (the owner of the 7 star Heaton Cottage) and we were off to the airport. Kai sat on my lap (no carseat) seriously this would not happen in North America. Even though we had to wake him (instead of the other way around) he was in a good mood until Daddy didn’t hide the bottle.
So now we are past security, bags are checked in and we are waiting for the plane. It feels very real that he is coming with us. Three weeks together and that surreal feeling hasn’t been lost. He is ours! We got all his official documents (minus the passport) and some more pictures of Kai (B.U. –before us). Kai is happily playing on daddy’s lap listening to daddy tell outlandish stories. Oh now he is singing (honestly if it makes Kai happy we will sing ANYWHERE).
Can’t wait to get to Cape Town and all the new adventures that await.
We said goodbye to Shayne (the owner of the 7 star Heaton Cottage) and we were off to the airport. Kai sat on my lap (no carseat) seriously this would not happen in North America. Even though we had to wake him (instead of the other way around) he was in a good mood until Daddy didn’t hide the bottle.
So now we are past security, bags are checked in and we are waiting for the plane. It feels very real that he is coming with us. Three weeks together and that surreal feeling hasn’t been lost. He is ours! We got all his official documents (minus the passport) and some more pictures of Kai (B.U. –before us). Kai is happily playing on daddy’s lap listening to daddy tell outlandish stories. Oh now he is singing (honestly if it makes Kai happy we will sing ANYWHERE).
Can’t wait to get to Cape Town and all the new adventures that await.
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