Here's a piccie showing football is big everywhere:
I was just looking at my hotel key... wonder if anyone else noticed that maybe the swastika pattern wasn't the best design choice:
Saturday 21 June 2008
Comin' Home
Well, fly back tonight. Was hoping to get a lie by the pool today, but it is crappy weather, so thats knocked that on the head. Maybe go shopping, but since I'll be back now in 3 weeks, there doesn't seem the urgency to stock up on cheap stuff anymore!
Here's a piccie showing football is big everywhere:
I was just looking at my hotel key... wonder if anyone else noticed that maybe the swastika pattern wasn't the best design choice:
Here's a piccie showing football is big everywhere:
I was just looking at my hotel key... wonder if anyone else noticed that maybe the swastika pattern wasn't the best design choice:
Sunday 15 June 2008
Relaxin' at the Hotel Pool
Well, that's it for the weekend I think.
Tomorrow is the holiday I was telling you about, so I'll just work from my hotel room. Should be ok. Might have an extended lunch and get some rays if it's sunny.
The hotel pool is even colder than the sky diving one, but all the better for it.. a few dives in did me the world of good. Though I reckon if you tried to stay in for more than 5 minutes you'd have hypothermia.
Tomorrow is the holiday I was telling you about, so I'll just work from my hotel room. Should be ok. Might have an extended lunch and get some rays if it's sunny.
The hotel pool is even colder than the sky diving one, but all the better for it.. a few dives in did me the world of good. Though I reckon if you tried to stay in for more than 5 minutes you'd have hypothermia.
Go Kartin!
On the way back from my walk, I found a gokart track in the basement of the building opposite the hotel !
It's just a smallish track, but not too bad. Only R60 for 22 laps (aboot 4 quid) so had a go.
Anyway, ended up getting one of their fastest times. Just call me Stu-Coultard-Smith.
It's just a smallish track, but not too bad. Only R60 for 22 laps (aboot 4 quid) so had a go.
Anyway, ended up getting one of their fastest times. Just call me Stu-Coultard-Smith.
Ned Bank
Do you like a swallae ? A wee bottle of buckie to start the night off ? Maybe yer idea of a good time, is to wear trackie bottoms and wander aimlessly around street corners ?
And when it comes to financial investments, do you feel that there arn't any companies out there that really understand you ?
Well, we understand Neds just like you! In fact, Neds are the only customers we focus on!
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And when it comes to financial investments, do you feel that there arn't any companies out there that really understand you ?
Well, we understand Neds just like you! In fact, Neds are the only customers we focus on!
Join NedBank today!!
Beggars
There are quite a few beggars on the street. Most have some sort of disability. A bit like in Egypt where that was the case. Whereas in the UK they just seem to be mostly hippies. Maybe there is no disability payments here. I dunno. Anyhoo, gave her some cash.
Breakie
Wimpey are over here! It's stuff like Wimpey that make you realise the strong historical connection SA has with Britain. Wee things too, like they have fish and chip shops (have you seen a fish and chip shop anywhere outside the UK?). I asked for tomato ketchup with my meal (sort of hedging my bets between USA 'ketchup' and uk 'sauce').. didn't know what I was talking about.. "oh.. do you mean tomato sauce".. again, just like the UK.
Had a wee breakfast and a nice coffee. Total less than 2 quid.
Here is a picture of downtown Pretoria:
Had a wee breakfast and a nice coffee. Total less than 2 quid.
Here is a picture of downtown Pretoria:
Stalls
Most streets have wee stalls that folk run. Sort of informal market stalls, but they look like they are probably permanent structures.
It's good to see the old singer manual sewing machines still in use! - loads of these around the street corners, offering sewing, etc: "curtains made from material: 18 rand" (about a quid), etc
Sunday in Pretoria
Quite day today. Got up and went for a wander downtown. The hotel staff advised against it, but I figured they were just being pussies. None the less, I left my passport and wallet, etc in the hotel , and hit my money in a sock down my pants.
