Hi Everyone,
The Internet is working now at the Mlilwane Rest Camp. Yesterday I had written a long note to you (from the cultural center) that got lost, so I'll be briefer (and save as I go, thanks to Zachary I usually remember).
A sunny morning, unfortunately our last here in Swazi, so we turned in laundry and took a game walk with Sabelo. He named some of the birds I'd been seeing (I need Mary, Barbara and Judy along) as well as the other animals: impala , kudu, blesbuck, zebra, hippo, croc, nyala, wildebeest. He told us that today is a special day for King Maswati III and the people, called Incwala Day. Thousands of young boys walk to the mountains (20 kilometers) to collect the thorn tree bushes (called liseguna--or sickly thorn) that the king uses to build his kraals (enclosures). They stay at the top of the mountain until the full moon rises and then walk (the king too) to the palace. The king is 38 and presumably in good shape. He's got 14 wives and uncountable kids. Chooses a new wife every year.
I just read and recommend a wonderful book called Shadow of the Sun by a Polish journalist, Ryszard Kapuscinski, about his life in Africa. Now I'm reading another wonderful book called Dreambirds by Rob Nixon. He's a South African who now teaches at the University of Wisconsin (or did when he wrote the book). About his youth in the Karoo. He uses the ostrich and his knowledge of ornithology as a thread to write about his life and about South Africa.
(** I am sure Marly, you must know Rob Nixon, since he went to Iowa about the same time you did. ****Mary, Barbara, Judy, Joy, Emily, June, Betty---and more of you --would also love Dreambirds.)
Carla and I pack up for tomorrow's long Baz bus ride. More from Jo'burg.
Can't wait to see you----love, Betty