In 1993 my wife decided she just had to move back to her native South Africa, so I followed along, hoping that I could finally get a job flying there. Unfortunately that wasn't in the cards, so I took a job as an assistant mining manager on a Diamond mining vessel off the coast of Alexander Bay. Those were 3 memorable and difficult months. Didn't know a darned thing about diamonds or the ship, but learned quickly, running a crew of five deckhands from noon to midnight every single day for three months. "The Seas Were Rough That Day My Friend," ...to borrow a quote from George Castanza...

Needless to say, I got out of that job as soon as a contact in Cape Town came through with a good job for me. (Thank God for friends!). I began work as a safety and training supervisor for Fluor Daniel at the Flue Caltex Refinery in Milnerton, right outside of Cape Town. This was a good experience and I learned a lot. But, earning RSA Rands versus good ole' US dollars during the free elections of South Africa was unnerving. I yearned to return to the United States.