Please enjoy the photos! I still look at them from time to time. It was such an amazing journey!
Cheers!
1. http://picasaweb.google.com/Breakfastattifs7/MyMommaAfrikaTrip2009?feat=directlink
2. http://picasaweb.google.com/Breakfastattifs7/MyMommaAfrikaTrip2009Part2?authkey=Gv1sRgCKnqp8r37_eKgAE&feat=directlink
13 April 2009
10 April 2009
Chicago
9 Apr 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDRrqcZbdPU
I am on the plane and eagerly looking at my flight map on the TV screen. We just crossed the US boarder at 38,000 ft and after traveling 4,074 miles we have 341 miles left to go. I see the Chicago area highlighted on this map as we travel in via Canada. I adore the look of my city from the map. As I think about all of the Chi town things I missed I think of all of things that I am leaving behind. I share in no particular order:
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDRrqcZbdPU
I am on the plane and eagerly looking at my flight map on the TV screen. We just crossed the US boarder at 38,000 ft and after traveling 4,074 miles we have 341 miles left to go. I see the Chicago area highlighted on this map as we travel in via Canada. I adore the look of my city from the map. As I think about all of the Chi town things I missed I think of all of things that I am leaving behind. I share in no particular order:
- Driving on the left and round abouts... Brill!
- The sky at night.. greatness of stars
- Having a cook to make breakfast each day. Thanks Olga, Kwena, cook at Trevoyan and the Proteas and Lisa!
- Bucket showers (ha ha)
- The sun
- My Tan
- Being called sissy
- This blog
- resting for +/- 20 mins
- "pleasure" , "cheers" , "molow", "is it"
- Did i say the sun???
Chicago things I am looking forward to - again in no particular order:
- my cats
- a pedicure
- pizza
- live music
- my guitar
- the skyline
- tivo
- the warmth of the people
- i guess i have to say my friends and family as well. :)
- oh and pwc ;)
Thank You
10 Apr 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFWeQuCeT7Q
"The unexamined LIFE is not worth living". - Socrates
I am ever so sad to see this end. I have enjoyed writing this blog although sometime a tedious task - the reflection was very cathartic and I am so happy many of you found it enjoyable and excited to read.
Thanks to all who helped me along this journey. Those who donated, helped with my home and cats, gave advise, supported the blog and read, listened and cared. It means so much to me to know that I have great friends and family and so much support! I hope in my journey you learned something about yourself as well.
All I can say is Thank you! Enkosi! Cheers! Danke! And I hope to see you all sometime soon. We can chat over a beer which I am dying to have right now!
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFWeQuCeT7Q
"The unexamined LIFE is not worth living". - Socrates
I am ever so sad to see this end. I have enjoyed writing this blog although sometime a tedious task - the reflection was very cathartic and I am so happy many of you found it enjoyable and excited to read.
Thanks to all who helped me along this journey. Those who donated, helped with my home and cats, gave advise, supported the blog and read, listened and cared. It means so much to me to know that I have great friends and family and so much support! I hope in my journey you learned something about yourself as well.
All I can say is Thank you! Enkosi! Cheers! Danke! And I hope to see you all sometime soon. We can chat over a beer which I am dying to have right now!
Home
9 Apr 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v288nSSmvMI&feature=related
I woke up this AM thinking how far I have come. From Chicago to DC, DC across an ocean to Jo'burg all around SA from Cape Town to Germany while flying over the whole of Africa and now back home. Approx 21,784 miles in 30 days. Just amazing. Yesterday I walked over the main bridge in frankfurt. At the end of the bridge all of the pedestrians were greeted by street musicians playing the accordion and the trumpet. Their sound had such a European feel to it. I waked up put in my Eruro and listened a bit. When the tune changed it was recognizable - one of my favorites. AS I hummed the lyrics.. "somewhere over the rainbow" I felt like Dorothy with those scarlet slippers. There really is no place like home. And now I click my shiny ruby shoes (or board my shiny silver jet) and leave this land of OZ - for HOME. The oh so very sweet home... Chicago!
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v288nSSmvMI&feature=related
I woke up this AM thinking how far I have come. From Chicago to DC, DC across an ocean to Jo'burg all around SA from Cape Town to Germany while flying over the whole of Africa and now back home. Approx 21,784 miles in 30 days. Just amazing. Yesterday I walked over the main bridge in frankfurt. At the end of the bridge all of the pedestrians were greeted by street musicians playing the accordion and the trumpet. Their sound had such a European feel to it. I waked up put in my Eruro and listened a bit. When the tune changed it was recognizable - one of my favorites. AS I hummed the lyrics.. "somewhere over the rainbow" I felt like Dorothy with those scarlet slippers. There really is no place like home. And now I click my shiny ruby shoes (or board my shiny silver jet) and leave this land of OZ - for HOME. The oh so very sweet home... Chicago!
Crossroads
8 April 09
Songs for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X2W_U0vSLY
It is noticeably different the min I landed in this First World Country that itself was torn just over 60 some odd year ago. I expected not to like Frankfurt after having such a leisurely stay in CT and thought it to be difficult to move from the relaxed pace to an urban center. Like many of our assumptions, I was wrong. IT was nice to be on land that although there are still Poliezei that march very uprightly everywhere you go - the land is still free. what do I mean by this? Well it is just a feeling you get really. I felt free to set my bag down next to me, felt free to walk around the city center at night, felft free of my race and not feeling like people looked at me as white with money, but in this mixed cultural city I blended in for a change. The contrast made me realize that Africa is a world on to itself. It sparkles like a brilliant diamond but just as diamonds and people ... it is flawed. After walking around the city of Frankfurt today, eating a traditional German mean with Applewine, I decided to go see a movie a the American movie house called Turmkino. To my dismay, the only show that was showing at the time was Marley and Me. I am not a big fan of sappy, hollywood heart sagas (shhh Kate & Leopold) but it turned out to be ok. I thought, how fitting this movie was to see on my last night. The movie made me realize a few things. 1. How incredibly much I miss my own pets - my girls. and 2. How the movie was really all about love and acceptance. About how it is important to go along for the ride of life even if life throws you a Marley. I think this is what my whole trip was about. The adventure of life. Loving the journey en when you are in a small town in SA where the potential is so much greater than their reality or landing in a city in Germany, surrounded by Germans and writing all in.. guest what??? German and all you can speak is English and Xhosa! :)
You make it work. You open your heart and go with it. IN SS I found this great lil book with weekly meditations - wisdom to guide you through a year. I read it in a hour. In it St. Augustine of Hippo (N. Africa 345-430 AD) wrote. "Love, and do as you will."
I would like to add a few of my favorites as well to that one.
You gotta let love rule - Lenny Kravits
All you need is love - The Beatles
Let go of your heart, let go of your head and feel it now - David Gray
Songs for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X2W_U0vSLY
It is noticeably different the min I landed in this First World Country that itself was torn just over 60 some odd year ago. I expected not to like Frankfurt after having such a leisurely stay in CT and thought it to be difficult to move from the relaxed pace to an urban center. Like many of our assumptions, I was wrong. IT was nice to be on land that although there are still Poliezei that march very uprightly everywhere you go - the land is still free. what do I mean by this? Well it is just a feeling you get really. I felt free to set my bag down next to me, felt free to walk around the city center at night, felft free of my race and not feeling like people looked at me as white with money, but in this mixed cultural city I blended in for a change. The contrast made me realize that Africa is a world on to itself. It sparkles like a brilliant diamond but just as diamonds and people ... it is flawed. After walking around the city of Frankfurt today, eating a traditional German mean with Applewine, I decided to go see a movie a the American movie house called Turmkino. To my dismay, the only show that was showing at the time was Marley and Me. I am not a big fan of sappy, hollywood heart sagas (shhh Kate & Leopold) but it turned out to be ok. I thought, how fitting this movie was to see on my last night. The movie made me realize a few things. 1. How incredibly much I miss my own pets - my girls. and 2. How the movie was really all about love and acceptance. About how it is important to go along for the ride of life even if life throws you a Marley. I think this is what my whole trip was about. The adventure of life. Loving the journey en when you are in a small town in SA where the potential is so much greater than their reality or landing in a city in Germany, surrounded by Germans and writing all in.. guest what??? German and all you can speak is English and Xhosa! :)
You make it work. You open your heart and go with it. IN SS I found this great lil book with weekly meditations - wisdom to guide you through a year. I read it in a hour. In it St. Augustine of Hippo (N. Africa 345-430 AD) wrote. "Love, and do as you will."
I would like to add a few of my favorites as well to that one.
You gotta let love rule - Lenny Kravits
All you need is love - The Beatles
Let go of your heart, let go of your head and feel it now - David Gray
Forever Friends
7 apr 09
Songs for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g132K0bIcGg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDh1vzxXGk8
My last day in CT. I wake up in the morning and will miss this lovely view. Amy and I spend the day driving around ao that I can try to absorb every lil bit I can. We hang at the beach and I soak up as much sun, observation and air that I can . This is it I think. The farewell party. Until I meet Momma Afrika again I breathe in and release her. As to tell me it was ok to go (mamma) the tide wave came in right up to my toes but not touching Amy or I but there was water all around us. People even gasped for they thought we would get all wet but like this whole trip - she was there to nurture and support me. She let a wave hug me goodbye. It was sweet, warm and lovely, just what I expected.
I took Amy back to the guest house. It was hard to leave her after all that we witnessed and was involved in. I could see in her soggy eyes it was hard for her too. I know Africa was good to hear as well and know we will forever be bonded from this experience.
In true Tiffany fashion, I ran to the airport, dropped off the car, ran all around with my oversized bags. I had to stroke (my word for smooth talking to get what you want) the baggage attendant to let me on with the extra lbs. O and gave him a Rand loaded handshake and I was off feeling like aI knew her well, saw a lot of her and will be her forever friend. AFRIKA!
Songs for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g132K0bIcGg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDh1vzxXGk8
My last day in CT. I wake up in the morning and will miss this lovely view. Amy and I spend the day driving around ao that I can try to absorb every lil bit I can. We hang at the beach and I soak up as much sun, observation and air that I can . This is it I think. The farewell party. Until I meet Momma Afrika again I breathe in and release her. As to tell me it was ok to go (mamma) the tide wave came in right up to my toes but not touching Amy or I but there was water all around us. People even gasped for they thought we would get all wet but like this whole trip - she was there to nurture and support me. She let a wave hug me goodbye. It was sweet, warm and lovely, just what I expected.
I took Amy back to the guest house. It was hard to leave her after all that we witnessed and was involved in. I could see in her soggy eyes it was hard for her too. I know Africa was good to hear as well and know we will forever be bonded from this experience.
In true Tiffany fashion, I ran to the airport, dropped off the car, ran all around with my oversized bags. I had to stroke (my word for smooth talking to get what you want) the baggage attendant to let me on with the extra lbs. O and gave him a Rand loaded handshake and I was off feeling like aI knew her well, saw a lot of her and will be her forever friend. AFRIKA!
Talking about a Revolution (on a WINE tour! )
5 Apr 09
Songs for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKYWOwWAguk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKYWOwWAguk
What make SA so great is that it is filled with everything you can possibly imagine. Great land, food, gold diamonds. But the true gem is its wine!
Today Amy and I went on a wine tour! As most wine tours go, the bus was filled of fun people who like to drink. Can't beat that combo at 9am. In our van we had our driver bruce from SA, Rob from Cananda living in Saudi Arabia and an undercover wine maker, several girls that were in the Peace Corp from the US and Germany and then there was Matt. Oh matty, he was a strapping english man living in SAy for 10 years now with a great tan, killer smile and a body to match. He like me had a different outlook on life. He believed it is important to go where life takes you and make a career out of the hobbies you like in life. He has taken up surfing, horses, corporate world, travel and leisure and even was a manny (male nanny) for Bradgelina in UK , Namibia and SA. He boasts that Angelina pecked him on the cheek goodbye in thanks for teaching maddox "footieball". He mentions several time how soft her lips wer as I watch his. ha ha.
The day started off getting to know everyone on the bus. Of course since Amy and I and the girls from the peace corps all just got out of the bush (what they call the farm lands in Africa) we had deep conversations about Africa, poverty, etc. All light wine tasting banter, yeah? The girls had us beat for they worked in Zambia for 3 years. There was one girl who just left Zambia. She was one of those young gals who was brought up in Manhattan, never had a real job, lived off of mommy and daddy but decided to help the world and come back with a greater sense of growth form the bush. Beside the large growth of bush under her arms, she definitely had gained a lot of life experience that I can't begin to try and understand. (However when I told her that I work with kids who are HIV positive in the States she said "they have that there?" - so you know what I am dealing with)
One of the things she said really got me ready for a debate. She was having trouble allowing the community she was in the idea of advancement. Sure she wanted them to have education, but she felt that even though they were poor they were still happy. Her point was that our "advanced" worlds and money are not the answer --- money does not = happiness. For me coming from Malugeni where although happy (in a way), are they leading life to their full potential? I just taught over 130 kids who all have the potential to be bright inventors, lawyers, doctors, writers, poets, actors but without opportunity (money = opportunity) they may not live that life. She countered by saying give them education so they have that but teach them how to sustain thier farms so they don't have to use money. My reaction is what if they do not wish to be farmers. I know I had more people than I can count ask me to take them with me to the US. Because you are born randomly in a town, country, continent you are bound to do what your parents did. Hello that is the foundation of America. Hell if that was the case i am sure she would not be sending 3 years in a bush, rather she would be in NY surrounded by technology and be either a lawyer or a doctor.
