Thank you for your concern and good wishes.
Our flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town was smooth and uneventful. While driving into Franschhoek, we could see areas that had been severely burnt. Acres of scorched earth and blackened trees surrounded us. The smell of smoke still hung in the air. Although we continued to see evidence to the contrary, it had been widely reported that the fires were fully contained.
The Western Cape is a large, spectacularly beautiful region. We are mostly familiar with Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Neighboring estates and wineries in the area had been severely damaged or destroyed. Large portions had been without power for the previous three days. Miraculously, Leeu House was not affected.
When we arrived, the staff welcomed us back with great enthusiasm. Warm and generous, they seemed happy to see us again. There they stood: Gift, Honest, Grateful and Blessing. We were certainly happy to see them all.
As in other places we have returned to, something real had been exchanged. Even if what I felt was projection or a much needed construction, my choice is to simply embrace my feelings and to live into the moment of authentic joy, fully. I am always delighted to be in South Africa. I was certainly delighted to return to Leeu.
However, because my condition hadn’t improved, after another sleepless night, I asked Logan, at Reception to secure an appointment for me with a doctor. There are three doctors in the village. Two were fully booked, but I was able to see the third before offices closed for the weekend. Bill was pleased that I made the decision to go in for a proper exam.
The doctor was a large man with a warm and gentle personality. We were immediately put at ease. Wearing safari attire, he reminded me of a cross between Santa Claus and an older Crocodile Dundee.
He was very friendly, interesting to talk to and a life-long Anglican (so he wanted to talk religion!). I made several attempts to abort the theological bedside conversation, and get on with the diagnosis; but he peppered me with interesting historical facts, biblical references and his longing for liturgy. There are no Anglican churches or clergy nearby. So, for the moment, I was it.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally asked to see the bite, and, upon seeing it, immediately yelled “South African Tick Bite,” like a schoolboy being quizzed.
He went on to describe the difference between ticks in America and the varieties in Africa. If I were home, I might have acquired lyme disease. But here, I could expect the classic symptoms currently experienced – all of which would be ameliorated by antibiotics.
He produced the pills, charged me $40, gave me a blessing, and sent us on our way. Bill offered an audible sigh of relief as we left the office. He had apparently been quite concerned. The diagnosis, given with such certainty (even yet to be confirmed), offered us both relief.
I began the antibiotics immediately and later stumbled into bed. The next morning I found myself soaking wet. The fever had broken, and I felt reborn.
Like a new beginning, I was back! And we could carry on with our journey.
