Postcards from South Africa: 01.22.11

Amazingness alert, amazingness alert! We were invited to visit the home of an Afrikaner farming family waaay out in the middle of the African plains -- hours from anything. This family is close friends with our roommate, Dierk, and welcomed us with open arms (fresh roses in our farmhouse bedroom, a Rooibos tea break every few hours and wonderful food). The next few postcards will feature images from our weekend with them.

A few fun facts:
1. Their house was built in 1902 by adventurous Afrikaner farmers. It is made of mud covered in plaster. The home smells earthy inside but the mud material keeps it very cool during the hot summer days.

2. They are primarily cattle and crop farmers (corn, sorghum, soy) and own 1000 cattle. They describe all their animals (farm dogs, cattle, sheep, etc.) as born again Christians and read scripture to them -- especially Psalms -- on a regular basis. We have never before known people who cherish their animals this much!

3. Sunday brought dramatic thunder storms to the farm. Drew went out on an evening jeep ride into the riverous mud roads and describes this adventure as a very memorable experience.

4. "Braai" is the South African term for BBQ -- and let me tell you, they know how to Braai! The farmers' family came over to welcome us our first night on the farm and brought out the wheelbarrows and other Braai equipment, all full of charcoal and covered with grates. They loaded them up with fresh meat from the farm and Drew made them proud with his carniverous appetite.

I'll get us started here with two photos from the Braai. (1) Drew holding his new little buddy ("Freek" -- pronounced "Free-ek") and sitting with Dierk, our flatmate. (2) The Braai, warming up for the meat. EAT UP!

(1) (Forgive the funny coloring; this photo was taken in the dark so I had to play around with it for it to be somewhat decent! Remember, I'm no photographer...)


(2)