This past weekend we had the chance to spend some time at the de Jager's summer home at Boesmanrivermond, which means Bushman's River mouth, or something to that degree. It is where the Bushman's River empties into the Indian Ocean. We went up on Friday after school and were fortunate enough to get a good ol' Michigan rainstorm, the first we have had since we arrived 4 weeks ago. It was a welcomed relief as the temperature has been in the high 90s the past couple of days with a whole lot of humidity. Usually PE gets a lot of wind, but these last few days have been nearly unbearable. Kathy and I go for a run along the beach after we drop the kids off at school, and this week it has been hot even at 8:00 in the morning. Our flat is only about a 5-minute walk from main campus. Being a guy who can sweat when the temperature rises to the point where snow turns to rain, you can only imagine how this has been on me. This past week I have been completely drenched in sweat by the time I get to campus. I mean drenched. Then I sit in a meeting or two--with no AC as the wind usually serves this purpose--and almost pass out. "So what do you think, Bob, should we expand our thoughts to include some of the U.S. health promotion ideas you shared with us?" "Huhhh? Ablebla awawa mawaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa." "I'm sorry Bob, we didn't quite get that. What is it you recommend?" "Abababawaawaaawaa lluuuullaaaaawawa." Kara has been involved with the after school sports activities. "Today we will be competing in the inter-house swim gala. There will be eight swimmers from each team. The rest of you need to sit in the stands dressed in full regulation sports uniform for the entire day." Then, "Today we will have the inter-house athletics meet at the Westbourne Oval. This also will be an outdoor event. When not on the track competing, you will sit in the stands dressed in full sports uniform." "Remember, no talking unless you are cheering your team on to victory!" Okay, so not quite that bad, but you get the picture. No hanging out in the stands flirting with the guys, no skipping out to go over to a friend's air-conditioned home, no cruising town waiting for the next event to start. Kara and her mates in the English speaking classes all received after school detention the other day. It appears that some of the English medium class kids were speaking while in line and one of the Afrikaans medium class prefects caught them. She decided to award all English medium class kids, male and female, to spend an hour in detention. See, prefects have the right to do it...and abuse it. Interesting dynamics we are learning in this regimented school environment. The kids still come home with a smile and are able to laugh with the events of the day. Optimism at its best.

Jack is on the Summerwood cricket team, which is pretty exciting right now as the cricket World Cup started this weekend, and South Africa is the host nation. For the next 6 weeks, South Africa will be invaded by the "Barmy Army" and other legendary cricket supporters, to see who will be reined king. PE will be host to 6 of the games, and Andre is working on getting tickets to attend. Why 6 weeks to play a World Cup series? Because these games take an entire day to play. It's good they did not choose to use the 5-day match format. Yes, some cricket matches last 5 days! Sort of like a mini Woodstock, complete with beer, braais, and tents. As South Africa is currently the second best team in the world, you can imagine the cricket fury that is going on around here. So, Jack is playing cricket...and I am one of the volunteer coaches. "Hey Jack's dad, what do we do now?" "Well, you need to pitch, er, ah, bowl, the ball." "Yes, then what?" "Well, if the guy hits it and you get it then throw it at one of those wood things that look like three croquet stakes." "Huh? Hey Jack's dad, I think you mean the batsman hits the bowler's ball and if a fielder gets it and hits the wicket, then the batsman is out." "Ahhhh, yeeeah, that's what I meant." "Hey Jack's dad, what if he is stumped instead by leaving the crease?" "Ahhhhh, I would say that anyone who gets stumped deserves to be out." Okay, so I'm learning. Hey, but when they start to ask questions about the '68 World Series champs, I'll be all over them.

Back to Bushmans. This is one great, great place. Not only is it a very cool house and village, but also the Bushman's River is way cool. Andre popped his motorboat in and we cruised up the river a few miles into some beautiful African National Geographic style scenery. We spent the day tubing and water skiing up and down the river. Everyone had a chance to at least ski or tube, including Bekah and Jack who experienced their first tubing experience. They loved it. "Faster, faster!!" was Bekah's chant the whole ride. Down by the river mouth, the beach is beautiful white sand, and because of the tide, the water is crystal clear with a sandy river bottom. Everyone here knows about tides--something we don't experience in Michigan--and the river life is based on the tide tables. Tide is low--time to get the prawns out of the sand. Tide is high--time to fish. Regardless of which way the tide is flowing, sit in the water and you "float" up or down the river. Being salt water, the float is quite easy, even for me who tends to be a sinker. Katilee and I floated up river for about 10 minutes without expanding much energy. We had some wonderful African foods on the braai, which were succulent as usual. They've got it right here. Almost every house has a built-in huge brick barbeque pit, complete with chimney and the works. It tends to be in the middle of the garden (yard). A braai isn't just a quick barbeque using a gas grill or charcoal. Rather, it is a slow process using wood and coals that takes hours. Sort of forces you to slow down and gather around the braai pit for good laughter. I have already designed the braai pit I want to start building when I get home. Katilee and I even found a pretty purple stone from Bushmans River that we'll include in it.