Monday, Dec 4--Our last day in South Africa

It is off to work as usual this morning as both of us have things we need to do to close out our projects. I don't stay long as there are a number of errands I need to run, not the least being another visit to the Home Affairs office. But first is a visit to Constantia Village, our main place of commerce. Need a bit more cash, some goodies from Pick'nPay, and some goodies from Woolworths. Some items are to take with us and most are for the CREW folks and Dorothy. Back to work for a bit before heading to Home Affairs.

Once again no luck at Home Affairs. I will have to return later in the day, but I get a number to try first. The Immigration officer freely admits it isn't likely anyone will answer the phone, but try anyway. And he gives me 10-1 odds our applications will be approved. Aren't things looking better?

It is back to Kirstenbosch but to the gift shop first for a last-minute item swap and puchase and then to The Tea Room to join Philip and Marcia for lunch. I make it on time and join those two plus Dorothy. One more toasted sandwich for me and a good cup of filter coffee. It was only appropriate we ate here today. Philip suggested we go here for lunch on our first day at work, Monday, Sept 4th. And here it is our last day, Monday, Dec 4th. At least one person I know would describe this as cosmic. And it is a good place to eat in a beautiful setting!

Back to work we go and I try calling Home Affairs. Guess what, no answer. So off I go to sit around until the paperwork is done. There is no choice. Not a long wait to see someone but a bit of a wait until that person returns with our passports updated through midnight tonight. Finally my foray into the bureaucracy of South Africa is done, for this time. And back to work I go.

Now the hard part, saying goodbye to Ismail and Caitlin. We will see Dorothy this evening as she is going to carry our luggage to the airport in her bakkie. And I said goodbye to Wendy last Friday as she was going on leave at the end of that day. Caitlin had put the files I need on my laptop and gotten Tony to sign the protea book. The little succulent we got in Vanrhynsdorp was sitting happily on a windowsill in the CREW office, and the goodies were ready for Caitlin and Ismail's trip to Nieuwoudtville tomorrow. I even managed to catch John Donaldson to say thanks for the arrangements he made and to tell him what a great experience it had been. Then to bid farewell to Caitlin and Ismail. Such good friends and terrific colleagues. Thanks so much to both of you, and I will miss you!

At home I finish stuffing the suitcases and getting the carry-on bags in order. Even a little time for Marcia to nap. Then Dorothy arrives and that means it is time to say goodbye to our special angel. Jenny, you have been so terrific to us. Thank you for everything you did. We will treasure your friendship and our time in South Africa for the rest of our lives. We look forward to seeing you again. All the best to you and your daughters.

With the two vehicles loaded we head to the airport, one more time on the M3 and the N2 for Edward. And what a night it is. The moon is full and low over the city, the lights of the city twinkle all around, and the sky is clear except for clouds on the mountain, as we would expect. Cape Town in all its stunning beauty! What a way to say goodbye to a city that has captured us with its charm and beauty.

Dorothy parks and gets the suitcases loaded on a cart and then meets us in the rental car return lot. A representative from Imperial meets us in the lot and looks over the car. I admit I have damaged two hubcaps and one taillight lens. Not a problem he says, and only the lens needs to be written up. Fine with me. Once inside at the desk I learn there is no paperwork on the rental as has been promised. Oh well, it appears the visa extensions and the car rental will be the two troublesome parts of the trip. I will be in touch with folks at Imperial as soon as possible after getting to VA. Will be interesting to see how quickly my credits appear and how quickly any charges for the lens appear. But for now there is nothing more to do. Oh yeah, I leave the ticket for the vehicle being unlicensed with the Imperial folks. They get to sort that out.

Off to the KLM desk to get checked in, but with a stop to get the bags shrink-wrapped first. For R25 per bag, about $US10 for the three bags, we have the suitcases wrapped in plastic. Seems this is what is being done to cut down on theft in South African airports. Very interesting. Now to see how far the bags get with the plastic intact.

Took some time to get through check-in with KLM. Had to get new tickets printed and then to sort out the handling of LRW. Seems we are over our weight limit. Not sure if it is because we now weigh more or because nothing was said on the flight over. The problem seems to be with the weight of LRW. Never learned how much over but in the end the agent just told us not to worry about it. And so off the luggage went.

With check-in done it was now time to say goodbye to Dorothy. We really weren't looking forward to this. We all promised to not get weepy, and we all managed to hold it together. Thanks for all you did for us and shared with us, Dorothy! You are a dear and very special friend. We look forward to when we are together again.

And then it is just the two of us waiting to start the long trip home. I never imagined our leaving was going to be as hard emotionally as it has been. How was it possible to get so close to so many truly wonderful people in just a matter of weeks? Thanks to all of our new South African friends for opening your lives to us and giving so much to us. You have enriched our lives immensely. May we be together again soon!

And then it is time to fly!