Musings about Today and Tomorrow from Cape Town

Cool window in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa

It’s been a busy few weeks and the planning has intensified in the last couple of days.

What’s next…

In two days I will be traveling with Darren and Rob to South Africa’s Garden Route which follows the southern edge of Africa.  We’ll be exploring for four days and Darren has an action-packed agenda so I’m sure to collect stories to share.

and after that…

I’ve decided that I will be joining a 20-day camping tour of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe (ending at Victoria Falls) that starts on February 12th. I am so excited!

I negotiated a special rate with the company in exchange for blogging about the trip, making this my first slightly compensated blogging “gig”.  Yay!

It was very important that this agreement did not require me to censor myself in any way while writing about the trip.  And I was pleased to find out that no restrictions are placed upon me.  Had I been asked to write only positive things, I would have paid full price and kept my integrity.  Your trust in me is of supreme importance.  I will always disclose if I have been compensated for a review.

and after that…

After the tour ends, I will be heading to Nepal in advance of my mother who I will meet in Kathmandu in late March.  I am thrilled that we will have this time together – my favorite travel memories are shared ones.  Because we aren’t joining an organized trek, planning the logistics has been particularly challenging from afar.  I am hoping this will be easier when I am in Kathmandu.

After a couple weeks in Nepal, we will continue on to Barcelona (April), because I insist that she (and everyone!) has to see Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia.  It is one of the most incredible sights I’ve ever seen and it left an indelible impression on me.

After that, my original plan was to go back to Agia Roumeli, Crete, Greece for Easter celebrations, but now I think I may visit Santorini or another Greek Island instead.  I’ll still go back to Crete – a place I dream of everyday – just later.

Walking another Camino has also occurred to me despite my knee joints feeling like they’re made of rock candy and sand.  They never completely recovered from my last Camino.  But the urge is still there.  I want to do it again.

In any case, I plan to stay in Europe for as long as I can.  Under Schengen Visa rules, I’ll have to be out of Europe by July.  And then I have no idea.  I am asking the universe for a work or house-sitting opportunity lasting three months so I can resume traveling in October 2014.

and lately…

Sometimes it’s the little tasks that seem daunting in a new place.  Yesterday,  I needed a haircut in the worst way and finally walked in to a random place.  I lucked out with an awesome stylist who did me up right for a great price.  Win!

Then I successfully found a phone power cord to replace the one that spontaneously disintegrated. Win!

I bought some short sleeve shirts which I desperately needed because I hear the temperatures in Namibia can be well over 100 degrees. They were $3.50 US each.  Win!

And I went grocery shopping to keep my costs low.  Win!

And finally I booked my flights from Victoria Falls to Kathmandu.  Four flights: Livingstone,Zambia to Hong Kong to Bangkok to Kathmandu for 40,000 frequent flyer miles and $74 US.  Can’t beat that.  Win!

Successfully completing these five chores made me feel like a champion.  But it’s not all wins…

I have yet to treat the athlete’s foot that is affecting only one toe.  It’s like an appetizer-size helping of athlete’s foot.  Thanks hostel showers!  Two words: Itching insanity!

Last night I dreamt that I poured Tabasco sauce on the toe and the problem was solved.  And when I awoke, I thought: “That seems like a reasonable idea Laura.”  Because I’m nuts.  Tabasco is free (Win!) in the hostel kitchen and Lord knows it burns the crap out of my tongue so how could any little fungi tolerate it?  Right?!  Can I get an Amen?

I’ve always liked to pretend that I am some sort of pioneer woman who can whip up polstices and remedies and treat skin ailments or broken bones or cancer with nothing but dirt, a few twigs, some garlic, and a chili pepper.  It would bring me extra delight if this actually works.  I’ll let you know if I make a medical breakthrough.  Or just end up with a spicy toe.