Post backlog blues!

One of my mother's friends, Michelle, is one of my primary blog followers. When I don't post enough (or my recent overindulgence of posting too much about Twobob), I get a complaint from Michelle via my mother. So Michelle, I just wanted to apologize about not posting enough and for not posting enough interesting stuff. I guess that I've grown so accustomed to the things going around me (cause this is my regular life after all), I forget that, what may be interesting to you seems humdrum to me. In order to make up for where I've slacked off, I'd like to tell you about a few of the highlights of my life that I haven't written about on my blog...they're not necessarily in order. Please sista girl, forgive me!


June 16th: Youth Day







On June 16, 1976, primarily Black South African students planned a peaceful protest to raise awareness of their issues with the Bantu education system, which was enacted under the apartheid regime. Similar to the poor quality of education provided by the government to African Americans in the US at that time (and arguably a similar poor quality of education that still exists today for these same cohorts...in both South Africa and America), Black South African students endured poorly trained teachers, over worked teachers, poor/out of date/not enough resources, etc. Again, similarly, the government tried to rationalize the idea that separate is indeed equal. WRONG. (Side Note: I recognize that it is not completely fair to compare the struggle of one group to another. We have each fought our own battles. I just can't help but to see my face in the mirror, so to speak.) Another blow to South African students was the forcing, by the government, to require that all students learn Afrikaans, the language spoken by the ruling party. Many of the teachers didn't understand Afrikaans, yet were expected to teach the subject to their students. Destined to fail. Doesn't it make sense to make it easy for you, if you are in charge, to make your subservients speak your language...so you can tell them how you want your kitchen floors cleaned?

Well, instead of being the peaceful protest that it was intended to be, the police fired guns, dogs were released, and tear gas was sprayed into the crowd of unarmed students. Many people were injured, several died. The face of the June 16th massacre is Hector Peterson, a 12 year old student who was apparently the first person killed.

Because the events are so thoroughly written about, I'll leave the rest of the story telling to the experts.

"How does this relate to you? This is completely random!" is what you're probably thinking, so I won't keep you waiting. On June 16th, in honor of the lives lost and the continuation of the struggle, it is customary (at least in Rustenburg) to wear your school uniform. My friend Saziso clued me in on the event after he started digging through his closet to find his old school outfit. His searching had a domino effect on the rest of his family, so everyone started looking for theirs too. Soon enough, his siblings and his mother were all dressed up. His younger brother Tapelo (16 years old) really got into it and put on his younger brother's school shorts...talk about cutters... Saziso's mom brushed her hair in the style of the day: the "fly-away". Interesting. Can't say that I'd wear it.

The whole event was so funny and so much fun to witness, particularly Tapelo and his short shorts which he wore the whole day. As I hoped on the taxi home, I sat looking out of the window as people in the location (new word for township) walked around in their school uniforms. Although watching an entire family dress up in too tight, too short school uniforms, the purpose of the day was not lost on me or any one else. Respecting the strength of those whose shoulders you stand on is the only way to move forward.

The Day I Saw A Man Get Hit By A Car!!!!!

When some people think about South Africa, visiting South Africa, or let their loved one join Peace Corps South Africa, after asking themselves: "So what country in South Africa will you be going to", they think of violence. Yes, South Africa can be dangerous, but living in Chicago can be crazy dangerous too! I've personally never been harmed (knock on a big piece of wood), but I do know of volunteers who have been mugged and such. For me, however, the time I feel most unsafe is every day...serving as a pedestrian in this great land. To me, walking across the street (or side walk or any other place a car can fit) is the most dangerous and unsafe aspect of my life here. Drivers speed, don't respect traffic signals (robots as they're called here), stop signs, cross walks, side walks, don't drink and drive campaigns, speed limits, hazardous driving conditions, they don't take care of their cars, over load cars, etc.) Some drivers take pleasure at speeding up when they see you crossing the street, just to see you run. I really could go on and on and on and on...and if you catch me on one of those days, trust me, I will!

I can't remember the exact date (which is the problem with not keeping up with the blog), but I was walking down the major street in Rustenburg (Nelson Mandela) returning from lunch, when all of a sudden, I hear a loud screeching noise. I was annoyed, which I generally am by cars here. All of a sudden, as though it were out of a movie, an SUV type vehicle came up near my right side and I saw a rather heavy set man flip over the hood of the car as though he was a rag doll. I could not believe my eyes! The man was lying on the ground in the most awkward position I'd ever seen a person in. What I expected: Someone to quickly pull out their cell phone and call 911; an ambulance rushing to the scene no more than 5 to 10 minutes later; people crying/screaming; people rushing to the man to help, yet not attempting to move him. What I actually saw: hundreds of people rushing over to the man...to stare at him and his injuries; a young man slipping the injured man's cell phone in his pocket; no ambulance in sight; people attempting to move the strangely situated man. I don't know what upset me more: 1) witnessing a man get hit by a car; or 2) the spectacle that was created by the situation. This is not the first time I've seen a violent situation (after the fact) while people go out of their way to stop and stare for the gore factor. When passing an accident, both pedestrians and drivers will stop what they're doing (including driving), just to go over and look at what happened. Even South African news papers will, on the front page, show a person with a knife sticking out of their head. Title reads: "She caught him sleeping with her sister." They don't spare the details. In the US, I often complained about the censorship that seems to blanket American media, but in times like these, I'm happy that I don't have to see it/know about it. Additionally, not to say that American roads are totally safe, but at least public health messaging seems to be taken to heart a little more than it is here.

Ok, ok, I know I've only written about two things...but I'm tired of typing, plus I have some work to get done. So as I think of things to day...I'll do another back post. Enjoy, while looking left, right, and left again (the opposite for me).

Are you homesick yet?

Over the course of this month, several people in my office and friends from home have asked me if I'm homesick yet, seeing as how I've been here for a year (year since Swearing In on Sept. 28. 2007). My answer: Depending on the day! My mood falls under three catagories:

I can't believe I'm in the Peace Corps! I can't believe I live in a different country!

There are days when I can't imagine myself being anywhere else. I've wanted the chance to live in South Africa for a while now and have wanted to be in Peace Corps for even longer. I can hop on a taxi be in a different country in less than 3 hours. Life in South Africa and Rustenburg seem strange and foreign and I love it!

Life is normal.

There are days when I almost forget that I'm not in the U.S. (because the infrastructure of Rustenburg can be compared to any smallish city back home). Nothing particularly exciting happens. I'm just going from home to work and doing a little hanging out with friends in between. It feels like any ole regular day back in the U.S. I'm just living my life. Rustenburg has become my home, just like Chicago became my home after moving from Atlanta. Life is fine as wine!

Don't even go there...literally!

