Dear Stephen,

This is a long overdue testimonial letter to you about our trip to SA last December.

 

 It was truly one of the most memorable trips Mark and I have taken.

 

Of course it was wonderful to see our son Jonathan and see what an expert on life in Capetown  and South Africa  he has become, but the arrangements you made for Mark and me alone (through the Wine Route, Garden Route and Addo) were also exceptional.  We felt very privileged to participate in the meerkat tour - since both Mark and I are pretty up-to-date as interested academics in issues in evolutionary biology and ecology, Grant McIlrath was a most engaging and stimulating tour guide who could answer high level research questions and engage the young members of the other family on the tour equally well.

Our cultural tour in the former Transkei was a highlight for me as an anthropologist. The three of us hit it off very well with Zuks. We were able to talk about  his personal experiences of apartheid as a Fort Hare student and local resident of the Transkei.. We discussed the impact of the Black Power movement of the 60's in America  on sensibilities in SA and exchanged thoughts on whether and how American actions boycotting companies engaged in business in SA affected the apartheid struggle.  We had many discussions together about the future of SA and its political development that were very stimulating.

 

The opportunities Zuks lined up for us to eat at Mak and Mak with local men who were active as social scientists and political figures at that time was quite unique. I very much appreciated the welcome we received as we went to two Xhosa villages. As someone who has studied the British social anthropologists and their landmark studies of African kinship and ritual, to observe and participate with these families in their events that marked rites of passage as important as circumcision, observance of the one year passing of an important member of the village and a general Christmas village celebration was to be part of constantly changing, vital traditions with strong links to their past.

 

We passed on our digital pictures to Thami at Mak n Mak.

Our visit in Jo-burg was not as successful. Understandably we were there at an awkward time (Boxing Day), but our tour guides presented the city in a canned way. In some ways we felt that our Soweto tour was not respectful of the residents there. We felt a level of mutual exploitation that was very uncomfortable. Given the realities of Johannesburg, I only wish our brief stay there could have been more meaningful. (By the way, our hotel there was sub-par, even by 3 or 2 star standards-)

Londolozzi was first rate in all dimensions. From their involvement with day care for the children of their employees, to their attention to land management and animal ecology, their personable and knowledgeable trackers and rangers, their top-quality lodging and food, it was an experience I will never forget. Jonathan got some great pictures and video of the Big Five and others.

 

I also have to say that your advice about trip insurance and your recommendation of CSA Insurance was invaluable.

 

Your experience that things can go wrong was right on - and CSA came through with payment on our claim for missed connections and day at Londolozzi with flying colors. Thanks so much.

Ruth

University of Pittsburgh

 

and

Department of History

Carnegie Mellon University