Let me count the ways I love thee...

Gosh, its good to be home....

What Happened?

Everything started out so sophisticated and mature....  Here's Jared, reading from the famous Platter's guide while comparing notes on the lovely offerings at the Thelema vinyard.  Glasses were swirled, subtle notes detected, aftertastes lingered upon...

I would like to recount exactly what happend next, but I am not sure that I can do that very accurately as the details are a bit hazy.  I remember a lovely lunch at Tokara, complimented by two bottles of the finest Thelema Chardonnay, the successful German Wedding cup challenge, and well... sometime after two more wineries and a lot more wine, the ride back to Cape Town ended up looking like this:

Now you might notice that a certain guest from Texas is missing from this lovely photo collage.... and that is because not only was Libby talented enough to hold a camera in one hand and the wine bottle in the other, but also because she was smart enough not to turn the camera on herself!

Together Forever!

Its confirmed: Jared and Lindsay are going to be together forever.  Although the wedding was quite an important step in this process, the German Wedding Cup was a challenge that we had been putting off for fear that we might not be successful and the marriage would be cursed.  Although we were actually given one of these beautiful silver cups as a gift for our wedding by David Zwerner, we had yet to drink out of the glass.  For some reason, we decided it was a good time to try after a few visits to wineries on Friday.  Despite the wobbly start, it was a success- not one drop spilled and our union remains solid as a rock.

Cousin Lib in Cape Town!

After months of waiting, cajoling, and outright lobbying, we have a visitor!  Cousin Libby arrived last Sunday night and the adventure has been non-stop since.  Whether checking out local flora and fauna or getting a little crazy with our new expat friends, we have done our best to show her what Cape Town has to offer. 

Rock Star Halloween

Although Halloween in another country is bit dissappointing in some ways (no trick or treating, no decorations, no themed candy), our little group of expats managed to go all out for the celebration.  The theme of a "Rock Star" Halloween was determined early on and all of the participants really showed their true colors. 

Ozzy, Cher, and Axle Rose

Jack and Meg White of the White Stripes

Billy Idol, Gwen Stefani, Debbie Harry, Amy Winehouse and Frank Zappa

And of course: Dolly Parton and Ted Nugent

Proof at Last

Although though we might have spoken of these alleged “friends,” we haven’t been able to provide any photo evidence up until this time. Well those days are over and here they are, in all of their glory--our friends in Cape Town!

These pictures were taken over the weekend in Gansbai, at an amazing house overlooking Walker Bay in the Indian Ocean. Luckily, it also happened to be whale season and an average of 6-8 whales were hanging out in the bay, enjoying the beautiful weather with us all weekend.

But more on the whales later, let’s focus on the existence of our super-cool friends and the fact that we were able to play corn-hole all weekend in South Africa! So thank you to Liz, John, Meg, Trey, Daria, Mike, Chris, Anna, Paul, Addie, and of course Stella and Maya for including us in your circle of fun. 

"Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods."  Artistotle