310811, Wednesday, double, triple blessings….

Busi and the sleeping Sezah after a long day...

Who's that peeking into my caravan...?

Orange eating fairies in my garden.....

Today was really a great day, but let me start with yesterday.  Woke up yesterday morning and noticed a fogginess on my mirror and thought to myself, sho did I breathe that much last night?  Then I went outside and saw a general fogginess hovering in the air and into the distance.  Then I started to realize what it must be.  Something I knew existed and experienced before, but have conveniently completely forgotten about.  Humidity.  Are you friend or foe?  I’m guessing the latter. 

 Firstly my veggies are just wanting to rot in a much too hurried space of time, everything gets sweaty and moldy.  Secondly and potentially disastrously, is the effect it might have on my camera…  Humidity can drastically affect one’s technology in a bad way that insurance probably certainly don’t cover.  Anyway, I’ve googled some precautions and I’ll be really careful.  Luckily I only use 1 lens most of the time, so that’s good- to change lenses as little as possible or even better, never.

 Then last night the wicked and wild wind woke up and came for an uninvited visit.  I woke up around 3am and couldn’t sleep again till about 7.  I had to go out, move my car into the best wind-blocking position for what it’s worth and take out some poles and tie down my tent’s side and frontal ‘flaps’ to prevent the wind from turning my tent into an eagle that wants to soar off into the night. 

 Luckily by now I’m well practiced with my little torch and hammer and know just what to do.  Even with that peace of mind it was impossible to sleep with the wind shaking my whole caravan like a smartie box and making really scary sounds just to say that it can do whatever it feels like. “I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down…”   I can’t help thinking that one day the wind is going to do just that.  These are the only times that I wish to live in a house, the rest of the time I just love my little caravan.

 Today.  The boys are building their new hut this week, so I didn’t teach them today.  I took advantage of that idea and invited my friends Sarah, Capri, Josh, Busi and Snooks over to come and play at the caravan in the afternoon.  Asefika is sick in bed…  Snooks have been nagging for a while now and it’s never been the right opportunity before.  So, I had 3 little fairies come to play today.  I bought a bag of oranges on the way and they couldn’t get enough.  We played in the caravan till everyone got bored of that, then went outside and played some bats and ball– style cricket.  That was super fun and I hope we’re going to do loads more of that in the time to come. 

 Later I took everyone home and on the way back picked gave a lift to some beading ladies.  I took them the extra bit up the hill and got a nice specially picked garden -fresh bunch of spinach as reward.

 When I got home, my new construction worker neighbors, two Indian guys from Durban, brought me some neatly packaged delicious fish curry.  It felt like I had a special delivery from Bhukara…  (Oh and this morning they also brought me some bread and butter pudding! Mmmmm)  I’m getting really spoilt aren’t I! 

 I‘ve already been soaking my lentils since this morning, so I made my soup as well tonight, I can always refrigerate it.  I put in my fresh spinach and had a little now, it’s especially delicious today as well! 

 Oh, by the way, did I mention that I might start helping out at the Christian school in Coffee Bay sometime soon?  Teaching grade 6-9s… That will be interesting!  Will just need to finalize that.  It’ll take a lot of my time, but perhaps will be well worth it!

280811, Sunday goodness

The happy baby Capri

The young musical genius baby Capri

More cute babas...
Mom and baby Sunday chillin...
The two willing posers...

Another way to transport your shopping

All right, where to start, seems to have missed out on some writing a couple of days this week… Mostly working on the laptop to prepare some photos for the stock library.  Seriously need to get a form of income around here…  Actually, Friday night I couldn’t sleep and was thinking what I can do, so I’m going to make a Coffee Bay calendar to sell to the tourists…pray that is a very good idea!