Then there are the days....those beautiful, 98 degree, sunshiny days (because it rarely rains, is rarely cloudy, and "winter" lasts a few short months) when I just want to go home and am ready to blow my savings on a plane ticket. During those days, I miss the "things" about home that are not here, but not "home" itself (and they are mostly food-related things...more so now because I'm hungry and I like to eat in general): Chick-fil-a; Wendy's; Mr. Everythings in the AUC; Taco Mac's; Carol Street Cafe; Casa Grande; Atkins Park; Adobo Grill, Willy's; up-to-date movies and music; flying to meet up with friends; a post office that will deliver my packages on time (sorry guys, it's starting to sound like I have a hang-up with the SA Postal Service).

Those I-wanna-come-home-right now-days, luckily, are far and few in between and only tend to last a day or so and then life gets back to normal. Once I'm over them though, the perspective that I had pre-funk comes back and I realize how lucky I am to be in my situation. I have made great (lifelong) friends, an adopted family that loves me, a job that is allowing me to experience new things and challenges me every day, support at the tip of my fingers, health care coverage that only our dear President must get, amazing sights/sounds/smells/smiles (I had to continue with the whole "s" thing...I was on a roll!), no bills (all of my living expenses are paid for), and an opportunity (for two short years) to see the world through different glasses.

My experience and having people constantly asking me about "homesickness", has made me evaluate my definition of "home". Home, to me, is not associated with a particular place. Sure I miss the people and things in different places, but home is where I am. I'm at home in South Africa. Rustenburg. Chicago. Atlanta. Durban. Bukoba. Cape Town. Potch. Savannah. When my two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer are over (one more year in fact), I'll leave Rustenburg for the next location...I'll miss my friends, Nando's, taxis, the irritating post office, the freedom, music, Generations, men's white leather loafers with pointed tips, the loss of personal space, budding democracy, and the many things I've yet to discover....home.

I just couldn't help it......

Look like mommy!











Sleepingbob





















2Bob enjoying the new toy that his grandmother sent him

Kego Gopotse

While I was in Pretoria for a doctor's appointment last Friday, I received a phone call from the office that made my heart sink: my dear friend and colleague Faith passed away just the day before. Her death was completely unexpected by everyone...shock is the the spirit of the wind within my office. Faith was a beautiful person with a spirit that changed cobalt blue to sun yellow every day. She was dedicated to her family, friends, colleagues and her heart's pursuits. I know that she is missed by many, but I can't help but to be selfish and say that she is particularly missed by me! Have a restful sleep my angel!

My attempt at saving trees in the Amazon Rain Forest- from wooden to silicone dildos

One of the activities of my organization, amongst many other things, is to demonstrate the proper application of condoms during educational talks and VCT (Voluntary (HIV) Counselling & Testing) sessions. Unfortunately, because of the enormous expense of anatomically "more" correct dildos, my org has been unable to afford anything more than wooden dildos....you know the kind you saw in high school sex ed classes (pre Bush& before sex ed classes were stripped out of the classroom because of those people who feel that abstinence is the ONLY way to prevent everything from STIs to ADHD).

In an effort to address the need, I recalled how, many months ago, one of my dear friends from Chicago asked me what I wanted/needed. At the time, she was a board member of amazing organization that supports the social, health, and all around well-being of African American women loving women, Affinity. In her on rite, she's an activist, educator, student, friend and divine diva! I knew that Gaylon would be the perfect person to ask, and sure enough, she jumped at the request. I wasn't exactly sure, however, if a big box full of dildos would be allowed through customs (and since I've had a bad history with the South African Postal Service not delivering my packages), I was particularly concerned...but hoped that it would shock them enough to actually deliver it. I had her write "used educational materials" on the outside of the box, but really wanted her to write "for needy sexy people". I'm not sure which one sounds worse, but I figured that I'd go for the former instead. Needless to say, the package arrive yesterday! I just can't tell you how excited people were at my office. I think this is probably the first time many of them have ever seen a "life like" dildo. Actually, this is probably the first opportunity that many of the female counsellors will be able to freely explore the male sexual anatomy. I say this because, as a part of some of the cultures present in South Africa, it is taboo for a woman to talk to her male sexual partner about how and when to engage in sex. In some cultures it is taboo for a woman to touch her male partner's penis. Some women have never seen their partner's penis. One thought is that it is not proper for a wife to touch or see her husband's penis. That job is reserved for girlfriends only (and having a wife and a girlfriend is culturally accepted, but that's a whole other story).

I think that these dildos will not only help educate people coming in for VCT, but will help in the empowerment of women (both counselee and counsellor).

I would really like to thank Gaylon for her overwhelming support of me, my organization, and the movement to combat the spread of HIV and empower people everywhere to take control of their sexuality! Ke a leboga thata gape!

Saving one tree and one person at a time!

Can you believe it....

You can talk for free on weekends! (Ok, so you'd only get that reference if you watched South African t.v. commercials...it's really funny...check it out)

But really, can you believe it, I've almost been in South Africa for a year now?! I left Chicago on the 24th for a two day "Staging" in Philadelphia. We left on a South African Air flight to South Africa on the 26th! In preparation for coming to the Peace Corps, I talked to as many current and past PCVs, attempting to get a glimpse into what my live as a Peace Corps Volunteer would be. Well, let's just say that it's nothing like what I expected.

What I expected: Living in a mud hut. Fetching water. Loads of children following me around. Living with a host family. Eating strange foods. Walking every where I went. Boredom. Excitement. Hand washing clothes. Pit latrines. Little communication with the "outside world". Power outages (if electricity at all). Wearing skirts and flip flops 24/7. Fluency in a different language. I could go on and on...so I won't.

My reality: Living in a middle class community in a brand new flat with an electronic gate remote control. Super Spar/Pick n' Pay/Shoprite/Boxer (grocery stores) within a few blocks. Living down the street from my well established organization. Internet access. Waterfall Mall. Movie theatres. Sun City. Jeans and dress shoes. Community swimming pool down the street. Broken language proficiency. Muggings. Pretoria (a major city) less than an hour away. Cell phone. Etc.

My Peace Corps reality has not only changed my expectations of service, but have helped to shift other people's as well, including some of my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers who actually live in rural settings.

Overall, I can say that I'm enjoying my experience. I've made many friends. I've learned a great deal about the the multiple complexities that make South Africa the way it is (both good and bad). There surely have been challenges to adapting to life here (the dangerous way that people drive, differences in how time is perceived, differences in how "personal space" is perceived, racism, multiple concurrent partnerships, the impact of HIV, etc.) Some days I wanted to pack up and go home, but then something exciting happens which makes me rethink calling PC and telling them that I quit! Prior to joining the Peace Corps, I didn't take the program's motto to heart: The toughest job you'll ever love. Now I understand...

Living to die. Dying to live.