Walked around the downtown shops and stall for an hour or so. Counted 2 whites in all that time (100s of blacks). Still, I am sure I blended in with my shades, camera and shorts and t-shirts while they went around with parkers and woollen hats on.. they probably just took me for a local. Master of disguise, that's me.
I've never seen as many bloody hair dressers in my life. Every other shop is a frecking hair dressers. If it isn't a hair dressers, it's either a sex shop, a pub or a church. The churches are just 'shops' in amongst the other shops (see piccy). Being sunday, obviously they were full and in full gospel mode.
Never had any bother from anyone. Clearly my disguise worked. :-)
Walked around the downtown shops and stall for an hour or so. Counted 2 whites in all that time (100s of blacks). Still, I am sure I blended in with my shades, camera and shorts and t-shirts while they went around with parkers and woollen hats on.. they probably just took me for a local. Master of disguise, that's me.
I've never seen as many bloody hair dressers in my life. Every other shop is a frecking hair dressers. If it isn't a hair dressers, it's either a sex shop, a pub or a church. The churches are just 'shops' in amongst the other shops (see piccy). Being sunday, obviously they were full and in full gospel mode.
Never had any bother from anyone. Clearly my disguise worked. :-)
Saturday 14 June 2008
White's Only
No, not really. But clearly sky diving is a sport for the 'white man' as far as I can make out. Much like cape town, the only black faces to be seen at the club were the guys cutting the grass.
Giving it a miss
So, we had a debrief of my level 3. Although generally happy with my stablity, etc the instructor was concerned that I didn't check my alti enough (or at least she couldn't see I was).
So, they wanted me to then start from level 5.
Level 5, 6 and 7 require one instructor rather than 2, but still cost R1000 (60 quid) a jump.
After them I'd then have my 2 sky dive solos again (level 8 and 9), then a final 'hop and pop' where you jump out the plane at 4500 feet and deploy immediately to show you can do this if there is an emergency.
Anyway, there is no way I am going to have time to do 6 more jumps. They were going to struggle to fit one more in today, and that would only leave sunday.
I really don't see the point of me doing levels 5+ again. Sure if I was going to take the sport up and continue, but I'm not. I prefer paramotoring.
So, all I'd achieve is being 200 quid lighter just to get to the point of doing a solo.
I think it would be worth it if I hadn't done a solo before, but since I got 2 nice solos in last time at Cape town, I feel there is nothing to be gained by continuing through the course again.
So, for now anyway, thats the end of the sky diving. until next time....
So, they wanted me to then start from level 5.
Level 5, 6 and 7 require one instructor rather than 2, but still cost R1000 (60 quid) a jump.
After them I'd then have my 2 sky dive solos again (level 8 and 9), then a final 'hop and pop' where you jump out the plane at 4500 feet and deploy immediately to show you can do this if there is an emergency.
Anyway, there is no way I am going to have time to do 6 more jumps. They were going to struggle to fit one more in today, and that would only leave sunday.
I really don't see the point of me doing levels 5+ again. Sure if I was going to take the sport up and continue, but I'm not. I prefer paramotoring.
So, all I'd achieve is being 200 quid lighter just to get to the point of doing a solo.
I think it would be worth it if I hadn't done a solo before, but since I got 2 nice solos in last time at Cape town, I feel there is nothing to be gained by continuing through the course again.
So, for now anyway, thats the end of the sky diving. until next time....
Let's Sky Dive
Well, I spent a few hours getting some refresher training with the instructor. They decided I should do a level 3 sky dive to start. Even though my last jump was a level 9, it was 18 months ago, and the rules say that for 'currency' you need to do a level 3 refresher. This is a jump with 2 instructors from 11K (so expensive.. aboot 100 quid), they keep you stable and then they try to release you, and you show you can remain stable, then do a 90 degree turn to the left.
At 5000 feet you pull.
The plane was a lot bigger and faster than the wee cessnas I was used to. There were 10 of us crammed inside. We all sit on the floor inside (no seats). I was stuffed in at the front facing backwards. All I could see was the end of the plane.
