So Saturday we went to Cobham which is in the Drakensburg Mountains for the weekend. We stayed in a little summer camp type lodge. The first day, Saturday, we went exploring a bit finding parts of the river we could swim in. On our hike to find these places we had to cross the river and I tragically lost one of my flip flops. Seeing as though this was the only pair I had I made a heroic attempt to rescue them. I threw my camera and other flip flop at someone and ran down the river barefooted through possibly snake infested waters. I caught up to my flip flop and rescued it, it was epic. I caught up to the group and we went swimming in the river for a bit. Then we cooked out some hot dogs and corn and what not, had some tots around the fire. Went to sleep at our usual 8:30/9:30pm. Woke up the next morning and Zed led those who wanted to come on a hike. So we went off on our hike around 8am through the grasslands. There is no forest really. We stopped to swim in the river and see some Bushmen paintings. We hiked pretty far up..it was rough. I should probably get in better shape. We saw tons of Bushmen paintings and then some of us – including me of course – decided to go all the way up to the top. The top was amazing. I’ve been to tops of mountains before but I don’t quite know if I’ve seen a view like this with all the greenery and what not. We also saw baboons on the way up and little baby baboons. Then we hiked down and got back around 4:30pm. It was a long day! We cooked out again. I made a grilled crunchy peanut butter and banana sandwich. It was delicious.
From there, Monday morning my group went to Impendle to our next rural homestay. I went with Rebecca on this homestay and our mama is awesome! We stayed with mama her daughter Nelly and her other daughter’s son Lethle who was four and adorable. Their “land” has four little houses with two of them being round circular huts with thatched roofs in which one of them is for calling the ancestors. They fed us a crap ton as usual and we watched Generations as usual. They also had electricity just no running water. Then we watched some traditional Zulu dancing on a DVD. I asked Nelly, who is 19 by the way and who would know – she acts like shes 30 but mainly because she has to, anywho we asked her if she knew how to dance and she said yes and that she would do it for us the next day.
The next day, Tuesday, we went to do a gardening project. My group of four went to a preschool, called a cresh, and planted all kinds of herbs and vegetables for the people to maintain and have as food. Essentially we are trying to help the community grow and develop into a self-sustainable community. Then we ate traditional meal at a school in which some of the students put on a performance for us. Then we met a traditional healer or sangoma and she talked to us about what she does and how she works with the Department of Health and she called the ancestors for us. When she did that we all legit heard something back so that was interesting. We got back to our homestay and Nelly said people were coming over to dance for us. So 20 of the neighborhood kids came and taught us Zulu dances and had so much fun they wanted to come over the next day and do it again and told us we should prepare some American dances to teach them.
Wednesday, we visited the local clinic which is actually pretty well equipped. We also talked to an old Zulu lady who started a hospice program to comfort all the patients with HIV at home and she has this whole program which the caregivers don’t get paid for the work they do. We ate some more then visited Sam’s community. Sam is an American who has been living in South Africa in her own community of a few families. They practice permaculture and live off the land basically. She is trying to empower the community of Impendle and help them been self sustainable. That night 30 kids came over. We taught them the Macarena and electric slide. One of the girls brought over the traditional beads and things the women wear and we put those on and danced. Also we visited some local crafters and met a lady who wanted Rebecca and I to come over that night. We did and she fed us a whole lot and we came home and got fed again…2 dinners! They wanted to just keep feeding us because we weren’t staying long enough to try all the traditional meals.
Next morning Nelly taught us how to carry water on our heads and gather wood and bundle it and also carry it on our heads. Mama, who by the way doesn’t speak a lick of English, sent us off with a crocheted water bottle holder that is baller! We came back to Cato Thursday and debriefed and reunited with our Cato mamas who all missed us greatly.
This weekend we really want to go see a movie and eventually go to a soccer game but probs not this weekend. Also I think I am going to church on Sunday with Emma and her mama. This Monday-Thursday I will be at Mthwalume..our last rural homestay.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Amatikulu
We arrived in Amatikulu after an hour and a half drive. Sixteen of us went there while the other twelve went to Impendle. We arrived at their health center where a guy meet us and told us about the community health workers (CHWs) and what they do. Our rural homestay mamas were already there – they are all CHWs – and had been waiting for us for hours. We went to the homes with our mothers which were all spread out really far. Amatikulu is by the coast but we couldn’t see the water from our house. We walked quite a bit to our house from where Thula dropped us off. They sent us with a roll of toilet paper and a jug of water.