Again, why are we trying to oppress the Africans. I understand that nothing brings happiness but rather that comes from within. I do believe that the pursuit of a dream brings inner peace and fulfillment. It is food for your soul and it broke my heart to see the Malungeni's not even have those dreams but rather resign to the life they have. To not recognize that the lack of the dream is problematic - is immature, even if her world view is coming from 3 years in the bush. I think the next 3 years in Manhattan will change her view quickly when she takes a taxi 15 mins instead of a 3 hour bike ride to take her friend to the hospital for an HIV test.
Back to the wine--- I guess I don't have much to say after all of that.
It was lovely - the scenery both of the land and matt..ha ha
We ate, drank and were very merry.
An opportunity we would not all have if we couldn't pay the 450 Rand each. I will just say I am thankful and happy for the opportunity.
Songs for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKYWOwWAguk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKYWOwWAguk
What make SA so great is that it is filled with everything you can possibly imagine. Great land, food, gold diamonds. But the true gem is its wine!
Today Amy and I went on a wine tour! As most wine tours go, the bus was filled of fun people who like to drink. Can't beat that combo at 9am. In our van we had our driver bruce from SA, Rob from Cananda living in Saudi Arabia and an undercover wine maker, several girls that were in the Peace Corp from the US and Germany and then there was Matt. Oh matty, he was a strapping english man living in SAy for 10 years now with a great tan, killer smile and a body to match. He like me had a different outlook on life. He believed it is important to go where life takes you and make a career out of the hobbies you like in life. He has taken up surfing, horses, corporate world, travel and leisure and even was a manny (male nanny) for Bradgelina in UK , Namibia and SA. He boasts that Angelina pecked him on the cheek goodbye in thanks for teaching maddox "footieball". He mentions several time how soft her lips wer as I watch his. ha ha.
The day started off getting to know everyone on the bus. Of course since Amy and I and the girls from the peace corps all just got out of the bush (what they call the farm lands in Africa) we had deep conversations about Africa, poverty, etc. All light wine tasting banter, yeah? The girls had us beat for they worked in Zambia for 3 years. There was one girl who just left Zambia. She was one of those young gals who was brought up in Manhattan, never had a real job, lived off of mommy and daddy but decided to help the world and come back with a greater sense of growth form the bush. Beside the large growth of bush under her arms, she definitely had gained a lot of life experience that I can't begin to try and understand. (However when I told her that I work with kids who are HIV positive in the States she said "they have that there?" - so you know what I am dealing with)
One of the things she said really got me ready for a debate. She was having trouble allowing the community she was in the idea of advancement. Sure she wanted them to have education, but she felt that even though they were poor they were still happy. Her point was that our "advanced" worlds and money are not the answer --- money does not = happiness. For me coming from Malugeni where although happy (in a way), are they leading life to their full potential? I just taught over 130 kids who all have the potential to be bright inventors, lawyers, doctors, writers, poets, actors but without opportunity (money = opportunity) they may not live that life. She countered by saying give them education so they have that but teach them how to sustain thier farms so they don't have to use money. My reaction is what if they do not wish to be farmers. I know I had more people than I can count ask me to take them with me to the US. Because you are born randomly in a town, country, continent you are bound to do what your parents did. Hello that is the foundation of America. Hell if that was the case i am sure she would not be sending 3 years in a bush, rather she would be in NY surrounded by technology and be either a lawyer or a doctor.
Again, why are we trying to oppress the Africans. I understand that nothing brings happiness but rather that comes from within. I do believe that the pursuit of a dream brings inner peace and fulfillment. It is food for your soul and it broke my heart to see the Malungeni's not even have those dreams but rather resign to the life they have. To not recognize that the lack of the dream is problematic - is immature, even if her world view is coming from 3 years in the bush. I think the next 3 years in Manhattan will change her view quickly when she takes a taxi 15 mins instead of a 3 hour bike ride to take her friend to the hospital for an HIV test.
Back to the wine--- I guess I don't have much to say after all of that.
It was lovely - the scenery both of the land and matt..ha ha
We ate, drank and were very merry.
An opportunity we would not all have if we couldn't pay the 450 Rand each. I will just say I am thankful and happy for the opportunity.
Such Great Heights
4 Apr 09
Songs for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQIGDyEkngY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wPo993nWGw
I wake up early this morning and check out of my guest house. I am moving guest houses and staying with amy down the road. I grab a quick bite at the local cafe ( well ok it was not as quick as it can be on African Time) and then head to the airport. It was great to have some time here by myself but I am more than ready to have the company and companinonship of Amy here. I look forward to being able to process what we just went thru in Malugeni with her as well as share the beauty of CT. I arrive at the airport and Amy easily recognizes me in the car for I am the only car stopping to let pedistrians go by. Guess it is the Midwestern nice in me. I think I can live with that .
Amy hops in the car and I can't tell you how refreshing it is to have someone that you know here in this country. She tells me all about her wild tree house adventure in Kruger for the past week and I drive around CT to show her this lovely place. She is impressed with my sense of direction and how I no longer need a map to get around. What a great compliment to me!
We drive past table mountain and notice that there is not a huge line and that it is perfect weather conditions to go up. 10 mins later we are in the cable car up to the table top. It is funny but I had a feeling that I would see table mtn with Amy as I mentioned before. It was meant to be that way. It is such an amazing sight you have to see it with someone.
The views from the top are amazing!! Brilliant! Stunning! I can't believe it -- I have seen a few world wonders in my day: Grand Canyon in Az, Giants causeway in Northern Ireland, Hoover Dam in NV, A sonogram of a baby fetus, paraplegic's positive spirit and even my cats laying together in harmony as if they were one. All makes me think of the wonder and beauty of mother nature, some even make me dry just thinking about them. I now have to add that view to this list. It is a must see before you die (or at least check out my pictures :)
Such a great height!
Songs for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQIGDyEkngY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wPo993nWGw
I wake up early this morning and check out of my guest house. I am moving guest houses and staying with amy down the road. I grab a quick bite at the local cafe ( well ok it was not as quick as it can be on African Time) and then head to the airport. It was great to have some time here by myself but I am more than ready to have the company and companinonship of Amy here. I look forward to being able to process what we just went thru in Malugeni with her as well as share the beauty of CT. I arrive at the airport and Amy easily recognizes me in the car for I am the only car stopping to let pedistrians go by. Guess it is the Midwestern nice in me. I think I can live with that .
Amy hops in the car and I can't tell you how refreshing it is to have someone that you know here in this country. She tells me all about her wild tree house adventure in Kruger for the past week and I drive around CT to show her this lovely place. She is impressed with my sense of direction and how I no longer need a map to get around. What a great compliment to me!
We drive past table mountain and notice that there is not a huge line and that it is perfect weather conditions to go up. 10 mins later we are in the cable car up to the table top. It is funny but I had a feeling that I would see table mtn with Amy as I mentioned before. It was meant to be that way. It is such an amazing sight you have to see it with someone.
The views from the top are amazing!! Brilliant! Stunning! I can't believe it -- I have seen a few world wonders in my day: Grand Canyon in Az, Giants causeway in Northern Ireland, Hoover Dam in NV, A sonogram of a baby fetus, paraplegic's positive spirit and even my cats laying together in harmony as if they were one. All makes me think of the wonder and beauty of mother nature, some even make me dry just thinking about them. I now have to add that view to this list. It is a must see before you die (or at least check out my pictures :)
Such a great height!
Two Penguins in a Pod
3 Apr 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znmGyzgmVcA&feature=related
My last day alone in Cape Town (CT) . I drove to the peninsula today and headed to Boulders beach to visit the penguins. They were so cute. I caught quite a few snuggling together and even kissing. Wonder what it is about them that allow them to lose the animalistic instinct to over populate and therefore that multiple mates. I wonder are they happy? They certainly looked to be. guess I will never know but I would like to think monogamy suited them just like the "tux" looking skin they are in.
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znmGyzgmVcA&feature=related
My last day alone in Cape Town (CT) . I drove to the peninsula today and headed to Boulders beach to visit the penguins. They were so cute. I caught quite a few snuggling together and even kissing. Wonder what it is about them that allow them to lose the animalistic instinct to over populate and therefore that multiple mates. I wonder are they happy? They certainly looked to be. guess I will never know but I would like to think monogamy suited them just like the "tux" looking skin they are in.
Caged Bait
2 April 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMe09CXpYQA
Today I am driving about 2 hours along the Garden route to act as bait for African Great White Sharks. Why do I like to do this stuff and call it adventure. I will never know! The drive was peaceful and I had the roads all to myself for I got up at 4:30am to get out there on time. The town the dive was in was quaint town and the sharks were the town's main attraction. Once I got there I hooked up with the driver and guide of my tour and the rest of the dive group at a restaurant where a mandatory South African breakfast was served. I was not hungry but ate reluctantly since they set it right down in front of me and gave me a guilt trip. Then we were off for a briefing that was brief enough just to explain who the tour group was and that they also work as a shark conservatory. They told us about the safety and that more people are killed by falling coconuts each year than from sharks. I think this was suppose to make us feel better about getting in the cage.
We loaded on the boat and headed out to what they call Shark Alley! This is a section of the Indian Ocean that is notorious for Sharks sightings. So much so they named it after them. The reason the sharks come is for the large amount of Seals that make their home on a group of rocks in the middle of the ocean. It is a feeding frenzy for the sharks. If have watched shark week on Discovery, then you have seen this place before. We were about 20 mins from the shore in the middle of the ocean that you can't even see the shore. What you don't experience from watching shark week is the horrific smell of the seals basking in the sun. The smell was something I never smelled before and do not want to smell again and I will never forget for the rest of my life. It was the smell of BO combined with wet dog combined with smelly crotch combined with fish time 200. For a gal like me who won't each fish for even the slight smell makes me gage, let's just say my first experience of sea sickness set in as soon as we anchored. The smell didn't go away either for the wind was high that day. In addition, the crew was using seal meat to mash in a bait soup and put large seal fillets on the end of a hook to lure the sharks in. For the next 3 hours, I tried to hold down my mushroom omelet with little luck. While everyone was giddy about the sharks and enjoying the view with a brew or two... I was on the side of the boat heaving. While breathing thru my own shirt so that I could not smell the seals as well. It took all of me just to get the wet suit on and took many puke breaks as well.
After one of the breaks, I jumped into the cage for nothing was going to sink my battle ship and not allow me to view these animals. Once in the 10 degree Celcius (about 52 F) waters my mind was on keeping my fingers in the cage rather than my breakfast in my stomach. The boat guys would shout "down" and in the deal soup water we went. Thru my goggles I could see this grey being with ripples like an old washing board on his side. He was coming for the bait that was 6 inches from my cage and with one swift stride - opened his mouth and tried to ravage it with us in the cage watching like sport spectators. For 20 some odd mins, we were submerged in this water and visited by 3 sharks several different times. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience . I even forgot that they were in their natural habitat and was temped several times to reach out of the cage and pet them. They were just too cute!
When I got back on the boat, I was immediately sick again and dreaming of the shore, getting back to the guest house and having a nice shower. Two hours later (i was speeding) I was in bed thinking - why would I have paid money to do that??? HA HA! Lesson learned - you only live once so if you have a chance to be in a gigantic poop with a shark, do it. Even if you must take a puke break for the whole day.
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMe09CXpYQA
Today I am driving about 2 hours along the Garden route to act as bait for African Great White Sharks. Why do I like to do this stuff and call it adventure. I will never know! The drive was peaceful and I had the roads all to myself for I got up at 4:30am to get out there on time. The town the dive was in was quaint town and the sharks were the town's main attraction. Once I got there I hooked up with the driver and guide of my tour and the rest of the dive group at a restaurant where a mandatory South African breakfast was served. I was not hungry but ate reluctantly since they set it right down in front of me and gave me a guilt trip. Then we were off for a briefing that was brief enough just to explain who the tour group was and that they also work as a shark conservatory. They told us about the safety and that more people are killed by falling coconuts each year than from sharks. I think this was suppose to make us feel better about getting in the cage.
