long long time

It has been such a long time since my last post. A lot of things have changed since then.

In January 2011 I started working for Swiss Re as a Property Management Assistant. My boss was great, the collegues nice and the conditions very good. But this shouldn't last very long. In April 2012 the company decided to outsource the property management, close down the group and give notice to all of us. We were shocked! Hadn't thought about anything like this.

The following nine months were hard. We had to do our regular work, prepare a lot of things for the handover to the chosen Property Managements, cover for colleagues as we all had to take our holidays and at the same time look for a new job.

Since February 2013 I am working for the Construction Management which now is an own department. I'm the assistant of the head and also work about 50% for Swiss Re Next. SRN is the new headquarter which should be finished in 2016/2017. I am learning really a lot and hope this will continue.

For all those who wondered; yes my collegues all found a job. Except for one person where I have NO news. Some have already changed in the meantime.

Wish you all the best and hope you won't have to experience something like this.

1 year back @ work

Today it's exactly one year, that I am back @ work. What can I say. Time goes by so fast.
A lot of things happened in the last year. I have been to England for the christening of my godson Thomas Edward, my brother turned 30, my mother turned 60, I have been to Cologne and Berlin for the 1st time in my life, I have seen my godson Shayron Kaïlou and I experienced a lot of 1st times with my boyfriend Stefan K (B-Day, Münchner Oktoberfest, cinema, X-mas, New Years Eve....).
But then there were certain events, which made me feel sad. But this is how life is, the sun is not shining every day. This year the meaning of family got a deeper sense and it's nice to know, that I have a family that takes such good care of each other.

To the President of the local KC-Luxury-Travels-Fan-Club, I miss you!

Update

Yes it has been a while since I entered a post the last time.

I can't believe that I am already home since almost 5 months and that I am working since 4 already.

Never I would have imagined that coming back to Switzerland would be that difficult for me. This is my home, where I feel safe and where all my family and friends are and still......

But things can only get better and I hope that this will happen soon.

Hope you are all doing fine, wherever you are.

Work!!!!

Oh my god. I never thougt that going back to work would be that hard. I started on Tuesday September 1st, and today I can say that I was lucky that to begin I had only a 4 days week.

Thursday I already wanted to quit. This work thing, wo invented it? I mean I always loved working but there are more important things then that.

Well I will keep you posted.

Busy, busy, busy

Since I am back home everything was so busy. Geneva, Lausanne, Germany, 60th B-Day of my father, my friends wedding, registering again in Switzerland, my nephews 1st school day, my brothers visit, looking for a job......

Give me some time to relax, please!!!!!!

There was a lot going on but now all the special events are over and as I know that I have a job and therefore a salary that comes in at the end of September, I can finally enjoy the last few days of my "holidays".

Now I will also be able to do all the things which have to do with Africa. Print and send pictures, send the skirt and some chocolat to Malawi and so on.

I have the impression that real life got me back far to fast.

found a job

Probably I should say lucky me, but I am not really sure yet how I should feel about going back to work.

Well but I guess to earn some money to be able to travel a litle this is what I have to do. And it would also be boring just to stay home the entire day. Would it really be?

I believe the good thing is that I don't have a regular office job but one where I can get out of the office from time to time. So I am looking forward to work with: www.apartment-service.ch

Jordan's 1st school day

Is it possible? Can it already be Jordan's 1st school day? It seems that my nephew and godson has only entered the world lately but no, it is already more then 7 years ago. And yes, Jordan is having his very first school day today.

Doesn't he look cute?

I was allowed to go with him and his mother for the 1st hour and it was really cute to see all these children being excited about entering school. Good they don't know yet, that in a few years they will be tired of going to class everyday.

It seems that his classmates have origines from all over the world. There was a boy from Germany, one from Sri Lanka, one from India, another one with a french accent and so on. Isn't this beauiful?!?!

I am sure that Jordan will make us proud, he is a smart one.

Jordan's 1st school day

Europapark Rust 11.08.2009

Europapark Rust 11.08.2009

Back "home"

It's more then a week now since I am back in Switzerland and I am really having a good time. I thought it may be difficult to get used to everything again but until now I am doing fine. Just ones, on August 1st (Swiss Nationalday) I went to the supermarket at the mainstation and there were just too many people. That was a little too much for me but other then that I am doing great.

There is one major thing which is giving me a headache, and that is the fact that I have to get back to work. People which are close to me know that I always loved working but right now it's so difficult to imagine that I will have to dress up and go to an office.

The weather was great until now, warm, sunny, just perfect. I will try to fill in the missing posts for South Africa. Please excuse but in South Africa we were on the road and as I didn't have a lot of time left I did not want to waste my time and money for the internet. But now I am back and I do have time to tell a little more about my adventure.