Our house was in between sugar cane fields and many many cow pastures. I had to dodge the cows to get to the toilet. Our house had electricity but no running water. That night we chilled with mama and her four kids – 5th, 4th, 1st, and kindergarten. She made us a huge plate full of beans and five pieces of steam bread – which is the bread they all make here. Then we went to bed after we watched Generations of course. Our house is basically one big room and then another separated bedroom. We slept with mama in the bedroom and the four kids sleep on the bed in the living room. Woke up experienced the pit latrine..which is at the neighbors house. We chose not to use the bucket mama and the kids use to pee in in the house..yup! Mama feed us weet bix for breakfast then we went out on her CHW rounds. It was 38 degrees Celsius which is like 96 it was ridiculously hot! We walked to four families houses..checked on a TB patient, a woman who had a stroke, checked for breast cancer, and high blood pressure. Then we went back to the house..mama feed us bologna sandwiches with butter – it’s the condiment of choice. Then we passed out. Mama then had a full meal for us for lunch which was two hours later. Then about four hours after that mama had a full plate of dinner for us. We played hand games with the children at night. None of them speak English really at all.
There were rats in the ceiling..that was cool. And it rained the entirety of Tuesday night. Which on a tin roof is ridiculously loud..but it was fun. Wednesday it was still raining so we didn’t go out on any rounds. So we sat in the house all day which never in my life have I had that much free time with nothing to do. I appreciate things to do now haha. Mama fed us continuously the entire day. We politely refused food twice for instance when mama tried to feed us six egg sandwiches for breakfast we told her she could have some of ours. Anyway, Mom, Dad you might have to bring home twice as much food when I get back. I am going to look like a whale and honestly you can’t laugh cause there is legitimately nothing I can do about it. We all looking forward to our ISP times to try and detox for those of us not staying with a homestay family. We are hoping because it is so hot out and we sweat 24 hours a day..literally in our sleep as well..that we are losing some of the weight we are gaining.
Anyway overall its been really fun and interesting to see how they live. Haven’t bathed in 4 days..homestay mama in Cato is def gonna call me out on it and tell me I stink. Perhaps she will have a bath prepared when I return home today. Oh and before we left Amatikulu we went to the craft center and made beaded bracelets with the local women. We also bought some of the stuff they had made..so I may or may not have gifts!
Oh and by the way I got everyones cards…thank you Mom, Gma and Gpa, and Gran and Pa!!!!
Our house was in between sugar cane fields and many many cow pastures. I had to dodge the cows to get to the toilet. Our house had electricity but no running water. That night we chilled with mama and her four kids – 5th, 4th, 1st, and kindergarten. She made us a huge plate full of beans and five pieces of steam bread – which is the bread they all make here. Then we went to bed after we watched Generations of course. Our house is basically one big room and then another separated bedroom. We slept with mama in the bedroom and the four kids sleep on the bed in the living room. Woke up experienced the pit latrine..which is at the neighbors house. We chose not to use the bucket mama and the kids use to pee in in the house..yup! Mama feed us weet bix for breakfast then we went out on her CHW rounds. It was 38 degrees Celsius which is like 96 it was ridiculously hot! We walked to four families houses..checked on a TB patient, a woman who had a stroke, checked for breast cancer, and high blood pressure. Then we went back to the house..mama feed us bologna sandwiches with butter – it’s the condiment of choice. Then we passed out. Mama then had a full meal for us for lunch which was two hours later. Then about four hours after that mama had a full plate of dinner for us. We played hand games with the children at night. None of them speak English really at all.