Ever since we arrived at site, my fellow PCV Elayna and I have been coordinating the logistics of a PEPFAR funded mobile HIV testing unit that is set to begin operating in September 2007. In order to make the project a success, we've relied heavily (which any good community-based project should) on the input of both new and established stakeholders. One of our stakeholders, a major mining cooperation, liked the idea of a mobile HIV testing unit so much, they decided to provide funding for my organization to set up a mobile testing unit specifically to attend to the needs of people living in the informal settlements popping up around their areas of operation. "Hotspots" (the most under served areas) were identified and a running schedule was constructed. Due to the lack of time between being asked to start the project and the project's start date, there wasn't much time devoted to advertising (Shame)! So, what do you do when something doesn't work out just the way your want/need it to? You improvise! During the first few weeks of operation, VCT counsellors assigned to work on the van walked around the various informal settlements announcing the van's presence in the multiple languages spoken in the area (isiXhosa, Setswana, isiZulu, Venda, Shangan, etc.) Additionally, the van was driven around while counsellors announced the VCT schedule for the respective locations using loudspeakers.

Well, thus far, the project has been a success! The mobile unit is testing more people in one day than any other testing site (i.e. The Department of Health clinics and hospitals, private clinics, NGO-based clinics, etc.). The mobile is even out-pacing my organization's office-based testing service! Clearly, in this case at least, providing alternative testing options is useful when encouraging people to test, particularly when attempting to reach out to people living in economically resource poor communities, who may be unable to afford the cost of transportation to an office-based VCT site. This sounds cliche, but I'm going to say it any way: If people can't come to the service, bring the service to them. (There, I said it!)

So, you're probably thinking to yourself: So where does the title to your post fit into the story? Well, one of the most interesting bits of feedback provided by counsellors is the issue of clients and community members wanting to know more about the "HIV grant (Disability grant)". The South African government has provided a grant for people who are unable to work because of a mental/physical disability. In the case of HIV infection, if one is unable to work because of an HIV-related issue and the CD4 count is below 200, one is eligible for the grant. From my understanding, when the CD4 count rises over 200, the grant is stopped, because theoretically, you will be in a better state to work. So here's the missing link to the story: counsellors have noted that many people stop them to ask about how to get the grant money. People have come in for testing, and when testing negative, become upset because they don't qualify to get the grant money. When testing positive, some people are actually happy, because this means they have an extra income. I'm going to give you time to think about that one .........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................

Sad and scary, huh?! I'm sure that many of these people have some level of understanding in terms of the possible implications of what one faces after testing positive: stigma, discrimination, failed health, isolation, being so weak that you can't stand up...and the list goes on. I say this, because the majority of people within South Africa, I would argue, know someone who is or was HIV positive. They've probably seen first hand that HIV in South Africa is not a pretty picture.I guess that it's difficult for me to understand on a deeper level, because I've never been in a situation where I felt the only way I could bring money into the house (to pay the bills, eat, seek medical treatment, put clothes on the backs of me or my family members, etc.) was to contract a disease. It is a level of desperation that I would never want for myself or anyone...but unfortunately, it is someone's...

Poverty, desperation, low self esteem, low self efficacy, oppression, misinformation, gender inequities, and a whole bunch of other issues compound on each other, creating a distorted reality whereby contracting HIV becomes an income generating disease........

8bob-6bob= Twobob

Just a friendly little reminder: The time to start you Twobob countdown has come...10 days and counting, until my Twobob comes home with me! The family that is temporarily taking care of him has been so kind to me. They've sent email updates and pictures of how my little Bob Bob is growing up to be such a hansome big boy. I am, however, slightly concerned by the latest picture. I think my little Double Bob might be leaning towards the ugly side. Now don't get me wrong, I've been expecting a smush face and extended girth, but he's still a puppy. I thought that it was manditory that all puppies are unconditionally cute. My best friend Gerald insists that he's going to grow out of his current ugly phase. My parents tell me that, at the time the picture was taken, he was a bit caught off guard or maybe he hasn't yet learned how to pose on his good side. Whatever the case...I'm keeping my fingers crossed and am beginning to prepare myself on how to build up his self confidence. Wish me luck!

Patience and Persistence Make You Stronger!

The view of John Legend from where I was standing

A few weeks ago, I found out that my favorite contemporary artist (aside from Anita Baker and Stevie Wonder), John Legend was set to perform at the famed Sun City on the 16th and 17th of this month! Needless to say, I had to get a ticket! You won't believe the scraping I had to do, in order to make sure that I could survive (i.e. eat, get from one place to the next, etc.) for the rest of the quarter on my Peace Corps living allowance. Now don't gt me wrong (this is a note to all of the Trainees coming in July and for all those interested in joining the Peace Corps and for all family, friends and concerned citizens), I get well above what "the average" South African makes, so I'm not hurting or anything. Since we got that out of the way, back to the story: After saving enough money (read: missing out on my daily candy bar fix and eating at Chicken Lickin' for lunch), I marched right up to my friendly Shoprite to the Computicket, so that I could purchase my well deserved ticket! To my shock and horror, their computers were down, so I was instructed to go up to the second Shoprite in town. When I got there, I was told that their ticket printer was down. I was instructed to call the main office. Before calling the main office, I went online in an attempt to buy the tickets. No such luck...my American bank card and my Peace Corps issued bank card have the wrong formatting for buying anything through Computicket. The same issue occurred when I phoned the main branch! Time was closing in on me...there was only a week remaining before the concert and the Saturday show was already sold out! Oh My! Finally, after many nights of crying myself to sleep and dreaming of John Legend singing "Save Room" to me as I teach community members about reducing their risk of HIV infection by condomizing, testing, and the need to address the issue of multiple concurrent partnerships, I GOT A TICKET! J. Leg...here I come...

Well, not exactly, but kind of.... So, public transportation in South Africa is remarkable. You can get just about anywhere...particularly to Sun City, as many of the employees live in my local community. Going off of the input from my colleagues, I was encouraged not to use it for this event, because I might not be able to get back (transport into town apparently wouldn't be available from Sun City after the concert let out). In an effort to find transport, I had to bribe everyone I knew with a car or with access to a car. I had to put on my best smiley face, give warm hugs, speak in a gentle voice, convince people that helping me would get them into heaven quicker because of my close relationship with GOD. (Disclaimer: The strategies used are not condoned, supported or encouraged by Peace Corps. The views expressed are mine and mine alone.) You know, things like that. Well, it worked! The father of a certain person agreed to take me!!!!

Picture it: June 17, 2007. Dressed to the nines in a dress not worn down and horribly disfigured from multiple hand washings. Hair newly cropped (read: peer pressure from a certain person, his aunt, colleagues, and friends complaining that I was starting to closely resemble Cousin It). Lipstick and make-up substituting for the usual: Cherry flavored Chapstick and soap and water. Standing less than 10 feet away from J. Leg belting out all of my favorite hits (P.D.A. and Another Again). Swaying along with the ebb and flow of the crowd of fans surrounding me! I was in heaven!

Seeing J. Leg in a live performance: A perfect end to a stressful month!

Lessons Learned:

1. Bribery works
2. J. Leg prefers boxer briefs (That's the kind of info you learn standing so close to the stage)
3. Peace Corps issued bank cards are a no-go when purchasing things online
   
4. Patience and Persistence make you stronger!
   

Happy Mother's Day To Me!!!!

