Hi Everyone,
Carla and I took an end-of-the-semester getaway trip to a place called Oudrif Farm, about 4 hours northwest of Cape Town. I had read an article about this place by Rob Nixon in the New York TImes travel section in Jan. or Feb. 2005 and I saved it, hoping to visit. Bill Mitchell is a former chef who also did a rafting business on the Doring River. He and a business partner built five straw bale cottages, all solar powered, out in this beautiful "spendid isolation" (their very apt description). Carla drove the rental car (left-side traffic and right-side steering and shift!). The last hour and a half was gravel----hills with US western-looking foliage----beautiful Cedarberg mountains on the horizon.
The cottages looked disappointing from a distance (though we were happy to find them as we followed along one kilometer at a time on a map). They have a droopy shape---dwarfish in such an immense and desolate landscape. But each one is a gem of minimalist aesthetics: white and cerulean blue painted walls. Big windows and high ceilings. Simple, comfortable furniture....just a sitting room and a bedroom--all one space and a bathroom.
There is a common house, called a boma, where all the guests meet for meals. Three meals and all drinks are included. The first morning, after coffee and muffins, Jeanine, Bill's girlfriend, took five of us on a two and a half hour hike across the river and up and down the boulders to see the wildlife and cave paintings. All very subtle stuff---unlike the big five.
I enjoyed meeting the other guests as well as talking to Bill and Jeanine (who joined us for dinner). Really fun. My camera was stolen in Arusha and I tried to draw the cottage, but I'm not very good at all on architectural stuff. Wish Howard Kaye could be here---he'd love it. Lisa Hogeland, too, who could do the drawings perfectly and would love the wonderful food.
The dishes were all healthy---family style--but unusual and interesting. Great breads and vegetables. Carla loved the desserts (flourless chocolate cake, baked pear something).
Now, back in Cape Town, there are ten students still here. Five have taken off for Jo'burg . All but two papers are turned in and I am about ready to figure up and submit the final grades.
Carla and I now have some time to plan the rest of our time. We're definitely going pony trekking in Lesotho.
We're thinking of you all and thank you for the mail.
Keep in touch and take care,
love, Betty