Soweto

For anyone who is interested in the tour, I can suggest Max, he is very friendly and originally is from Soweto. You have to know that you can book him through the backpackers / hostels but they keep too much for just making the phone call, therefore try to contact him directly:

S M Lentsoane
sl000014@mweb.co.za
sowetobymax@mweb.co.za
maximumtours@mweb.co.za
Cell No : +27827700247
Tel/Fax : +11469 5696
Box 9223
Johannesburg
2000
Republic of South Africa

Have a nice trip through Soweto.

Last complete day

Crazy how time flies by, it's already July 27th and tomorrow I am getting onto the plane towards Zuerich. 23 weeks I have been in Africa, what a wonderful time.

Once I am home I will update my blog with the adventures from South Africa. Please excuse but we have been on the road and very often I stayed in pretty rural places where I didn't want to spend my time on the internet, I hope you do understand.

South Africa!!!!

I made it!!!!

This is already my 4th day in Cape Town, I arrived on Monday at about 4pm with the Intercape (www.intercape.co.za) from Keetmanshoop. The trip was pretty ok, as we had booked the Sleepliner and therefor had a very comfortable seat.

Cape Town is amazing. This city has something special. I just came back from the Table Mountain. Actually I already wanted to go yesterday but then the "Cableway" wasn't running because it was to windy at the top. But today it was fine. The view from the top of the mountain is just wow!!!!

On Tuesday evening I have been on top of the "Lions Head". This is a mountain just next to the "Table Mountain". It actually is more a place for the locals but a guy from the "Longstreet Backpackers" went there and we could join him. It was full moon and therefore it was pretty busy. The sunset was amazing and it was a very nice moment.

I am so lucky to see all these great places around Africa and I am very grateful.

I will write a little more tomorrow as the weather forecast says that it will be raining.

Germany or Namibia?

Yesterday I arrived in Luederitz, which will be my last destination in Namibia, as I am going to South Africa tomorrow.

Namibia is a wonderful country and as I met some people and we rented a car together, we could see pretty much.

From Swakopmund we went to Solitaire, where we spent the night. I slept in the car which was warmer then the tent, but very uncomfortable. We then went to Sossusvlei and to see the "Dead Valley". I tried to walk up to Dune "Big Daddy" with the others but that was just not possible. It was around lunch time, too hot and I am probably not fit enough. But I still had a nice day.

After that we went to the Naukluft Area where we camped two night at the "Tsauchab Camp" which was really nice, but freezing cold. You have to know that it is winter in Namibia right now. But I survived and from now on I won't do any camping anymore.

From the Naukluft we went to Keetmanshoop from where we did a day trip to the "Fishriver Canyon", which was pretty impressive but........

I am doing really fine and I am soo looking forward to finally discover South Africa. Eventhough I am missing the kenyan and tansanian african flair. Here things are very German. People speak German, you can get German food, there are a lot of white people, the buildings are very German..... too much German for me ;-)

Namibia: a different Africa

I am in Swakopmund right now. This is a "small" town at the Atlantic coast in Namibia. I have been in this country now for 4 days and it is so different from the other countries I have visited until now on this trip.

But to start. On June 21st I took the Intercape (www.intercape.co.za) from Victoria Falls (ZAM Side) to Windhoek. The trip took about 20 hours and was HORRIBLE!!!! Victoria Falls was the 1st stop and therefor I got a real good place. On the upper floor right in the front. During the day it was incredible hot but during the night. Ai! Too cold! I don't know how I survived. But the cool thing was that in Katima (Namibia), Mercia got also on the Intercape. We arrived in Windhoek at about 6am and it was freezing. I decided to go to Chameleon Backpackers as there were other travelers also going there. After some problems with the taxi driver we got let in but I only got a bed at 12. Windhoek is freezing cold and I really felt like just laying into a warm bed.

The following day Mercia took Soren (a danish guy) and myself on a city tour and to the township Katuru. That was a nice experience. The township here is very "nice" compared to Kibera in Nairobi, Kenia.

Today I took a Combi (Minibus) with Soren, Rasmus and Linda to Swakopmund. We will hire a car from here to go further south. But first we will go Sandboarding tomorrow.

Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls

Oh my goodness!!!! The Victoria Falls from the ZIM side are just amazing. I mean it's the same falls but you get to see so much more.

I got back here on Friday night at about 10pm. I had a really good lift. We were like 3 women and 3 men and we had some good discussions. It is also on this ride that I met Mercia. Her mother is from South Africa, her late father from Zimbabwe but she grew up in Namibia. She is married to an Italian who runs a safari company in Windhoek (I believe). I hardly could believe as she told me that she is 36 and has 2 sons of which one is already 16. Mercia and I didn't agree on all the subjects which discussed but she is a great lady and I am happy that I met her. We all had a good laugh and I think there were some persons in this car which talked about things they will never talk about again ;-)

Mili, also a lady from the car trip stayed in Vic Falls on Saturday so she accompanied me to the falls and then came with me to see the "Big Tree". I took some pictures of her and asked if she could take some of me. Well, that wasn't very successful but hey, it was probably her first time to hold a camera in her hands.

