Weekend Wrap-up- 'Cause Baby, I'm worth it

Can everyday be a wine on the beach day?

This week was a short work week due to Monday being a holiday.    On one hand, I really felt the shortness and lack of time to get my shit done, on the other, it feels like ages since I dropped the hubs off at the airport.

Blurry pic of hubs running away

Speaking of, the airport was a total cluster on Monday night.  Emirates was particularly a mess, with the check in line looking like it was the first day at Hogwarts on Platform 9 3/4.   Apparently, it was back to boarding school for a hoard of teenage boys with their parents blocking the entire passage way shouting and taking pictures.   We finally got Phil out of the boy's school crowd and into a normal check-in line.   I won't lie, I sobbed during our good byes.   Needless to say I wasn't in the best frame of mind when exiting the airport.   I'm 99% sure I stopped at the stop sign at the end of the parking ramp, but was waved over anyway by the police roadblock.

Me:  Hi, officer.
Officer:  Ma'am, you failed to stop at the stop sign.
Me:  I apologize officer.   I thought I stopped at all the stop signs.  I apologize if I missed one.
Officer:  You didn't stop at the last one.  I need to issue a fine.
Me:  I understand.   Here is my license.
Officer:  I need to fine  you.
Me:  Ok.
Officer:  Where are you going?
Me:  Home.  I live here.  I work at Simba.
Officer:  Oh!  Simba!  Right over here.  I love Simba.  
Me: ...
Officer:  I need to fine you 500 Rand.
Me:  Okay, officer.  I understand.
Officer:  That's a lot.
Me:  Yes, it is, but if you say that I missed a stop sign, I understand that is the fine.
Officer:  (after a long pause, in which he seems to be waiting for a counter offer).   You seem like a good girl and I like Simba.  You can go.

I'm not exactly sure if he was genuinely being nice or trying to shake me down for money or didn't exactly know how to ticket me being an expat with a US driver's license living in a hotel.   He actually didn't ask where I lived or for my Passport.

I'm positive I didn't blow a stop sign... I drive like a Grandma, but I was too exhausted and emotionally drained to argue.   500R isn't all that much in dollars and I'm not sure how they'd track me down if I didn't pay it.  Although, I most likely would of.   I tend to be a rule follower.

Our trip to the coast was energizing and I was highly motivated to get shit done this week, both professionally and personally.  Since we were also go-go-go the last few weeks I also wanted to take sometime to rejuvenate, so I put the social life on hold to dedicate time to my yoga practice, meditation and working on a million business ideas that have been bouncing around in my head for awhile.

I got through not 1, not 2, but 3 #yogacamp classes this weekend. .  Again, I highly recommend this series.   Adriene is laid back, funny, and it's easily adaptable for all levels and moods.  Today was Day 11, with the mantra "I release".   I found this class particularly restorative both mentally and physically.  It tied in very well with where I am at in my meditation practice as well.   Speaking of, I'm working back through Spirit Junkie, to give my practice a little more structure.  Finding this book and guided meditations a few years ago really was a turning point in my spiritual journey and helped me let go a lot of toxic crap in my life. I really believe this was instrumental in drawing Little Phil in. That's a whole post for a different day.

As a reward for all the hard work and to nourish my creative mind, I took myself to the Royal Moscow Ballet on Saturday at the Theater Marcellus in the Emperor's Palace Casino.  The parking lot was packed when I arrived at 7:30.  Apparently the Casino is the place to be on a Saturday night.  I probably should have taken an Uber, but didn't realize that parking would be a mess.   Or at least appear to be a mess.  I drove in a circle once then asked a parking guard for help and tada! instant parking space.  And he gave me detailed directions to the theater.  I was so resistant to the Parking Guard Phenomenon when I arrive in SA, but now Parking Guards are my bestest friends.  They find me the best parking spots, they carry my bags, I suppose in theory they are "watching" my car.  I'm not sure why they freaked me out so much. I guess resistance is futile!

 Back to the ballet...it was beautiful.   I lost myself in the costumes, music and movement.   I was surprised I got a third row seat, just 4 hours before showtime. I wish it was this easy to be spontaneous with the arts in Chicago.   It wasn't a full production, but three performances separated by intermissions.   The company performed Chopiniana (Les Sylphides), Carmen and Paquita (Grand Pas).   I loved the Spanish Flamenco influence in Carmen, but I think my favorite was Paquita due to the proper tutu's and plethora of leaps and jumps.

Today I woke up at 5am fully intending to go on a hike, but just wasn't feelin' it.  I got dressed and got my day pack ready hoping I'd get in the mood, but it didn't happen.   So it was more work and yoga.  I did attempt to check out the Panorama Flea Market, but the GPS took me to a gated community which was definitely not a flea market..   I drove around a bit, occasionally seeing signs for it, not quite sure how I was missing a 400 stall open market, but then I got distracted and just drove around and explored for awhile instead. There's a group going in a couple of weeks, so I'll catch a ride next time.  :)   That area is actually where the hike was this morning as well, so I drove around the hills and admired nature from my car.  I found an impressive castle-like Catholic Church with an equally impressive statue of Mary.  If it wasn't Sunday and packed, I would have stopped for picture.

