You ask many questions man?

(The Drackensberg Mountain Range)

As my father can attest from our early walks in the woods, I like my questions. Not sure if that makes me inquisitive or dumb. Either way, I ask most of them (but make sure to not ask anyone their opinion on why I ask them;). So, when we found ourselves with a free afternoon in the Drackensberg mountain range of South Africa on our way to our next partner visit in Durban, I asked the boss if we could put our work reports on hold for a couple of hours and take advantage of a hike I read about. Since his arms are particularly weak, I twisted them easily and we entered the World Heritage site of The Ampitheatre. In our rugged soccer shoes, we hiked through some rain and encountered some breathtaking views of lush slopes contrasted against jagged mountain tops. Scattered throughout the vistas were fires from the houses of the local townspeople and the shepherds tending the village's cows, at rate of 50 Rand per cow for a year (7 Rand to a $1USD). We also learned that it generally costs 11 cows to ask for a woman's hand in marriage, with the cost decreasing by 2 cows for each child already born by the proposed wife. Both Nick and I were quoted a 22 cow rate though, clearly indicating that we had been traveling in the Wicked Camper too long.

In order to make one specific hike, we were forced to hire a guide at the cost 40 Rand. Seems that caring for Nick and me for an hour is almost equivalent to caring for a cow for a year. We took it as though we were more precious cargo and moved on. Trekking up some 100 meters in elevation, we arrived at our destination where I earned my name "You ask many questions man". There, near the top of a mountain, overlooking the expansive valley, were remnants of Bushman paintings that had endured the elements, and disrespectful human hikers, for over 800 years. While we were only allowed to see one set of the drawings, the hike was well worth it. There were communication aspects to the paintings whereby fellow bushmen relayed the type of hunting that could be had below and the season when wildlife thrived. Further, the drawings demonstrated an active community life with dancers and musical instruments clearly taking a central role.

We could have stayed for hours but it was getting dark and the guide was growing weary (of all my questions). As a result, we set back along the path on which we came, happy that we took the time to see one of the many sights that these trips afford us that are so starkly different from the places in which we normally reside. And, now I had a better sense of my financial goals for 2011 -- I must save for the purchase of 22 cows!

Mooooooo, Christiano