South Africa

South Africa was as incredible as I had hoped it would be.  A visit there did nothing to quench my thirst for going.  Rather, it has made me preoccupied with wanting to return.  For now, I have pictures to gaze at, and on occasion, my subconscious mind is kind enough to transport me there in my dreams.

Here are some of the photos:

On top of Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town.

The fog quickly crept across the mountain, starting along this edge, then covered it completely within an hour.

Robben Island

Learning Not To Drown explores the impact that incarceration of a brother has on his sister’s life, so during our tour, I couldn’t help but think about the families of those prisoned there, especially the children and wife of Robert Sobukwe. This room of the small house where he was kept in solitary confinement had letters between him and his wife displayed on the wall. An adjacent building featured four beds that his children sleep in during their rare visits.

Cape Town show on November 7th.

Our safari began with seeing this pack of African Wild Dogs on our trip from the plane to our lodge.

Reading in our lodge between safari drives.

I felt like I was seeing animals for the first time. No zoo experience could have ever prepared me for how incredible these animals are in their natural habitat.

Our evening safari drive was brought to an early end due to a proper storm: lighting, thunder, and pouring rain that turned to hail the size of gum balls.

Ostrich taking a morning jog.

Giraffes: Strangely elegant and graceful.

Lion cubs (around a year old) playing in the grass.

Our guide drove to a clearing where they typically let everyone out of the vehicle for a stretch. This mama rhino and her calf were waiting in the clearing. After watching them for a while, we drove on to a different location for our break.  Our guide explained to us that the rhinos-even in this protected nature reserve- are in danger of poaching.  An insatiable demand for rhino horns has sparked the worst recorded year of rhino poaching in South Africa – 588 so far this year. There is no scientific evidence that rhino horns can cure any diseases.

I really wanted to see an elephant, but migratory patterns had the elephants far from the lodge. Our guide found one for me! We had to drive over an hour. Worth it. I was in awe.

African Wild Dog

After safari, we headed back to civilization for the Johannesburg show. One of the most incredible crowds I have ever seen.

I like to take pictures of the guys performing. I thought this one of Chester was especially nice.

Pyro from the side of the stage.

I sat in on the Johannesburg Music For Relief discussion on clean energy in South Africa. The smart, articulate, innovating and caring teens that represented SAIIA youth’s program discussed their ideas, then they presented MFR and Linkin Park with this solar light made from a canning jar.

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