Yeppers

An amazing thing is happening now throughout Europe (and now the middle east). Thanks to a cloud of volcanic ash, many of us who were flying along thinking that we were flying from point A to D, transferring in airports B and C, now find ourselves stranded in B or C, possibly for weeks. There are millions of us wandering through strange cities, trying to find a place to stay in cities where hotels are completely booked,sleeping side by side on cots in airports, meeting in train stations and hotels comparing notes on what might be available or when it might be possible to travel onward. We don't know the local language, the exhange rate, or the geography of the area.We are from all nations and we are united in this unusual circumstance. I find myself meeting and talking to people from all over the world. We are partners in trying to find a way home, but we are meeting and talking to people we would otherwise never meet. We are from everywhere in the world and in a sense, we are creating a United Nations of lost travelers, helping each other whenever we can, cheering each other , and sharing our stories. It is a truly unique circumstance in history and one none of us will ever forget.

Yikes2

It's me isn't it? I am now stuck in Amsterdam because the giant cloud of volcanic dust from Iceland has now shut down all of the airports in Europe. I learned a new Dutch word - "Geanulleend" which means "cancelled." It was written beside EVERY flight listed at the airport - a first for me.Predictions for tomorrow say all will be geanulleend again. At least I found a hotel room about 40 minutes outside of Amsterdam. Lots of families are sleeping on bedrolls in the airport. The Airport Hilton was charging $500 a night. Can you say "extortion" boys and girls?
My continuing mantra is "It's all part of the adventure."......

Yikes

Such an adventure. Just left Mozambique where my computer, camera, and watch were stolen from the train car where I was sleeping, so please disregard any unusual emails
from me until I can change my email provider. When I do, I'll let you know my new email address. In the meantime, this site will be quiet until I can work through the temporary setback. Happy Trails, M

Greetings From Mozambique

I'm living aboard a train these days travelling through Africa and it is the ultimate adventure. We started in Johannesburg, South Africa 3 days ago, spent a day in the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, and we will be here in Mozambique for another day before heading onward for 13 more days and 4 more countries. The 56 other people on the train with me are die hard travellers and I love listening to their travel stories. I'm like a beginner compared to them. It's like a convention of travel addicts all aboard one train for 15 days.
It may be tough keeping in touch. I'm borrowing a hotels wifi today, but I've been told that as we go further north it will be tougher to get connections. I've already told my brother not to worry if I drop off the earth for 3 weeks .
I'll be in touch when I can - in the meantime - Happy Trails to you.
Or as they say in Swaziland - "Soubono" which means "I see you." to which the other person replies "Yeahbo" or "I see you too." It's the local version of "hello" and "hello to you too."

Tiny Cloud, Big Desert

Karen and Moi

Karen is the wonderful person who works at the Thuringer Hof Hotel, my headquarters in Windhoek. Her lovely smiling face greeted me every morning at breakfast, even when I looked like I did in this picture. All that time running around the Namibian desert has left me so fried that it actually hurts to put on makeup. A few days out of the sun should help. I'm not sure that anything can be done about the hair......

Biking the Namibian Deserts

I was so envious of these guys biking across the Namibian deserts. Then I heard Fabrizzio and Suzanne's story. They were driving a rental car. They got lost and drove up to a lion sitting at an intersection in the road. Not sure that I would be cool enough to handle a lion encounter on a motorcycle.

The Last Bok of Namibia

Yesterday I rode back from Swakopmund to Windhoek in one of those 16 person buses. It was 5 hours of riding, watching the scenery and listening to the musical Afrikaans language being spoken by everyone on the bus. (It's a type of Dutch spoken by people in southern Africa). Midway in the trip I saw a lonely bok standing in the middle of a massive grassy field. He stood and watched the bus drive by and it seemed like a perfect last sight for me as a farewell to this lovely untamed country of Namibia.

Safari Jeep and Salt Extraction

Namibia Dune Magic

Dunes Meet the Sea

There are only 2 countries in the world where the sand dunes actually meet the ocean; Namibia and Tunesia. It was an experience to ride along in the safari jeep with 2 wheels on the dunes and the other 2 in the ocean. The timing has to be perfect to avoid the high tide.

Where's Waldo?

No expense was spared to copy this map from Lonely Planet. It's just to show the difference between southern Africa (the entire map) and South Africa (the country at the southern tip of the map). I've written blog reports for you from Capetown South Africa (at the most southwestern part of the map) and most recently from the country of Namibia (northwest in map). Sadly, this is my last day in Namibia and tomorrow I fly to Johannesburg, South Africa where I catch the Southern Cross train to visit all the other countries on this map. There is no internet on the train but I hope that I will be able to send you updates from stops made along the way.
Finally, at the end of April I'll be flying back to the US. I hope then to catch up on places I missed writing about on the blog, and also to complete some on-line albums with the best of the photos.