The one where we go to South Africa (Kerry and Andy)

After three months in Kenya, we decided it was time for a change of scenery. So, we packed it up and went to Pretoria and Johannesburg, South Africa for a nice little four day trip.  Kerry lived in South Africa in a previously life but this was my first time there, so I was excited to see what it was all about.


After our plane landed, my first impression was that South Africa was a lot less Africa than I was anticipating: well-built highways with well disciplined drivers riding on them, western shopping centers at every corner.
On the drive to our hotel we even stopped at McDonalds and had the first of two absolutely delicious meals.  (Its sad that after only three months in Kenya, that is what we were craving, meals neither of us actually would eat back in the USA).


We were put up at a beautiful guest house in Pretoria in a very posh section of town; numerous Ambassadors residents and consulates surrounded it, so we discreetly carried in our McDonalds value meals to avoid scrutiny from the other one percent.  We enjoyed a nice dinner that night and after an excellent night sleep, took a beautiful walk around the neighborhood.

After our walk, we got cleaned up and headed toward the real reason why we were in South Africa....


wait for it....


We are expecting a baby!!!!!!

While this could just be a ploy to see how many of you out there actually are reading this thing, the fact is that it's true, I am 14 weeks along and the baby is due in early May.  We went to the doctor's office for the ultrasound: we got to see the baby moving all around and we got to hear the heartbeat and even see him (or her) open his or her mouth to drink.  We could have watched it for hours.


After the sonogram we did what anyone who has lived in deepest, darkest Africa would do; we went to the mall!  Neither of us are big mall people, but much like the McDonalds from the day before, we found ourselves drawn to the beautiful, air conditioned, multi-story Menlyn mall of Pretoria.  We got some coffee, saw a movie, and Andy got a new pair of sunglasses.  It was wonderful.  That night we went to dinner with some friends and on Saturday morning we headed to Johannesburg to spend some time with our very good friends the Lockwoods.

We had a great time visiting the Lockwood clan and seeing the sights in Johannesburg. On Saturday we all headed out to the Lion and Rhino Nature Reserve just outside of Johannesburg. While the preserve was pretty much a really, really large zoo, we did manage to knock out three of the big five and got up close and personal to at least one guy who seemed like he would have liked to see us on the other side of that window.

We also saw the laziest pride of lions ever:

Having soaked up as much sun as we could handle, and consuming more McDonalds and pizza that we care to admit publicly, it was time to head back home to Nairobi. Thanks for having us, South Africa. Hope to see you again soon.