Dear Diary,

I wonder sometimes, how I can describe this country? scenery? culture? I guess it 's best to take a trip? Firstly, as people, we have all the same parts as most other people, we are a mixture of races, cultures and religions......we are made up for the most part, be that it is first or later generation, by the settlers who came here hundres of years ago.
Predominately, we have a ratio of about 40 million people, of which 80% ? are black, different ethnic groups. Then there are Indians, "Coloureds"** and White. **
Coloureds, are a mixed race of people, made up of Malay and other mixtures.....for the most part, as far as we can tell, they came about by the intermarraige of the White English, Dutch and German settlers. In fact, history will show, that there was no "apartheid," prior to the English.......the first settlers did not see "colour"......Queen Victoria's people were somewhat different!

Within the "White" race, that settled here, there were religions that clashed, you had the Dutch........German.......and then the Jews. Equally, they all came to find a better lifestyle, they were farmers, fishermen, trades-people, and a lot went into mining. For some reason, as unlikely as it seems to those who know, the French nation, left their mark...but not as predominantly as they did in West Africa. So their influence is only felt when you travel down to the Cape, where we have most of our vineyards. There were a number of American settlers too..but mostly in the missionary sense........The English were mostly from Scotland, England and not many from Ireland....the Scottish influence is felt when one travels to areas where you will find, certain mountains, named after same back home........we also have little towns that have the same names as Australia.........e.g. Bathhurst....etc. The most famous Scot to land here, was Mr Murray, who ws responsible for the founding of one of the biggest banks we have here.......The Standard Bank..... As I have said once before, South Africa is a small country......from the top to the bottom.........North....South.....it is only about 2000 odd miles! The whole of the Eastern Cape, where I live, is known as settler country.......very much the area where the settlers, came and made homes, starting at Port Elizabeth ( Algoa Bay).. .....in a circle to Grahamstown, through Peddie, via Port Alfred, and onto us here . Grahamstown, is the judicial capital, and has most of the supreme courts.......it is a dear little town, in a valley, with hundres of old homes, buildings, and forts. Huge Universities, "Private schools" (which cost the earth to send ones' child to)......and masses of churches....

The Eastern Cape, country side, is pretty mixed, you have low hills here, high rainfalls in summer at the coast, and inland, quite dry.....and it gets very cold. The coast is pretty moderate.........one can swim till June........we have forests as well....in Stutterheim (German settler area)......but these are not natural forests, wonderful little "side" towns from there....Hogsback, in the true mountains, Frankfort, Hanover....and masses of settlements all called Fort this or that!

All of these areas, are no more than two to three hours by car from here.........then if you travel North, you get to the Transkei....which is hilly, but no real vegetation, very pretty, and especially along the coast........very rural....lots of huts and farm lands............if you travel further, you get the South coast, which is then called Natal...............this was also an English settlement are, very hot and humid and very lush. Natal, is chiefly an area, where sugarcane is grown, tropical fruit and the coast line is georgous!

Coming back to the east, you travel down through an area, which is known as the Garden Route", this is really wonderful, masses of natural forest, spectacular coast line, very wealthy settlements such as Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Gearge and the Wilderness...........

The indigenous peole of this area, are called Xhosa........( Mr Mandela is a Xhosa)....they were gentle," cattle folk"......rather lazy, and to the most part, from the history book and stories that were handed down, lazy and not into making much inraod as far as culture and tradition were concerned. For some reason, the Xhosa, are a divided nation, you have Ciskei and Transkei.....all that divides them is a huge river called the Kei....... *she stops to light up and sip her coffee* the area called Natal, or now know a Kwazulu........have the Zulu nation, who not only speak a different language, but traditionally are a warlike nation! (they have wonderful arts and crafts!)

When you leave the Eastern Cape, and travel towards Cape Town, you do not see many ethnic people, predominantly you find coloured! They in turn speak Afrikaans, which is a mixture of Dutch, German and English....with the odd yiddish word thrown on. They are a very colourful nation! Given to much drinking and fornication! Swear like mad and are at constant loggerheads with the "black" people.

This is so right down into the Northen and Southern Cape, and very much so in the Western Cape.......this is so wonderful the Western Cape..........mostly wheat farms and fisherfolk..........grey, dry, and almost prehistoric!

Inland you get the Karoo and the Orange free State........corn, sheep and wind? very hot and dry there.........but lovely in its own way

To jump a little, and go back to Natal, you eventually, inland, get the Transvaal ( Johannesburg and Pretoria).........lots of farm lands and the major mines are there....and then onto Zimbabwe, and the other African countries.