For the past couple of months, I've been contemplating, questioning, and calculating exactly how to fill the void in that part of my heart only reserved for "(wo)man's best friend". If you know anything about me, you know that I love animals of all types, but particularly with dogs! You would also know that I have a child of the four-legged kind at home that I've had since the 9th grade, Medin! He is indeed the sunlight of my life, but due to the fact that I'm living my Peace Corps Dreams, his grandparents decided that it would be best that he lives with them. In fact, he's been on an extended visit with his grandparents ever since I went away to college. Although we haven't lived together for a while, he is still my heart and no one can ever take his place.

Ever since I arrived at my permanent site, however, I've noticed that something's been missing... I said to myself, and just about everyone who would listen, "I think it's about that time to get a pet". My fellow Peace Corps Volunteer, Elayna patiently listened to me as I hummed and haaa'd about wanting to fill that void...and just how I was planning to do it. First, I thought about getting a bird...a parakeet. Birds are great, I've had one in fact, but still, something was missing. I thought about a parrot that enjoyed physical interaction...but depending on the breed, it might expect to live longer than I will...and I don't want my kids putting me in a home because I stuck them with a loud and moody bird. I finally had to do a little sit down with myself, realizing that all of the characteristics I was looking forward to in other types of pets were all wrapped up in a doggy package. So, to make a long story short, I've decided to get a dog...and English Bulldog to be specific! I've even found someone who raises them. I received a phone call on Monday morning, telling me that the puppies were born on Mother's Day! That's a good sign, right?! The puppy is the one in the middle (in the group shot). I think that he'll be coming home with me at the end of June! I'm excited! Overjoyed! I'll finally have a warm, snuggly button to keep me company! Yeah!!!!!

Just because I know you're in your respective locations, shifting in your seats to ask a few questions, I've decided to answer them for you:

Yes- I'm going to have time for a dog...all I've got is time! In fact, my supervisor said that I can even bring him into work with me. I'm taking an evening course to become a HIV pre and post-test (VCT) counselor with my organization...so in addition to growing up, he'll really fit in with my organization, because he'll be a trained counsellor as well! He'll be my best buddy, child, VCT counsellor, and co-worker all mixed into one!

Yes- I've already chosen a name: Twobob (slang for boyfriend) Karabo (Setswana for "The answer). The name "Twobob" is also slang for 20 cents, no relation to 50 cent (the rapper). I might even glue a 20 cent coin onto his dog tag. There was a really popular song that came out a couple of years ago by a group called Malika. The woman in the song is singing about a guy she really likes. I like the group, I like the song, and I think the meaning is funny. My co-workers helped me pick out the middle name.

Yes- I will be bringing him home (to the USA) with me, so if you know me personally, you'll have the chance to meet him! He might not understand your accents though, as he will not be used to other American accents (an mine is slowly shifting to be proudly South African) and I'm going to teach him Setswana: No Twobob! Go potty Twobob! Sit Twobob! Are you crazy Twobob?!

Kind of- I'm a bit nervous about having a dog in South Africa. I know that having Twobob will be a cross cultural exchange in and of itself, just based on the different ways Americans treat pets versus South Africans. In America, it's common place to see someone walking their dog down the street with a collar and leash. Dogs are on commercials. You probably wouldn't gasp when you saw a dog inside of the house, sitting on furniture, or riding down the street in a car. In my community, dogs are treated like, well, dogs... Dogs are for protection. Dogs are for little kids, but as soon as they (the kid or the dog) grow up, the dog is left to fend for itself. People in my community don't walk dogs on leashes down the street, or at least not that I've seen. One of the volunteers, Steph, often brings her dog Diesel to trainings, so it's not too strange to see around my organization. In fact, if you walk down the halls of my office, you'll see comic strips of a cat that used to hang around and became the unofficial mascot...but I think everyone in my office is a bit off kilter in the first place and should not be taken as the norm (with respect to animals).

As you can see, I'm two bob short of a Rand right now thinking of my new little friend! I'll make sure to keep you posted on how he's doing! Charlene and I have already set up play dates for Aisha and Twobob! Ish!

I never thought I would have to.....

Give THE TALK, you know, the sex talk to a dog, but I did! It seems like it's come a little too late though. But before I go any longer, I need to jog your memory a bit, so you know who I'm talking about. Do you remember that cute little face I welcomed into the family a few months ago, Aisha, My Setswana 2 Setswana Sister's dog? Yeah, her! The 9 month old little girl that was so sweet, cute, and full of energy. I guess all of those characteristics that made her so much fun to be around, also made her fun to be around other dogs as well. It turns out that, while at a mandatory Peace Corps meeting, Charlene's co-workers didn't always keep such a close eye on little Miss Aisha. Seems that she (Aisha) didn't know how to handle herself like a lady during her first time in heat. Seems like little Miss Aisha has fallen in the family way...or like they say in Setwana: Aisha o mo mmeleng!

Well, during a recent visit, I had to give her...THE TALK...more like an on-going conversation. I told Aisha that, in America, being un-wed mother doesn't necessarily present her in the best light...socially (the unfair and unfortunate burden of being female). I know that she is proudly South African, so she doesn't exactly work on the American system even though her mother is proud to be an American. I asked her if she had considered the high incidence of HIV in her community and country. Of course, she didn't. I told her to condomize or consider getting herself fixed. I told her that she might find that her friends will distance themselves from her, because the things they had in common may not be there any more...they will have different foci. She will undoubtedly have to get a job to support her litter. I asked her if she had informed the father...she was a bit tight lipped and had a confused look on her face when I asked for his name.

Aisha new of my background with Planned Parenthood and public health. She knew that if she needed to ask questions, she could always come to me. I try to maintain an open door policy with all of my two and four-legged friends. I know that sometimes it is difficult for the younger generation to come and talk about sex with older people, but I'd like think that I'm a cool aunt...open, accessible, non-judgemental.

Now that the deed is done, and all we can do at this point is wait, her mother and I, and the entire Setswana 2 Setswana crew will provide a strong support system for her to utilize in her time of need...ish! Aisha!

Top 10 things to do over a 5-day weekend....

1. Complete my 1st and 2nd Quarterly Reports for Peace Corps (already late...shame).
2. Catch up on sleep.
3. Visit friends
4. (Hand) wash that pile of clothes that keeps staring at me.
5. Go to the mall
6. Have a braai (BBQ)
7. File and buff my nails
8. Watch all of those DVDs my loving family and friends have sent
9. Get over this cold I have just developed
10. Make all of those overly involved recipes that I keep ticking off while looking through the Betty Crocker cookbook during my free time.

What's the deal with boy bands?

I really don't understand this boy band thing! Now I have been guilty
of bopping my head to the latest popular tune that happens to be
playing on my car radio as I'm driving to or from work/school (ahhh...the
good ole days when I had a car!). I've never actively sought out that
type of music. Never bought it. Never researched online for news about
the band. Never attempted to go to a concert or hang up a poster on my
wall. I'm sure that we all (secretly) have our favorite song or group,
whatever the case may be...but I think some South Africans are taking
it a little too far.