 Otherwise I’ve been talking to some people around about the idea of getting a crafts thing going, there is a lot of interest.  Some people have even come to me about their ideas and things they want to do.  Some of the locals who don’t really have jobs and perhaps even have skills to teach other people and is not in it for the money.  That’s exactly the kind of people I want to work with.  Anyway, it’s still going to be a long time before anything concrete, but definitely the need for sowing machines, preferably hand-operated (not electricity) is big.

 Yesterday’s teaching with the NGO was one of the best teaching days so far.  For the first time in 3 months it felt like I was starting to connect to some of those kids and like they actually learnt something at the end of the class.  I did have to send my two regular troublemakers out after some fuss and felt bad to do it, cause they didn’t appear to really want to go, I think they were surprised that I actually made them go (I was surprised myself). I told them they’re welcome to join us again next time if they’ve decided that they actually do want to learn English after all…  So we’ll see. 

 In any case, after that episode the class went brilliantly.   Last night I met a Xhosa man from here, who is a teacher in Johannesburg.  He also said that in time, the kids who really want to learn, will still be there, while a lot of others have come and gone and the real progress and relationship will be with the ones who stick.  That’s exactly what’s happening I think.  Cause we have a lot of kids on the program who stop coming, we get new ones and soon they also quit.  Their circumstances are sometimes hard to get to the school and some just come because they have nothing else to do, but yes, there are those who really want to learn and that’s good enough reason to not give up on them.

 I had a very good evening yesterday.  It’s becoming my habit to go over to the other side on Saturday afternoons to check if some rugby is happening on TV, then I can watch with a bunch of local people, who I can kind of call my Coffee Bay rainbow family…people from here, there and anywhere, who has made this place their home.  And everyone get along with each other.  So, like last week, I went to the pizza place with a view and got my weekly big beer, a Black Label quart for 20bucks and watched rugby with the boys.  I am usually the only girl around…which makes me quite special and I can’t complain about that.  Last week my ‘landlord’ from the campsite and his wife came around after the game and bought me pizza, thank you, yum! 

 Yesterday, there wasn’t any significant game going on in the afternoon, so I went to the guys at Jah Drum just below the pizza place and took my djembe drum along.  That’s really cool, cause I get to play with them and they’re pretty good, so hopefully I’ll also improve my drumming skills over time, getting quite into that now!  Here also I’m the only girl, so I get lots of attention!  And the guys are really sweet, I am totally lucky.  Last night they made a lamb dish with potatoes and other veggies (they’re also a little restaurant) and presented me with a free plate of food!  Yo, thanks guys…that was the best food I had in quite a while….and that pizza last week was also a winner!

 Later we went over to Bomvu Backpackers and joined the happy tunes and of course, I love a good boogie moment…  One of my bead mamas and her baby, strapped to the back, was also there and I danced with them and couldn’t stop laughing for the little one on her mother’s back, with her arms in the air and her little body moving to the music!  Why didn’t I have my camera there for that moment!

 Today was also a lovely Sunday.  Got up relatively early and walked over to the other side to meet my friends as we were planning to take a little drive to Mapuzi river mouth.  At first they weren’t home, so I walked down to say hi to the bead mamas.  On my way there I noticed 2 dogs playing, a black dog and another one who looked a lot like Mydog (Who has been missing for about two months and I gave up ever seeing him again).  I just walked past them, but then I turned and saw the one dog following me and I looked again and saw that hey!!! It really was Mydog!!!  I couldn’t believe it!  I’m so happy he’s back.  He looks a little bit neglected the poor thing and walks like he’s got sore paws, but I’m sure he’ll be okay.  I wish I could bring him with me to the caravan and feed him and love him, but can’t really expect that from my ‘landlord’ can I?

 

So, Mydog walked with me and then young Josh (little boy from the one backpackers) came running up to me looking for a playmate.  It started raining just at that point so we looked for a little shelter next to the road under the leaves of  some kind of a tropical sort of tree and sat there and waited for the rain to stop which wasn’t too long luckily.  Soon Asefika came down too and the two boys posed for some pictures like 2 professional little models, too cute.  One or two of the mamas also came to chat with us. 

