Ruminations

Lucky me, I made it to the internet cafe two days in a row. Unfortunately the only reason I am here today is because things didn't work out with my SCUBA course so I will leave Vilanculos without doing any diving or completing my Open Water certification, which is a shame. Anyways, I have been meeting so many people from Africa, Europe, and the rest of the world and it has really opened up my eyes to a lot of interesting things.

First of all, it is incredible how much the world is following our presidential election. When people find out I am American, its the first thing they want to talk about. In particular, every international voice I have heard on my travels thus far desperately wants Obama to be our next president. It is interesting that although we consider him to have less international experience than Hillary, internationally, everyone seems to feel that having a black president would significantly change the way that America is seen by the world.

Secondly, EVERYBODY, and I mean everybody, has Facebook. It is seriously incredible. It entirely changes the nature of backpacking. I guess I never realized that Facebook had become such an international phenomenonon. Instead of exchanging emails, all you need is the person's name. I have rounded out my network of Facebook friends with everyone from South Africans to Brits to Israelis since I arrived. Its pretty scary to think that facebook is becoming a worldwide rolodex. New communications technology is completely revolutionizing the world, I tell you.

So enough on that. Tomorrow I am hopping a flight back to Joburg then a bus to Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, then another bus to Malealea, where I will takoe a pony trek through the country side for 3-4 day, staying overnight in tribal villages. It supposed to be unbelievable and I am happy to have the flexible itinerary to accomodate the change. I probably wont be posting for a bit, but when I do I'm sure I will have lots to relay.