For some reason or another, I thought that I would escape the pre-fab
song/hair/boy/wall poster/etc. that I had to suffer through since the
days of New Kids on the Block by joining up with Peace Corps South
Africa. I thought I'd be learning about a new culture through new
sights and sounds...things I've never heard before. Why is it then
that, earlier this week, as I was riding on a late-night taxi, did I
have to suffer from one taxi driver's attempt to be (what he thought
was) cool...one of those car-sized flattv monitors playing nothing but
back-to-back music videos of the Backstreet Boys. Additionally, if I
stay out in one of the various locations (townships) surrounding my
local community, why can I hear boy band songs being blasted throughout
the neighborhood at all hours of the day, particularly between the
hours of 8pm and 7am. Little did I know that finding something in
common with my local counterparts would be as simple as reciting the
lyrics to the song "I want it that way. Tell me why, ain'tnothin' but a heart ache...."

As is often said in South Africa, "Agh, Shame man!"

So is this what a proud mom feels like?

As you may recall, a few months ago (how time flies), I conducted a 5-day "Advanced" HIV training course for a varied audience (in terms of home organization; ethnicity; language; etc.). In preparing for the program, I:

• Took a mini- needs assessment of some of the VCT (HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing) counselors in my organization. I was surprised to find out that many people, regardless of the fact that they were VCT counselors, did not have a strong grasp on HIV and related issues. I guess that's why I put the "advanced" part in quotations. It really was basic information.

• Took into consideration what my boss wanted participants to know: ARVs; Opportunistic Infections; STIs (STDs for the old school); reproductive health issues; HIV and AIDS statistics; and discrimination and stigma issues.
  

• Took into account my learning style and how my experiences as a student have either helped me to understand (or not) the information presented to me. Doing a little research on best practices for adult learning didn't hurt either.
  

• Considered the type of training South Africans typically deal with...particularly the type of learning style used and encouraged at my organization...lecture/memorization...I wanted to make the program as interactive as possible...without eliciting the response, "not another group activity!"
  

Well, if you have been following along with my blog, you would know that the course turned out to be a great success. Many of the fears that I had about facilitating the course ( language barriers, cultural differences, how do you keep people engaged on one topic for five days from 8 am to 4 pm, will people participate, etc.) were elevated. I was surprised to find that people actively participated in each exercise like I've never seen many of them do before. I say this because, in many of the trainings I've observed at my organization, participants can be seen holding unrelated side conversations, falling asleep, and in general...just looking bored. People asked questions and truly seemed to take control of their own learning, which is something I hope to encourage amongst volunteers and staff members alike.

Ok, I totally gave you way more background information than I thought I would. So, anyway, my organization is currently hosting a 13-week counseling course. Unfortunately, I've been unable to participate very much in the course because I'm working on several other projects (not to mention...but I will...the trip with my mother). At first, I was feeling kind of bad for the counselors-in-training, because the same out of date teaching methods were going to be used. I guess I'm not a big fan of it, because that's not how I learn best (always thinking of myself...shame!), and that clearly, counselors are lacking a real understanding of HIV and AIDS. (They know what the words are and can spit them out with the best of them, but they don't truly understand the subject and rarely have the opportunity to engage it.) Well (I use "well" a lot, I've noticed), last week I was finally able to sit in a few classes, and boy was I in for a surprise. Some of the facilitators of the course (who also attended my training) were actually using more interactive teaching methods...many of which I used in the program I facilitated. The whole time I was sitting there, I just smiled at how something I did really made an impression on people enough for them to re-think their training methods. Of course I cannot take much credit for the techniques that I used (I had to get them from somewhere), but it felt good to pass the information along...or to help in the capacity building process...that's a Peace Corps term. I guess this is the first time since I've been here that I really feel like I'm accomplishing something.

As a treat to myself, I'm going to bask in the glow of small accomplishments...but not for too long, because so much more work needs to be done!

Still longing for the days with my mother....ahhhhh

As I'm sitting here at my desk, attempting to prepare all of the details for the launch of the new mobile Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) unit next weekend, the Pisces in me can't help but to day dream about the fabulously, devine time that I spent with my mother. A time when, for a few weeks, I was allowed to live the life of a regular American tourist, doing touristy things, eating great food, sleeping in late, having the ability to determine my schedule, not having to explain anything to anyone (about if my hair is real...natural...or store bought...chemically altered...am I bi-racial, etc, my nationality, my skin color, if I really chose to have my glasses look that way, why I dress the way I do, why I can't seem to get over the gag reflex everytime I eat pap or come close to mogodu, etc.), and most important of all SPENDING TIME WITH MY MOTHER.

So as I day dream, or rather "reflect" (my father's favorite word...ok...let me tell you a little story that is TOTALLY off the subject, but since I'm reminiscing, let's just go there. When I was a little girl, my family would often take short road trips to as far as Florida. My brother and I would often get out of control making tents in the back seat with blankets or fighting about who had too much space on the middle arm rest. In order to get us to be quite, my father would often tell us to reflect (on events of the past or on whatever else that would get us to shut up). So, at a very early age, I learned how to reflect, which brings us to the present moment.) As I reflect, these are some of the images that are conjured up....

Enjoy!

A Dung Beetle doing guess what...rolling elephant dung

Atop Table Mountain...taking pictures of other people climbing

Cape Point (Not really the most southern point of Africa)
10 points if you know where the real southern most point is

Just about the exact point where the "table cloth" forms over Table Mountain

My mother (somewhere) and the Kototsi Family

Tall times 2 in Botswana

Part of Victoria Falls in Black and White
(my attempt at being creative)

I guess this speaks for itself, right?

Around the (Southern Africa) World in less than 40 Days...

Phinda- View from our Chalet

Hanging out with the Mitchelson Clan

Mom at work

D & D were here!- Cape Town 2007

Elephants playing around in Botswana

Me, Mom, Mike, and Tattoo

View of Victoria Falls from the Vic Falls Hotel

"The Smoke that Thunders- Victoria Falls"

My mother and I are back in our respective places of residence after traveling around Southern Africa for the past three weeks or so! I cannot believe that time went by so quickly. I guess that just speaks to the fact that my mother and I are best friends (sorry Jeb...you know I love you!) and we always seem to have so much fun together! It was so comforting to be around someone who needs no explanation for my mood swings around 12:00 noon. She just knows that the time has come for my mid-day feeding. I know that I can wake up early in the morning and have a full-on conversation about what my dog back home is doing at that particular time. You see, people in my local community have yet to pick up on those quirky habits, but it's only been six months in, so there's still time!