There were rats in the ceiling..that was cool. And it rained the entirety of Tuesday night. Which on a tin roof is ridiculously loud..but it was fun. Wednesday it was still raining so we didn’t go out on any rounds. So we sat in the house all day which never in my life have I had that much free time with nothing to do. I appreciate things to do now haha. Mama fed us continuously the entire day. We politely refused food twice for instance when mama tried to feed us six egg sandwiches for breakfast we told her she could have some of ours. Anyway, Mom, Dad you might have to bring home twice as much food when I get back. I am going to look like a whale and honestly you can’t laugh cause there is legitimately nothing I can do about it. We all looking forward to our ISP times to try and detox for those of us not staying with a homestay family. We are hoping because it is so hot out and we sweat 24 hours a day..literally in our sleep as well..that we are losing some of the weight we are gaining.
Anyway overall its been really fun and interesting to see how they live. Haven’t bathed in 4 days..homestay mama in Cato is def gonna call me out on it and tell me I stink. Perhaps she will have a bath prepared when I return home today. Oh and before we left Amatikulu we went to the craft center and made beaded bracelets with the local women. We also bought some of the stuff they had made..so I may or may not have gifts!
Oh and by the way I got everyones cards…thank you Mom, Gma and Gpa, and Gran and Pa!!!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
NGO and the Weekend
Haven't written in a while..been very busy. We have been solidifying our ISP proposals and what not and also had our first CHS (community health seminar) paper due today, Monday. So Thursday I visited One Voice South Africa which is in Durban but a totally different part of Durban that kind of looks like Raleigh almost. I love this place..its so interesting every part of the city is like a different area in the U.S. This NGO educates 8th-12th graders through creative and fun ways about health and HIV specifically.
Friday was a normal day..we had to present dialogues in Zulu which was very interesting..I was from South Africa and my name was Bafana Bafana which is Zulu for boys boys and its the national soccer teams mascot. We are obsessed with Bafana Bafana. We are also obsessed with the sports song/chant Shosholoza..you should probably youtube it. It's incredible we sing it about eight times a day even though we haven't learned all the words or learnt as the South Africans would say.
Friday I made tacos which the family absolutely loved. They ate them for breakfast the next morning. I taught them how to assemble and eat them it was really fun! I brought them chocolate chip cookies which by the way is impossible to find here. They don't make fresh cookies its blasphemy. Anywho I brought them cookies, chocolate bars and popcorn for Valentine's Day. They also loved that of course.
Saturday I hung out with some peeps for a bit then we took a taxi into town to stay at the Happy Hippo backpackers again so we could go to the rugby game. We got our tickets for the rugby game which was between the Durban Sharks and the Jo'burg Chiefs. The game was amazing, much like our sports games in the U.S. but rugby is just awesome in general. And the best part was they sang Shosholoza. It was raining at the game so we got a little wet but its all good..it made the game more interesting. After the game they all have a braai or barbeque on the field which is super cool.
Spent the night Saturday night and came back Sunday, there was no toilet paper in our house..that was fun. I ran around the town to the Tuck Shop which is like a little stand that has stuff to get some toilet paper. Then I worked on my paper for CHS. No one was home and a girl came and knocked on the door and was like hey Kaitlyn. I was like oh hello and she was like can I come hang out and I was like ok sure. So she came in and chatted with me for about an hour. Apparently she lives next door but goes to boarding school so this is the first time she's been home. It was really interesting to talk to her..shes really intelligent and her English is superb. Chilled with the fam for the rest of the day. Mama made me eat a lot. I watched a Valentine's Day Hallmark movie when my bros weren't home so they didn't turn it to Cartoon Network or the Style channel. Then we watched Titanic.
Today we have class in the morning and then we leave in the afternoon for our first rural homestay. I'm going to Amatikulu which is where we are shadowing community health workers. We stay in pairs so I am staying with Sam she's cool shes from Colorado and goes to school in Washington. Were staying till Thursday, so thats when I will be back on the internet. I'm sure I will have lots of stories.
Friday was a normal day..we had to present dialogues in Zulu which was very interesting..I was from South Africa and my name was Bafana Bafana which is Zulu for boys boys and its the national soccer teams mascot. We are obsessed with Bafana Bafana. We are also obsessed with the sports song/chant Shosholoza..you should probably youtube it. It's incredible we sing it about eight times a day even though we haven't learned all the words or learnt as the South Africans would say.