 After that, I drove with the guys to Mapuzi, (which is really beautiful and a place where I definitely have to go and explore more and walk around and take pictures) sitting on the back of the bakkie and pretending to be on holiday, excellent!

 When we got back I went over to my lovely friend Sarah and baby Capri to play and chat and hold the little puppies.  Snooks also came around to hang with the girls and it turned out to be one of those blissful Sundays where love is all around and cares are forgotten and one can just appreciate the beautiful world that we live in and be thankful for all the good things that we’ve got.  Thank You Lord!

2408, A boy and his horse

230811, Tuesday, temporary new neighbors

Fire collecting at "Hole in the wall"

Some kids were using their old school desks as 'sleds' going down the hill..!

Sitting and doing some computer work…  Today we’re having some good weather here, one can feel the summer’s coming! 

 When I woke up yesterday, I suddenly  had some new camping neighbors.  Two guys traveling from Richard’s Bay, slowly making their way to Cape Town.  They wanted to check out ‘Hole in the wall’ and invited me to go with.  I was definitely keen to join them, cause I haven’t been there often enough, even though it’s only about 10km away.  That is 10km on a very bad road and I don’t particularly want to put my non - 4x4 car through that ordeal.

 On Friday I had to go to Umthatha to buy a new tire (My one tire was cracked all along it’s side- the guy who changed it for me said that it was indeed ‘dead’.)  When they fitted my new tire, I got told that I also had to replace my bushes (these rubbery things that acts as shock absorbers for the wheels) they were now almost completely disintegrated…  And cost even way more than the tire.  So that’s not very good news for my budget. 

 Anyway, so I’m grateful to be able to visit places with some other people.  It was a beautiful day, sunshine with a slight mistiness. 

 I had a brief teaching session with the boys , who seem to be a bit uninspired to arrive on time on Mondays…  But anyway, at least we got something done!

 Last night the 2 guys came over (Riaan and Mias),  Mias made some good music on his guitar, we had some box red wine and talked until late.  It was nice having some people over for a change. 

180811, Thursday

Sarah, Sezah and some seeerious lettuce...
The twins by the hut in the garden

Little Noma-India, ray of sunshine

170811, Wednesday, Ubuntu

I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned the Ubuntu – factor before?  It is something very much alive and well here in the old Transkei and a basis for the lives of all people around here.  Us, Westerners can definitely attempt to learn something from it.  What I’ve experienced of Ubuntu around here can be seen often and everywhere you go.  It is found in the small things and is priceless. 

 ‘Abantu’ is the Xhosa word for ‘people’.   ‘Ubuntu’ can be directly translated as ‘humanity’.  I remember years ago when I stayed in Observatory there was some graffiti on this one wall that said: “If everyone took just what they needed and gave to their neighbor what they didn’t need, everyone would have what they need”.  I think that is a good summary for Ubuntu.  Also the commandment:  “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

 This is a place where a lot of people live together in close proximity and harmony.  If someone has an orange or an apple to eat, they are most probably not going to eat the whole thing themselves.  No, they are most likely going to share it with everyone around them.  Yes, we sometimes do that as well, but it flows over onto every aspect of these people’s lives and I think it’s in our nature to be a little bit greedy and to want to keep our own things to ourselves, out of fear that we might not have enough for ourselves. 

 But this sharing thing works out pretty well if you give it a chance.  It’s like when Jesus fed the masses with 5 loaves of bread and two small fish and afterwards there were how many baskets left!  It’s like a miracle in faith time and again!

 Other examples of Ubuntu can also be seen in the way the people look after each other’s things.  I’ve met people in Cape Town who have been living there for something like 20 years.  They might have a house in the Transkei.  They know that when they go back someday, everything will be fine with their house because their neighbors have looked after it for them.

