I got right to it this morning and began sorting through about 100 photos from Bill and Monika's trip to Africa in December, 2009, to pick up Monika's daughter, Jo-Ann.

Their trip got off to a bad start when their luggage was delayed about a week. They stayed in Windhoek and did a lot of sight-seeing, but then had to move on as there were various appointments to be kept with African authorities to complete the paper work for Jo-Ann to leave the country, and they also wanted to see Monika's family, about an eight-hour drive to the north. The luggage was delivered to them there.

They were the center of attention at a celebration of their marriage staged by Monika's family. They wore native costumes and all the family and friends, and even people they really didn't know, gathered to wish them well. They said there was lots of food and beer consumed, lots of noise making and great good humor at the party.

After a few days there they went back to Windhoek and flew to Johannesburg for the embassy appointments. Jo-Ann's papers were completed about a week before their scheduled flight home, so from Johannesburg they went to Cape Town, returning to Johannesburg the day before their flight home on January 14, 2010.

Bill loved the country. As you watch the slides, try to remember that the temperature ranged in the 100's and got as high as 107 while they were in Oshakati, which is closer to the equator. They especially liked Cape Town and were glad they took the opportunity to visit there. Johannesburg was very large and not particularly accepting of mixed couples, so they had to be careful. It was very helpful that Monika knew the language and the customs.

Jo-Ann gave me names of people in the pictures, but I'm afraid I didn't write them down and can't remember for sure, but I got the important stuff in, I think. They had a great time, Jo-Ann is here and we're very happy to have her in the family. She always has a lovely smile and is just as sweet as we knew she'd be after meeting her mom. Here's the slide show:

Meeting Jo-Ann in Africa

This was our world early this morning. We got another 3.5 inches of snow last night, and I think we'll be getting more throughout the weekend. It's about 35 degrees, so the snow is heavy, wet, and slippery on the back roads. I reported 25.5 inches on the ground this morning, so we are gaining back some of what we lost in the rain. Some folks have reported getting sap runs, but I haven't heard if there has been enough gathered to make much syrup.
Town Meeting Day is coming right up next week, and that is usually the start of sugaring season, so we're about on schedule.