  Then I got some much needed errands done before it was back to the grind.   I'm desperately trying to make up work time from my extended holiday.    I only have 5 weeks left!  And I'm taking 1 more trip- to Victoria Falls.   I am actually reluctant to spend anymore money... luckily the days I'll be taking off are public holidays anyway.  Phil convinced me that this is a once in a life time experience and I need to do it, so off I go at the end of April.

I didn't take any pictures this week, so here's a couple of  random ones and here's link to a Trevor Noah clip that Phil just shared with me, because it's hilarious.

The fog is eating us!!!  (Camps Bay, Cape Town)

A really funny picture of Phil eating a sandwich in the African bush.

Guest Blog 1 of 3 - Im in Jozi "now now" or "just now"

Hi,

It's the 90's again and I'm going to be blogging about all the crazy things I did this past weekend and talking shit, NOT!

In actuality, I'm writing this post as a guest blog for Melissa. Yup, it's me, Mariano Phillip Penaflorida Yogore IV or you can refer to me as Little Phil for those that know.

After a 23hr layover in Abu Dhabi I arrived in Jo-Berg on Saturday. My immediate first impression going through the jet bridge and feeling the outside air, was that it's not scalding hot. So right away, I need to say this. If you grew up in the United States like I did, throw many of the assumptions you have away because a lot of what we see and hear about Africa in general is not true, especially in South Africa. In South Africa, Simba from the Lion King is not waiting outside of the airport to eat you, Shaka Zula and his warriors will not attempt to throw spears at you and there aren't kids dying right in front of you of malnutrition that you can save for 50 cents a day.

So anyways, as I walked through the terminal, I got stopped a total of three times on the way to the arrival area. The first time I got stopped was for passport control. Very typical interaction here. They asked me how long I was staying and stamped my passport.  After this stop, I walked about 100 meters and made eye contact with three officers that were standing near an "agricultural check" sign.  He signaled me to come over and I did. He asked me, if I had anything to declare and if I have any beef jerky on me. Weird Right! Then after 10 meters I got stopped again by another set of three officers standing near a "customs check" sign. Alarm bells went off in my head and said "Here comes the American shake down,"These guys are going to ask me for money so I can get into the country." I've seen and have had family deal with the similar issue going to the Philippines. Instead, they asked me some really bizarre questions like "Where does your wife work? How long have you been married? When did you get married? and so on and so on." Out of all the people that walked by, I did not see anyone else get stopped., maybe I look shady. After going through these three checks and trying to navigate the crappy internet of the airport, I was saw to this sign!

I feel loved!

After we got home and unpacked we went out to dinner right away  at The Baron. The closest thing I can think of that is like the baron in the US is a nicer Ponderosa. This is where I first saw how strong the US Dollar was. I didn't want to get anything super fancy so I ordered a burger which was around 88 rand. That sounds like a lot right? Turns out that 88 rand is about $5.80. I decided to live it up a little and order a steak for $150 rand which is a little under $10.

THANKS OBAMA!

After dinner, we had a couple of drinks at the The Hotel Nicol, Melissa's place of residency since late October. We drank our South African 5hr energies and Uber'd off to Taboo Night Club for Black Coffee's Birthday party. All I have to say is WOW! Great party! Lots of people there, tons of diversity from different Europeans to Afrikaans to Coloreds to Americans and everything between. Great vibe, lots of dancing and we talked to a lot of locals who were happy to talk about the local music scene. I have to say, not a lot of attitude there at all. We stayed out till about 4:30am. It was well worth staying up for. If anyone with a Chicago-centrific view on house music believes it's not progressing anywhere, please see Johannesburg. It's enjoyable to hear house music on multiple radio stations, several stores in the mall and on TV. You will find the scene well, alive and burning! 

The next day we went to Groenkloof Nature Reserve and walked 10K. 10K on flat Chicago streets is a breeze. Walking 10K on a rugged mountain up and down took us 4hr and our muscles were screaming in pain. Shouts out to my co-workers, BM and CG for suggesting hiking gear, what a blessing! Along our hike we saw Zebra, Ostrich, Blue Wildebeest, Cranes and Red Hartebeest. Here are two animals we saw:

Striped horse

Red Hartebeest

After that, we had dinner at Ocean Basket. I give it 3 out of 4 mehs. After spending our nicely valued American earned coin, we had drinks and went to bed....

I need to go to bed. I'll try to update next Sunday.

plur

Half way sad face

Three months down, three months to go.  This makes me incredibly sad.   I can't express how much I am am enjoying this experience as a whole and living in Johannesburg.  I feel like I'm just beginning to scratch the surface.

