It is late January, and thus time to be settling back into the swing of things in the real world. One thing I appreciate so much about South Africa is that people take their vacation here—especially at this time of year. December, and now I find much of January too, is basically a wash since everyone is off traveling or enjoying time off at home. I returned to work on Monday the 17th sure that I would be the last one back in the office. As it turned out nearly everyone in our department had also taken off the first two weeks of January so we all returned to work on the same day a full two weeks after the new year. This is my kind of place.

The reason I needed half of January off was that I was out seeing my family, seeing my friends and seeing the world. And what a good time it was! My holiday was split between Seattle, Mexico, and Los Angeles, with extra special stops also made in Minneapolis, Portland, and Paris. I simply have too many great people in too many great places to stay put in any one town (or country, it seems).

The trip was dedicated to spending quality time with the people I love and miss and it was such a treat. Gabor joined me for much of it and we were both spoiled with friends’ and family’s gifts of time and meals and accommodation and adventures. I got a million reminders (not that I could have forgotten) of how many great people I have in my life, and why it’s such a shame to live so far from them.

Now I’m back in Joburg and settling into life and work once again. We have a good many adventures filling our upcoming weekends, so there is much to look forward to already. It doesn’t seem like my life will be slowing down at all in 2011, which I count as a good thing. But before the 2011 deluge begins, here are a few shots from an epic Christmas/New Year/and beyond holiday.