 It’s happened many times around here, when I was sitting with the mamas and someone bought some amagwinyas, that they would share it with me.  Or, if someone had some cooldrink, they would share it with me too.   Also, the times that I perhaps took a bag of raisins or something, and gave it to one person, that person would always share it with everyone else.  No-one is hording riches for themselves. 

 Even last month on pension day, one of the mamas put 2x R2 coins in my hand after she received her pension.  That doesn’t sound like a lot to you, but around here you can buy 4 oranges with that money!  That was one of the most special moments I’ve had around here.  I felt like a child who received ice-cream money from my grandmother!

160811, Tuesday

Today's sunset was spectacular once again... these are just some glimpses of it.  Ain't our God an awesome God!

150811, Monday, a grey day

Mama Miriam, itjommie yam (my friend)

The sunset today, too beautiful really to try and copy on a photo

I hope these are the last of the winter days trying to have their say, because I must say it’s been pretty cold the last couple of days and I’m longing for sunshine.  My whole body aches for sun…  I know I can’t really complain since this is probably one of the places on earth with the mildest winters…but yet I can’t help myself. 

 I am very thankful that this time I survived quite a lot of rain with no further incidences.  Even got some peaceful sleep and filled up a lot of bottles of rainwater. 

 I’ve been having some people make comments lately that I didn’t quite understand.  It’s happened a couple of times when I was out walking that some of the locals en route were having conversations with me and pointed to my face saying the word ‘umhle’.  I kind of assumed they were talking about my sunglasses and that they liked it and wanted me to give it to them.  I wasn’t exactly sure though, so I would just give them a strange look that meant, no sorry, I’m not going to give you my shades…  

 So today I finally found out that they were saying that I’m beautiful….!  Now I feel slightly embarrassed, but mostly good.  It’s nice when people call you beautiful wherever you go.  That surely never happened when I was living in Cape Town or anywhere else…  Anyway, I really want to get to understand this language better!

120811, Blessings on a Friday morning walk

100811, Thursday, lots of love...

Some school kids crossing the river in a hurry
Snooks and her friend...
Sarah and Sezah, possibly the cutest baby in the world..!
Woke up with sunshine and went for a nice walk (ihamba ijimi)  this morning...  Later, I checked if Mr Bom Bom was in to talk about the piece of land and yes, there he was.  Turned out he doesn't speak a word of English and there didn't seem to be anyone else around that does either, so I had to pull out my best isiXhosa.  I think he sort of understood what I was talking about, he seems like a good and kind man.  I also had a paper that I drew some pictures on of what I want to do on the land.  I gave this to him and and he said he's going to think about it!  So, I've got hope!  

In the afternoon, I went over to the other side and worked on the bag a bit, with Lucy and Miriam helping.  It is truly a group effort.  

Because it  is nearly full moon, the tides are quite hectic and we laughed a lot every time someone crosses the river, cause they would get about halfway before the tide starts coming in again. Normally the river is very low and you don't even have to take your shoes off, but occasionally the sea comes in quite quick! It reminded me of the Red Sea crossing!  Miriam would shoutingly encourage all the crossers, Baleka!! (which means 'run!') as they were nearing the other side and we would keep an eye out for everyone to see if the make it safely to the other side. 

Then I went to visit Sarah and all the kids playing around at Bomvu.  Man, I love those people!

Some traditional dancing at the campsite

090811, Tuesday, Womens’s day

The wind is huffing and puffing and trying to blow my house down.  No, it’s not that bad really.  It’s just a bit unpleasant to be outside right now.  For the first time since staying in the campsite, I actually have a family camping right next to me for a few days.  A moment ago they had some trouble with their tent blowing loose and I was happy to go out and quickly help them tie a rope down and get everything under control again.  It feels good to start becoming a little bit of an experienced camper…

 I taught at Kwaaimans  with the NGO this morning and yesterday. Our classes have grown quite big all of a sudden, which is I guess, a good thing.  I almost lost my patience a couple of times with the kids, but it wasn’t too bad.  It is now just a case of crowd control. 

