Kuruman - Back in the Kalahari

And we're off! Or not. We begin the trip with the South African saying “Let's go run out of gas!” The gas station in Ais Ais is out of petrol. Wow. So it is only a matter of time until we putter out – let's see how far we can go! Well as it turns out, not very far. I'm sitting in the very back of the Landie, so all I can do is watch the others try to flag down assistance. I'm looking out the back window as a very large truck is getting closer, closer... not slowing down … he passes us on his phone. Wait! He's coming back – very large truck in reverse. Turns out to be a very nice South African guy driving potatoes from Angola to Cape Town and back. Talk about a long day on the road! He gives us quite a few liters and goes on his way – won't even except a few Rand. We make it to the next gas station, and we find the trucker there waiting for us to make sure we made it... wow! So nice. Full tank, ice cream, snacks and we're back on the road. I turn the back of the Landie into a cinema and hunker down for the long haul.

It's after dark by the time we arrive, but dinner is ready and another real bed awaits! We stay 6 days in Kuruman and enjoy a farm party, dinner out, wifi at the Spur or Wimpy, my birthday pizza, and some much needed down time. Kuruman is known as the “fountain of Christianity” in Africa due to the flowing springs of Die Oog, and its missionary history of the Moffatt Mission. I don't foresee a return trip to Kuruman, but the hospitality was wonderful. During these few days I also had some time to prep for the next chapter. The band was breaking up – the South African was no longer driving to Cape Town and the others were off on their own road trip north. So, Plan B was to drive to Kimberley and fly to Cape Town on South African Airways. Much faster route! It was a sad goodbye after 3 months and more than 16,000 km bonding in the Landie, but I am confident that wasn't our last trip. The 2 Americans had places to see. Off to Cape Town!

---