I finally got out and went dancing this weekend.   It was good to finally dust off my dancin' shoes.   I started off Friday night with an Internations party in Sandton which is the business district to the North with all the Hoity Toity Fancy Pants bars... not really my scene, but I needed some where to go before the main event.   One does not simply show up at the club before midnight (actually I don't even know if it is open before 11).  The IN social was better than the last... this one was at an outside Miami beach-style place called The Sands. I met a bunch of interesting expats from around the world from Trinidad to Austrailia to Ireland.   I hardly run into any Americans,  but I did meet an older banker dude from NY, but he turned out to be a complete creeper so he got ditched real fast.  Old banker dude-  "I love Techno!  I go to Ultra!  Tiesto and Skrillex are the best!"   Me- "um, no. Go away".

I ubered over to And for ToyToy (techno night).  The club reminded me of old Smart Bar days... crowded, smokey, banging techno.  I checked out Black Book... their set was tight.  The crowd was young, but I met some fun kids, including my new side kick, MK. I was supposed to be playing wing woman, but it was a typical techno show, so mostly dudes and unfortunately for him, he's into chicks.  I had meant to only stay a minute to check it out, but it was so good I didn't get home until 3am.   I'm looking forward to the next Friday I'm in town.

Internations-sans American Creepster.  #sotan #legsformiles

Side bar:  I had the best Uber drivers this weekend.   I had one play be his personal South African house music play lists and another that made sure the hotel gate opened for me at 3am.   

Saturday, I really meant to do another Park Run... but I'm too old to be that productive on 2 hours of sleep. Ironically, Facebook alerted me to a memory of a post from the same day in 2009 where I boasted of getting 7 hours of sleep in a 55 hour period.  Ha.   I was just functional in time for the soccer game at 3:30 at FNB Stadium.  It was sports team vs sports team.   One team was yellow and the other were pirates?  Go sports teams!!    We probably should have sprung for VIP tickets and had private parking and separate seating and what not, but we didn't.  Lesson learned.   Our seats were in the sun, but the upside to general seating was we could really feel the vibe and were in the middle of all the dancing and festive-ness.   I took some videos... I'll try to upload. (I can't upload).  I remembered hearing all the horns inside the stadium when the World Cup was televised... its a whole different experience being in the middle of all the horns.   I regret not purchasing one.  Getting out after the game was a little hectic... I think we went out on the wrong side or something and there was no easy way to get to an Uber.  We should have just called one immediately and had him instruct us where to meet him.  We didn't.   So we spent an hour wandering around as the only 2 white girls- pretty obviously Americans- in a see of drunk African locals- mostly men.   I need to research this more and write a whole separate blog, but harassment of women and rape culture is a huge problem here.  There were a lot of cat calls and bullshit and taking our pictures-  I'm still not sure if this is some creepy fetish or I'm going to be sold online.  I didn't necessarily feel unsafe... there was enough people around, a handful of security and I'm a fucking badass. And to steal my running friend's tagline: no one shits on my cupcake.    It was more annoying than anything...especially since I was getting hangrier by the minute.

Sunday, I used my new best friend Meetup.com again and found a hiking group that was hiking the Hennops Trail, touted as the best hike in the province.  I had to be up pretty early, as it was over an hour drive away, in the hills near Pretoria.   The drive was easy until I got to the park and then there was a lot of one lane roads and off-roading and a GPS that had no idea where I was going, even with GPS coordinates (hmm, I don't think the parking lot is in this river).

I'm starting to recognize people from other Meetups which is nice.   Our group had about 25 people.   There was a fast group and an intermediate group.... I fully intended on going intermediate, but ended up right in front with our leader.  Damn it, Type A personality.  The hike was beautiful, hot, challenging, engaging and fun.  I realized maybe an hour into the 4 hour, 11km hike that I have never actually been hiking... up to now, I've only been outside walking with a moderate effort.   I spent more time on my ass than I did  on my feet, but I accept that... luckily I have a lot of padding down there.  Better my ass than my face.  Like my running experience, there was a whole lot of up and the whole up time I was praying for some down.  Until the down came...the up was all physical and the down, very mental.   The hike ended with a fun chair ride across the river, probably not entirely safe, but a great way to end the hike.

This was obviously early before I started to question my fitness and my decisions in life

Up! Up! Up!

All the Up was worth it

Across the river in a little metal chair.

In other news, I thought I had purchased a magical pillow this week.  I was so very excited.   Alas, after two days, it was not so magical.   Back to the mall for me, but maybe not to Game/Walmart.   For those who have stayed at the Riot-Little pad in Chitown, you know I have a pillow problem.

This week is going to be mostly 10-12 hour work days to make up for the long weekend I'm taking to go to Cape Town this weekend... so don't expect any updates until next week.  My social calendar is unfortunately sparse this week.