The first few days

We are slowly settling into our new city. It is flat and dusty and seems to be permanently under construction. Driving is spectacular! No-one uses indicators, you just go where you want to, cars literally push each other out the way. It's a bit like the chicken game, as long as you are more convinced of your right of way than the other guy, you'll get to turn right or left, or go where you had in mind.

The flight here went really well. We got seats right upfront, with space for Mieke to crawl around in. When her naptimes came along, she climbed onto my lap and slept. The breastfeeding worked out quite well, I was very nervous about it! Maybe it's a bit like driving in Saudi, you just go ahead and do it, bugger what anyone else thinks! Most people can't imagine that you would be doing something so unorthodox anyway, so they don't notice when you do. An insightfull thing happened just as we landed at our final stop (at about 3am!). I don't think the aeroplane had really touched down yet, when some indigenous male specimens came marching down the aisle to disembark. The poor air hostess tried pretty much in vain to shout at them to sit until the plane had stopped. Rules are for women and less arrogant men.

We are staying in the company apartment for a week or so, with another South African couple. When the guys go off to work, Louise and I sit and drink tea, play with Mieke, stare at the frosted windows and dream about how all the nice Ikea furniture we are going to put in our tiny compound houses. We can't go outside unless the men are with us, we can't even see outside. The apartment is quite comfy, but the lack of fresh air will get to me in a big way if I have to stay here for long.

We went to look at our compound house yesterday. It is a small two bedroom brick unit. It is nicely layed out, and as we only need one bedroom, we can use the second one for an office and play room. The compound has a pool, gym, nursery school and a few other odds and ends. All the houses are low brick affairs so that the general look reminds one of railway houses. There are lots of plants, but everyone does their own little bit of gardening, a bit like an old age home, where all the old ladies dabble in their tiny patch of sand.

 We did one quick visit to the Mall.That's the thing (the only thing) to do around here. All the ladies wear their flowing black gowns and how elegant some of them are! There are so many styles and patterns and they look quite beautiful. I'm going to enjoy shopping for some abayas and will wear them with a happy heart. Many ladies don't cover their hair or faces, although in some of the conservative malls it is wise to throw a cloth over your head, but it doen's have to be black and can be quite creative. The shops are impressive. The one we went to was sort of a hyper market where you can buy any sort of food your heart desires, and appliances, clothes, toys etc. Prices range from cheap local stuff to incredibly expensive imported things.

It's going to be fun working out a little life here for a while. I'm looking forward to it. I'll post some pictures next time!