Okay, we've a view looking away from the ocean, as well … to get away from which, we traveled inland in Kwazulu-Natal.

     Joan Burton is the Public Relations Director for the Technikon.  She is the person who was charged with locating us an apartment, and she has been the person grappling with our attempts to get a telephone hooked up within this millennium.  She has been very kind to us, particularly during the time that the executive management, with and for whom we are intended to work, have been busy with rather more pressing affairs than our settling in.
     Our original intention had been to try to use public transportation (which does exist) and perhaps rent a car every so often for weekend and holiday trips.  We thought that this would be both frugal -- we are volunteers, so marginal expenses are of some consideration -- and some means of fitting in with the natives.  Well, while the location of the flat does allow for very reasonable bus service (or walking, for that matter) to the center of the City, this does not extend to providing a convenient -- as to times or proximity of drop off points -- way to get to and from the Technikon.  We were, from the moment the location of the flat was mentioned, invariably told that we simply HAD to get a car.  So our mission to Miami is beginning to be like a mission to Los Angeles!  Well, at this writing we are keeping faith with the natives, in true Franciscan piety and humility, and have made arrangements to acquire a vehicle which, all things working well, should become available in a few days.  That will allow us to find our own way to many exciting and interesting places, as well as back and forth to work.  So we will fit in.
     But as to Joan.  Our second Sunday at the school, when a possible trip to a church in the area had had to be cancelled, Joan offered to take us on an excursion inland towards the "Midlands" area of the province.  We had a wonderful day, especially once Joan caught on to Ruthann's utter lack of interest in the touristy shops that dot the area, and concentrated on the natural sites.  We had several long and deep conversations exploring viewpoints of the work of the Tech, and learned as we enjoyed the area.  It is much cooler up there, so it was a good break from the city in many ways.  We'll be back.
     Our thanks to Joan for her help and friendship in these early days of our venture.
     This page has a few photos from that trip.  We will be able to provide many more and better, we hope, as we begin to explore more widely in this fascinating place.

[Larger photo, click here.]

[Larger photo, click here.]