So, do you wanna hear about what we did? Like to hear it, here it goes:

Bring Your Mother To Work Day

My mother arrived in South Africa, and immediately came to visit me at site (my community). One of the things she said was a "priority" during her trip was to see where I lived and worked. Since she came to visit my job on a Friday, there was not much going on, as most of our counseling activities take place earlier in the week. She was, however, able to meet a few of my co-workers, see my "office", and view some of the remnants of the Advanced HIV training that I facilitated a few weeks before.

Later on that day, we unknowingly attended a surprise belated-birthday party for me, which was thrown by some of my friends. I was totally caught off guard when I walked into my friend’s house and everyone was singing and there were cakes and juice and lots of smiling people! I am loved! I think this also made my mother more comfortable with "allowing" her "baby" to stay in a strange country, knowing that I am cared for in my new home!

First Stop: Botswana Setswana

After leaving my site, my mother and headed out to Botswana to go on the first of two game drives. We stayed in a fabulously intimate game lodge located just outside the gates of Chobe National Park. As soon as we arrived at the lodge, we were met by one of the lodge managers, who ran down the list of do's and don'ts, which included instructions on when to eat, where to eat, when to be ready for game drives, and where we were to place dirty clothes. If you want you clothes washed only, put them in the bag. If you wanted them ironed too, place them in the basket. If you place your shoes in the basket, they will be ironed too...and oh, they don't wash "small items" (ie. undies). After each comment, our host would snap his fingers as if he was ordering a drink at the bar (I do not know which bar, but for lack of a better description). I told my mom that I felt like I was at summer camp! One day we made the mistake of taking too long to get to dinner. A night watchman was sent to our room to collect us. When we arrived to the communal table, where everyone eats together, our chairs were turned up to mark our absence. We surely learned our lesson! Trust, we were on time for every meal after that!

On the first day, we took it easy and lounged around our chalet, because we had a prime view of the game park. Elephants and other wild animals could be seen making their evening trip to the Chobe River for a drink and a dip. The next few days were all about meeting other guests from around the world (Hi Vee and Eric from San Diego, thanks for the snacks!), going on game drives, viewing Elephants, elephants, and more elephants, and catching up with each other.

NOTE: As I spent plenty of time at the lodge bar (drinking water and sprite of course), I tried to practice my Setswana (the language primarily used in my local community), just to find out that I've been taught how to be a lazy Tswana speaker! If you wanna learn true Setswana, go to Botswana or anywhere other than where I am!

Zimbabwe, where an afternoon meal can cost you $576,983 Zim Dollars

Well, I'll refrain from engaging too much into the political discourse that is currently swirling around Zimbabwe, but I will say that my first indication that something was not right occurred as soon as my mother an I stepped off the plane to get our entry visas. We were immediately told that visas must be paid in US currency as Zim dollars were not accepted as a form of payment. They do not accept their own currency, because it is virtually not worth anything. You might as well use it as wallpaper, although I know some wallpaper that is incredibly more expensive.

As soon as we left the airport, I was not exactly sure of what I was prepared to see, because the country is currently experiencing major political problems and 3 out of 4 people are out of work. Well, I must say that Victoria Falls has created a great illusion for foreigners wanting to reclaim their colonial past and forget about all of their troubles (and don't want to be bothered by anyone else's). I'm still trying to figure out what my "colonial past" is..... None the less, we stayed at the beautiful Victoria Falls Hotel, with its perfect view of the "smoke that thunders" or better known as Victoria Falls.

The first day, we went on an elephant back safari...basically, we rode around in a big circle for an hour riding on the back of an elephant. It was a very interesting experience, as for the first thirty minutes, I was so "sea sick" that I could not really enjoy the ride. Once I got over that, I was amazed at the power of these animals! She (Tattoo was her name) was able to carry three people on her back with ease. Tattoo was like a tree cutter and riding lawn mower all at the same time. At every possible moment, she was either ripping off a tree branch or clearing bushes and cutting grass just to stuff it in her mouth and move on to the next plant.

Victoria Falls! AMAZING! You can see the falls from miles (kilometers away). Standing near it was like being in a heavy rain shower. Luckily, the tour guide brought ponchos, because otherwise he would have been treated to a wet t-shirt contest (FYI...white shirts should never be worn near water...I guess I didn't go to enough "college weeks" in Miami or Daytona...)

Durban and Phina...oh my!

Of course, one of the "essential" stops on my mother’s Southern African tour was to visit my friends in Durban. Due to the fact that I'd been trying to get my family to come out to visit them for years, and my friends have eagerly been waiting, they weren't too interested in seeing me at all.

If you are ever interested in going on a luxurious game drive...GO TO PHINDA (CCAfrica )...You will not be disappointed. My mother and I were treated to a chalet all to ourselves with the most amazing views and potential for animal encounters. In the back of our "house", we had our own personal plunging pool from which animals regularly took drinks. The service was great and everyone that we met was so very hospitable!

Cape Town

I must say that, while on this entire trip, it was easy to forget that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer, because I definitely was not staying anywhere that a PC budget could afford. This was particularly the case whilst in Cape Town. We did the obligatory Robbin Island and Table Mountain tour. On the second day, we were treated to a day-long tour with a guide who clearly used his time with us to gripe and complain about how he as an Afrikaners has been displaced within the new government. Maybe I'm not sensitive enough, particularly to this guy, who tried to get my mother and me (as African Americans) to relate to his feelings of disenfranchisement....not a chance in the hell I've read about, nor any other one...well, as I was told in a former life...negativity won't take up (much of) my space today (literally in this blog and in my mind).

The rest of the days were amazing. My mother knew a few people who were in town for the Cape Town Jazz Festival, which was equally cool being around all of that musical energy. The rest of the days were spent giving my wardrobe a much needed boost at our local Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Mall. Additionally, I was treated to a day at the spa(aaaaah)! THANKS MOM!!!!!!!!!!

As you can see, this blog isn't my best effort, mostly because there's so much to say and I'm bogged down with work at this very moment (as soon as I got back to work, I hit the ground running).

In summary, (I promise I learned that this is not the best way to end a report), I had the best time with my mother. She truly brought a much-needed breath of fresh air into my life. We had wonderful conversations. She made me laugh. She allowed me to forget about everything in my life that may or may not have caused me stress! Mom, it was so difficult to let you go. I missed you even while you were with me. My friend asked me if I was going to cry at the airport...I said that I wouldn't...and I didn't...but that's only because I know that the separation is only temporary and that the rest of my family will be coming during the festive season.

THANK YOU MOMMY FOR MAKING THIS SUCH A WONDERFUL TRIP!

Advanced HIV and AIDS Training Course

Whew, the judgement in the air is thick! My mother is even receiving complaints from her friends telling me that I need to stop slacking off. I know, I know, it's been well over a month since I've last updated my blog...but I have a good reason though (Can you feel the excuses coming?)! For the past couple of weeks, I've been very busy with Peace Corps stuff and planning for a 5-day Advanced HIV and AIDS Training Course, which I am facilitating, for my organization.

