Lessons in South Africa - Driving INTO oncoming traffic is BAD!

Michael and I arrived in South Africa bright and early Christmas morning to a clear blue sky and 27degrees! Despite it being a mild winter in Ontario this far, it felt great to be under the warm African sun. The first obstacle - the car!

FYI - in SA they drive in the RIGHT hand side of the car, on the LEFT hand side of the road.  All was well until that first right hand turn. Let's just say there was a fellow at the stop lights with a few choice words and gestures for Michael. We were feeling a bit tired from the lack of sleep but there's nothing like driving into oncoming traffic to get you going.  Quick recovery though, and on to the hotel we went! I was thankful Michael was driving!

I spent a great deal of time before leaving for SA trying to talk Michael out of his paranoia. You see, many people had shared their thoughts on safety of tourists in SA with Mike (remind me to thank those people - you know who you are!!!) - the regularity of carjackings, muggings, abductions - you know, the usual.  Needless to say, the first day sounded a bit like this:

Mike: What's this guy doing in the car behind us?

Cat: I think he's just driving.

Mike: Do you think he's following us? So far I don't think we have any followers. Hard to know though, every body drives a white car!!!

AND

Mike: What is this guy on the bike doing?

Cat: I'm not sure honey.

We proceed to drive around the block looking for a parking spot and return to the same corner to find the guy on the bike is gone.

Mike: Oh great! Where did this guy go now?!? He's probably going to rob us!

Cat: Or maybe he's just riding his bike???

It did NOT help that when we pulled in front of our hotel there was a family of homeless folks sitting on the sidewalk opposite the entrance, with one of the members having a nap right in the middle of the road. 

Even I was freaked out, and instantly contemplated driving right by and switching hotels.  But thankfully we decided to stay as this was a one time occurrence/coincidence (perhaps a little prank from above!). The Dutch Manor Antique Hotel is a 200 year old building filled with antiques from various places in Africa spanning the last few hundred years in the Bo Kaap area of the city. The family who owns it was absolutely wonderful to us, we had a brilliant stay, and would definitely return!

Moral of the story  - 1. There is as much crime in South Africa as there is in Toronto

2. The Honda Jazz does NOT give Michael the same thrill behind the wheel as his beloved Lexus!