I'm not a very good backseat passenger in a car or train if I can't see where I am going and have external reference to my surroundings.. After take off the thing shot up into the air at about 45 degrees and started bumping around, and all I can see is the inside of the back of the plane...
Anyway, suddenly I'm sweating like a paedo in a playground. I can hear my ears buzzing that way they go when you are going faint, and I feel as if I'm about to be sick.
Not stress/nervousness I don't think, just not being able to see anything. Anyway, got through the first safety checks but by 5000 feet I was really feeling like I was going to be sick. The instructors were looking at each other, and clearly about to abort it all.
Bugger that, so I told them I was all better, and ran through all the jump rehersal (though still not sure how I avoided being sick). I figured I'd probably be ok once I jumped out.
We got to 11K, and got out of the door (you stand up in the door with your head out of the door in the airstream, check with the instructors (one either side) and then jump out in a star shape (your stable arch position).
I did this and got stable right away, however my left instructor was no where to be seen.
I checked with my right and was going to continue with the dive, then I saw the left instructor below me, making back up to join, so waited for her.
Once ready, I did my instructor checks, my practice touches (where you check you can find the pull), and then did my 90 fine. I shouted no more work at 6000 feet, and pulled at 5000. Chute came out fine, and after doing a flare, and 2 360s to test it flies ok, I glided down.
Still feeling like I was going to puke up at any minute I might add.
Anyway, with the competition on, I had to pilot my chute around the competitors, avoid the busy runways and helicopters, and land safe. That went fine, landed on my feet and level 3 complete.
However, I can't say I enjoyed it much, though I imagine the sickness didn't help.
At 5000 feet you pull.
The plane was a lot bigger and faster than the wee cessnas I was used to. There were 10 of us crammed inside. We all sit on the floor inside (no seats). I was stuffed in at the front facing backwards. All I could see was the end of the plane.
I'm not a very good backseat passenger in a car or train if I can't see where I am going and have external reference to my surroundings.. After take off the thing shot up into the air at about 45 degrees and started bumping around, and all I can see is the inside of the back of the plane...
Anyway, suddenly I'm sweating like a paedo in a playground. I can hear my ears buzzing that way they go when you are going faint, and I feel as if I'm about to be sick.
Not stress/nervousness I don't think, just not being able to see anything. Anyway, got through the first safety checks but by 5000 feet I was really feeling like I was going to be sick. The instructors were looking at each other, and clearly about to abort it all.
Bugger that, so I told them I was all better, and ran through all the jump rehersal (though still not sure how I avoided being sick). I figured I'd probably be ok once I jumped out.
We got to 11K, and got out of the door (you stand up in the door with your head out of the door in the airstream, check with the instructors (one either side) and then jump out in a star shape (your stable arch position).
I did this and got stable right away, however my left instructor was no where to be seen.
I checked with my right and was going to continue with the dive, then I saw the left instructor below me, making back up to join, so waited for her.
Once ready, I did my instructor checks, my practice touches (where you check you can find the pull), and then did my 90 fine. I shouted no more work at 6000 feet, and pulled at 5000. Chute came out fine, and after doing a flare, and 2 360s to test it flies ok, I glided down.
Still feeling like I was going to puke up at any minute I might add.
Anyway, with the competition on, I had to pilot my chute around the competitors, avoid the busy runways and helicopters, and land safe. That went fine, landed on my feet and level 3 complete.
However, I can't say I enjoyed it much, though I imagine the sickness didn't help.
Sky Diving
So, went out to Wunderboom airport this morning to try to get a sky dive.
They have a national canopy control competition on all weekend though, so I was told it will be a case of fitting me in where they can.
I watched some of the competition accuracy event. Here the competitors have to get as much speed as they can by doing 360 spirals down into the landing zone. Then they have to swoop down, break a light beam at the start of the water pool, then ride the length of the water (extra marks for feet dragging), before having enough energy left in the wing to lift out the water and land in the sand at the end.
