UPDATE: This morning I received a call from the brand communications manager for Nike South Africa. He apologized profusely for the misuse of my photo and agreed to compensate me for the photo’s usage. Of course this doesn’t undo the damage completely, but I’m pleased that Nike owned up to the mistake and offered to resolve the situation in a reasonable way. Nike, you have regained a little bit of your coolness now, at least in my eyes.

I got an iPad. (Thanks, Mom.)

I realize I’m behind the curve on this iPad thing. It took me a while to understand the point. What do I need with a weird in-between machine that is neither phone nor laptop? Or so I initially thought. But I get it now. I won’t try to explain it here. If you have an iPad, you already know. If you don’t have an iPad, well…I’m sorry but you won’t understand until you’re lucky enough to get one.

UPDATE: Zulu Girl, whose real name was Phindile Mwelase, died tragically of a brain injury after being knocked out during a fight in October 2014. She was 31 years old. Rest in peace, Zulu Girl. I hardly knew you but I’m very sad that you’re gone.

I’ve been on five trips, to five South African provinces, over the last four weeks.

On the road in KwaZulu-Natal.

I’ve driven solo for hundreds of kilometers along barren country roads, blasting my iPod and singing at the top of my lungs. I’ve slept in airports and stayed in more quirky B&Bs (“quirky” is often a kind synonym for “dumpy”) than I can count. I’ve camped in the bush and eaten lots of junk food.