The missing blog from South Africa

Here it is... Insert after "Soweto"

JP

Huge disappointment this morning when the concierge called 30 minutes prior to my trip to Pilanesburg National Park to inform me that the trip had been canceled due to low registration (just me). A check of other options indicated none I was interested in, and local museums are closed on Mondays. I briefly considered renting a car and driving myself up there, but being a solo traveler in a truly wild area coupled with driving on the other side of the road from what I’m used to was too far beyond my comfort zone. It looks like I’ll at least get to the Apartheid Museum tomorrow before I fly out.

I had prepared myself before I left to expect disappointment and things not going as planned at some point. Kind of the “expect the worse, and you won’t be disappointed” attitude. It happened today, and it’s a sad thing. I will include a note to the manager with my evaluation, as you pay a premium to use the concierge to arrange these things—they can’t control cancellations, but they could protect their guests by doing confirmations, etc.

One of my challenges has been being here only a few days. A longer stay would have given more options for rearrangements. My advice to those coming is to stay at least a week, and sign on for a several night trip prior to departure to a park like Kruger, where you can stay in a lodge, do several drives around the park to see wildlife, and have a more assured experience. A longer trip should also take in Cape Town.

So, today I punted. Walked over to the shopping center, had breakfast and dropped off some laundry. Looked into mailing some books home, but too darn expensive—I’ll try it from Europe. Went on over to the big mall, and took in a movie I’d been wanting to see: Around the World in 80 Days. I realized it’s probably already on video at home, but what the heck. It had its entertaining moments, and Jackie Chan action scenes are always fun. There were some cameos, as with the original—was that Kathy Bates playing the Queen of England at the end? This one was fun, but paled against the original. I’ll go do some web site work for the rest of the day, and maybe chill out in the sauna this evening.

All of this serves only to reinforce my aversion to organized tours for travel. Yes, at times they’re a necessary evil, and were necessary here to reach my goals safely. But I’m more convinced than ever that there is much to be said for independent travel. Even more is to be said for cultivating friendships overseas, enjoying these hosts, and then being prepared to generously return the favor when guests come knocking on your door.

Tomorrow, hopefully the Apartheid Museum, then on to Estonia!

JP