DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

Hope was under the weather this morning, so Bill went on a tour of Durban on his own, one highlight being a visit to the stalls of the Victoria Street Market. Originally built in 1910 as the Indian Market, this arcade is now filled with stalls selling all manner of goods – fragrant spices, Indian saris, African clothing and crafts, and the traditional “healing treatments. “ These would be snake and toad body parts. Bargaining here is the modus operandi.

Not being as comfortable or adept at bargaining as Hope, Bill set out on his shopping expedition with considerable misgiving. However he was determined to find some bits of costume that could be worn a week hence for the ship’s upcoming African night party, as well as some rhythm instruments for an upcoming African Worship Service in Zanzibar.¹ He is proud to say that in only 45 minutes, he was able to obtain everything he had in mind plus a beautiful Zulu wire basket. And he thinks Hope would be pleased with his growing bargaining experience. ²

Bucked up, Bill visited a hillside to overlook the stunning city of Durban (South Africa's 3rd largest). Thanks to good friend Bob Elliott who went to the edge of the overlook to snap the pix of the city, you can see the space ship/soccer stadium and urban center. The other Durban highlight that Bill visited was the stunning Botanic Garden that he and Hope visited in 2019 on their last World Cruise. He was interested to see how the gardens fared during an extensive shutdown due to COVID. He was pleased to see that this Durban showplace was as spectacular as ever in spite of some signs of needed maintenance. And he was dismayed at the (probably necessary) razor wire atop the walls. Sometimes sharing what we have and love is more daunting than it should be.

¹ and to be brought home for use at the next Duncaster rhythm instrument festival.
² Hope, the dutiful typist and blog poster, reports that she is VERY proud, especially since Bill left with American $$ and no bank card, so he couldn’t use an ATM (and all ATM’s had a 1+ hour wait anyway - apparently there aren’t enough of them). Hope thinks the shopkeepers saw what a nice guy Bill is and took (actually very little of) his dollars and sent him on his way smiling.