For the program, my boss requested that I address the human immune system; STIs; behavior change theory; ARVs; reproductive health; and any other topic I could think of. My first step in planning this program, was to conduct an informal needs assessment, as many of the participants in the course would be VCT (voluntary testing and counseling) counselors. I asked questions like: "What does a macrophage do?"; "What is Kaposi's Sarcoma?"; "Could you take a detailed sexual history of a client without feeling uncomfortable, even if your client is an elder?"; "How does HIV attack the human immune system?"; etc. In conducting this assessment, I found that many counselors were very unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of the most common STIs, they were unfamiliar with the common opportunistic infections, and that they did not really understand how the human immune system and HIV work. Don't get me wrong, counselors are generally good at what they do, but I think the problem was how they were taught to learn and how they were taught the information...it was really a comment about the South African education system.

In South Africa, you have the teacher who has "all" of the information and the learner (South African for student) who is the sponge. In many South African classes (both historically and currently) teachers and students have learned the to memorize and regurgitate information for homework and tests...and then the information is lost. Subjects are not typically engaged and challenged. Students don't question teachers for fear of: looking "stupid", upsetting the teacher, standing out, etc. The various learning styles present in the classroom are not taken into consideration (tactile, auditory, visual, experiential) ****This is where I give a BIG shout out to the many teachers in my life who took this into consideration, particularly those at the PAIDEIA SCHOOL!!!!****

Well, enough of my social commentary, the American school system has its issues too!

So I took the information garnered from the needs assessment, information I picked up from reading about adult learning theory, my learning styles, my desire to pretend that I'm creative, etc. to identify topics to address and ways to address it. Additionally, I took the "boredom factor" into account. Who would want to sit in a class room from 9am to 4pm just looking at my (pretty) face?! (You won't answer that question if you know what's good for you! Except if you are saying that you'd rather do that than sleep and eat!) I wanted there to be a variety of topics so that it wouldn't feel like a 10th grade American history class. I wanted enough "alone time" so that group members wouldn't get sick of each other. I wanted enough group activities so there would be an exchange of ideas. I wanted participants to feel responsible for truly learning and engaging the topics that we'd be discussing. I randomly asked people to facilitate discussions. On the first day I posted questions around the room. I gave space so that participants could answer the questions, and told them that, as they go through the week and see incorrect information on the sheets, correct it.

So here's what happened:

• Statistics were dicussed on how HIV and AIDS are affected the entire population (black, white, colored, Indian, etc) of South Africa. The roles of gender, poverty, stigma and discrimination, access to resources, race/ethnicity were covered. As much as it seems like a "black disease", its really a human disease (hence the "H" in HIV).

• A skit was developed where people acted out the various components of the immune system. Elayna and I developed props for each character. Scripts were designed so that participants could read what the immune system was doing at that particular time (instucting the Macrophage to look through her goggles and find infected cells or pathogens, use her big teeth to eat them and brush them away with her broom).

• Based on the understanding of how each cell works in the immune system, a skit was developed to show how HIV works to attack the Helpper T-cell. This skit helped them to understand what a viral load test and a CD4 test were really looking for. One participant said, a few hours later, that after this exercise, the information that she knew "clicked". It gave her the opportunity to put together the pieces of the whole HIV puzzle.

• Opportunistic infections and the 4 stages of HIV infection were covered. I got people to personalize how someone with an OI might feel, and how this might impact their adherence to ARVs, willingness to disclose their status, and stigma.

• STIs and their impact and association with HIV transmission.

• I used a really cool activity to get people thinking about behaviors that may or may not put them at risk of infection. I broke participants up into groups and had them identify behaviors on a continum (unsure to high risk) that might put someone at risk for infection of HIV and other STIs. Groups were then asked to place their behaviors on note cards and place them on the continum, where they thought they should be. The larger group debated each group's placement decision. It helped people to understand how difficult it might be for the lay person to identify risk-taking behaviors. Participants also learned that some of the behaviors had to be contextualized. For example: deep kissing or "French kissing". Ordinarily, that behavior is not such a big deal in terms of risk, but what happens if someone has an open wound in or on their mouth (dissiminated infection, HSV1 or HSV2 chancre sore, etc.). Some behaviors that were brought up in the behavior cards were "poverty" or "homosexuality". This caused for a good discussion and a GREAT lead up to my full day of discussing stigma and discrimination. Homosexuality in and of itself is not a "high risk behavior". It brought up that groups of people are often associated with diseases, thus leading to stigma and discrimination, so instead of focusing on the group, focus on the behavior and target that.

• I found a GREAT curriculum produced by EngenderHealth, about addressing stigma and discrimination in the health care setting. The activity mentioned above can also be found in this curriculum, although I've done it in my former life without the curriculum. I would highly recommend this one!

• My friend, Setswana 2 Setswana Sister, and fellow PCV, Liz came up from Childline to conduct a presentation on HIV and AIDS and their impact on children. She did a great job! THANK YOU LIZ!!!!!!!
  

Just as we were about to start the 3rd day, my boss comes in and announces the possible Taxi strike that might take place on Thursday and Friday. Because the majority of group participants use taxis, we had to cancel these two days. They've been rescheduled for next Monday and Wednesday (March 5th and 7th). I'll keep you posted!

I do, however, plan on addressing Behavior Change Theory, (based off of one of our many great/heated discussions) the role of men in the prevention of mother to child transmission, we will watch a great movie called "Yesterday" (addressing stigma and discrimination in a rural village in the province of Kwa Zulu Natal), and (my friend, Setswana 2 Setswana Sister, and fellow PCV) LaQuita will come up and facilitate a discussion on ARVs. The last thing we're gonna do is something akin to a post-test. We're going to play a game of HIV and AIDS Jeapordy. The majority of participants have never heard of the game before...so it should be interesting. I think the next two days will be fun and exciting.

Plus, I must give a very BIG THANK YOU to my mother, who helped me out soooo much in putting this program together! Thanks again mom!

OTHER THINGS I'VE DONE:

Helped to celebrate my friend Saziso's 23rd birthday. His party was the hotness. Over 100 people came to the braai. I cooked my amazingly delicious cheese and potato dish, baked beans (Danielle style), garlic bread (bought from the Super Spar), and my scrumbibaliomtious carrot cake with cream cheese frosting! Thanks to all of my friends who helped me prepare the dishes!

Went to Jo'burg with another local NGO called Eduland. I had soooo much fun! That's a whole other conversation we'll have. I'll get back to that one at a later date!

Decided to get a pet. I'm not sure if this is my maternal instinct thing coming out or just a continuing theme of my complete love of animals. I think I'll be getting a bird...a parrot. Through my research, I've learned that many parrots live as long or longer than humans. Since I don't want my children or grandchildren hating me, because they'll have to inherit the bird, he has to live equal to or less than the normal lifespan of a dog. His name will be Lucky Bob Kototsi (last name is respective of the fact that Saziso will probably be keeping him when I leave), or L. Bob , or L.Bo (in reference to the whole J.Lo craze...or have I been gone long enough so that I'm so outdated?).

