Traveling through Africa - is always a surprise. You never know what you are going to discover or who you are going to meet.

From big-city lights and curly barbed wire of Johannesburg to the exotic little town of Eshowe full of odd characters - where we were suppossed to do volunteer work - to the majestic, rugged mountains of The Drakensberg - where I drove straight into a lightning storm of epic proportions. I got to visit with my Zulu friends.

Then on to Durban and finally to Cape Town. Met many interesting people including the South African Ambassador to the US - who was my seat mate on the overnight flight from Jo'burg back to Dulles. But I hate that overnight flight,

Met the only white Zulu Sangoma (traditional healer - think herbal remedies and sage smudging) in Kwz Zulu Natal. She was doing her healing with a cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other. I think I insulted her by saying smokes and beer are not all that healing!!! She is quite famous in that area.

And ran into a woman, a tour guide, I had never met but recognized her from her Facebook photo on a boat in St. Lucia. How funny is that? Jo-Ann Kruger - what a surprise to meet you while observing crocs and hippos in the water.

The Chennells of Eshowe have done some amazing work in refurbishing rural schools and building skill centers for the wonderful Zulu people. I have so much respect for

the work they are doing out there. The people of the town were an odd mix of

characters. Everyone smokes. Ha, I guess living in California where no one smokes anymore it was rather annoying. Cough cough. But I loved the lush, green little town

and the people were all just so interesting. Everyone had a story to tell.

Can't wait to go back.

About the photos: photo of Miss Lillian - who was working at Giant's Castle at the time. Also a photo of a young woman with her baby in a Zulu village near Eshowe. Top photo is my view from my room at Didima Camp - after the lightning storm had ripped through. The flower is from a trip to Hermanus to see the whales. Never saw a whale but loved all the flowers along the way.

Power Girls in Africa

The oldest Power Girl is about to go off to South Africa.

My goal is to take ALL the Power Girls to Africa when Allie turns 18 and is out of high school. Rebecca and Hannah both will be good ages for an African trip as well. So we have to save our pennies - or our twenty dollar bills!

This trip I will be in Johannesburg for 4 days, and then will be doing some volunteer work out in Kwa Zulu Natal near the coastal town of Durban. The Chennels invited me out to look at their volunteer projects - they help AIDS orphans, they refurbish rural schools, and they offer teaching to Zulu children. From all my various trips to Africa I truly believe that the way out of poverty is through education. So I am excited to see firsthand some of the work that they do.

The women and children of the Zulu cultural are really special - vibrant and full of life, and they love to have visitors. So I am looking forward to making some new, fun friends.

Speaking of friends, I will be visiting my friend Sinzani - she is a Power Girl for sure! In the Zulu cultural, the men inherit the land. So when the father dies the land goes to the sons. Sinzani formed the Rural Women's Movement and has pushed through legislation that make its possible for women to inherit land. She was named one of the Top 5 women in South Africa two years ago. She is a little powerhouse (now in her fifties- nothing stops her)

So I am will be South Africa from Oct 1-Oct 19.

Here is so info on one of the places I will be:

www.Chennellsvolunterprojects.com

I end the trip in my most favorite place -Cape Town.

See you all when I get back -

Pat

Here is Allie with the GG Bridge behind her - the whole time she was here it was was foggy.

And as soon as she left - the sun came out. That is just the way here in SF.

We did all kinds of fun things - the SPA at Cavallo Pt., went to the Marin Mamal Center in the Marin Headlines where we got to watch as they released two elephant seals back into the wild.

We fell in love with the little female elephant seal - she just stared at us. They put her very close to where were standing. I bet she wanted to go with us to the spa. Allie also got to see the elusive dolphins that live in the ocean near me. In 30 years I have never seen them - but she got to see the babies jump one morning on our way along the Land's End cliffs to have breakfast at the Cliff House. Love those popovers.

OF COURSE we went shopping. What did you expect? But she likes jeans and tops now - so that saves Aunt Pat a bit of money. Just don't ask how much her silk, designer BOW headband cost from Jest Jewels. We also did a tour of Coit Tower and wandered through North Beach and ended the day with some Italian food at Tomasos. Still thinking about the marinara sauce.

Last day she was here we did Alcatraz. Was a beautiful but windy day.

Well, that is the last of Holly's kids to come and visit.

Rebecca you are up next!

But you ALL are welcome any time.

Here is Allie sailing on the Bay.

We took the Sunset Cruise out of Tiburon - we were offered some tickets by a group

called Singles Over 60. They were WAY over 60. Anyway it was a beautiful night even if the

fog floated over the hills and obscured the city.

Hey well lookie here - some photos Allie at Alcatraz.

Announcing Our New Power Girl Blog

I am here with the Arizona Power Girls and we set up our new Power Girl Blog! Watch for more posts in the near future.