So it appears I need to update you on a few bits and pieces
Luke, who I have been travelling for the last 7 weeks with, left about an hour ago in a cab destined for the airport and is flying home tonight.
The injury he sustained bungy jumping, which I told you was just a sprained ankle, turned out to be a little more serious. He broke his foot and will now be spending the next 3 months on crutches. It wasn't until we reached Cape Town (and a proper doctor) that we found out it had been completely mis-diagnosed in Zambia and Zimbabwe and he had been hobbling around for 3 weeks (and abseiling table mountain) on a broken foot.
Unfortunately for him it has meant he has had to cut his trip short by 3 weeks and it means that I will be travelling to Jo'burg alone.
When thinking of things that I will miss about the big man, what comes to mind first is not being able to sing "One leg, you've only got one leg" to him anymore. I will genuinely miss being able to sing that song- it amused me for at least a week. Perhaps I should scout out the local hospital and find someone with actually just one leg, so that they can enjoy my song. Hmmm. Perhaps not.
One thing I wont miss however is when walking down the street with Luke every second person would ask how his injury occurred and consequently Luke would have to explain (and I would have to listen to) the same damn story. The conversation would typically take this format:
"Ahhh shit bruu, what happened to your leg"
"I broke my foot"
"Ahhh shame shame. How did it happen?"
"Bungy jumpinh in Vic Fals."
*Shocked Expression* "Ahhh no way bruu. Shame, shame. So what actually happened?"
"They didnt strap my left foot tight enough and on the first rebound, the bone broke and the surrounding tendons tore." *Cue illustration of bone breaking using hands*
There were a couple of funny reactions to Luke's foot, such as one lady asking if he hit the floor (she genuinely asked that) and one guy saying "well, some people come to Africa and just don't understand how tough it is." Yeah, ok mate.
But enough about Luke, this is my blog!
For our last night in Cape Town we headed to Green Point Stadium for a clash of two of South Africa's footballing heavyweights. Ajax Cape Town Vs The Platinum Stars! Yeah, those two well known teams. The stadium was impressive- its a 64,000 seater and it was host to one of the World Cup semi finals. It would have been even more impressive if there had been 64,000 people in the stadium. In truth, there was probably only 3,000. The standard of football was poor- probably league two standard. It was like watching Southend play Gillingham. With vuvuzelas. Bloody vuvuzelas.
From Cape Town we embarked upon our first Baz Bus journey. The Baz Bus is a hop on, hop off bus company which stops off at numerous towns and hostels , making it very easy to travel around South Africa. For Luke, it was quite literally hop on, hop off.
Since then, the main highlight of the trip is without doubt riding (and almost killing) an ostrich. At the ostrich farm we went to there was the option of riding an ostrich, so without hestiation I planted myself firmly on the back of the big bird. As I held on to its wings tightly, two guys pushed the ostrich so that it would run around the enclosure. They then told me to jump off, and after I gracefully dismounted, the ostrich just collapsed. It was as if the weight of my backside had been to much for it to handle. There was a moment where I thought that maybe I did in fact exceed the 75kg limit and that maybe, because of that, I had broken the ostrich's back! Luckily it got to it's feet fairly quickly. However, whether or not it will be heading to a chiropractor soon, I do not know.
Last night was Luke's last night. We went out for Chinese, which we both thought was rather fitting for his last night in Africa. Afterwards we watched the film "Its Complicated". It wasnt complicated, it was shit.
So that brings you up to speed. I'll be heading off to Port Elizabeth in a few hours time, but beofre I leave I must inform you of the two missions that I have undertaken.
The first mission is to source out the best chocolate muffin in Africa. I have had several already, although none have truly stood out.
The second mission is to donate as many shower gels to the people of Africa as I can. I am already on my fourth shower gel after leaving the previous 3 (on purpose of course) in various hostels. Screw you Geldof, I'm saving this continent - one wash at a time.
Lots of love to all
Jonny x x x
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