We loaded on the boat and headed out to what they call Shark Alley! This is a section of the Indian Ocean that is notorious for Sharks sightings. So much so they named it after them. The reason the sharks come is for the large amount of Seals that make their home on a group of rocks in the middle of the ocean. It is a feeding frenzy for the sharks. If have watched shark week on Discovery, then you have seen this place before. We were about 20 mins from the shore in the middle of the ocean that you can't even see the shore. What you don't experience from watching shark week is the horrific smell of the seals basking in the sun. The smell was something I never smelled before and do not want to smell again and I will never forget for the rest of my life. It was the smell of BO combined with wet dog combined with smelly crotch combined with fish time 200. For a gal like me who won't each fish for even the slight smell makes me gage, let's just say my first experience of sea sickness set in as soon as we anchored. The smell didn't go away either for the wind was high that day. In addition, the crew was using seal meat to mash in a bait soup and put large seal fillets on the end of a hook to lure the sharks in. For the next 3 hours, I tried to hold down my mushroom omelet with little luck. While everyone was giddy about the sharks and enjoying the view with a brew or two... I was on the side of the boat heaving. While breathing thru my own shirt so that I could not smell the seals as well. It took all of me just to get the wet suit on and took many puke breaks as well.
After one of the breaks, I jumped into the cage for nothing was going to sink my battle ship and not allow me to view these animals. Once in the 10 degree Celcius (about 52 F) waters my mind was on keeping my fingers in the cage rather than my breakfast in my stomach. The boat guys would shout "down" and in the deal soup water we went. Thru my goggles I could see this grey being with ripples like an old washing board on his side. He was coming for the bait that was 6 inches from my cage and with one swift stride - opened his mouth and tried to ravage it with us in the cage watching like sport spectators. For 20 some odd mins, we were submerged in this water and visited by 3 sharks several different times. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience . I even forgot that they were in their natural habitat and was temped several times to reach out of the cage and pet them. They were just too cute!
When I got back on the boat, I was immediately sick again and dreaming of the shore, getting back to the guest house and having a nice shower. Two hours later (i was speeding) I was in bed thinking - why would I have paid money to do that??? HA HA! Lesson learned - you only live once so if you have a chance to be in a gigantic poop with a shark, do it. Even if you must take a puke break for the whole day.
03 April 2009
american baby
3 april 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePD3aNoQAq0&feature=related
OK so.. I love this country.. but as I have been very honest in my previous post, I will continue to be. I want to paint a realistic picture and try not to just say how rosie things are. I will admit.. the landscape and most people are beautiful in this country but I find that there are some who are still very much holding on to the past.
Today I was in a coffee shop reading my Vanity Fair with Obama on the cover. The table behind me was a family that started in on the G20 summit and politics. The older grandpa was very loud so i could not help overhearing what they thought of the US and of our new president. They conversation was over the fact that Barak was our first black president but that he would not be elected as such if his mom was the one who was African. They mentioned that yes he is eloquent but that it probably would not be the case if the tables were turned. He went on further to say that America has more of an issue with race than does South Africa and that we are just now catching on. This is where I had to differ, however I elected not to jump into the conversation and instead put it into this blog.
I don't claim to be an expert at South African domestic affairs, but what I have witness so far is this:
1. The remains of Apartheid are still very prevalent here. Many of the "whites" (as they call them) very much have an air of domination and disdain to them towards "blacks" or "coloureds". There is a servant/master mentality that is hard to watch at times. I can see why many still probably consider themselves less than. I see waiters and waitresses just be demanded and commanded instead of asked for things. I see people clutch their purse in a nice shopping center while paying when a colored is behind them. I see people yelling at a sales person just because they can't find what they want.
Of course this is not everyone but I see it a lot and just really hard to see. I can't describe it but that it is very much a domination vibe.
2. Every EVERY black person that I have come in contact with has been more than friendly to me. Has treated me with kindness and respect and has been so happy! It has been a joy to get to know all of them and I want that to be said for I don't think they get the credit in other travel blogs that I have read.
3. The crime here is not what everyone makes it out to be- watch something will happen to me tonight now that I say that. (touch wood)
4. South Africa has a far way to go in terms of acceptance. Yes, this country had a black president first for the vast majority of its people are black. That had to happen to maintain a balance and well majority rules. However, as far as true acceptance and living as one unit - I have yet to see that. I think the old man was wrong today... the US is really accepting of all. Yes we have our groups that are not, but the vast majority is and if they are not.. at least most fake it. :)
I can say that I love it here but am very proud to be from America, and especially Chicago. We are friendly, kind, loving, FUN, talkative, bright, resilient, creative, accepting and happy people.
All things that many foreigners don't give us credit for. I just wanted to write this post to let you all know that I will be back home soon and although my time here was absolutely divine... it is very hard to compete with sweet home Chicago.
*** I am sure that this post may or may not sit well for many who are reading. I would love to hear your opinions. Feel free to post and we can make this more of a dialogue. Maybe I am missing something for again I am an outsider and just been a voyeur for 4 weeks.
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePD3aNoQAq0&feature=related
OK so.. I love this country.. but as I have been very honest in my previous post, I will continue to be. I want to paint a realistic picture and try not to just say how rosie things are. I will admit.. the landscape and most people are beautiful in this country but I find that there are some who are still very much holding on to the past.
Today I was in a coffee shop reading my Vanity Fair with Obama on the cover. The table behind me was a family that started in on the G20 summit and politics. The older grandpa was very loud so i could not help overhearing what they thought of the US and of our new president. They conversation was over the fact that Barak was our first black president but that he would not be elected as such if his mom was the one who was African. They mentioned that yes he is eloquent but that it probably would not be the case if the tables were turned. He went on further to say that America has more of an issue with race than does South Africa and that we are just now catching on. This is where I had to differ, however I elected not to jump into the conversation and instead put it into this blog.
I don't claim to be an expert at South African domestic affairs, but what I have witness so far is this:
1. The remains of Apartheid are still very prevalent here. Many of the "whites" (as they call them) very much have an air of domination and disdain to them towards "blacks" or "coloureds". There is a servant/master mentality that is hard to watch at times. I can see why many still probably consider themselves less than. I see waiters and waitresses just be demanded and commanded instead of asked for things. I see people clutch their purse in a nice shopping center while paying when a colored is behind them. I see people yelling at a sales person just because they can't find what they want.
Of course this is not everyone but I see it a lot and just really hard to see. I can't describe it but that it is very much a domination vibe.
2. Every EVERY black person that I have come in contact with has been more than friendly to me. Has treated me with kindness and respect and has been so happy! It has been a joy to get to know all of them and I want that to be said for I don't think they get the credit in other travel blogs that I have read.
3. The crime here is not what everyone makes it out to be- watch something will happen to me tonight now that I say that. (touch wood)
4. South Africa has a far way to go in terms of acceptance. Yes, this country had a black president first for the vast majority of its people are black. That had to happen to maintain a balance and well majority rules. However, as far as true acceptance and living as one unit - I have yet to see that. I think the old man was wrong today... the US is really accepting of all. Yes we have our groups that are not, but the vast majority is and if they are not.. at least most fake it. :)
I can say that I love it here but am very proud to be from America, and especially Chicago. We are friendly, kind, loving, FUN, talkative, bright, resilient, creative, accepting and happy people.
All things that many foreigners don't give us credit for. I just wanted to write this post to let you all know that I will be back home soon and although my time here was absolutely divine... it is very hard to compete with sweet home Chicago.
*** I am sure that this post may or may not sit well for many who are reading. I would love to hear your opinions. Feel free to post and we can make this more of a dialogue. Maybe I am missing something for again I am an outsider and just been a voyeur for 4 weeks.
Another lesson learned
31 Mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVNK_VDQY8I
Another lesson learned.. I was in Paarl waiting for one of the attendants to take my photo outside of the restaurant. IT took a few takes for the wild wind was whipping my wild hair that day. With over 20 mile per hour winds, I was not having a very nice hair day and was complaining about the craziness in the photos. The parking attendant then put me right back to a sane place by saying "it looks fine - lovely in fact. I know many woman who would kill to have all that hair." IT really made me think. Just goes to show that in the scheme of things.. a bad hair day should be the least of your worries and there is someone out there that would probably like what you have. So Ladies.. let the locks down. Go free and don't let a not so great hair day ruin the rest of of a really great day. Both you and the day are filled with beauty!
(disclaimer!!! .. this does not mean i won't be using a flat iron when i get home.. but just mean.. i won't be so obsessive. )
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVNK_VDQY8I
Another lesson learned.. I was in Paarl waiting for one of the attendants to take my photo outside of the restaurant. IT took a few takes for the wild wind was whipping my wild hair that day. With over 20 mile per hour winds, I was not having a very nice hair day and was complaining about the craziness in the photos. The parking attendant then put me right back to a sane place by saying "it looks fine - lovely in fact. I know many woman who would kill to have all that hair." IT really made me think. Just goes to show that in the scheme of things.. a bad hair day should be the least of your worries and there is someone out there that would probably like what you have. So Ladies.. let the locks down. Go free and don't let a not so great hair day ruin the rest of of a really great day. Both you and the day are filled with beauty!
(disclaimer!!! .. this does not mean i won't be using a flat iron when i get home.. but just mean.. i won't be so obsessive. )
Far Away
1 April 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IfZ5SYeuug
Spent the day in Simon's town. This great lil sea faring town down the southern peninsula of cape town. the town is filled with cute shops, antiques and the like as well as cozy lil sea side dock bars/restaurants. There are some great small beaches that you would almost think were private and boulder beach that is home to many african penguins. It is a sleepy town where I managed to fal a sleep on the beach listening to a bird humming tune as if she was out of disney's cinderella. NOw I sit at Berthas a cafe named after a whale that wound up beached at this dock. I watch the sail nd tug boats bob back and fourth tied down in the water and their sails make a clanging tune while fishermen try to get in their last catches. Maybe in a few days I will have to sail away on a catamaran tour. hmmm....
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IfZ5SYeuug
Spent the day in Simon's town. This great lil sea faring town down the southern peninsula of cape town. the town is filled with cute shops, antiques and the like as well as cozy lil sea side dock bars/restaurants. There are some great small beaches that you would almost think were private and boulder beach that is home to many african penguins. It is a sleepy town where I managed to fal a sleep on the beach listening to a bird humming tune as if she was out of disney's cinderella. NOw I sit at Berthas a cafe named after a whale that wound up beached at this dock. I watch the sail nd tug boats bob back and fourth tied down in the water and their sails make a clanging tune while fishermen try to get in their last catches. Maybe in a few days I will have to sail away on a catamaran tour. hmmm....
02 April 2009
Kismet
31 mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HffIlXo_ws
Today I drove out to Paarl, one of Cape Town's wine regions. IT is the sister to the bigger area stellenboch but just as in CA I prefer the less known winelands better. (Sonoma over Napa).
Paarl was an entity all its own. The views of this rich farmland were stunning and were even breath taking. I couldn't help to think of the children of Malugeni and think that their land could be as prosperous. I visited 3 wineries, all along the same route. 1st one was a winner for their friendliness. 2nd for their amazing views and the last was Fairfield where there was a combo of both. I cozied up to the tasting bar where Lyn was pouring me glass after glass of their top wines. It was great!
Then all of a sudden, I hear a voice behind me saying "is that our Chicago friend?" I turned around thinking who the heck could this be. It was my friends Ann and Peter with their 3 boys that I met on my plane ride 3 weeks ago from DC to Jo'berg. I asked them a question about Jo'berg at the end of our plane ride and we got to talking. Ended up that Ann also went to Western Illinois Univ for her grad degree. They are from SA but now live in Virgina. They were so helpful but then that was the last that I expected to see of them. How they ended up in Cape Town and at this winery at the same time.. well life is very strange! Really there are no accidents in life. I think they popped up as a way for the universe to tell me that I have friends all around and to enjoy this journey alone. It was a way of supporting me. It made me smile to see them but also made my head spin for the universe is a wacky, magical, supportive and lovely place! Absolutely divine!
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HffIlXo_ws
Today I drove out to Paarl, one of Cape Town's wine regions. IT is the sister to the bigger area stellenboch but just as in CA I prefer the less known winelands better. (Sonoma over Napa).
Paarl was an entity all its own. The views of this rich farmland were stunning and were even breath taking. I couldn't help to think of the children of Malugeni and think that their land could be as prosperous. I visited 3 wineries, all along the same route. 1st one was a winner for their friendliness. 2nd for their amazing views and the last was Fairfield where there was a combo of both. I cozied up to the tasting bar where Lyn was pouring me glass after glass of their top wines. It was great!
Then all of a sudden, I hear a voice behind me saying "is that our Chicago friend?" I turned around thinking who the heck could this be. It was my friends Ann and Peter with their 3 boys that I met on my plane ride 3 weeks ago from DC to Jo'berg. I asked them a question about Jo'berg at the end of our plane ride and we got to talking. Ended up that Ann also went to Western Illinois Univ for her grad degree. They are from SA but now live in Virgina. They were so helpful but then that was the last that I expected to see of them. How they ended up in Cape Town and at this winery at the same time.. well life is very strange! Really there are no accidents in life. I think they popped up as a way for the universe to tell me that I have friends all around and to enjoy this journey alone. It was a way of supporting me. It made me smile to see them but also made my head spin for the universe is a wacky, magical, supportive and lovely place! Absolutely divine!