 I went to look for Mister Bom Bom earlier, he’s the man that the piece of land belongs to, that I’d like to use for my community project.  I was a bit nervous and then relieved when he wasn’t there.  I’m not sure if he’ll be willing to let the land go.   And I can’t see another piece of land that would be just so suitable.  So I pray that I’ll meet him at the right time and that it will be in God’s will whether I can get the land or not…

070811, Sunny Sunday

Lucy and her lovely family

Lucy's Mother
A hand-broom in the making

So happy for a little bit of sunshine today!  I missed my bead friends, so I went to see who’s there.  It was nice to see my ‘tjommie yam”, Mama Miriam.  She hasn’t been there for a while.  Lucy was also there and wanted to go and show me the new window in her new hut!  She has a great view. 

 Then I went with her to her mother’s place, where I took some family portraits of them.  They’re such a lovely family.  I sat by her mother while she was making a traditional broom out of grass.  She talked and laughed and I understood only bit and pieces, she speaks not a word of English.  I should go and spend more time with her if I want to improve my Xhosa. 

 After that I went for another visit at one of the locals who's been living her for about 20 years. and had a really interesting conversation.  She told me some the history of Coffee Bay.  Sounds like some really bad unthinkable stuff used to happen here in the past, people thought they could get away with anything because it’s such a remote place.  One example is the road from the N2 to Coffee Bay originally was built with money that was supposed to be used for the road to Umthatha, just because the minister who was in control, had a holiday house here!  The other stuff are just too horrible to mention here.  I also need to do more research about that. She is very happy that things are changing and that more God-fearing people seem to be moving to the place these days.  Also, the new and better roads are opening the place up and exposing everything that was hidden in  darkness before.

060811, Saturday, little bit rainy

I’ve been here now for pretty much exactly 3 months.   Congratulations! I feel quite settled in, although I know there is still MUCH more to learn and experience here.

 Not so much has happened this week, I am thankful that at least there were no more natural disasters that I had to deal with.  Perhaps it’s the fast, but I feel slightly removed from everything right now.  It feels like I’m entering a new phase now that everything isn’t so new anymore.  I do know that I desire to spend a lot more time learning the language.  Lately I haven’t gotten around to it so much as I wanted to.  

020711, Tuesday, no troubles...

Snooks and Fika looking at one of the photos

Reflection on a Sunday stroll

My bonsai lettuce and  avo tree embryos

Sun rising over my new dry camping spot behind the reeds.

I've had a nice couple of sunny days to recover from my little adventure of last week.  No surprises thus far this week!  

Had a very nice, peaceful weekend, a bit of stretching the old muscles with some poi moves, a little exploring walk by the river on Sunday, followed by a nice braai with some tjoppies and boerewors (my once a monthly treat!), shared with my friend Travis.  I must say, I think I'm preferring my new camping spot to my old one...

Yesterday (after copious amounts of washing...), I went to the other side and gave most people their photos that I printed in Umthatha last week.  They were all pretty stoked.  Especially the surfer boys are ecstatic about their pics.... Makes me glad.  Hopefully I'll be able to visit more families for family portraits soon.  Haven't been taking any amazing photos for a while.

Everything going according to plan this week, making some good progress with the boys and their extra classes.  It took a while, but Ninti recited the alphabet without mistake for the first time today! I've made some word flash-cards for Thobile  and he's making steady progress.  

The guys got new bicycles last week, to help them get around quicker from home to school etc.  The excitement was unfortunately short-lived for Moses, as he had quite a bad fall over the weekend.  He lost 3 teeth, the poor guy and is feeling pretty miserable.  I hope he will recover quickly!!!

I'm looking into making a clay-fridge (Indian style- Zeer or Pot-in-pot fridge) one of these days, my gas fridge is chowing too much gas!  (Only problem is they apparently don't work so well in humid weather...will give it a try anyway...