Bloody Welsh
Right.. I've been working in Cardiff and having to travel there every day.... so now, finally in SA you would think I was safe from the Welsh..
In the lift this morning there are two welsh folk talking about how they live in Cardif....
The lift opens and there is a bloody delegation of the leak botherers in the lobby!!! arggggh!
Robots
Yeh.. I know what you are thinking... where is the fecking Robot ?
Well, its there. On the right...
that's what traffic lights are called here. When the first person tell you directions and tells you to 'turn left at the robot' you wonder if they are on drugs.
Hotel Pool
Here's a piccy of the hotel pool. Looks inviting ? Yeh... until you stick a foot in it. What with it being winter here, the water is bloody freezing. I've not seen a single person in it yet.
Phone Boxes Everywhere
Mobiles are just taking off in SA. Probably like UK 10 years ago. So everyone still uses phone boxes. It's strange to see them on most street corners in use. You only then realise that noone really uses them anymore in the UK.
Funny Shops
Want a book, come to CUM books... a chistian (!!) bookshop.
Afterwards, why not pop along to your local Mullets for a beer and a Braai (barbie).
Downtown Pretoria
This is a picture from the glass lift in the hotel. As you can see, it has a look of downtown LA to it. It's the same for the whole city really.
Car Protection
In South Africa (At least in Cape town and Pretoria) every car park has some black guys hanging about. They seem to have a unoffical job of 'security' for the cars. I've never seen a break in, so maybe it works. Anyway some folk give them a few rand when they get back to their cars.
Friday 13 June 2008
Friday
Finally got a loan of a 3g card from IBM, so got net access during the day at last.
So.. thus ends my first week. Turns out is is a bank holiday on monday in south africa.. 'youth day'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_Day
So.. office will be closed on monday. Which means I don't have access to the bit of hardware I'm over here to build/configure.
However, can probably be productive for a day on the laptop from the hotel (or drop zone...), so will see how I get on at the weekend skydiving.
Shops at the big mall (Menlyn Mall) close at 9pm tonight, so plan is to get out of here at 5pm, back to hotel for a quick change then out to get some cheap clothes. Last time I was here there were some good deals to be had. Say, in your sort of 'burtons' equivalent shops prices are about 1/2 what they are in the UK. And at least you get some shirts and t-shirts which arn't the same as every other bod is wearing in the UK.
Have to be at the drop zone for 9am tomorrow morning.
There is a pool there apparently, though dunno if it will be open in the middle of winter (maybe I can aim for that?). So like last time, there will probably be quite a bit of waiting about during the day, so I'll bring a book and the mp3 player.
Weather looks like being decent so can maybe get some sun.. though the locals think I am mad walking about with a tshirt on as they wander by in parkers with wooly hats on.
I'll try and get an SDHC card reader at the mall too, and can post some piccies over the weekend.
It is now 3.30pm on friday, and I'm about the only one left in the pigging office, what with it being a long weekend :-(
So.. thus ends my first week. Turns out is is a bank holiday on monday in south africa.. 'youth day'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_Day
So.. office will be closed on monday. Which means I don't have access to the bit of hardware I'm over here to build/configure.
However, can probably be productive for a day on the laptop from the hotel (or drop zone...), so will see how I get on at the weekend skydiving.
Shops at the big mall (Menlyn Mall) close at 9pm tonight, so plan is to get out of here at 5pm, back to hotel for a quick change then out to get some cheap clothes. Last time I was here there were some good deals to be had. Say, in your sort of 'burtons' equivalent shops prices are about 1/2 what they are in the UK. And at least you get some shirts and t-shirts which arn't the same as every other bod is wearing in the UK.
Have to be at the drop zone for 9am tomorrow morning.
There is a pool there apparently, though dunno if it will be open in the middle of winter (maybe I can aim for that?). So like last time, there will probably be quite a bit of waiting about during the day, so I'll bring a book and the mp3 player.