A special treat
30 Mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gzjPzLch4k&feature=related
Took a walk today around my guest house area called Tamboerskloof. (don't worry.. I am just getting use to the pronounciations here myself) :) The area is in the heart of the city and is very quaint, trendy, and is home to clubs, shops, resturants, cafes, and tour companies. IT is very much like home to me for I think Lakeview has the same vibe I adore all of the lil shops that are built in the cape dutch style. Many of them sell cheeses, juices, nuts, bread, oils, chocolates and jam (did I mention I have a strange affixiation to preserves? I am in LOVE with Gooseberry here which I can't seem to find in the states). I ran into this chocolate shop where the owen wer hanging out the doorway on one of those doors that are cut in half and she was leaning over the bottom half of the door. She shouted for meto come in and sample a bon bon which I didn't want to for I was on a walk/jog and trying to work off they good food here. She insisted and the chocolates were a great price. I could not resist. She proudly showed me all 200 of the varities and I picked a half dozen to bring back with me. She only let me pick 5 and the last one she said was her favorite ... a special one that she knows I would love. I passed over it but she insisted she knew better. She said to try it while sitting alone in a special chair in a quite space. I real treat just for me.
I thought she might be "nuts - covered in chocolate" but I let her pick me out that one and went back to the guest house. It felt silly but I tried my special pick in the special way she described. After my bite, I sighed... "man that woman knows her chocolates!!" She predicted I would be back for more... I think I will have to bring back some for our family easter in the states. :))
Again.. a magical lil place!!
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gzjPzLch4k&feature=related
Took a walk today around my guest house area called Tamboerskloof. (don't worry.. I am just getting use to the pronounciations here myself) :) The area is in the heart of the city and is very quaint, trendy, and is home to clubs, shops, resturants, cafes, and tour companies. IT is very much like home to me for I think Lakeview has the same vibe I adore all of the lil shops that are built in the cape dutch style. Many of them sell cheeses, juices, nuts, bread, oils, chocolates and jam (did I mention I have a strange affixiation to preserves? I am in LOVE with Gooseberry here which I can't seem to find in the states). I ran into this chocolate shop where the owen wer hanging out the doorway on one of those doors that are cut in half and she was leaning over the bottom half of the door. She shouted for meto come in and sample a bon bon which I didn't want to for I was on a walk/jog and trying to work off they good food here. She insisted and the chocolates were a great price. I could not resist. She proudly showed me all 200 of the varities and I picked a half dozen to bring back with me. She only let me pick 5 and the last one she said was her favorite ... a special one that she knows I would love. I passed over it but she insisted she knew better. She said to try it while sitting alone in a special chair in a quite space. I real treat just for me.
I thought she might be "nuts - covered in chocolate" but I let her pick me out that one and went back to the guest house. It felt silly but I tried my special pick in the special way she described. After my bite, I sighed... "man that woman knows her chocolates!!" She predicted I would be back for more... I think I will have to bring back some for our family easter in the states. :))
Again.. a magical lil place!!
A totally different type of five bar flies
30 Mar 2009
Dinner at five flies tonight off of the trendy long str. What a difference from just a week before at the bar in Malugeni!! Thanks Dakes for the suggestion. IT was a fabu meal and now one of my favs. Had great goat cheese salad and ostrich entree. AS in high fidelity it has made my top 5 list. Mmmmmwaahhhh Dakin!
xoxox
Dinner at five flies tonight off of the trendy long str. What a difference from just a week before at the bar in Malugeni!! Thanks Dakes for the suggestion. IT was a fabu meal and now one of my favs. Had great goat cheese salad and ostrich entree. AS in high fidelity it has made my top 5 list. Mmmmmwaahhhh Dakin!
xoxox
Learning to Fly
30 Mar 09
Songs for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjK6wNIWzts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FqA2WINPF4
One of the most exhilarating experiences of my life! I can't believe that I jumped out of an airplane today!!! It was all so fast I hardly can remember the exact thoughts I had but all i know is that it was completely brilliant!! Cant describe it really. I was a bit scared but they allowed no time for that really. When I arrived they started helping me into my jump suit saying that the plane was landing so we had to hurry. I still was in flip flops so i also had to get my tennis shoes on. (trainers as they would say). As they were pulling straps here and there on me they were quickly shouting the run down so I could hear over the plane sounds and other guys were quickly packing backpacks with chutes. (hope that one is not mine!! I thought). There was no long video instruction or history of the tandem rider.. just "run to the plane. Get in facing backwards." and then we were off. It is a 20 min ride to the top altitude... don't ask me what that was i just know it was higher than table mountain.
The next thing i know the plane door was opening and the air came in like a gust of opportunity. I had to put both feet out of the door on to a small launch pad with the guy on my back before we could get out. At this point it was the only point I was thinking why am I doing this!! Then without even a 1-2-3...Paul, the most experienced diver in all of SA leaped off of the plane - mind you I was attached to the front of his body so I leaped with him. 30 seconds of pure free fall came next. 25 seconds of which I was thinking " I can't believe I am up here and that I am actually falling from the sky. Finally, with 5 seconds left, I was able to absorb and digest what was happening. IT all went so fast. Then the chute came out - talk about a scare. Going from free fall to being slowed down and if you are not ready for it .. well let's just say it puts a new meaning on putting on the breaks. But then after it opened there was nothing but silence. It was really smooth sailing. I even was allowed to fly the parachute on my own. That was trippy. After 5 mins Paul shouted " Knees up" and then "Stand! Stand!" and I was on the sandy ground again barely could stand. I was so amazed, proud, excited and all I could think was ... I want to go again!! The best $150 I have ever EVER spent!! I will always remember SA as being the home where I learned to fly!! :)
Songs for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjK6wNIWzts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FqA2WINPF4
One of the most exhilarating experiences of my life! I can't believe that I jumped out of an airplane today!!! It was all so fast I hardly can remember the exact thoughts I had but all i know is that it was completely brilliant!! Cant describe it really. I was a bit scared but they allowed no time for that really. When I arrived they started helping me into my jump suit saying that the plane was landing so we had to hurry. I still was in flip flops so i also had to get my tennis shoes on. (trainers as they would say). As they were pulling straps here and there on me they were quickly shouting the run down so I could hear over the plane sounds and other guys were quickly packing backpacks with chutes. (hope that one is not mine!! I thought). There was no long video instruction or history of the tandem rider.. just "run to the plane. Get in facing backwards." and then we were off. It is a 20 min ride to the top altitude... don't ask me what that was i just know it was higher than table mountain.
The next thing i know the plane door was opening and the air came in like a gust of opportunity. I had to put both feet out of the door on to a small launch pad with the guy on my back before we could get out. At this point it was the only point I was thinking why am I doing this!! Then without even a 1-2-3...Paul, the most experienced diver in all of SA leaped off of the plane - mind you I was attached to the front of his body so I leaped with him. 30 seconds of pure free fall came next. 25 seconds of which I was thinking " I can't believe I am up here and that I am actually falling from the sky. Finally, with 5 seconds left, I was able to absorb and digest what was happening. IT all went so fast. Then the chute came out - talk about a scare. Going from free fall to being slowed down and if you are not ready for it .. well let's just say it puts a new meaning on putting on the breaks. But then after it opened there was nothing but silence. It was really smooth sailing. I even was allowed to fly the parachute on my own. That was trippy. After 5 mins Paul shouted " Knees up" and then "Stand! Stand!" and I was on the sandy ground again barely could stand. I was so amazed, proud, excited and all I could think was ... I want to go again!! The best $150 I have ever EVER spent!! I will always remember SA as being the home where I learned to fly!! :)
01 April 2009
Enchanted Garden
29 Mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE
I am off to the Botanical gardens and it turned out to be a magical place with more plant life than I ever expected to see. There were so many varieties and it boast to be the first garden to be constructed in the preservation of wildlife. It was just breath taking. Tucked beneath the mountains and kissed by the sunshine it housed many plants that I have never seen before. My favorite was the buchu which is used for medicinal purposes and smells like citrus similar to lemongrass. Before I came Dakin found a concert series online so I had planned to pack a picnic and stay there for the day. The day reminded me of my adventure in San Fran where I went to see Ingrid Michealson in Presidio Park - sans the broken bicycle at the top of the mountainous hills where I had to coast down with out pedals to get to civilization.
The orchestra played and I met a handful of friends at the park. I met another American who came to SA after her divorce and decided to make a life change. This ex-LA-er was extremely friendly and helpful. IT was also inspiring to hear her story of moving across the world for living the life she wanted to live & loving it. I also met a grandma who was entertaining her kids and grandkids that came to visit her from the UK. She was sweet and was delighted to hear that I loved her country so much. Finally I met Hulusi, a Turkish guy who was here on holiday and to sell his jewelry that he makes. I dont' know what it is about traveling alone but you always happen to meet others like you and people willing to talk and chat and maybe even get coffee along the way. Another magical day!
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE
I am off to the Botanical gardens and it turned out to be a magical place with more plant life than I ever expected to see. There were so many varieties and it boast to be the first garden to be constructed in the preservation of wildlife. It was just breath taking. Tucked beneath the mountains and kissed by the sunshine it housed many plants that I have never seen before. My favorite was the buchu which is used for medicinal purposes and smells like citrus similar to lemongrass. Before I came Dakin found a concert series online so I had planned to pack a picnic and stay there for the day. The day reminded me of my adventure in San Fran where I went to see Ingrid Michealson in Presidio Park - sans the broken bicycle at the top of the mountainous hills where I had to coast down with out pedals to get to civilization.
The orchestra played and I met a handful of friends at the park. I met another American who came to SA after her divorce and decided to make a life change. This ex-LA-er was extremely friendly and helpful. IT was also inspiring to hear her story of moving across the world for living the life she wanted to live & loving it. I also met a grandma who was entertaining her kids and grandkids that came to visit her from the UK. She was sweet and was delighted to hear that I loved her country so much. Finally I met Hulusi, a Turkish guy who was here on holiday and to sell his jewelry that he makes. I dont' know what it is about traveling alone but you always happen to meet others like you and people willing to talk and chat and maybe even get coffee along the way. Another magical day!
Rainbow City - cape town
28 Mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isH1yy8I_dc
It is a must to hear the song above!! :)
If South Africa is the rainbow natio then cape town is its flagship city. I am in awe as to all of the beautiful landspe, peope architechure, and history behind this place. I was smart to rent a car and had the luxury of cruisng around the city. Car had a jack for my ipod and i was ready t hit the town running before checking into my guest house. i figured, why now hit the high point first and headed to table mountian (little did I know that this was not the high for when i went sky diving my shute opened at the height of table mtn. I jumped higher than that and a free fall for 30 secs but I will get to that story later) Unfortunately, table mtn was closed due to high winds and it has been each time i go. I think it is just waiting for amy to arrive for the both of us to go.
I went on to drive down towards the cost and drove to the south towars the gardens. it is an amazing die and one that I will never forget. Every turn there is something new to see. Scenery transforming into soemthing diff before your eyes. About 4 km on the coast drive from the mountan i found my lil special place. A little drive off that over looks the mountain and coastal area. Lovely. With coldplay blasting I thought.. It is a perfect day!! (Dakin the ipod angels must love me!!) I was overwhelmed with happiness. More so than I have been in a while. Until teh next day when I went sky diving.
Cape town is extremely diverse. Lots of whites, blacks, coloured (like me) and indian and jewish and travelers from all over. Although small by NY and Chicago standards, it is uniquely unique. I immediately felt at home. It is a place filled with many things that I love - mountains like colorado, ocean like CA, wine and hills like san fran, diversity ike chicago or NY and beauty like ireland. In say 20 years or soe I think this city will be a forc to be recken with. It still needs the time to shake the shakles of apartied and cape town is a good example of how that is coming along. My guest house is charming and is run by christoph and urs who are from swisserland. They bought the house after the 1994 elections. The house is divine and they are great hosts. Very warm,, cozy and inviting plus it is in the heart of the city in my opinion.
Just nothing but goodness right now!! Will post more later!!
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isH1yy8I_dc
It is a must to hear the song above!! :)
If South Africa is the rainbow natio then cape town is its flagship city. I am in awe as to all of the beautiful landspe, peope architechure, and history behind this place. I was smart to rent a car and had the luxury of cruisng around the city. Car had a jack for my ipod and i was ready t hit the town running before checking into my guest house. i figured, why now hit the high point first and headed to table mountian (little did I know that this was not the high for when i went sky diving my shute opened at the height of table mtn. I jumped higher than that and a free fall for 30 secs but I will get to that story later) Unfortunately, table mtn was closed due to high winds and it has been each time i go. I think it is just waiting for amy to arrive for the both of us to go.