Friday I made tacos which the family absolutely loved. They ate them for breakfast the next morning. I taught them how to assemble and eat them it was really fun! I brought them chocolate chip cookies which by the way is impossible to find here. They don't make fresh cookies its blasphemy. Anywho I brought them cookies, chocolate bars and popcorn for Valentine's Day. They also loved that of course.
Saturday I hung out with some peeps for a bit then we took a taxi into town to stay at the Happy Hippo backpackers again so we could go to the rugby game. We got our tickets for the rugby game which was between the Durban Sharks and the Jo'burg Chiefs. The game was amazing, much like our sports games in the U.S. but rugby is just awesome in general. And the best part was they sang Shosholoza. It was raining at the game so we got a little wet but its all good..it made the game more interesting. After the game they all have a braai or barbeque on the field which is super cool.
Spent the night Saturday night and came back Sunday, there was no toilet paper in our house..that was fun. I ran around the town to the Tuck Shop which is like a little stand that has stuff to get some toilet paper. Then I worked on my paper for CHS. No one was home and a girl came and knocked on the door and was like hey Kaitlyn. I was like oh hello and she was like can I come hang out and I was like ok sure. So she came in and chatted with me for about an hour. Apparently she lives next door but goes to boarding school so this is the first time she's been home. It was really interesting to talk to her..shes really intelligent and her English is superb. Chilled with the fam for the rest of the day. Mama made me eat a lot. I watched a Valentine's Day Hallmark movie when my bros weren't home so they didn't turn it to Cartoon Network or the Style channel. Then we watched Titanic.
Today we have class in the morning and then we leave in the afternoon for our first rural homestay. I'm going to Amatikulu which is where we are shadowing community health workers. We stay in pairs so I am staying with Sam she's cool shes from Colorado and goes to school in Washington. Were staying till Thursday, so thats when I will be back on the internet. I'm sure I will have lots of stories.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A Little Update
I received both Mommy and Gran & Pa's cards...thank you! I should go away more often, I get so much mail! I'm the most popular in the group thus far! Anywho I really like them thank you. Yesterday we did hospital visits and my group of three went and visited King George V hospital which is a predominantly TB hospital. It was way cool. We talked to a doctor there a dietician and an audiologist which by the way who knew that TB medications often make you lose your hearing. I learned a lot and everyone was so happy to see us. We had to leave at 12 but they basically kept begging us to stay. We got to walk through the wards as well, so I will probably test positive for TB when I get back to the states but no worries we wore masks and everything. They have 6 wards, 2 women and 3 men with a pediatric ward as well which was really sad. After visiting the hospital and asking them some questions on traditional healers or sangomas, I think I've just about finalized my ISP (independent study project). I believe I will be researching within a hospital to see how they work together with traditional healers in curing TB. As for my site I think I may work in a hospital in Pietermaritzburg. This could all change but we have to submit this stuff on Monday so ya.
My Zulu quiz I had on Friday went well. I did pretty good. We have a dialogue we have to do this Friday. I got an A for my field study seminar so thats cool.
Tomorrow we visit NGO's. I will be visiting One Choice which is an works in educating the public mainly through schools I believe on HIV.
This Saturday the Sharks have a rugby game in Durban so we definitely trying to go to that. Might have to stay in Durban Saturday night as most taxis don't want to go into Cato at night. Don't worry about it I'm safe haha.
That's about it except for oh I literally gained like eight pounds yesterday. My homestay mama was home for that night which means she serves me. She made dinner kind of late so she was concerned I was starving because of this I had a plate of french fries or "chips" and a slice of bread for an appetizer. For my dinner I had half a plate full of stiff porridge some chicken and tomato stew stuff. I couldn't finish it at all so I packed it up for lunch tomorrow and told mama it was good but I am stuffed. She then preceeded to bring a plate of actualy chips out for after dinner. So ya..I eat lots of fruits and veggies during the day.
My Zulu quiz I had on Friday went well. I did pretty good. We have a dialogue we have to do this Friday. I got an A for my field study seminar so thats cool.
Tomorrow we visit NGO's. I will be visiting One Choice which is an works in educating the public mainly through schools I believe on HIV.
