that is the funniest thing I’ve seen in the past while
where gave you permission to stage that little scene?
the numbering system is largely the same
area codes typically begin with 0, as there aren’t so many South African areas, nor a glut of phones.
Cape Town is full of 072, 062 and 061 area codes.
I think mine is 072
There is the 3 digit area code
Then a 7 digit number
if i dial the states i have to add 091 before the area code.
09 to get the call out of SA
1 to tell it that i’m dialling the states

life here is very strange
had i mentioned that they call traffic lights robots?
my internet access at the cybercafe is R15 an hour?
i am going on a fake safari tomorrow
i might see where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for a few years on Sunday

i have two native appliances (a battery charger, because mine burnt and a cell phone).
the cell phone is incredibly stupid.
there is no space button for texting
it stores the last number dialled, and the last number received
phone calls between networks are nearly inaudible

i might start using skype, if you wanna set one up then i could talk to you for free (on the off chance you are near your computer when i happen to be on the one in SA). eh.

Sincerely,
Steven

That is supposed to be a telephone number, but judging from your confusion, it appears to be improperly formatted. Perhaps you can make better sense out of it, as you are in SA and have more experience with their telephone numbering system. Here’s what Wizards put up, I added some bold to Marvin.

At the funeral, a tape will be playing with moments from the conversations all too short life. Flowers will be arranged all around the casket. Its black and white ashes sitting neatly in a pile on a pillow inside.

After we, and its closest friends, weep crocodile tears and poor booze onto the floor for our dead homie, we’ll carry the casket from the funeral home to the Indian Ocean, and shake our fallen friend into the breeze.

Click photo to enlarge.

What is that string of 12 numbers before Marvin?

This keyboard is set up for Africaans, so that is screwing up and making me avoid contractions

We will be holding funeral services for the conversation that died too young on Friday, open casket, bring your own booze.
If you could say something, that would be great, but I understand if you cannot.
Ashes to be spread over the Indian Ocean pretty soon.

It brings great joy to me that you did not die, but great sadness quickly follows from the untimely death of our telephone connection. Though it will be missed, I was about to arrive at my destination anyway.

Though you are alive and well, and not likely to travel time or the great distance between us without a huge expenditure of effort, there happens to be a prerelease in the city you are in if you felt so inclined.  Our regular tourney guy said he aquired some Ice Age, and wanted to run a few flights with that and Coldsnap.  I’m going to try to get into one of those flights instead of, or in addition to, the standard one.
07/09/2006 Cape Town 0278 4504 7132 Marvin Hsiao

Your top three questions will be answered Sundayish, and to answer the fourth question, if I can be home by 5pm CST and I can afford the travel, yes. I’ll just need directions and a meeting time.

I did not die when the phone cut out.
Nor did my card run out.
When one combines the unreliability of a cell phone, with calling cards and international calls, these things seem likely.
I think 2-3 menu options and the pressing of 20+ keys to get you back on the line deterred me from calling to tell you that I was nearing the end of the call and would talk to you later.
I think there is a ‘connection charge,’ too.

I’m alive and well and will not be attending the magic tourney, unless I develop time traveling of some sort.
Then you can drop the ‘not’ from between ‘will’ and ‘be,’ and I think you’d change it all to past tense.

I should probably ask a question, due to the mod 4.
Although on Security Now they accrue questions until the 4th episode then they deal with them.

What kind of results did you have?
What cards have stricken your fancy?
Did you get those cards you so adore?
Can you come to the Green Point bbq tomorrow for independence day?

I’m afraid that per usual I’ll be working my Saturday morning shift of 7-2, and I’d venture to guess that the tourney is probably morningish as they tend to be. If I happen to be wrong about that I’d be dropping the en and adding a y to join you. Detail me.

I’ve been having crazy adventures, but truly miss having folk (such as yourself) to converse with. I have ‘nice’ talks, but few great conversations. And there are many great conversations to be had about this place.
If I’m ever really rich, I should transplant my friends to a place like this for a week. They’ll feel bad taking my money at first, but ultimately it would be a better experience with them around for me. Worth the money (if I’m rich).

My Super Ex-Girlfriend did look like it could be just about right.

I have been experimenting with energy drinks here.
Nothing has been standout.

Almost everything of import here is imported from there.

I’m going to look into getting a phone card now, to call a couple of people.