About the Scribbler, aka Me
What to share, what to share… How about five random facts?
1. I was trussed up like so much baggage and brought to live in Botswana, Trinidad and Tobago and then South Africa as a child, before returning to live in the US, where I felt like a stranger for years.
2. I’ve been chased by an elephant, and it’s not fun. Also, unless you happen to be in speeding car, the odds are not stacked in the human’s favor.
3. A fan of MacGuyver in my youth, I sought to recreate the most dramatic moments in our neighborhood. In order to hone my jumping-out-of-the-way-of-oncoming-car skills, I used to hide in the bushes at a curve in the road, and jump out in front of approaching cars. Then I would heroically leap away. I do not, by and large, tell this story to kids, as it’s a miracle I survived childhood.
4. I’ve loved books my whole life. Swept away by Enid Blyton’s Famous Five tales about a group of stalwart kid detectives, I created my own detective agency at age ten. I corralled my brother and a friend to join me, but because I couldn’t come up with any suitably powerful-sounding alliterative names for Three, I eventually accepted the petitions of a local dog I called Butch to join us. I can’t recall our official name, but we cleared up several mysteries, of course.
My approach to mysteries was similar to my approach to to-do lists today. Rather than building up to disappointment by writing a list of what’s yet to be done, I write a list of what I’ve already accomplished, and then check things off and feel happy about it. When a mystery was solved, I entered it into our records. Maybe I’ll blog some of these wonders.
5. I carry a headlamp and my passport with me at all times, the former a remnant of my Peace Corps days, and the latter in case I need to leave the country at a moment’s notice. This used to be a vacation-oriented thought, but when the Russians invaded Georgia in 2008, it was uber useful when I had to cross the Armenian border.
Akaba, Jordan, with Israel Beyond.
Stumble It!
Oh, that’s so cool that you lived in South Africa. That’s one of my dream places to go.
I used to also play detective as a kid.
Hahaha! How hilarious! I’m glad I wasn’t alone in sleuthing. What did you solve/go for?
South Africa is gorgeous. Kruger Park, Cape Town, the coast… Lovely, lovely country. Definitely go
My best friend and I were pretty pitiful detectives. Since no cases can to us, we tried to find some on our own. This consisted mostly of watching people. “See that guy? He looks nervous. I bet that’s not his car!” Yes, you may laugh.
Now as a writer, I get to murder people *and* solve the case.
As for S. Africa, I’ve looked a bit into National Geographic safari trips. My plan (err dream) is to go within a couple years. I’d assume NG has good tour guides and stuff. Since you sound like a seasoned traveler, do you have any recommendations?
Hahaha! I love that you’ve actualized it. Brought it to another level. In which you both create your mystery AND save the day.
Our cases were pretty similar. In one case I became convinced a car parked on our street was highly suspicious, and in order to trap the criminal, I may have let the air out of the tires. Because, you know, that’s not criminal. And it would solve so much.
Ah, the mad days of childhood! 
On SA, as I used to live there, I never did any tours. NG might be great. Do you use TripAdvisor.com? Because I definitely check them out before going anywhere. They’ve got forums with actual folks asking questions/recommendations and sharing experiences. I used them a lot for Turkey. Let me know if you find anything interesting there…
What made you look to NG, btw? I’ll ask some friends in SA if they know what companies are good and I’ll let you know what they say.
Hey, here’s the link on TripAdvisor.com to the forum on Kruger Park.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g312618-Kruger_National_Park.html
oops. that was supposed to be “no cases came to us”
Our next door neighbor was a cop, and we’re just lucky he never saw us snooping about and looking suspicious as we sleuthed… Particularly as I also had the bright idea there was something suspicious going on in his garden.
Thanks so much for the trip advisor link. I’ll definitely check it out.
Another oops on my part. (need caffeine or a nap) It was actually the World Wildlife Fund. I’d often seen the travel ads on their newsletters, so I checked their website to get more info. But I think NG sponsers some, too.
Hee hee. I love the cop and the garden thing. I’m picturing you and your friend watching him ala “Rear Window”. Did he keep going back and forth with a suitcase?
Hee hee. It was mildly worse. What’s the statute of limitations on personally ensuring that no dead bodies are buried on someone’s property?
Oh, I sent out a question to a couple of friends in SA this morning. One friend suggested visiting the Tourism SA website: http://www.southafrica.net and also noted there are other great private and public game reserves, in addition to Kruger.
I hadn’t thought to ask you if you’re going to see anything else in SA. Cape Province (as it was called when I lived there, at least) is beautiful–gorgeous mountains right up to the sea.
I’ll let you know if I hear more regarding safari groups. One thing that may come up is that most South Africans don’t do safaris in groups
We’ll see 
Let me know what you decide with the safari…or if TripAdvisor is useful at all. I may also be able to find out other info through Peace Corps contacts. If so I’ll be in touch
Phew! I’m glad I’m not the only one who played detective! xD
Hahaha! Yay! The list of kid detective grows!