History and Hospitality

This morning we went on a spelunking adventure.  We visited the Sterkfontein Caves where prehistoric fossils, including the famous Mrs Ples skull and Little Foot, a complete skeleton of an adolescent male, were found.  The caves also contained fossils of saber-tooth tigers, hunting hyenas, and other extinct animals.  We went through an exhibition center and then toured a large cave.   Miranda was not very excited about the exhibition center but had fun running back and forth.  In the cave she looked around with large eyes and was quite content to be carried by Grandpa.  The cave had several narrow passages and low tunnels.  Miranda was able to walk through these with no problems but the rest of us were much slower going.

Here we are at the excavation site where Mrs Ples was found.

This afternoon we visited the home of one of my Gore co-workers.  Derrick and his family were very welcoming and were wonderful with Miranda.  Miranda was a little shy at first but then warmed up and provided entertainment for all.   She played with stuffed animals and they were impressed when she put each one back as she was finished playing with it.  We enjoyed a delicious homemade meal of steaks on the grill and Miranda demonstrated her great silverware skills (for a 2 year old she is quite good with a fork although sometimes she decides it’s easier to use her hands).  They were also  impressed that she ate all her vegetables!  Dessert was caramel custard and when Miranda licked her bowl clean (literally) Derrick’s wife gave her seconds!  After dinner we sat outside on the patio and Miranda played with everyone.  I was nervous beforehand because I wanted Miranda to be well-behaved and I breathed a big sigh of relief when she was so fun and engaging.  It was nice to relax and enjoy their wonderful South African hospitality