As soon as I can upload some pictures you will see my beautiful pictures from the Vic Falls. I hope you will enjoy them.

Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls 20.06.2009

Zimbabwe: back to Bulawayo

Lucky me, I got a lift all the way from Harare to Bulawayo. A lift doesn't mean that it's free but as I was in a private car it was about half of the time I would have spent in a bus.

A "white" Zimbabwean, Brian and a lady soon to be married to a German man, were my company. They were really very nice and we had a good talk. Brian was very helpful trying to find an accommodation for me. I had booked a double room in "Packers Rest", now "Packers Paradise", but the girl who should have shared the room with me (I met her in Harare) had contacted me in the morning to inform me that she would arrive a day later. So I stayed at "Burkes Paradise" which is a really very nice place and Norman and Christine are just lovely. I had a good night there. For the 2nd night I returned to "Packers Paradise" which I actually didn't want to do but I didn't know how I could get in contact with the other girl.

I wanted to see Matobo but the company wanted to charge me USD 120, that is a little too much for a one day trip. I am sure that I will see some rock paintings somewhere else. I then decided to wait for the girl and the following day we hitch hiked (3 hours for about 20ks) to the Khami Ruins. We got on the minibus, walked, got a ride with a carriage and 3 donkeys and walked the rest. Back home we had more luck and it didn't take that long so that I could still catch a lift to Victoria Falls.

Zimbabwe: Harare and Balancing Rocks

The capital of Zimbabwe, I made it. The 1st accommodation in the Lonely Planet for Harare is USD 55 which is not true. I stayed at the "Small World" for USD 11 per night for a dorm. So that is sorted.

My mission for the first day was to try to get some money. As Zimbabwe is not using their own money anymore (except in the Combis in Harare), the ATM's are not in use. After going for 2 hours from one bank to the other I figured out that I couldn't change my Traveler Cheques. I still had some money for the following two or three days but what should I do after that? Well lucky me that there is a thing called "Western Union". Though this company wouldn't help me if I wouldn't have such great parents which are there for me or let me say for all their three children at any time. Thank you soooooo much!!!!!

THE thing to see in Harare are the "Balancing Rocks". If you ever have seen Zimbabwean money you know what I am talking about. Isn't it impressive?!?! Pictures will follow soon hopefully.

To be honest there is not a lot more I did do in Harare but I did have a good time. Just easy, no hurry, polle, polle.

Zimbabwe: Balancing Rocks 15.06.2009

Zimbabwe: Great Zimbabwe 12.06.2009

Righ now I am in Harare. Traveling in Zimbabwe is actually pretty easy, except that it's expensive compared to other African countries and that getting cash is almost IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!

From Bulawayo I took the public bus to Masvingo. I traveled with 4 guys from England, they had also decided to visit "Great Zimbabwe". 5.5 hours for 270ks.....

Great Zimbabwe is amazing. It has been built between 1200 and 1500 A.D. and is a National World Heritage Site. It was occupied by an ancestral Shona community, which I believe is the biggest "tribe" in Zimbabwe. The ruins are very impressive. The "Great Enclosure" is the largest single pre-colonial structure south of the Egyptian pyramids.

I am really happy that I did decide to come to this beautiful country. It is a shame that they get so much bad publicity. I spent the entire morning in the park and left with the other guys at about 1pm in direction of Masvingo.

Zimbabwe: Great Zimbabwe 12.06.2009

Zimbabwe

Yesterday I crossed the border into Zimbabwe.

Why Zimbabwe? Why not?

Ok, I can understand that Zimbabwe will not be the main destination for summer holidays this year but I am sure there are great things to see here. No I didn’t talk to any other travelers about the situation in the country because I didn’t meet anyone who has been to Zimbabwe (except Joe, but just for a very short trip). That is why I am so excited, coming to Zimbabwe is something really special. But I know that Cholera is over and things are more or less fine. I took the transport from the north to Bulawayo and that was very easy. Accommodation is about the same price as in Zambia but the food is a lot cheaper. But still, I only plan to spend about 9 to 10 days in this country.

Tomorrow I am going to see the Great Zimbabwean ruins, after that I will check out the Eastern Highlands, take the train from Mutare to Harare and from there back to Bulawayo. I will then return to Victoria Falls from where I plan to take the Intercape to go to Namibia.

Hope to write soon again.

PS: It is really cold here at the moment

Zambia 31.05. - 09.06.2009

There is actually not a lot I can say about this country because I haven't spent enough time exploring it. I just entered into it in Chipata, took the bus to Lusaka where I spent 2 nights and then continued to Livingstone.

The thing I can say is that I was surprised to see a "Spar" in a rather big shopping mall. I am not used to these kind of things anymore. I mean Kenya had also shopping malls but they didn't look that nice (sorry).

Zambia 31.05. - 06.06.2009