This Saturday the Sharks have a rugby game in Durban so we definitely trying to go to that. Might have to stay in Durban Saturday night as most taxis don't want to go into Cato at night. Don't worry about it I'm safe haha.
That's about it except for oh I literally gained like eight pounds yesterday. My homestay mama was home for that night which means she serves me. She made dinner kind of late so she was concerned I was starving because of this I had a plate of french fries or "chips" and a slice of bread for an appetizer. For my dinner I had half a plate full of stiff porridge some chicken and tomato stew stuff. I couldn't finish it at all so I packed it up for lunch tomorrow and told mama it was good but I am stuffed. She then preceeded to bring a plate of actualy chips out for after dinner. So ya..I eat lots of fruits and veggies during the day.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Attack of the Sun and Moths!
This weekend was epic. We got dropped off at the Windemere apartment building around 4pm on Friday after our Zulu quiz which no one failed..so that’s good. I roomed with Emma, Becca, and Julia just so you guys can start learning some names when I refer to people. The “flats” are right next to the beach our view from our balcony is the beach. The beach is much like ours at home ish and by home I mean the U.S. so that was broad but it’s much like the Atlantic Ocean. We went to the beach first and frolicked in the water which by the way the lifeguards make us stay all in one spot so its really awkward and overwhelming. Then we went to an Indian buffet which was R70 and we stuffed ourselves. Then we went to Joe Cools which is a bar/club right across from the apartment on the beach. It was very interesting because KwaZulu-Natal is predominantly black and when everyone thinks South Africa is like half white, they are wrong it is actually only 9% white but that 9% was all at Joe Cools Friday night. It was very fun, it was cowboy themed and if you dressed as a cowboy you got in free. We as Americans tried to use the excuse that we were Americans and that cowboys roam around in America like we are the original cowboys and we should get in free..it didn’t work. They also almost didn’t let me in because I forgot my ID which says that I am over 18. I was insulted. Met some interesting boys, they are all very metro looking with lots of hair gel..bro-ed out really. One of them couldn’t really understand what I was saying because I “had an accent” ha that’s funny! I also introduced the term bromance to South Africa.
Anywho, Joe Cools was fun. Saturday we went to eat at this nice restaurant overlooking the beach. It’s been very surreal because its February 80 degrees were on the beach in South Africa studying health in a house living with low income homestay families. We’ve basically seen everything. All of Durban is completely different everywhere we go. Some parts look like Miami others California,, some the ghetto. In the words of Kiera, “Miami and the Ghetto meet tourism.” Anywho so we went to the beach after that for about two hours and I wore spf 15 and got very burnt however I look tanner now. Then we wallowed in our pain for a while. We then went to Victoria Street Market which is very Indian. Then we picked up some South African wine went back to the Penthouse and drank some with the cake that was made for Lauren’s birthday. Then we ate at a seafood restaurant on the beach and I had feesh and chips which I tolerated.
Today, Sunday, was by far the best. We went to brunch again..had some French toast which is not like our French toast here at all. Then we went to a flea market. I bought a fabulous forgiving a little bit Indian shirt. We went back to the apartment and chilled out and did WORK, yes I wrote a couple write up thingys and what not. Then we took a taxi to Gateway mall which is almost the largest mall I’ve been. It has a rock climbing wall and what not. I bought a skirt because we have to wear very conservative things for our rural homestays. I also bought a CD of local music called Bongo Maffin..its great. They asked me if I wanted a packet and I gave them a blank stare. They were asking if I wanted a bag..which by the way if you do you have to pay for them. Its 30 Rand cents (still don’t know how to say that correctly) for a plastic bag. Then we ate there and a moth attacked us. No joke we were eating outside and for like ten minutes this massive moth was attacking our table. The entire restaurant was laughing at us until the waiter shooed it away and it attacked them. Currently we are listening to “I just can’t wait to be king” appropriate.
Some notes:
I took a lot of showers which was fabulous. Actually having water run through your hair and it being hot was miraculous.
South Africans blame us for the gap year..and resent us for their children taking a gap year.
They also listen to all of our music.
I was shot down requesting a song, they said the song was too old and lame when I asked for All the Single Ladies after they played Good Charlotte..whatttt! It was funny. They also played Blue by Eifel 65…interesting.
