Soweto



View of the Orlando Towers and the streets of Soweto


After long flights and good night sleep.  We began our long work trip in Soweto at the Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital.  This facility is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and the second largest hospital in the world.  I knew this coming in, but had no idea how large until we walked the campus and we only saw a small portion of the hospital and its many wards.   We worked there three days and never saw the entire campus. 

The towers of the Orlando Power Plant are a common view from Soweto and seem to be in view from everywhere, likewise the Orlando Stadium.


After working, the site provided us with a driver to see some of the Apartheid history sites in Soweto.    We started this trip at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church which means "Queen of the World".   This church was used by the students during the Soweto uprising as a place of organization, morning and shelter until the police stormed the church.  In this raid while no one was killed, many were wounded and the marble alter broken, the statue of Jesus damaged and many bullet holes left in the roof.  This Church still plays a big role in Soweto.  It was recently visited by First Lady Michelle Obama on her South African Visit. 




Stained Glass Window at Regina Mundi -
Look for bullet holes in the roof!



Photo Gallery at Regina Mundi

Another stained glass panel in the church

From the church, we were shown the houses of Winnie Mandela, Desmund Tutu and Nelson Mandela.  

Winnie Mandela's House

Our final stop this day was to see Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum.  Hector was the first student killed in the Soweto uprising.  Students were protesting the teaching of Africans and English 50/50 in schools.  The museum shows events leading up to and after the uprising.  It is a very powerful museum. 

Sections of the Memorial

  

A short working vacation in the Dominican Republic

A good friend is working in the Dominican Republic on a Research Vessel doing Underwater Archeology.  My friend Jane and I decided to go for a visit.  Our intentions were to see Alan and meet his new friends and experience the work associated with Underwater Archeology. 

Planes, trains and automobiles had nothing on us when we left. We started out by car, to the airport, then a plane to Miami, a train around the Miami airport, another plane to Santo Domingo, a taxi to the bus station, a bus to Samana, picked up by Alan in a truck who took us to meet a small boat in Las Galeras to take us to our destination, the RV Beacon in Rincon Bay.

Buses

Trucks

Boats

Bubby, Jane and our stuff read to head to the RV Beacon

We arrived, unpacked and had a wonderful dinner. At dinner we found that the plan for Sunday was to continue a survey and we should be up for breakfast at 6 and ready to push off by 7, this was a working vacation after all.

The RV Beacon and our home for the visit - fondly called the "mother-ship"

The survey was a long day out on the boat on a present pattern to look for hits to further investigate. The bay here is spectacular. While we had some surge from tropical storm Katia you could see the bottom at 25-30ft most of the day. And the surge made for beautiful pictures of waves crashing into shear cliffs and three rocks.

A local fisherman and the Beacon.

Monday we did more survey work, but this time on a deserted beach with metal detectors. That was harder work than it seemed. The beach was amazing and the surf was fun to play in and get refreshed. You also couldn't beat the fresh water stream/river for a blast of cool fresh water to enjoy.

The next day the seas are calm and its time to dive, doubles!  My first time!  Two firsts this day, Bubby also let me drive the Beacon.  Look out ... here she comes!

Unfortunately, after three days, it was time for me to repeat the planes, trains and automobiles process and head home.   Jane got to spend a few extra days on the Beacon.  I learned a lot and have a great respect for those who do underwater archeology and enjoyed a great few days in paradise!

Boston

It always surprises me how much I enjoy some of the places you don't remember enjoying. Well I've been in Boston for the past week and it has been a fun adventure.

I am in a class all day so my exploration has been in the evening. My hotel is in a great location too.

The trip started eventful as always with my sunday night flight being canceled. Lucky for me, service is not dead. US Air called me multiple times with updates and even rescheduled me without having to even go to the airport. The next day at security I reach into my bag to pull out my laptop and much to my surprise it isnt there. Ouch!

So needless to say, Monday night I was really tired. So looking for something close for dinner, I wandered down the street and ended up at Blue Inc. It was close, the menu was interesting and it smelled good. Little did I know I was entering the newest opening of hell's kitchen celeb Jason Santos. Well, Blue Inc. was a gem. Great food, great service and fun drinks.

Flour-less Chocolate Cake with Avocado Ice Cream and Raspberry Foam.  As good as it looks!

More great food at The Roxxy's Food Truck (The Great Food Truck Race)

What i enjoyed most about Boston was wondering the streets. From Quincy Market to Back Bay to the north side. Each night I picked an area and wandered and ate great seafood and now feel at home in a city I thought I knew but didn't.

The Copley Market

Great Scotch at the local Pub!

A short trip, far far away!

What are your favorite memories from childhood?  One of mine is attending the Great York Fair.  My parents used to take us every year and we would eat Gyro's and see the animals, the veggies, go to concerts and ride the rides.  It was always the best. 

Shireen, Jane, Elbe and I waiting for the Derby to start.

Demolition Derby MoCo Fail

So, when the fair comes to Montgomery County, I always go.  And the "red neck" in me can't miss the Demolition Derby!   Although MoCo is no York,  the fair still has lots of fun for all!  There were wrecks, fires and even girls driving!  One year, that will be me! 

Now that's a fire.  Thanks Laytonsville Fire Co.

We also went to see the animals.  I always love the pigs.  Not sure why, as a kid it was the cows. But now, I just love the pigs! 

This year we also brought some special visitors.  Two colleagues from South Africa were visiting and joined us on our adventures. 

The gang after the trailer races!

Malangatana - The Mozabmiquan Painter, Poet and Hero

On my first trip to Mozambique I fell in love with a painting that is hanging in the library at CISM.  It is dark and moving.  But it touched me.  I asked about it and was told it was painted by a Famous Artist from Mozambique

Painting from the Library at CISM

When I returned to Mozambique the airplane magazine had an article on the Artist Malangatana.  Immediately I knew he was the artist of the painting.  Addicted to the articles in the magazine I was impressed as much by his life as I was by his art.  He was artist, a politician, a protester, a poet, and more. 

He challenged Portuguese colonialism in Mozambique.  He refused to show his art in South Africa after the arrest and jailing of  Nelson Mandela.  He participated in committees that renamed the streets of Maputo after the Portuguese left.  And he made amazing art!

Exciting New Plans.

I just added a long weekend to my crazy fall.  A short trip to the Dominican Republic to dive with a an old friend and some new ones too.   I'm excited for a fun trip.  I'll get to dive doubles (two tanks at once) for the very first time.  I'll be posting pictures!

Let the fun begin

 

Plans are coming together for my big fall work trip.  Dates are being finalized for Soweto, Durban, Cape Town, and Kampala.  Now time to start adding the fun!