Africa 2.0- settling in

Africa 2.0- settling in, a set on Flickr.

Alive and well in Africa

Sorry about this delayed blog post. The internet “dongle” we are using at home doesn’t seem to like our house and it can’t regularly find a wireless connection to tap in to. Additionally, I think our house is in a vortex of communication suckage in that we can’t seem to get a great connection on our mobile phones either. No worries-- that will all come in time. In any case, I’m at school now. I’m connected. And here’s the update:

The landscape of Johannesburg is dramatically different from that in Nairobi. Remember how we all envisioned Nairobi to be arid and dry upon arrival? Well, winter in Joburg is just that. Apparently, the combination of weather, altitude, and air pressure stagnate all the vegetation during the winter so everything stops growing until Spring (which begins in late September/early October). 

The roads are such a contrast to those in Nairobi--these are flat, beautiful, and HUGE! We have moved to a massive metropolis. The city is bustling, the roads are robust, and the music is bumping. The one oddity we’ve seen thus far is that the shopping (including most grocery stores) close by 6 pm when a mass exodus begins and the taxis (which we remember from Kenya as matatus) all escort the local workforce back to their communities.

The house we are in is amazing! It’s a new build in the area of Fourways. Our house is just minutes away from grocery shopping, restaurants, good shopping spots, and a MASSIVE casino! We are in a lovely community a stone’s throw from old friends and new. The kids have met others they will go to school with next year and those that will be their neighborhood friends. We feel like we live at the UN with the number of accents and nationalities we live and work with—it’s wonderful to be part of such a diverse community.

As you may be able to see in the pictures, the house has a nice size living room and dining space with a gorgeous fireplace that’s getting a bit of a work out. Off the living room are three bedrooms and 2 baths. They do not compare (in size) with the bedrooms in Indonesia but the finishing is lovely and the house needs very little preparation for our shipment’s arrival. Just off the living room are two doors that open up on to a spacious garden. The covered area behind our fire place houses a built-in braai (the South African word for BBQ) which we tested out tonight. We are on the hunt for some outdoor furniture as we can envision many a dinner outside next to our pool. Yes, you heard that—we lucked out and got a house with a pool! Though some may consider it a fish pond, we believe that it will cool our weary minds after a long hot day at school!

The back garden is beautifully landscaped and the side garden has a lemon tree in hibernation. We are on the prowl for an outdoor dog house for our little Mele who will arrive here on the first day of school (if, of course, the pet movers don’t screw up the paper work… again!) It appears as if we won’t have regular house help so Mele is going to have to learn how to be an outside dog!

Walking in the front door and up the stairs is a family room space which is soon to house our couch, TV, piano, etc. The room has lovely windows that overlook the back garden and an indoor balcony that looks down on the living space below. But the pièce de résistance is the huge balcony built on top of our 2-car garage. The balcony overlooks the city of Johannesburg with little obstruction! Without a doubt, this space will come in handy whether it’s for enjoying the view and a glass of Merlot during a sundowner or doing some yoga early in the a.m.

Anyway, it’s time to get back to work.

Next update will be about our school which is…AMAZING!

Africa 2.0- the new house

Africa 2.0- the new house, a set on Flickr.

Here are some photos of our new house in Johannesburg.

Another one bites the dust

Well loved ones, another summer bites the dust! And what a summer it was. During our adventures, we travelled another 15,800 mi./25,400 km. (with another 5,700 mi./9,200 km. to go), met two new babies, hugged and kissed our loved ones hundreds of times, and laughed, and laughed... and laughed!

Our fun started in California with another whirlwind trip. The time was made spectacular by meeting the newest addition to theFagundes clan--Roman. He is such a happy (and huge!) baby. Another perk was seeing my grandma, Nama, doing so well and living at home again! The Fagundes household was bursting at the seams with no room left at the inn, but the high volume of guests made for great chats in the garden with loved ones from all over the globe.

Towards the end of our time in the states, we were able to squeeze in an important familial event--Roman's baptsim. The group of honored attendees made the event so intimate and beautiful despite the fact that Roman did not want to be dressed up and the center of attention!

The next stop was Belgium.

Thanks to my dad and his Delta benefits, the four exhausted Langlands' slept in Business Elite during most of the JFK-BRU flight (a privilege most 8 and 9 year olds don't get regularly!) When we arrived in Belgium, we hit the ground running with shopping sprees for clothes, shoes, and beer! After 5 years in Muslim countries, Rob has continued to explore his homeland for the newest and finest beers they have to offer. In just 2 years he has tasted and ranked over 80+ beers. He is eager to have some of our international friends visit in the summer so he has an excuse to try even more beers.

Our wedding anniversary was documented in Belgium this year with a national fete. The country, celebrating its regular independence day, also relished in the crowning of their new king (the former having stepped down to bestow the honor upon one of his sons). Another great event was meeting the newest addition to the Belgian family by hugging "the brut", Vince.

Of course our summer could not be complete without some sort of hitch in our plans. This years' chaos led Anouk to the hospital with pneumonia and bronchitis (which she loves saying the Belgian way--bronshit!) After two nights in the hospital (where breakfast and dinner included Nutella sandwiches) Anouk was sent home with a stint so she could return for daily IVs. She is doing well and this experience has left her with a positive hospital experience-- thank goodness!

The most important package delivered to the house this summer included our South African visas. Though Rob will be the only one entering the country with a visa, the timing allowed for our shipment to depart Indonesia with our dog, hopefully, following soon.

We depart for Africa 2.0 tomorrow. We have heard that our brand new house is stunning and even has it's own pool. We are eager to meet our new colleagues, make new friends, and see what life in South Africa has to offer.

Until then, it's been another great summer... one that we are grateful for!

To see some photos of our great summer, keep scrolling down and check out our Flickr feed.

Summer 2013

Summer 2013, a set on Flickr.

Photo memories of another great summer holiday!