I went on to drive down towards the cost and drove to the south towars the gardens. it is an amazing die and one that I will never forget. Every turn there is something new to see. Scenery transforming into soemthing diff before your eyes. About 4 km on the coast drive from the mountan i found my lil special place. A little drive off that over looks the mountain and coastal area. Lovely. With coldplay blasting I thought.. It is a perfect day!! (Dakin the ipod angels must love me!!) I was overwhelmed with happiness. More so than I have been in a while. Until teh next day when I went sky diving.
Cape town is extremely diverse. Lots of whites, blacks, coloured (like me) and indian and jewish and travelers from all over. Although small by NY and Chicago standards, it is uniquely unique. I immediately felt at home. It is a place filled with many things that I love - mountains like colorado, ocean like CA, wine and hills like san fran, diversity ike chicago or NY and beauty like ireland. In say 20 years or soe I think this city will be a forc to be recken with. It still needs the time to shake the shakles of apartied and cape town is a good example of how that is coming along. My guest house is charming and is run by christoph and urs who are from swisserland. They bought the house after the 1994 elections. The house is divine and they are great hosts. Very warm,, cozy and inviting plus it is in the heart of the city in my opinion.
Just nothing but goodness right now!! Will post more later!!
31 March 2009
Farewell ceremony
27 Mar 09
I was asked by my team to make a farewell speech to the people of Malungeni on behalf of Global Volunteers to make at our last day. I read the following as a member of the community translated for me. All our kids were there and members of the community. The local paper the Fever was there. It was a great event.
On behalf of this group of Global Volunteers, we would like to give Malungeni a big Enkosi!
The warmth that we have recieved in the community has been overwhelming. We have enjoyed staying in the beautiful country side and have been admiring it since the first day we arrived. Enkosi!
We are impressed with the soul and heart of the community that is proudly displayed in the passionate voices of the singers who gracefully sang to us, in church or just even walking on the street. The passion is also there in the dancing we saw on day 1 when the women and kids showed us their confidence, beauty and grace. Enkosi!
Also, Enkosi to our host Rev. Spiero and the guest house staff for tending to our every need from start to finish. We enjoyed every moment spent with you and thanks for making our stay feel like home. again, Enkosi.
During our two week visit to Malungeni our goals were to:
1. Wage peace by promoting justice
2. Work towards building change
3. To promote our own self development
4. To commit to educating our community when we return home to Chicago, Minneapolis, NY and Poland.
In reviewing our goals, we feel successful in our achievements of these goals. OUr time was mostly spent at the local primary school teaching English, however we worked with many facets of the community as well. We spent time with the women's empowerment group to discuss plans for progress for the bakery, veg garden, piggery/poultry, brick making and sewing projects. Not only was it quite nice to build relationships with the women but also in helping to foster the idea of trading service/goods for service/goods. This was a great example of how to build unity in the community. What is community anyway? Common unity right? Our hope is that the growth does not stop there. Let this be an example for you in your community to continue to work towards development and follow the yes, we can mentality.
Let this mentality grow within the children. WE hve had the privelage to get to know the kids of this community well. Tehy are very bright, egar, well mannered kind and gifted young people. Their enthusiam for learning has shown us the importance in loving and fostering the youth. From english lessons, geography, math, shapes and colors to HIV discussions you were all ready to participate and learn something new. On our first day here were were told "knowledge is power". We believe that to be true and hope that the youth continue to gain power. Let the youth be the change you want to see in the world. It has been more than and honor to work with Grades R -9. You will hold a special place in our hearts and we will be forever proud to have been called your "TEEEchaahs"!
In grade 4-6 we learned the english word hope while singing "do you hear the people sing" what is the word hope? What does it mean? Hope is the belief and promise in something better.
Our hope is for continued success in this program. Our hope is for continued progress and prosperity in Malugeni and our hope is for a long lasting relationship between Malungeni and Global Volunteers.
Thank you - Enkosi!
I was asked by my team to make a farewell speech to the people of Malungeni on behalf of Global Volunteers to make at our last day. I read the following as a member of the community translated for me. All our kids were there and members of the community. The local paper the Fever was there. It was a great event.
On behalf of this group of Global Volunteers, we would like to give Malungeni a big Enkosi!
The warmth that we have recieved in the community has been overwhelming. We have enjoyed staying in the beautiful country side and have been admiring it since the first day we arrived. Enkosi!
We are impressed with the soul and heart of the community that is proudly displayed in the passionate voices of the singers who gracefully sang to us, in church or just even walking on the street. The passion is also there in the dancing we saw on day 1 when the women and kids showed us their confidence, beauty and grace. Enkosi!
Also, Enkosi to our host Rev. Spiero and the guest house staff for tending to our every need from start to finish. We enjoyed every moment spent with you and thanks for making our stay feel like home. again, Enkosi.
During our two week visit to Malungeni our goals were to:
1. Wage peace by promoting justice
2. Work towards building change
3. To promote our own self development
4. To commit to educating our community when we return home to Chicago, Minneapolis, NY and Poland.
In reviewing our goals, we feel successful in our achievements of these goals. OUr time was mostly spent at the local primary school teaching English, however we worked with many facets of the community as well. We spent time with the women's empowerment group to discuss plans for progress for the bakery, veg garden, piggery/poultry, brick making and sewing projects. Not only was it quite nice to build relationships with the women but also in helping to foster the idea of trading service/goods for service/goods. This was a great example of how to build unity in the community. What is community anyway? Common unity right? Our hope is that the growth does not stop there. Let this be an example for you in your community to continue to work towards development and follow the yes, we can mentality.
Let this mentality grow within the children. WE hve had the privelage to get to know the kids of this community well. Tehy are very bright, egar, well mannered kind and gifted young people. Their enthusiam for learning has shown us the importance in loving and fostering the youth. From english lessons, geography, math, shapes and colors to HIV discussions you were all ready to participate and learn something new. On our first day here were were told "knowledge is power". We believe that to be true and hope that the youth continue to gain power. Let the youth be the change you want to see in the world. It has been more than and honor to work with Grades R -9. You will hold a special place in our hearts and we will be forever proud to have been called your "TEEEchaahs"!
In grade 4-6 we learned the english word hope while singing "do you hear the people sing" what is the word hope? What does it mean? Hope is the belief and promise in something better.
Our hope is for continued success in this program. Our hope is for continued progress and prosperity in Malugeni and our hope is for a long lasting relationship between Malungeni and Global Volunteers.
Thank you - Enkosi!
30 March 2009
Goodbye Malungeni
27 Mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekgb5oJSobU
My last night in Malungeni is filled with tears. My mind racing to capture the memories and my heart not wanting to let go of the people who really touched me. (I find it hard even today - days later to write this post) As I lay here in the front year looking up at the blanket of stars that are comforting me, I am thinking of how far i have traveled and for what purpose. I as the twinkling stars (so abundant that I haven't seen them liek this since I was a little kid - if ever) I ask them "Have I accomplisted my goals here and what have I learned?" The answer to the first part of the question I will leave up to the Malungenis to answer, but I will tell you what this lovely part of the world has taught me or really reaffired.
Remember to believe in yourself and what you know deep down is right and good.
All people are made of love and have love and goodness in them.
Love comes in all shapes, sizes, and COLORS. You just have to be patient enough to let it in.
It is always important to rest for plus/minus 20 mins.
Change can happen if you try. It is the trying that counts.
It is important to be here now. Remain in the present to absorb life. Past and future are not real.
Everyone needs to be heard, believed in, loved and adored. Give someone attention today. :) Their heart and yours will be warmed.
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekgb5oJSobU
My last night in Malungeni is filled with tears. My mind racing to capture the memories and my heart not wanting to let go of the people who really touched me. (I find it hard even today - days later to write this post) As I lay here in the front year looking up at the blanket of stars that are comforting me, I am thinking of how far i have traveled and for what purpose. I as the twinkling stars (so abundant that I haven't seen them liek this since I was a little kid - if ever) I ask them "Have I accomplisted my goals here and what have I learned?" The answer to the first part of the question I will leave up to the Malungenis to answer, but I will tell you what this lovely part of the world has taught me or really reaffired.
Remember to believe in yourself and what you know deep down is right and good.
All people are made of love and have love and goodness in them.
Love comes in all shapes, sizes, and COLORS. You just have to be patient enough to let it in.
It is always important to rest for plus/minus 20 mins.
Change can happen if you try. It is the trying that counts.
It is important to be here now. Remain in the present to absorb life. Past and future are not real.
Everyone needs to be heard, believed in, loved and adored. Give someone attention today. :) Their heart and yours will be warmed.
HIV - Prevention, Myths and Empowerment
26 mar 09
song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B-tRDOtzkw
Woke up today witha bit of a sore throat. Better than the rest of my team who have had colds, flue, diarrehea and such. I am tired so spent the morning re3sting ("plus or minus 20 mins) for we are giving a life skills class today. We will hold a discussing surrounding HIV/AIDS to the 7,8 and 9th grades. I was so egar to have the open discussion to get to the root fo why 2/10 South Africans are known to be infected with HIV, when condoms are given free by the gov'ment. They are in the clubs, airports, nature reserves and shopping malls. Everywhere!
We put the 35 kids in a circle and besides a few of them they were all glad we were having this dicussion although no one will really willing to chat. The 3 of us jason, amy and I shared our relationship to the disease and how we work with kids/drug users in the states who are infected so they can see that we have some expertise in the subject. We asked them to share some of the myths about the diesase and soem studens told us: 1. If you seep with a virgin or a small child you will be cured of the virus. 2. A healthy diet and vitamins will keep you negative. 3. Love = girls who open their vaginas easily. 4.. No sex = you are stupid and dumb and finally 5. condoms don't feel the same as flesh to flesh.
These answers were hared to hear and made me refute them passionately. We went on to male and female condom demonstrations and talked about ways to make condoms fun and encourage their usage. We also talked about ways to empower yourself to say 'wrap it up' or 'not without a condom' . The students shared thoughts after their teacher left the room and if nothing else I think they learned that the topic of HIV is so important that 3 people from the US flew here to talke to them about it. Hopefully we empowered some of them and hopefully our discussi0n will lead to smart choices.
song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B-tRDOtzkw
Woke up today witha bit of a sore throat. Better than the rest of my team who have had colds, flue, diarrehea and such. I am tired so spent the morning re3sting ("plus or minus 20 mins) for we are giving a life skills class today. We will hold a discussing surrounding HIV/AIDS to the 7,8 and 9th grades. I was so egar to have the open discussion to get to the root fo why 2/10 South Africans are known to be infected with HIV, when condoms are given free by the gov'ment. They are in the clubs, airports, nature reserves and shopping malls. Everywhere!
We put the 35 kids in a circle and besides a few of them they were all glad we were having this dicussion although no one will really willing to chat. The 3 of us jason, amy and I shared our relationship to the disease and how we work with kids/drug users in the states who are infected so they can see that we have some expertise in the subject. We asked them to share some of the myths about the diesase and soem studens told us: 1. If you seep with a virgin or a small child you will be cured of the virus. 2. A healthy diet and vitamins will keep you negative. 3. Love = girls who open their vaginas easily. 4.. No sex = you are stupid and dumb and finally 5. condoms don't feel the same as flesh to flesh.
These answers were hared to hear and made me refute them passionately. We went on to male and female condom demonstrations and talked about ways to make condoms fun and encourage their usage. We also talked about ways to empower yourself to say 'wrap it up' or 'not without a condom' . The students shared thoughts after their teacher left the room and if nothing else I think they learned that the topic of HIV is so important that 3 people from the US flew here to talke to them about it. Hopefully we empowered some of them and hopefully our discussi0n will lead to smart choices.
Bar Flies
23 mar 09
Today we went to visit the local bar for we heard they sold good SA beer there. Little did we know when we arrived at a small run down blue home that we had just arrived to the bar!! WE walked to the back of this home that apparently also raised chickens. There was an old lady sitting at the bottome of the 3 crooken steps into the entrance of this house. She could barely walk but i guess as a bouncer of sorts you just need to be able to hold out your hand for an entry fee. Not like she was checking any IDs or anything. WE walked into the hut to a funky smell of BO, sour booze and since there was a bed in the corner of the room I am assuming I was also smelling sex. We were greeted at 3pme to the local bar flies: both the people that frequent the joint in the middle of the day and also the 40+ flies (insects) that buzzed around for the smells to them must be tempting. There were 8 men sitting around and one woman lounging on the very worn out bed. As soon as I shook the shaking hand of the first "gentleman" with no teeth in the front and bloodshot eyes, I knew I wanted to leave -sans the beer. We were given bottle crates to sit on and then were asked questions by one man who knew some english and one that attempted to know some. I had a hared time concentrating on them for the other bar flies that were gathered around a bucket of furmented corn meal that looked like a puke bucket. All of the men were drinking out of this bucket and the thoguht of them asking us if we wanted some made me nauseaus. WE were adked if we wanted the beer now and I quickly said that I had a student comeing for tutoring so no time to stay and the gang bought the beer anyway to take home. We quickly said goodbye and on the way out a family of baby chickens and their mother came in the door I guess to hang out for a while out of the heat.
