Leavin' On a Jet Plane

Hi Everyone!

Well, it's Friday, around 2pm South Africa Time. We had to check out at 11am, so we stored our luggage at the hotel, and then went down to the waterfront to check out the store. Our taxi was driven by a guy who's last name was Silke, and he said his parents moved to South Africa from Spain after "the war". Which war? He looked kind of old, so Lizzie and I assumed he meant the Spanish/American war, or perhaps he was involved with the rout with the Spanish Armada, but anyway, after telling us this, he asked if we'd hooked up with any fellas down here, so we immediately flung the doors open, and then tucked and rolled the rest of the way, landing at Victoria's Wharf, which is basically a giant shopping mall. We looked around, had some disgusting lunch which is sure to haunt us on our 20 million hour flight, and then decided to decline Mr. Silke's kind offer to drive us back, and hopped into the most rickety cab I've ever seen. The driver told us that his differential was going, and then asked us, over the grinding of the gears, about the election.

So the election is big news here, at least with the drivers.

He said that he thought McCain was past his sell-by date, which was hilarious, but then he talked about how "hot" Sarah Palin is. Vomit-tastic. He actually drove by our hotel because he wanted our opinion on George Bush. So folks, if you're traveling abroad over the next few weeks, make sure you've read up on your American Politics, and be ready with your this-person-is-nuts-so-I-can't-give-my-real-opinion-but-if-say-I'm-voting-for-the-other-guy-I'll-puke vague generalization. Basically, act like you're a first year writing student:

"Throughout history, there have been elections. Elections are very important. The democratic process is necessary to the government of a country. Our country is interested in change, but also in maintaining a connection with the past, as well as looking ahead to the future. So please, tell me about cricket."

Anyway, this will be our last post before flying (Capetown to Dakar to NYC to Boston). We'll hope to do some wrapping up once we get home, but have a great Friday, and we'll see you all soon (unless someone is trying to murder us by letting a whole bunch of poisonous hippos loose on the plane. I'm going to call Samuel L. Jackson. Hippos on a plane is going to be a hit!)

Love--Shannon and Lizzie