Everything in South Africa takes longer. When will I learn this? When will I accept this? The simplest things, like changing a flight, can drive one around the bend with frustration. I have been trying to change my flight back to Toronto since last Wednesday so that I cane return to take a job in March. Impossible. I spent two hours on the phone this morning with South African Airways, Lufthansa, Air Canada and two offices of the Flight Centre. Nothing, Nada. I have emailed the Flight Centre in Toronto hoping they can manage what no one is South Africa seems capable of fixing.
On the UP side, Glen and I had a wonderful low key celebratory weekend. Celebrating a divorce is not quite the same as celebrating a marriage—there is no specific event, no gathering, no ritual (although I think the sangoma will help with the latter). The aftermath of a divorce is slow—it must seep in. After waiting all these years, it will take time to realize that it’s really over and that a new book in our lives begins. All ‘round, it’s a fine feeling.
How do Rob & Glen celebrate? Well, we cook! Friday evening started with breaking open that well-chilled bottle of Moet & Chandon. It went down very easily after which I was in no state to cook. Glen took charge with great panache—he brought home king prawns (imported from Mozambique) and sauteed them with chili, lemon & garlic. Divine. I was back up to the task on Saturday night and made my ostrich fillets—the BEST ostrich I have ever tasted and everyone who eats them agrees. I did everything on the braii (BBQ)—grilled asparagus, marinated ostrich and for dessert, grilled pineapple drizzled with a sauce flavoured with fresh mint. As much as I might bitch about Glen’s ex, she did leave us a beautiful healthy patch of fragrant mint! Sunday night and dinner was back to Glen—a risotto made with a combination of dried and fresh mushrooms. Food is life. Food is love.
Sunday afternoon I was antsy to get out and we drove about an hour outside of town to a funky little bush pub with excellent beer and an outdoor pizza oven and relaxed as chickens and geese wandered amongst the tables under the trees. We chatted about all those endlessly impossible to resolve life-changing matters like where do we live? How do we manage to live in two countries? What’s the next step after this job back in Toronto? These things seem impossible to resolve, so we talk and and let things sink in and eventually the next step emerges on its own. It is a technique born of our personalities and how our brains work and it serves us well. There are many things to be grateful for in this truly happy relationship with Glen.
Like I said, everything in South Africa takes longer.
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