Also somehow I used up all of the data I had given to me so now I have to pay to skype on my own time so that didn’t last long and this is going to cost me a lot. Also everyone should buy an international calling card online called NobleCom its six cents a minute..then everyone can call me for cheap.
There are a lot of white male good looking surfers around. All very bro-ed out.
Anywho, Joe Cools was fun. Saturday we went to eat at this nice restaurant overlooking the beach. It’s been very surreal because its February 80 degrees were on the beach in South Africa studying health in a house living with low income homestay families. We’ve basically seen everything. All of Durban is completely different everywhere we go. Some parts look like Miami others California,, some the ghetto. In the words of Kiera, “Miami and the Ghetto meet tourism.” Anywho so we went to the beach after that for about two hours and I wore spf 15 and got very burnt however I look tanner now. Then we wallowed in our pain for a while. We then went to Victoria Street Market which is very Indian. Then we picked up some South African wine went back to the Penthouse and drank some with the cake that was made for Lauren’s birthday. Then we ate at a seafood restaurant on the beach and I had feesh and chips which I tolerated.
Today, Sunday, was by far the best. We went to brunch again..had some French toast which is not like our French toast here at all. Then we went to a flea market. I bought a fabulous forgiving a little bit Indian shirt. We went back to the apartment and chilled out and did WORK, yes I wrote a couple write up thingys and what not. Then we took a taxi to Gateway mall which is almost the largest mall I’ve been. It has a rock climbing wall and what not. I bought a skirt because we have to wear very conservative things for our rural homestays. I also bought a CD of local music called Bongo Maffin..its great. They asked me if I wanted a packet and I gave them a blank stare. They were asking if I wanted a bag..which by the way if you do you have to pay for them. Its 30 Rand cents (still don’t know how to say that correctly) for a plastic bag. Then we ate there and a moth attacked us. No joke we were eating outside and for like ten minutes this massive moth was attacking our table. The entire restaurant was laughing at us until the waiter shooed it away and it attacked them. Currently we are listening to “I just can’t wait to be king” appropriate.
Some notes:
I took a lot of showers which was fabulous. Actually having water run through your hair and it being hot was miraculous.
South Africans blame us for the gap year..and resent us for their children taking a gap year.
They also listen to all of our music.
I was shot down requesting a song, they said the song was too old and lame when I asked for All the Single Ladies after they played Good Charlotte..whatttt! It was funny. They also played Blue by Eifel 65…interesting.
Also somehow I used up all of the data I had given to me so now I have to pay to skype on my own time so that didn’t last long and this is going to cost me a lot. Also everyone should buy an international calling card online called NobleCom its six cents a minute..then everyone can call me for cheap.
There are a lot of white male good looking surfers around. All very bro-ed out.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
No Water..boo hoo
Today I woke up at 5:35 am tried to brush my teeth but there was no water..tragedy. Against my better judgement I went for a run anyway...got very sweaty. Came back..no water still so I came to school this morning sweaty and gross. However, I was able to take a shower at the SIT house so all is good. Also this morning the roosters that roam around the streets were extra loud.
That started my day out pretty rough however I was given three cards today....yay mail! Thank you gma, gpa and daddy! That made my day when I was the only to get mail and three cards no less! I noticed gma's card was postmarked Jan 26 so it look a little over a week...not bad. So for future notice everyone else my address is:
Kaitlyn Hudgins
SIT Community Health
18 Alton Road
Glenmore
Durban 4000
South Africa
and my phone number is 072 934 9296...so if you want to spend a lot of money..call me! however you can call from you skype for only like twenty cents a minute
Anyway, today we went to the University of Durban Westville which was super interesting an very informative and I'm pretty much an expert now. At lunch I sat by the pool which they have outside the house and worked on my tan which is improving quite quickly. I brought salad for lunch which I made last night with my spaghetti dinner and olive garlic foccacia as well as a pbj that mama made me bring.
Tomorrow we start our weekend in Durban. Basically after class we get dropped off at these apartments that are right on the beach and we get a weekend to "blow off steam" as Zed says "as long as we keep it tidy". So that will be fun we will go to the beach everyday and were gonna do a potluck dinner..each apartment will make something different and we will have a giant supper!
