Port Elizabeth- the friendly people city

Tony, Liz, Paul, and Eileen in Port Elizabeth (above)

A bbq (or braai) and a party at Fiona's house (below)

Waterfront and St. George's Park- Cricket Stadium & Public Swimming Pool

The South Africans love rugby, cricket, and soccer.

Exploring Port Elizabeth has been fun! On Friday night we went to the waterfront (pictured above), strolled to the end of the pier, ate ice cream on the boardwalk, and explored the casino across the street. The next day we visited the Donkin Reserve, a protected coastal area including Sardinia Beach (pictured above) and had tea & scones at Schoenie's Sacramento Cafe. Today we'll take the dog there. On a rainy day we went to the Nelson Mandela Art Museum and walked around St. George's Park (pictured above). Ready to get dry, we headed to the mall for lunch where all the other South Africans go because it feels safe. Every house in SA has an electric fence, gate, and/or wall around it so they feel safe. Liz and Tony's house (pictured below) has been broken into twice! Reading the "Sunday Crimes" newspaper (a spoof on the Sunday Times) is depressing in SA and even the locals only read it once a week.

We met Liz and Tony's children- Fiona and Rachel- at a pork roast braai. After dinner Rachel's daughter, Becky, played a few songs on her saxaphone and was just awesome! Regarding education in SA, the children get electives in elementary school like music and physical education everday. The sad news is that only 65% passed high school last year. There is a 20,000 teacher shortage and the ones they do have are inexperienced. After Apartheid, the government gave severance packages to many of the experienced white teachers who promised they would not return to the profession, thus opening up jobs for non-whites. How they are needed now! Expectations were high when the government changed hands here. Most thought change would take place immediately (many were promised that). That is why teachers were sacked immediately. There is a lot of disilluionment now. Perhaps they could take a page out of China's playbook - gradual change with low expectations. Eileen visited a school for children with autism and learned a lot. Can't wait to share with my colleagues when I get home. What a wonderful experience we had with Liz and Tony! Thanks so much! HAPPIE CHAPPIES (as Liz would say)!