Weather looks like being decent so can maybe get some sun.. though the locals think I am mad walking about with a tshirt on as they wander by in parkers with wooly hats on.
I'll try and get an SDHC card reader at the mall too, and can post some piccies over the weekend.
It is now 3.30pm on friday, and I'm about the only one left in the pigging office, what with it being a long weekend :-(
Thursday 12 June 2008
Zulu
More folk speak Zulu here than english (30% more), and I just heard my first zulu conversation in the corridor going back to my room. I reckon it was zulu because they do that 'clicking' of the tongue. I believe it is called 'zulu click dialect' or something... it is well weird listening to it:
"aba fri CLICK! asda mimi CLICK! aba aba "
Just had a 16 oz fillet steak, and a bottle of 2004 merlot. total including tip cost 300 rand (20 quid).
"aba fri CLICK! asda mimi CLICK!
Just had a 16 oz fillet steak, and a bottle of 2004 merlot. total including tip cost 300 rand (20 quid).
Day 4
Sorry for the lack of piccies. I thought my camera had a USB plug.. but its a mini thing that I didn't bring a lead for, and my laptop won't read the card :-( I'll try and take some with the N95 or get a card reader. In which case, look out for piccies over the weekend.
Just checked the weather for the weekend: 16-20 degrees, no clouds and no wind. Ideal for jumping out of planes !
And the local club has got back to me and said they can fit me in over the weekend, so I might as well go for it. Probably be quite a bit of waiting around, but I think I only need 2 dives with instructors, and assuming it all comes back to me I can then go onto my solos again.
Now just need to try and remember what to do again... I think it was left hand to pull, or was that to release my chute and plumet to my death....hmmm..
What else.. it is a really classy neighbourhood the hotel is in... next block has a 'drive thu' Huster sex shop... quite how that works I'm not sure.
And the streets are full of these little feckin vans that act as buses for the locals... and they toot their horns contantly to drum up business. I mean constantly... all throughout the day. And night... so I'm glad I brought ear plugs.
Oh yeh, did you know South African's pay a tv licence every year just like us ? And just like us they have adverts telling them the 'detector vans' will be coming to get them if they don't pay up... thought we were the only ones that had licences.
Just checked the weather for the weekend: 16-20 degrees, no clouds and no wind. Ideal for jumping out of planes !
And the local club has got back to me and said they can fit me in over the weekend, so I might as well go for it. Probably be quite a bit of waiting around, but I think I only need 2 dives with instructors, and assuming it all comes back to me I can then go onto my solos again.
Now just need to try and remember what to do again... I think it was left hand to pull, or was that to release my chute and plumet to my death....hmmm..
What else.. it is a really classy neighbourhood the hotel is in... next block has a 'drive thu' Huster sex shop... quite how that works I'm not sure.
And the streets are full of these little feckin vans that act as buses for the locals... and they toot their horns contantly to drum up business. I mean constantly... all throughout the day. And night... so I'm glad I brought ear plugs.
Oh yeh, did you know South African's pay a tv licence every year just like us ? And just like us they have adverts telling them the 'detector vans' will be coming to get them if they don't pay up... thought we were the only ones that had licences.
Wednesday 11 June 2008
Day 3
Well, with it being dark at 5.30 I can't do anything at night. It's not the sort of place you wander about... so not much to add to blog really at the moment.
Here's an interesting fact for you: only 6% of people speak english in Pretoria. Surprising eh ?
I'm goin' oot shopping friday night. So I'll tell u about any bargain then.
Here's an interesting fact for you: only 6% of people speak english in Pretoria. Surprising eh ?
I'm goin' oot shopping friday night. So I'll tell u about any bargain then.
Monday 9 June 2008
Day 1
Well, I've survived my first day in Pretoria... South Africa's 'administrative capital'.
It's a bit of a commuter town I think. Not really very cosmopolitan compared to what I saw of Joburg.
Weirdest thing so far is... the moon is on its side! I never noticed that last time I was here.. i.e. it is like a smiley face. I'll need to get a picture of it.
