The People We Meet

My favorite part of traveling is meeting new people.  We have had that opportunity here and we would like to share with you some of the people we have met and the impact they have had on us.

First of all there is Momma Onnie.  Momma Onnie is the house mother here at the Doctor’s Quarters at McCord Hospital.  We see her every morning and since I am around the quarters more than Rachel is I see her changing people’s sheets, and getting more blankets for the nights when it is cool.  She has been wonderful.  She gets a bit of attitude, understandably, when people leave messes but she really cares for everyone who comes through the quarters.  In her office there are hundreds of pictures of her and different doctors that have come through as well as pictures that seem to be keeping her up to date on everyone as their lives continue.

Then there was Mark.  Mark was a guy who was hosting a tailgating gathering before the USA v. England match in the Phokeng East park n’ ride.  As soon as we walked up to the group with our USA gear on he offered us Castle lager and Wors Rolls (Brats).  He was very kind and generous towards us.

Next we met two brothers in line to get some lager (beer) at the Germany v. Australia match.  It was just great to have conversation with them for the 20 or so minutes we had with them in line.  Unfortunately we did not get their names but they were exceptionally nice.  One of the brothers was living in Jo’burg currently and was taking a trip to the US in a few months.  Just good people.

I told you a bit about Essazk, the man who pick Rachel and I up before the Spain v. Switzerland match.  He deserves more credit and further acknowledgement for his Good Samaritan like act.  We hope to call him up later in the week and have a pint with him to repay him for his deed.  He would be someone we would like to stay in touch with.  Thanks again Essazk.

Later that day at the Spain v. Switzerland match we sat next to a number of people who we also sat next to at the Germany v. Australia match.  It was kind of eerie the fact that all of us had bought multiple tickets to matches in Durban and we were all seated together.  We will see if this trend continues.  One of the guys we met was a really nice guy from Tualitin, OR.  His name was Will and again we had a great conversation.  Sounds like he and his female companion had seen as much as there was to see in South Africa in 3 weeks.

Finally there is Michael.  So yesterday I found a great pub called La Bella.  Good lager, good tvs , free wi-fi and good people.   We are going to head there in a few hours to see the USA v. Slovenia match.  Anyway, while I was there yesterday trying to finish up some work, a young mate came over and started watching Argentina v. South Korea.  It was really nice to chat with him.  We talked about soccer, rugby, how neither of us know what was happening in cricket, American football, basketball, how his favorite time in school is lunch break and much more.  It made my week to have the opportunity to talk with Michael.  Here is the funny story that goes with Michael.  So Michael has a bit of a stutter.  Some things he says are a bit hard to understand.  So after talking with him for about an hour I ask him what his name is.  At this point there are only employees of the bar around and I got the idea that they all knew him.  So when I asked him his name all I got was, “Mi…(stutter, stutter, stutter)…L".”  So I asked him again thinking I would get a stutterless name the next time.  Nope, the exact same thing.  Thank the Lord I deciphered his name the second time because I did not want to have him repeat it again and neither did he or anyone else in the room.  So his name is Michael.

The people we meet throughout life.  Cheers.