As I was wiping my hands and arms with an antibacterial wipe on our walk home, I thought, "so this is where all the men in this village have been hiding" I can count on one hand how many non durnk, non high, non mentally ill, non domestic abusers there are here and they are all somehome affiliated with our project here. It is the women in this town who try tokeep things going. The pressure is put on the women to cook,clean, farm, raise upwards of 7, 8 kids, to be a good wife and provide for the family. All of this just to be considered to be a "good" woman. To be a man howver it is simple: 1. you turn 18 and get circumcized and 2.. well there is no two. That is all that is expected of you to be a Xhosa man. That is it. No other expectations are given. I see this as a major downfall to this community. The men need higher stakes and the bar raised for them to aspire to. IT is painful to see these men walk around with out a purpose. Buzzing around if you will. Just like the bar flies - just waiting for the day when they will be swatted away.
Today we went to visit the local bar for we heard they sold good SA beer there. Little did we know when we arrived at a small run down blue home that we had just arrived to the bar!! WE walked to the back of this home that apparently also raised chickens. There was an old lady sitting at the bottome of the 3 crooken steps into the entrance of this house. She could barely walk but i guess as a bouncer of sorts you just need to be able to hold out your hand for an entry fee. Not like she was checking any IDs or anything. WE walked into the hut to a funky smell of BO, sour booze and since there was a bed in the corner of the room I am assuming I was also smelling sex. We were greeted at 3pme to the local bar flies: both the people that frequent the joint in the middle of the day and also the 40+ flies (insects) that buzzed around for the smells to them must be tempting. There were 8 men sitting around and one woman lounging on the very worn out bed. As soon as I shook the shaking hand of the first "gentleman" with no teeth in the front and bloodshot eyes, I knew I wanted to leave -sans the beer. We were given bottle crates to sit on and then were asked questions by one man who knew some english and one that attempted to know some. I had a hared time concentrating on them for the other bar flies that were gathered around a bucket of furmented corn meal that looked like a puke bucket. All of the men were drinking out of this bucket and the thoguht of them asking us if we wanted some made me nauseaus. WE were adked if we wanted the beer now and I quickly said that I had a student comeing for tutoring so no time to stay and the gang bought the beer anyway to take home. We quickly said goodbye and on the way out a family of baby chickens and their mother came in the door I guess to hang out for a while out of the heat.
As I was wiping my hands and arms with an antibacterial wipe on our walk home, I thought, "so this is where all the men in this village have been hiding" I can count on one hand how many non durnk, non high, non mentally ill, non domestic abusers there are here and they are all somehome affiliated with our project here. It is the women in this town who try tokeep things going. The pressure is put on the women to cook,clean, farm, raise upwards of 7, 8 kids, to be a good wife and provide for the family. All of this just to be considered to be a "good" woman. To be a man howver it is simple: 1. you turn 18 and get circumcized and 2.. well there is no two. That is all that is expected of you to be a Xhosa man. That is it. No other expectations are given. I see this as a major downfall to this community. The men need higher stakes and the bar raised for them to aspire to. IT is painful to see these men walk around with out a purpose. Buzzing around if you will. Just like the bar flies - just waiting for the day when they will be swatted away.
26 March 2009
Planting seeds of change
24 Mar 09
Quote for this post: "Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - nelson mandela
We did our little bit of good today and we are hoping to overwhelm Malungeni if not the world. Today was a great day. I think today was a turning point for all of us in this journey. Week one was all about planting seeds and today it was about watching the tree grow tomorrow will be about see it blossom. This afternoon we met wit the women's group again. It was fitting that we were discussing how to give birth to a new Malungeni community in the front lawn of our guest house, sitting in a circle around a tree spudling that is determined to grow. Sitting there while Amy inspired the women by introducing the barder system to them as a means to grow their veg patch, I thought, these women are just that the growing tree. They needed the tools or the means to grow their business just as this tree needs water and sun to survive. Something so simple and basic has never occurred to them. They seemed to embrace the idea and I believe they were excited to 1. have their land plowed and 2. That they were going to collaborate with someone in the community they they previously didn't think would help them. We went to survey the field as well today and plowing began! To me this was victorious. What a great example of community unity and as the local preacher would say " loving thy neighbor".
We are excited and hopeful that the women's grou now only plants seeds for growing corn, squash, spinach andcabbage on their fields, but will also continue to plant seeds of change throughout Malungeni.
Quote for this post: "Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - nelson mandela
We did our little bit of good today and we are hoping to overwhelm Malungeni if not the world. Today was a great day. I think today was a turning point for all of us in this journey. Week one was all about planting seeds and today it was about watching the tree grow tomorrow will be about see it blossom. This afternoon we met wit the women's group again. It was fitting that we were discussing how to give birth to a new Malungeni community in the front lawn of our guest house, sitting in a circle around a tree spudling that is determined to grow. Sitting there while Amy inspired the women by introducing the barder system to them as a means to grow their veg patch, I thought, these women are just that the growing tree. They needed the tools or the means to grow their business just as this tree needs water and sun to survive. Something so simple and basic has never occurred to them. They seemed to embrace the idea and I believe they were excited to 1. have their land plowed and 2. That they were going to collaborate with someone in the community they they previously didn't think would help them. We went to survey the field as well today and plowing began! To me this was victorious. What a great example of community unity and as the local preacher would say " loving thy neighbor".
We are excited and hopeful that the women's grou now only plants seeds for growing corn, squash, spinach andcabbage on their fields, but will also continue to plant seeds of change throughout Malungeni.
Victory in Unity
23 Mar 08
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LuNHSXfMp8&feature=related
The Malungeni people have had a hard time working together. This community is small much like a family and as we all know open wounds and bad blood from a family riff can take forever to heal -if it ever heals. Today however, we acted as the family thearpists and worked with two groups towars progress in this town. Twice a week we have been meeting with the women's empowerment group to work towards building business and getting the woment to see their value to this community. (The woemen are the spine of this community but are treated poorly with abuse and lack of respect while the men frequent the local bars which I will describe in a later post.)
Continuing, the women in the group needed assistance on their vegetable patch which is the size of 5 soccer fields. They have a till but no one to plow the field for them. However, the one very hard working man in town is a farmer and the ladies thought he could help although doubtful he would. We met this man at our welcome for he was the one that said "Knowledge is power" but also believes that nothing comes for free.
With this we decided to introduce the barder system to the women and tried to come up with ideas of howthey could help the "tractor man" in exchange for him plowing their fields. We arranged to meet with him to see if we could negotiate something. Arriving at his shouls was like being in another world. Althought the house was extremely modest by our US standards, to us living in Malungeni for two weeks... it was a mansion! They were even adding on a new addition to the home. When we arrived the progressive thinking man we met at the welcome was replaced by a tough, Malungeni guy who seemed to still have a chip on his shoulder from some old feud. He would not even look to us when he asked what we wanted to chat about and continued to work in his yard. Amy stared by stating our purpose and how we felt it was important for a 1st step in this community to help each other if they want to see change... positive change. They could be the shining example. He walked us inside passing the 3 cars he owned and ushering us into his lovely and clean living room with a large book shelf. "I don't' provide service for free" he said while watching soccer on TV. I added that it would not be for free and that we insist that the women provide something to him to equal the cost of his services. I wen ton further to say how intelligent his is and how out of everyone he should know what this will mean for the community (a little bit of stroking goes a long way! )
He reluctantly agreed and wenton to ask us about our favorite soccer team. This is when I knew our meeting was successful and I can't wait to watch the plow work on the veg field!
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LuNHSXfMp8&feature=related
The Malungeni people have had a hard time working together. This community is small much like a family and as we all know open wounds and bad blood from a family riff can take forever to heal -if it ever heals. Today however, we acted as the family thearpists and worked with two groups towars progress in this town. Twice a week we have been meeting with the women's empowerment group to work towards building business and getting the woment to see their value to this community. (The woemen are the spine of this community but are treated poorly with abuse and lack of respect while the men frequent the local bars which I will describe in a later post.)
Continuing, the women in the group needed assistance on their vegetable patch which is the size of 5 soccer fields. They have a till but no one to plow the field for them. However, the one very hard working man in town is a farmer and the ladies thought he could help although doubtful he would. We met this man at our welcome for he was the one that said "Knowledge is power" but also believes that nothing comes for free.
With this we decided to introduce the barder system to the women and tried to come up with ideas of howthey could help the "tractor man" in exchange for him plowing their fields. We arranged to meet with him to see if we could negotiate something. Arriving at his shouls was like being in another world. Althought the house was extremely modest by our US standards, to us living in Malungeni for two weeks... it was a mansion! They were even adding on a new addition to the home. When we arrived the progressive thinking man we met at the welcome was replaced by a tough, Malungeni guy who seemed to still have a chip on his shoulder from some old feud. He would not even look to us when he asked what we wanted to chat about and continued to work in his yard. Amy stared by stating our purpose and how we felt it was important for a 1st step in this community to help each other if they want to see change... positive change. They could be the shining example. He walked us inside passing the 3 cars he owned and ushering us into his lovely and clean living room with a large book shelf. "I don't' provide service for free" he said while watching soccer on TV. I added that it would not be for free and that we insist that the women provide something to him to equal the cost of his services. I wen ton further to say how intelligent his is and how out of everyone he should know what this will mean for the community (a little bit of stroking goes a long way! )
He reluctantly agreed and wenton to ask us about our favorite soccer team. This is when I knew our meeting was successful and I can't wait to watch the plow work on the veg field!
22 March 2009
Weekend Recap
22 Mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858548570/
Went to Port St Johns this weekend for a mini vacation from our stay in Malugeni. It was nice to get away and enjoy the sunshine, beach, running water and a room to ourselves. Today is global water day and I can't help to think how wonderful it is to have the simple things in life like a nice hot shower that instantly turns on when you would like it to and you can brush your teeth, shower or even get a glass to drink. According to the internet site I was reading, 1/6 th of our population will die from lack of water. Wow! We forget how lucky we are in the US. I mean we consume over 8 glasses of water a day, take 30 mins or longer in the shower, cook, clean our cars and give our pets plenty of fresh water without blinking an eye. The women in Malugeni spend lots of time tending to our water. Making sure that our bath water is boiled, that there are buckets and buckets of water there for us. They carry it from the rain collectors on their heads and even have other young girls collect water for us. This is NOT a task that men do by the way. This is one of the many many chores of a woman for her day never ends. I must say, I am glad not to be born a xhosa woman for I don't think I would cut it.
Back to the weekend - We saw lots on our trip. I another way of life here in South Africa which was the beach town. It was very similar to many of the beach towns in the US full of hippies smoking weed, beach bums, surfers, townies, and roadside cafes to grab a bite. We ventured all around this mountain beach town on both tar roads and what they call "bed rock" roads. This was an adventure all in it self. Mind you were were in "Bessy Bens" - the small hach back Mercades that we rented that we affectionately adored for getting us through the non tar paved roads filled with rocks the size of tennis, golf and footballs all while making vertical climbs. Boy are we glad to be back in Mthatha. We laughed at all of us in this car going through these towns were the kids were grabbing at the car and we are driving yelling "sweets, sweets" and only Jason knows how to change a tire. As I am sure you can imagine.. we love Bessie Bens for getting us through it all.
Today I saw a baptism on the beach where the baptismees were dressed in white robes and were escorted in the water by the ministers. Bystanders were beating on a drum and dancing and chanting. After 4 or 5 dunks in the cold Indian Ocean, they were escorted back to shore where they proceeded to get some type of holy ghost. They would fall to the ground, have to be picked up by all fours and dragged to safety just to stand up and then fall out backwards again hitting the ground on their back and lay there for a few mins to recover. It was a sight to be seen only to be topped by the heard of cattle that showed up on the beach on the other side of me. Can't say I have ever seen that before. It was an eventful morning! Can't wait for my picture on my camera to be downloaded.
"What is Hope, class?"
19 Mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yXRGdZdonM
"We have not taken the final step of our journey but the first step on a longer & even more difficult road for to be free is not mearly to cast off chains, but to live in a way that respects & enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning." - Nelson Mandela wrote in his auto biography " A long walk to freedom".
We visited the Nelson mandela museum today in Mthatha. The modest but powerful museum gave Amy, Dorota, Jason and I a better sense of what life was like here just a short while ago (Apartied ended in 1994). I think we all found it exciting as well as interesting to visit and I could tell it got all of us thinking about the work we are doing and how far many South Africans have come. Also, in the case of the Malugeni community, how far they still have to go.
