Pleasure Hetal,

You don't have to listen to everybody. Personally, I have never, ever been touched by the crime here. I fail to see how that is living in denial when no-one I even know has been subjected to crime that I mix with and that is a conscious observation so what am I closing my eyes to? Propaganda was perhaps the wrong word to use because it actually has nothing to do with the politics as such, but private people. Maybe aggravation would have been a better word to use. Sure the odd cellphone has been stolen - my dad's was stolen off his desk at work. My mom's car - she was visiting her friend and when she left the car was not there anymore. Today the police phoned her and told her that they have located it and we are going to the pound to identify it on Saturday. Those incidences are not violent, does nothing get stolen in other countries? We do know here that the crime is as a result of unemployment.

I go for many walks with my children. What is wrong with emmarentia I ask myself. It is a beautiful dam and rose garden. I have even sneaked in there in the middle of the night to make out with my ex husband at the fountain (LOL). We are both still alive. I skydive in the limpopo - you should see the view from 15000ft - it's truly amazing, we camp out in the middle of nowhere at the drop zone afterwards.

I live a lovely life here. Sitting outside when the sun is setting every night with a sundowner in the warmth of the evening - which is most evenings - having a braai, watching the rugby on weekends or the cricket with a bunch of friends around. It's the kind of life I would hate to give up, albeit may have to.

I fetch my teenage daughter from parties late at night. I go to the theatre and come home late at night. I am really very sorry but I think it's the oblivious people who are subjects of the crime.

I wish you and your family well :-) (I don't know how to find the smileys!)
Debi