Back from Africa!

I just got back from spending an amazing week in South Africa with my dad. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up and I feel so incredibly lucky to have amazing people in my life that made it possible: Victor, of course, and my sister Camille who flew out for her spring break to help with the boys. It was the cherry on top of a fantastic trip to come home to my happy boys who had been taken care of so well while I was gone.

South Africa is an amazing country. Incredibly beautiful with beautiful people. I'm glad while I was there I was able to learn so much about its history and delicate social structure: three main cultures (British, Afrikaans, and all the Black tribes) trying to live together but individually very proud of their heritage. It's a very young democracy, and you can see the progress but also the problems. For example I've never seen a wider contrast of wealth and poverty. I saw incredibly nice neighborhoods--huge houses even for the U.S., and then shanty towns a mile later.

My dad served there over 30 years ago, and his love for the people hasn't faltered. It was great to be able to see some of it through his eyes. And it was fun to see him being so eager to talk to so many people and connect with them. We went on this trip because a travel agency in Utah asked him to be the group leader, and a few people in the group asked me if I liked traveling with my dad, and I realized how fortunate I am to have a dad I enjoy traveling with! We had a great time, and it was nice spending time with him.

So glad I got to go (I wasn't saying that right when we arrived after 36 hours of travel. I have never had a problem with such long flights until now--it rocked me! Got some swelling and felt like an old lady ha) and I can't wait to share more!!