Well, that's enough for now. I'll be posting soon, but forgive me, because March, in addition to it being the month that the Second Coming of the Lord (me) was born, my mother will be coming for a visit, and I'll be busy with work stuff. I'll do my best though!

Salang Sentle!

Mixed Message.....

Ok, I've got several tidbits of information to share, thus the "mixed" message:

1. Happy belated birthday Thabi (aka Charlene)! I just want to give a big shout out to Thabi on turning the big 2-5! A few of her random, LifeLine, and Jesus Dancing (even though she's Jewish) friends got together this past weekend to celebrate this special day! Thabi was treated to a trip to Spur for food and fun! Per the tradition of Spur, the birthday girl (or boy) has to wear a Spur crown while standing on their seat, and the wait staff embarasses them by singing a crazy happy birthday song. Happy birthday was sung in Afrikaans, English, Tswana, and Spur! Happy birthday again!

2. This is an appeal to the South African postal service. My mother sent me a package with
many of my requested goodies inside around the beginning of December 2006. Packages
generally take two to three weeks to reach my South African city. Well, it's now 2007 and I
feel like either Tom Hanks or Meg Ryan in Sleepless in Seatle, desperately hoping to be
united with the one I love (aka my package sent from home). I can't focus at work. I've
shyed away from friends and strangers. I can't sleep. I've lost my appetite. All of this is
due to the fact that my packages is somewhere in the world, lost.........forever? If you know
the whereabouts of my package....please connect it with its rightful owner!

3. On Friday, I was walking down the main street in my city, minding my own business,
when all of a sudden, some nasty old man decided that it was ok for him to pinch my arm
and wink at me. Yuck! Yesterday, again, I was walking down the same busy street, when
a strange man thought that it was cool for him to grab my hand and lick his lips. Double,
tripple, quadruple Yuck! If you haven't figured it out yet, it is NEVER ok to touch a
stranger (particularly me) unless said stranger (me) expressly gives you permission to do
so.

4. It's really hot in my city! I've never sweat so much! Ok, that's a lie. I've never sweat so
much when I'm not participating in an activity that really calls for sweat, ie. horse
back riding, softball or other sports-related activity, cutting the grass, etc. I've never
really appreciated a cold bath, or a lunch break bath as I do now!

5. "In town", there is an electronics store that doubles (or triples) as a beauty shop and
snack shop. I want to take a picture, just so that when I tell this story again, I'll have
hardcore evidence. I think my friend has a connection with the lady who works there.
Maybe she'll let me take a picture, and if not, I'll be forced to do it undercover.

Cultural Faux Pas

Yesterday, while visiting the home of a friend, I noticed that the women and children in the family where all gathered around the back of the house, looking under the eve of the roof. Very soon I noticed what was the object of everyone's attention: a small bat about the length of my index finger. It was a cute little bat, hanging upside down as cute little bats tend to do. My curiosity was the subject of both discussion and entertainment. My friend's younger cousin explained that I should not get too excited by the bat's presence, because just before I noticed the bat, they were about to kill it (by means of beating it to death with a long metal pole, and if that didn't work, by spraying it with hair spray and lighting it on fire). I was a bit mortified! I placed myself between them and the bat, doing my best to recall all of those interesting little factoids I'd picked up during my days as a volunteer (Jr. Zoo Crew member) at the Atlanta Zoo and on the Nature Chanel.

• Bats are generally harmless
• Bats help to control the insect population (which is a plus for me, because I don't have an appreciation for insects)
• Just one bat can catch hundreds of insects in an hour
• They aid in the pollination of some of our favorite fruits and veggies: figs, dates, peaches, mangos, bananas, etc.

I knew that I started running out of reasons to spare the poor bats life when I finally said, "but he's so cute!" Finally, I offered an alternative: What if I tried to shoo the bat away with a stick? My friend's aunt shook her head (as if to say, "you silly little American"), but she allowed me to give it the old college try. Well, I think that I made the situation worse when the bad crept even farther under the roof until it was out of sight. A look of terror came across everyone's face. I was quickly told that the bat was intentionally sent to their house by someone in the community to do harm to the family. It would sleep all day, and in the evening, it would wake up and do it's dirty work. I was told that bats rarely ever go anywhere alone, and because this one was alone, that was a sign that it was no ordinary bat.

My friend's mother and aunt tried poking the bat out of it's hiding place. Finally, the hole was plugged up with wet sponges in hopes that it would suffocate.

I was torn. Part of me rationally knew that this bat was simply minding its own business by catching up on some sleep. The other side to the story is that my friend and his family really believe that they would suffer as a result of this bat's presence. It's not like me saying...step on a crack, break your mother's back...or don't break a mirror or you'll have seven years of bad luck.

Feeling kinda bad, I asked my friend if my actions were going to harm his family. He said that his family just thought I was funny because I didn't understand. I asked about the consequences if I did understand. He said, "that would be bad, very bad!" In this particular situation, I was happy to be an uninformed American.

Life's a beach...in Durban!

Dancin' in the streets like it's 1999 in 2007!

Braai meat, fireworks, and friends on New Years

Qhawe (Marissa and Charles' son)

Sistas 4 Life (Marissa)

LaQuita, Jade, and Guess Who at the beach (if you couldn't tell)

LaQuita, Charlene, n' Me

During the festive season (South African for the Christmas break), a few of my Peace Corps friends and I headed down to Durban to visit my friends/family. It was rather surreal, I must admit, to have someone other than myself make the long (but not as long as the 18 hour flight it takes to get to South Africa) trek down to "South Africa's playground". Instead of taking a plane (as I ususally did), our charriot (aka Greyhound bus) shuttled us through exotic locations such as Pretoria and Jozi. What was extimated as a 9 hour trip turned into something like 12 hours, thanks to a delay in Jo'burg.

As we approached Durban, my friend Marissa and I were coordinating our meet-up spot. I knew that we were all in for an exciting reunion by the high-pitched squeal in her voice. I asked, "Are we about to make a scene in the bus rank." She responded, "Oh, hell yes...!" When we arrived, Charlene asked me if every other person was my friend. I kept reassuring her that there would be no question of who was who when Marissa, Charles and Qhawe arrived. I think I heard Marissa before I saw her!

Spending time with my friends from Durbs reminded me of how familiar and close we are with each other. It had been two years since my last trip, and meeting up two years later felt like I just saw them earlier that day. Knowing my friends the way I do, my Peace Corps friends would surely experience that same feeling, as if we've all known each other forever. By the end of the trip, I know this prediction came true...plans have been made for future visits...without me!

New Years Eve was spent in Lively Rustenburg...All I have to say is that prayer, braai meat, dancing in the street, 6-to-6's, fireworks, and alcohol have to potential to be either really exciting (as it was in my case), or explosive (like when drunk people who've prayed, eatten, stayed up for nights on end without sleep, and listen to the hottest songs in South Africa, play with fireworks and send people ducking and diving to avoid getting hit, and ending up being a story on the 7 o'clock news!)- true story!