Second weirdest is that.. this is their coldest month.. middle of winter. Still 15-20 degrees during the day though, so t-shirt weather for me, but everyone else has hats and coats on, etc. And of course because it is warm, when it goes pitch dark by 5.30pm you wonder who switched the lights out! strange.
Funny enough, it actually seems more integrated than cape town. Most houses don't have 10 foot high barbed wire all around them. Factories don't have 20 foot high electric fences round them. The centre is just pretty much like down town LA.. run down.. poor housing/people and crap shops.
There is a big mall somewhere. Friday night it opens till 9pm, so I might try to get down there then and leave the weekend free...
since at the weekend I want to try and fit in some sky dives to finish my course !! - however I've already contacted the local club and they have a competition on all weekend, so they are not doing any training so I might need to look further afield.. if I find somewhere I'll hire a car for the weekend, and go to wherever it is.
According to my log book I needed one jump to complete the training (just a low out a 4500 and pull), but because its been a while, I'll have to do 3 jumps to complete and refresher training.
Anyhoo, we'll see.
I'll try and take some piccies to capture life here tomorrow.
It's a bit of a commuter town I think. Not really very cosmopolitan compared to what I saw of Joburg.
Weirdest thing so far is... the moon is on its side! I never noticed that last time I was here.. i.e. it is like a smiley face. I'll need to get a picture of it.
Second weirdest is that.. this is their coldest month.. middle of winter. Still 15-20 degrees during the day though, so t-shirt weather for me, but everyone else has hats and coats on, etc. And of course because it is warm, when it goes pitch dark by 5.30pm you wonder who switched the lights out! strange.
Funny enough, it actually seems more integrated than cape town. Most houses don't have 10 foot high barbed wire all around them. Factories don't have 20 foot high electric fences round them. The centre is just pretty much like down town LA.. run down.. poor housing/people and crap shops.
There is a big mall somewhere. Friday night it opens till 9pm, so I might try to get down there then and leave the weekend free...
since at the weekend I want to try and fit in some sky dives to finish my course !! - however I've already contacted the local club and they have a competition on all weekend, so they are not doing any training so I might need to look further afield.. if I find somewhere I'll hire a car for the weekend, and go to wherever it is.
According to my log book I needed one jump to complete the training (just a low out a 4500 and pull), but because its been a while, I'll have to do 3 jumps to complete and refresher training.
Anyhoo, we'll see.
I'll try and take some piccies to capture life here tomorrow.
Pretoria, South Africa
I'm in Pretoria, SA.
Business class is frecking cool.. never been on the top level of a 747 before... lie flat massaging eletric seats, power sockets, video on demand, 3 course meals with wine lists (had some nice vinatage champagne, red wine, cheese and port, etc). I have to say... defnately the way to travel. £2500 for a one way ticket!! - only thing was cause it was last minute I had to go with KLM via amsterdam which was a pain. But I've booked BA direct business class home (£1900).. I could get used to this. The first time I've came off a long haul flight and feeling that I could do a full days work.
I just realised my mail for screwed up before I went and I hadn't seen any of the emails you've sent me in the last few months, so appologies for not replying to anyone. I'll get on it.
Will try and update blog regularily with stuff and pics from around Pretoria
stu
Business class is frecking cool.. never been on the top level of a 747 before... lie flat massaging eletric seats, power sockets, video on demand, 3 course meals with wine lists (had some nice vinatage champagne, red wine, cheese and port, etc). I have to say... defnately the way to travel. £2500 for a one way ticket!! - only thing was cause it was last minute I had to go with KLM via amsterdam which was a pain. But I've booked BA direct business class home (£1900).. I could get used to this. The first time I've came off a long haul flight and feeling that I could do a full days work.
I just realised my mail for screwed up before I went and I hadn't seen any of the emails you've sent me in the last few months, so appologies for not replying to anyone. I'll get on it.
Will try and update blog regularily with stuff and pics from around Pretoria
stu
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