Being in Mthatha really made us realize that there is a world just 10 km away from Malugeni but they are too poor to access it. Mthatha has a bit of a hustle bustle feel to it and people who have seen the world, who have opportunity, determination and hope. In Malugeni there is less hope (which was one of the English words I taught my 4th, 5th and 6th grade combined over crowded classroom this week). Malugeni has no Internet, no land line phones, not running shops except for a run down convenience store filled with flour, sugar, cleaning supplies and of course some candies and chips for the school kids to spend their pennies on) It make us wonder how we can help and make an impact. As Jason and Dorota said this evening it is all about exposure and that is what we are providing them. Opening up a mind to think ... "what else is out there?" We saw this example today with the 7,8 and 9th grade class who leaped at a chance to work on a charades game demonstrating present continuous tense. (yes they were excited about learning sentence structure). I must say their enthusiasm for English is overwhelming. We also tutored "peels" today. She came to work on science home work even though it was her 18th birthday!! She was that excited to have help with her home work and to share her brilliant poetry which I posted in the last post. She has an amazing way of expressing herself. Tonight I went to bed knowing we are making a difference.
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yXRGdZdonM
"We have not taken the final step of our journey but the first step on a longer & even more difficult road for to be free is not mearly to cast off chains, but to live in a way that respects & enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning." - Nelson Mandela wrote in his auto biography " A long walk to freedom".
We visited the Nelson mandela museum today in Mthatha. The modest but powerful museum gave Amy, Dorota, Jason and I a better sense of what life was like here just a short while ago (Apartied ended in 1994). I think we all found it exciting as well as interesting to visit and I could tell it got all of us thinking about the work we are doing and how far many South Africans have come. Also, in the case of the Malugeni community, how far they still have to go.
Being in Mthatha really made us realize that there is a world just 10 km away from Malugeni but they are too poor to access it. Mthatha has a bit of a hustle bustle feel to it and people who have seen the world, who have opportunity, determination and hope. In Malugeni there is less hope (which was one of the English words I taught my 4th, 5th and 6th grade combined over crowded classroom this week). Malugeni has no Internet, no land line phones, not running shops except for a run down convenience store filled with flour, sugar, cleaning supplies and of course some candies and chips for the school kids to spend their pennies on) It make us wonder how we can help and make an impact. As Jason and Dorota said this evening it is all about exposure and that is what we are providing them. Opening up a mind to think ... "what else is out there?" We saw this example today with the 7,8 and 9th grade class who leaped at a chance to work on a charades game demonstrating present continuous tense. (yes they were excited about learning sentence structure). I must say their enthusiasm for English is overwhelming. We also tutored "peels" today. She came to work on science home work even though it was her 18th birthday!! She was that excited to have help with her home work and to share her brilliant poetry which I posted in the last post. She has an amazing way of expressing herself. Tonight I went to bed knowing we are making a difference.
A poem from one of my star students! She is amazing!
Vukani Ma Africa
By Philiswa “Peels” Xapile
What is the world turning into?
Oh no!
Children live with out parents or the other way around
Parent burying their own kids.
What is the world turning into?
Oh no!
My brothers and sisters are killing their souls.
Time is growing old, when will our suffering bear fruit?
One dream but who will dream it and who will make it real?
The future hold opportunities we can not afford to ignore.
To ignore them would be admitting to failure and this is something we can never allow.
Not for ourselves nor our children and our continent.
Nature and history are not just about survival of the fittest.
They are also about survival of the wise and most adaptive and aware.
Black brothers and sisters Vukani Nizenzele.
This is your future we are talking about and take place.
THIS IS YOUR BIRTH RIGHT.
Vukani, Vukani MA AFRIKA!!!
19 March 2009
Pictures
Check out my facebook page (link to the right) for picture for I am only able to download from my blackberry. :)
The Sun is Shining!
18 Mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrzjv121t4c
I know we are making an impact and that is very encouraging. When I was teaching my class of 4-6 graders alone today of which there are about 40 of them, we worked on an English/drama/musical lesson. We sang the song "do you hear the people sing" from the musical Les Miserable. It seems as though they understood the message behind the song and learned how to put emotion behind what they were singing. It was lovely to see. After class about 15 students stayed to look thru my book on Illinois that I brought. The were more than fascinated with each page like a teenager with their first shiny new car. It was great to see the interest in the the outside world for I think their travel limitations keep them confined to this community and they seem to know little about worldly things. They do know Rhianna, Usher, Celine Dion and Josh Groban. Music truly is a universal language. I walk home and sing "sun is shining" to some of the kids which is new for them. We walk down the paved rocky road like a large group from the wizard of oz. In the amazing South African sunshine we sing and sing so they can remember it. The weather and the company is really sweet. It is a very simple life here and different from mine but I know one thing - that all humans are the same fundamentally. We all love to be smiled at and catch the contagiousness of grinning from ear to ear. We all love to sing and dance. We all express emotion. We all want to be be heard and we all have the capacity to listen.
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrzjv121t4c
I know we are making an impact and that is very encouraging. When I was teaching my class of 4-6 graders alone today of which there are about 40 of them, we worked on an English/drama/musical lesson. We sang the song "do you hear the people sing" from the musical Les Miserable. It seems as though they understood the message behind the song and learned how to put emotion behind what they were singing. It was lovely to see. After class about 15 students stayed to look thru my book on Illinois that I brought. The were more than fascinated with each page like a teenager with their first shiny new car. It was great to see the interest in the the outside world for I think their travel limitations keep them confined to this community and they seem to know little about worldly things. They do know Rhianna, Usher, Celine Dion and Josh Groban. Music truly is a universal language. I walk home and sing "sun is shining" to some of the kids which is new for them. We walk down the paved rocky road like a large group from the wizard of oz. In the amazing South African sunshine we sing and sing so they can remember it. The weather and the company is really sweet. It is a very simple life here and different from mine but I know one thing - that all humans are the same fundamentally. We all love to be smiled at and catch the contagiousness of grinning from ear to ear. We all love to sing and dance. We all express emotion. We all want to be be heard and we all have the capacity to listen.
Thinking from outside the box
15 Mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nYn9kxMIjU
"Life has no formula" - Malugeni teacher Mr. Cromwell
AS you can assume, there are many challenges we face in trying to bring a community in the 21st century. Lace of finance, empowerment, jobs, knowledge and world view all hinder this groups ability to step out of their box of comfort and confinement and embrace change. How can you expect them to when old, tired traditions stand in their way. Every decision must be approved by the husband, father, mother, elder, teacher, tribal chief, local gov'ment, national gov'ment and then God. It is very frustrating to see the slow forward movement here. Change is scary to them. The potential of the kids is abundant but I know that they are trapped or bound by the confines of this small small box of in opportunity they live in. Many of whom have never seen the tar road that is only 3-5 Km from their community but the rocky road of their town inhibits them from seeing the rest of the world. To see the land be so abundant but a plow stuck in the mud for lack of knowledge of how to use new machinery is hard to see. We must focus on what we can do. Focus on what we can change and the lives that we can impact.
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nYn9kxMIjU
"Life has no formula" - Malugeni teacher Mr. Cromwell
AS you can assume, there are many challenges we face in trying to bring a community in the 21st century. Lace of finance, empowerment, jobs, knowledge and world view all hinder this groups ability to step out of their box of comfort and confinement and embrace change. How can you expect them to when old, tired traditions stand in their way. Every decision must be approved by the husband, father, mother, elder, teacher, tribal chief, local gov'ment, national gov'ment and then God. It is very frustrating to see the slow forward movement here. Change is scary to them. The potential of the kids is abundant but I know that they are trapped or bound by the confines of this small small box of in opportunity they live in. Many of whom have never seen the tar road that is only 3-5 Km from their community but the rocky road of their town inhibits them from seeing the rest of the world. To see the land be so abundant but a plow stuck in the mud for lack of knowledge of how to use new machinery is hard to see. We must focus on what we can do. Focus on what we can change and the lives that we can impact.
Molweni!
15 Mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6b_9blNcio
Molweni or welcome in xhosa. (Xhosa is pronounced with a tounge click and then kosa). This is the native languate of the people of Malugeni. Many of whom we met today. We were so pleased to be greeted in the mid afternoon by some of the community members that came to our guest house. We sat in a half circle and were lead by Nkulie who translated the event. We were greeted by members of the Dept of Ed, and Social Services, as well as high tribal leaders of the community. All of which experssed thanks for our commitment to the community and home for continued success with Global Volunteers. They expressed how important working together has been, is and will be great benefit to the community. From their talks, they are just as intrested in learing from us and we are from them. AS Bonke so elequently stated earlier in the day, "It is always good to check your angles on all things". What e meant by this was the importance of a difrferent perspective. Yesterday the minister of the town said " knowledge is power" and power is so important for this community to help "fight the enemy which is poverty" , as passionately stated by the leader of the DOE. We were asked to give an introduction and an item for which we sang " you are my sunshine" (one of my gran's favs) as best as we could on the fly. The ceremonies ended with traditional dance from the women and kids. Their faces painted and with woven skirts on they danced in step to the drum. With arms stretched out, head tilted back looking up at the sky with so much pride, confidence, joy and sterength. They were so open to the world and what awaits them. Full of tireless energy and an abundance of spirit. It was an amazing day for all of us and one that I am sure neither ment nor us will forget.
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6b_9blNcio
Molweni or welcome in xhosa. (Xhosa is pronounced with a tounge click and then kosa). This is the native languate of the people of Malugeni. Many of whom we met today. We were so pleased to be greeted in the mid afternoon by some of the community members that came to our guest house. We sat in a half circle and were lead by Nkulie who translated the event. We were greeted by members of the Dept of Ed, and Social Services, as well as high tribal leaders of the community. All of which experssed thanks for our commitment to the community and home for continued success with Global Volunteers. They expressed how important working together has been, is and will be great benefit to the community. From their talks, they are just as intrested in learing from us and we are from them. AS Bonke so elequently stated earlier in the day, "It is always good to check your angles on all things". What e meant by this was the importance of a difrferent perspective. Yesterday the minister of the town said " knowledge is power" and power is so important for this community to help "fight the enemy which is poverty" , as passionately stated by the leader of the DOE. We were asked to give an introduction and an item for which we sang " you are my sunshine" (one of my gran's favs) as best as we could on the fly. The ceremonies ended with traditional dance from the women and kids. Their faces painted and with woven skirts on they danced in step to the drum. With arms stretched out, head tilted back looking up at the sky with so much pride, confidence, joy and sterength. They were so open to the world and what awaits them. Full of tireless energy and an abundance of spirit. It was an amazing day for all of us and one that I am sure neither ment nor us will forget.
The Real World
14 Mar 09
Our guest houses:
Grander than I ever expected. So excited that I had to immediately explore like they do on the Real World House and go into each room. There are some differences to the lavish house that you might see displayed on TV. You will not see the colorful rooms or the hightech bathroom instead we boil our collected rain water for drinking , bathing, and brushing our teeth. If it does not rain .. we don't have water. Thank goodness for the large amount of rain we have at night. Also there is no pool or gym like on the Real World. We have a rooster outside that I am sure will stop crowing the night we have chicken for dinner and we have a small chain link fence for protection. My room has a leak in the celing but besides that .. it is home. Looking forward to our orientation tomorrow.
Our guest houses:
Grander than I ever expected. So excited that I had to immediately explore like they do on the Real World House and go into each room. There are some differences to the lavish house that you might see displayed on TV. You will not see the colorful rooms or the hightech bathroom instead we boil our collected rain water for drinking , bathing, and brushing our teeth. If it does not rain .. we don't have water. Thank goodness for the large amount of rain we have at night. Also there is no pool or gym like on the Real World. We have a rooster outside that I am sure will stop crowing the night we have chicken for dinner and we have a small chain link fence for protection. My room has a leak in the celing but besides that .. it is home. Looking forward to our orientation tomorrow.
Enkose
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPLvH6FONqQ
"Enkose" is Xhosa for Thank you and Wamkelekele is your welcome.
Today I met the other volunteers: our lead from Poland is Dorota - a full time Global Volunteer worker in Poland, Jason is 35 from NY (long Island) and works in mental health care and Amy who I have talked to via email before coming here is a buisness owner from Minneapolis. Everyone has pretty much just arrived to the country and boy am I glad I had some time to adjust first prior to arrivin to our new and very different home. We are greeted by Nkulie and Bonke who are going to be our host country guides while in Malungeni. They are very intrested in our safty and will not let us go anywhere with out being introduced or escorted. Everything is very slow here. Life is slower and just not as fast. On our way to Malungeni which is 3 hours a way, we stop at Nkulie's sisters house who's husband works for the SA government. This means they are pretty affluent and have a large ranch home. They were so happy for us to come in and see the house and have a chance to talk to the Americans about politics, American life and about our up coming experience. We chatted to the men in the house as the women stayed in the kitchen and fetched us juice. They were so proud to be having us there and even gave us all a bottle of wine as a SA tradition of not leaving someone house with out something which seems opposite of what I am use to. So inviting. So I gave them all a big " Enkose" as that was the first word i learned in Xhosa. They all died laughing. I assume at my pronounciation. Well I guess I can only get better!
