Johannesburg, Fri. Feb 5, 2010

Gabriel took this photo of the sunrise as we were flying to South Africa

We had an uneventful flight other than Sarah getting sick.  She had some kind of a stomach bug for just under 24 hrs, but she is an otherwise healthy kid and she bounced right back.  Probably was something she ate...

We left the Ross family in London on Wed night for our flight to Jo-burg.  They arrived this morning safe and sound and spent the day touring Pretoria with the father of one of Debbie's patients.  We hooked up with them tonight and will spend tomorrow with them at the Bar Mitzvah.

Rory and Jordan with the Torah scrolls opened to their Bar Mitzvah readings.  A gift made by Jonathan.

It was so lovely to see Jonathan's sister, Kerry, her husband Harry, and her two boys, Jordan and Rory!  It has been almost 2 yrs since we last saw them at Gabriel's Bar Mitzvah.  We have also had the wonderful opportunity to spend time with Jonathan's niece, Lianne, and her father Yitzak (Jonathan's uncle by marriage) who flew in from Israel for the big event.  It has been great catching up with them.  The kids spent the day playing, swimming and jumping on the trampoline.

Lianne, Jonathan and Yitzhak catching up.

Lianne and Sarah enjoying a cuddle.

In the afternoon, there was a violent thunderstorm that moved through.  The lightening was so close and the thunder so loud, you could literally feel it.  My kids were shocked and amazed!

It has been interesting driving on the left side of the road.  Jonathan offered to do all the driving, since this is where he learned how to drive... needless to say, some things can be unlearned!  Fortunately, it seems to be coming back to him.  Still, we spend a lot of time telling him to move over, or "wrong side"...

Services at the Chabbad Shul were interesting, to say the least.  I could barely tolerate the whole sitting apart thing... ach, I could go on and on, but will leave my ranting for another time.  We shared a lovely Sabbath meal after services and the big day is tomorrow.