Also we learned another Zulu song that they sing before sports games and what not. And yesterday we split into two groups and had to come up with a song reflecting on what we've done so far. My groups song was to the tune of In the Jungle..standard.
Hope all is well in the U.S.!
That started my day out pretty rough however I was given three cards today....yay mail! Thank you gma, gpa and daddy! That made my day when I was the only to get mail and three cards no less! I noticed gma's card was postmarked Jan 26 so it look a little over a week...not bad. So for future notice everyone else my address is:
Kaitlyn Hudgins
SIT Community Health
18 Alton Road
Glenmore
Durban 4000
South Africa
and my phone number is 072 934 9296...so if you want to spend a lot of money..call me! however you can call from you skype for only like twenty cents a minute
Anyway, today we went to the University of Durban Westville which was super interesting an very informative and I'm pretty much an expert now. At lunch I sat by the pool which they have outside the house and worked on my tan which is improving quite quickly. I brought salad for lunch which I made last night with my spaghetti dinner and olive garlic foccacia as well as a pbj that mama made me bring.
Tomorrow we start our weekend in Durban. Basically after class we get dropped off at these apartments that are right on the beach and we get a weekend to "blow off steam" as Zed says "as long as we keep it tidy". So that will be fun we will go to the beach everyday and were gonna do a potluck dinner..each apartment will make something different and we will have a giant supper!
Also we learned another Zulu song that they sing before sports games and what not. And yesterday we split into two groups and had to come up with a song reflecting on what we've done so far. My groups song was to the tune of In the Jungle..standard.
Hope all is well in the U.S.!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
SA Special Schools
Today we went and visited special needs schools. My group of three visited a special needs school for all kinds of needs from having physical disabilities to mental. It was very very enlightening. I have never interacted with these students much and it was really cool for the students who are thinking about doing their ISP's (Independent Study Project) on special needs children. We sat in on all the classrooms and talked to all of the teachers about absolutely everything. Then we had tea with the principal and talked more and more. It is really cool how SA has so many programs for special needs students whereas in the US we mainly see mainstream schools that have a class or two for the special needs kids. SA doesn't get a lot of credit for what they are actually doing well...which is a shame.
Yesterday I bought stuff to make spaghetti with so that will be my next meal I make for the fam accompanied by salad and this olive garlic foccacia bread that I will bake. Call me a chef...I won't mind. Dad don't get to excited probs still won't cook when I get back. I also plan to make brownies sometime but they don't have an appropriate pan so I may have to invest in one for them.
Also my computer has pooped out so I am using a program computer which I don't think I can download skype on soooo temporarily I have a problem with that. So until further notice no skype. But again you can call me from you skype to my SA cell phone and it costs something like 20 cents a minute. Good deal if you really want to talk to me! And I'm normally completely free after 5:30pm....I just chill with the fam and go on walks around the neighboorhood.
Yesterday night I was sitting on the couch doing my Zulu homework and my Aunt Penny brought out dinner for me which was piled like a foot high...yikes! I did in fact eat it all and right when I finished she came out with ice cream..ahhhhhh! So fruits and vegetables for lunch only.
Yesterday I bought stuff to make spaghetti with so that will be my next meal I make for the fam accompanied by salad and this olive garlic foccacia bread that I will bake. Call me a chef...I won't mind. Dad don't get to excited probs still won't cook when I get back. I also plan to make brownies sometime but they don't have an appropriate pan so I may have to invest in one for them.
Also my computer has pooped out so I am using a program computer which I don't think I can download skype on soooo temporarily I have a problem with that. So until further notice no skype. But again you can call me from you skype to my SA cell phone and it costs something like 20 cents a minute. Good deal if you really want to talk to me! And I'm normally completely free after 5:30pm....I just chill with the fam and go on walks around the neighboorhood.
Yesterday night I was sitting on the couch doing my Zulu homework and my Aunt Penny brought out dinner for me which was piled like a foot high...yikes! I did in fact eat it all and right when I finished she came out with ice cream..ahhhhhh! So fruits and vegetables for lunch only.
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