"Enkose" is Xhosa for Thank you and Wamkelekele is your welcome.
Today I met the other volunteers: our lead from Poland is Dorota - a full time Global Volunteer worker in Poland, Jason is 35 from NY (long Island) and works in mental health care and Amy who I have talked to via email before coming here is a buisness owner from Minneapolis. Everyone has pretty much just arrived to the country and boy am I glad I had some time to adjust first prior to arrivin to our new and very different home. We are greeted by Nkulie and Bonke who are going to be our host country guides while in Malungeni. They are very intrested in our safty and will not let us go anywhere with out being introduced or escorted. Everything is very slow here. Life is slower and just not as fast. On our way to Malungeni which is 3 hours a way, we stop at Nkulie's sisters house who's husband works for the SA government. This means they are pretty affluent and have a large ranch home. They were so happy for us to come in and see the house and have a chance to talk to the Americans about politics, American life and about our up coming experience. We chatted to the men in the house as the women stayed in the kitchen and fetched us juice. They were so proud to be having us there and even gave us all a bottle of wine as a SA tradition of not leaving someone house with out something which seems opposite of what I am use to. So inviting. So I gave them all a big " Enkose" as that was the first word i learned in Xhosa. They all died laughing. I assume at my pronounciation. Well I guess I can only get better!
13 March 2009
13 Mar 09
Never thought I would be sitting at a dinner table saying "Wow, that Zebra is Yummy". (here it is pronounced as you would Debra or Zed)
Went to Carnivore tonight which is like a Brazilian steak house and enjoyed all of the new meats I had better than the typical beef, chicken and lamb. I tried Kudu sausage, Zebra, Osterid (sp?) - but the croc got me.. I drew the line there.
Never thought I would be sitting at a dinner table saying "Wow, that Zebra is Yummy". (here it is pronounced as you would Debra or Zed)
Went to Carnivore tonight which is like a Brazilian steak house and enjoyed all of the new meats I had better than the typical beef, chicken and lamb. I tried Kudu sausage, Zebra, Osterid (sp?) - but the croc got me.. I drew the line there.
The Panoramic View
13 Mar 2009
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBSnR4ZP2MI
Today I traveled to "God's Window"and no matter waht religion you subscribe to, this place will definately bring you to spirituality. God's window is a look out point near the Blith River Canyon. On a clear day (reference the colin hay song from previous post) you can view Kruger park and the surrounding area almost 80 Km away.
On a day like today, the view was covered with a dense fog, however this added to the öh my God's window factor. Never have I stood on a cliff and felt like I was floating. I felt the mist and humity of the rainforst behind me, the uneven rock below and nothing but a sea of puffy clouds in front. I had a quiet thought to jump it was so amazing - but knew of the the long way down to the canyon floor below. It was 8am I as was completely alone on this cliff.
On my way down I met a couple who were from the arrid anterior region of the country and the wife was too scared to continue on so she came down with me. She explained that they too were on holiday and it was the first time she was in the area. The spoke about their drive and how they too were lost at one point (almost to mozambique). As she was telling the story she said they didn't use the map much and that was part of the issue. Then she told me in her thick South African accent that sometimes you dont'know the journey that the road brings. It was great advise. I will always remember her (didn't even get her name) and how she was another teacher for me to allow life to happen and to enjoy what ever it brings.
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBSnR4ZP2MI
Today I traveled to "God's Window"and no matter waht religion you subscribe to, this place will definately bring you to spirituality. God's window is a look out point near the Blith River Canyon. On a clear day (reference the colin hay song from previous post) you can view Kruger park and the surrounding area almost 80 Km away.
On a day like today, the view was covered with a dense fog, however this added to the öh my God's window factor. Never have I stood on a cliff and felt like I was floating. I felt the mist and humity of the rainforst behind me, the uneven rock below and nothing but a sea of puffy clouds in front. I had a quiet thought to jump it was so amazing - but knew of the the long way down to the canyon floor below. It was 8am I as was completely alone on this cliff.
On my way down I met a couple who were from the arrid anterior region of the country and the wife was too scared to continue on so she came down with me. She explained that they too were on holiday and it was the first time she was in the area. The spoke about their drive and how they too were lost at one point (almost to mozambique). As she was telling the story she said they didn't use the map much and that was part of the issue. Then she told me in her thick South African accent that sometimes you dont'know the journey that the road brings. It was great advise. I will always remember her (didn't even get her name) and how she was another teacher for me to allow life to happen and to enjoy what ever it brings.
The Elephant
12 Mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWpERZAIy3E
At 4:30am my wake up call rang for me to go on Safari for the lions are out early. I was lucky on the drive for I saw 3 out of the "Big 5" which are Lion, Leopard, buffalo, Elephant, and Rhino. Kruger is teh place to see game for I was less than 5 feet from all of the animals we saw - Lions, Leopards, Buffalo, Kudu, Snakes, chimps, monkeys, spiders, and many more. I was disapointed I missed rhino but knew that I would be riding an elephant later in the day. Yes I said riding. Casper and Kusa were my "rides"and the 23 and 10 year olds were quite the sight. They at max eat up to about 500 lbs of food a day and weigh several tons each. The ride was amazing and they were adorable and as i understand I only feel like a light backpack to them. After the ride I had drinks at sundown. It was only me who took the ride after the elephant interaction (yes i was kissed by Kusa) so the guides joined me for water and crackers and cheese. It was gret to have a candid conversation with them and even though casper and kusa were on a free roaming walk, as the guys and I chatted, there was still a bit of an elephant in the room. I aked them if they were married and had kids ( a bit of small talk) and they mentioned they were for they start early due to their "short life expectancy" This was extremely shocking to me that this is what they believe their reality to be. If I am being aloof on what we are talking about it is because when I too was in the dark at first.
The went on to mention that HIV is so prevelant in the country that for black males, that is the reality. They said it as many American males talk about going bald. That it is what it is. Not only was I shocked that this is the attitude towards the disease but that they were talking to ME about it. Let me assure you, there were not flippant, proud or light about the subject - but very matter of fact. It find it hard to listen for I know that there is such a lack of education, and lack of empowerment in that area for many of the South African people. (I will address my views on the empowerment issue in a later blog for I have some views on this subject as well)
With all of this said, I really hope I have the privelage of meeting more South Africans who are willing to chat with me about HIV/AIDS. I am so intrested in the dynamics of it all here and just want to know more and be a part of the dialog.
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWpERZAIy3E
At 4:30am my wake up call rang for me to go on Safari for the lions are out early. I was lucky on the drive for I saw 3 out of the "Big 5" which are Lion, Leopard, buffalo, Elephant, and Rhino. Kruger is teh place to see game for I was less than 5 feet from all of the animals we saw - Lions, Leopards, Buffalo, Kudu, Snakes, chimps, monkeys, spiders, and many more. I was disapointed I missed rhino but knew that I would be riding an elephant later in the day. Yes I said riding. Casper and Kusa were my "rides"and the 23 and 10 year olds were quite the sight. They at max eat up to about 500 lbs of food a day and weigh several tons each. The ride was amazing and they were adorable and as i understand I only feel like a light backpack to them. After the ride I had drinks at sundown. It was only me who took the ride after the elephant interaction (yes i was kissed by Kusa) so the guides joined me for water and crackers and cheese. It was gret to have a candid conversation with them and even though casper and kusa were on a free roaming walk, as the guys and I chatted, there was still a bit of an elephant in the room. I aked them if they were married and had kids ( a bit of small talk) and they mentioned they were for they start early due to their "short life expectancy" This was extremely shocking to me that this is what they believe their reality to be. If I am being aloof on what we are talking about it is because when I too was in the dark at first.
The went on to mention that HIV is so prevelant in the country that for black males, that is the reality. They said it as many American males talk about going bald. That it is what it is. Not only was I shocked that this is the attitude towards the disease but that they were talking to ME about it. Let me assure you, there were not flippant, proud or light about the subject - but very matter of fact. It find it hard to listen for I know that there is such a lack of education, and lack of empowerment in that area for many of the South African people. (I will address my views on the empowerment issue in a later blog for I have some views on this subject as well)
With all of this said, I really hope I have the privelage of meeting more South Africans who are willing to chat with me about HIV/AIDS. I am so intrested in the dynamics of it all here and just want to know more and be a part of the dialog.
The Little Differences..
10 Mar 09
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xjdUmx26p0
Tonight I met one of my dearest friend's sister for drinks in Pretoria's Hatfield Square for a proper South African Welcome. Hatfield is the Capital's college square district. We went to a German Pub call Herr's, ordered a draft beer, and sat out on the back veranda for a chat. Now all of this sounds no different that what you would do in the States however - I was drinking Castle lager (ZA's own brew) in about 75 degree F and paying a guy to "look after"our car outside. In talking to Raine and in being in the country for only a few hours I noticed a few other small things that let me know I was not at home.
First, Let's talk about the fond nick names they give certain things. "Frosties" are draft beer, "Toastie" are toasted sandwhiches, "Doccies" if you were to make a documentry film and I have been called everything from "Miss Tiffany", Mamma, Lady and Maám. On my first day I have been called out for being an American because I am fast.. fast walk and fast talk. I am told I will have to get on South African time and learn the South African walk which is extremely slow for me and is not much of a stroll even. O - and you have to lean a bit. I hope one if the ladies shows me how to walk with a giant bag of potatoes (over 50 of them) on my head. Absolutely AMAZing! I did in fact pick up a lil bit of the lingo here - (Erin Swisher I know you will get a kick out of that) They use the word "hey"for a lot of things and as a conversation filler as well as a "mmmmhuh" which comes from the gut. I will have to demonstrate that one. The other thing I love is people are great drivers here. They are exactly what I love... They drive in the slow lane and pass in passing lane (Erin Furman will be happy to know I have not had any incidences with the curb and tell my self "left left" when turning.
In all there are things that are foriegn to me here, however in talking with Raine out on the portch while driking our frosties, I realize that we are all very similar. Most people want family, good job, houses, kids the opportunity to meet new people. It was great for the both of us to have a sounding board to chat about political/social topics - a mini UN if you will. I was able to come to a better understanding of this country and how it works and she the States. It was rather "nice". (Another word commonly used here)
Editor's Note: This post the first time around (on 10/3/09 was more profound as i wrote it at night on my blackberry and had all of these amazing thoughts but had it in draft and deleted by mistake. Being that I was in Kruger with lite reception for the past few days.. well lets just say I am on African Time. :)
Song for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xjdUmx26p0
Tonight I met one of my dearest friend's sister for drinks in Pretoria's Hatfield Square for a proper South African Welcome. Hatfield is the Capital's college square district. We went to a German Pub call Herr's, ordered a draft beer, and sat out on the back veranda for a chat. Now all of this sounds no different that what you would do in the States however - I was drinking Castle lager (ZA's own brew) in about 75 degree F and paying a guy to "look after"our car outside. In talking to Raine and in being in the country for only a few hours I noticed a few other small things that let me know I was not at home.
First, Let's talk about the fond nick names they give certain things. "Frosties" are draft beer, "Toastie" are toasted sandwhiches, "Doccies" if you were to make a documentry film and I have been called everything from "Miss Tiffany", Mamma, Lady and Maám. On my first day I have been called out for being an American because I am fast.. fast walk and fast talk. I am told I will have to get on South African time and learn the South African walk which is extremely slow for me and is not much of a stroll even. O - and you have to lean a bit. I hope one if the ladies shows me how to walk with a giant bag of potatoes (over 50 of them) on my head. Absolutely AMAZing! I did in fact pick up a lil bit of the lingo here - (Erin Swisher I know you will get a kick out of that) They use the word "hey"for a lot of things and as a conversation filler as well as a "mmmmhuh" which comes from the gut. I will have to demonstrate that one. The other thing I love is people are great drivers here. They are exactly what I love... They drive in the slow lane and pass in passing lane (Erin Furman will be happy to know I have not had any incidences with the curb and tell my self "left left" when turning.
In all there are things that are foriegn to me here, however in talking with Raine out on the portch while driking our frosties, I realize that we are all very similar. Most people want family, good job, houses, kids the opportunity to meet new people. It was great for the both of us to have a sounding board to chat about political/social topics - a mini UN if you will. I was able to come to a better understanding of this country and how it works and she the States. It was rather "nice". (Another word commonly used here)
Editor's Note: This post the first time around (on 10/3/09 was more profound as i wrote it at night on my blackberry and had all of these amazing thoughts but had it in draft and deleted by mistake. Being that I was in Kruger with lite reception for the past few days.. well lets just say I am on African Time. :)
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