We have traditional foods........."Koeksusters" " Melk Tert" and "pap"..........Koeksusters are sweet dough, that has been twisted and boiled in a mixture of canesyrup and cinnamom. (Cook sisters) Melk Tert ( Milk Tart).....is a shortbread base, with a mixture of thickened custard and egg, with cinnamon thrown on top. Pap....is the traditonal dish of all ethnic people....it is boiled corn ( mealie meal) that has been milled into a fine white powder.....they cook it into a thick (glob?) and eat it with meat, veg or what ever....... Very fattening!!!!! Another ethnic dish is Samp & Beans......dried corn, very hard and taken off the husk, this is soaked in water for a night and then boiled for hours to soften.......into this they throw dried speckled beans.......(awful!) ( tastes terrible!) my kids love it....so does hubby........

Beside all of that, we eat just like everybody all over the world.....except that the Yanks have some funny dishes......mind you so does everyone else I suppose............. We eat lots of meat.....mutton mostly.........(not me I don't eat meat)........lots of dairy products and seafood too..... Traditonal side dishes are really nice things like, dried fruits, of all descriptions, "biltong" which is "jerky" ugh!.........my men kill for this! and of course we have masses of vegetables and salads goodies.........I think the difference is that we eat a lot of mixed food at one meal? No meal is put on the table unless it is meat ( or poultry) and at least four veg.....and a pudding! Often a soup starter first..........we have taken a lot of the settler influences and made them ours.......curry and rice with all the trimmings from our Indian settlers, is a favourite dish here..........Beef and Yorkshire pudding from our English settlers etc.......... I LIKE KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN ......... I mostly eat fish and salad.......tonight that is on the menu.......at a resturant!!!! ( I dont' cook)........... South Africans are great beer drinkers.........Brandy too and wine....only in moderation...............

Our "Game" parks, are situated mostly in the Transvaal area, but scattered through our the land............

There are no natural wild animals roaming around, despite what the movies say........all are in these parks and Zoos.......traditional clothing is worn only in the very remote areas........'xcept for me.but then I'm daft! I wear more beadwork than most African women!! There is very little traditional "tradition" anymore aswell....not here in South Africa anyway. Our cities, are a mixture of the old and new......Johannesburg has masses of skyscrapers, and looks a lot like the pictures of New York! Cape Town? aaaaahhhhh thats different........that starts with this massive mountain, almost in the middle of Adderley Street.......the "Fariest Cape in all the world!" (Vasco da Gama) A huge Castle, the biggest harbour in Africa.....and a feeling like no other place I have ever been to. Quaint houses, huge mansions, vineyards almost in the streets...... *mentally packing up while she write*............... aaaahhh...to live there! (now becoming the place to live for affluent Germans!)

Of course Cape Town, or rather the surrounding areas...to the South has the highest crime rate in the world! Africa per say has the highest Aids in the world.............thousands of Street children too.............poverty....drugs.....unemployed.....so? what new? I refuse to get morbid in this letter. I'v seldom met a tourist who does not love it here, I spoke to some people from Canada the other day....they didn't want to go home! Despite this, their are 40 thousand South Africans living in Sydney Australia.........thousands in Canada.........America....and Europe.. odd hey?

By the way, our local Premier, Raymond Mhlaba....is in Canada at the moment, drumming up business.....

We also have many Greeks, Portuguese and French people here now as well.........all here for the money no less........I'v noticed many Chinese peole too.....can you believe that up until recently Chinese people were not considered "White?" odd since their culture is older than all of ours.......... Not many Danish or "Nordic" people here.....a scattering here and there....I was at school with a Swedish girl.......still see her to this day.

So. You have travelled a little with me.....how does it sound? We have a wonderful "gay" population here, very "artsy" and I adore them.............but then I'm odd too....so Lord Ha Ha says.......

Shall I get the "Muratie Port" out and wait for you at the airport?

Story. I was in Cape Town for a visit, and my friends, knowing that if I had anything to drink, it would be a glass of good red wine. Not knowing one wine from the other.......and remembering that their friend from the States....made a bee line for the Muratie Eastate, every time he "came out"......rushed off to buy me a bottle of this. Well..........I had never heard of this.....it looked red.......it was corked.......and it smelt good......so I drank......(hmmm very nice, a little sweet? but very moresome)....I drank, all the while chatting and drinking.............eventually, ..........ah well........just like the other times.......had to be put to bed by Sir Husband.......and awoke to the worst headache of my life!!!!!!!! Was "given a dressing down" by the same wonderful fellow.....lectured and "put on probation".............ne? till next time. Incidently, this wonderful port......and it is a port........is now a very "in" item with those who know. I have lots in the cupboard, but only partake on festive occasions......keeping a wary eye all the while for the little "man with the hammer" who lives inside the bottle. * says she licking her lips and thinking...hmmmmmm I wonder if I should have a wee sippy?* naaahhhhhhhh..

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz whats that I hear ??? a snore????

The South African Experience

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