When the Lights Go Down in the City

Last night was the scariest night thus far here in South Africa. Four of my friends and I went to the mall to do some shopping. We had walked around for a few hours, looking at the ridiculous prices of sunglasses and how cheaply made the t-shirts are, when our Tunisian friend from Germany stated that he wanted to get some groceries. We complied and accompanied him while he picked out a seemingly random assortment of goods. We were just about finished when -----

The lights went out. Pitch. Black. Then a thought occurred...it's South Africa. I instructed our friends to kneel down (just in case) and hold onto each other. About a minute later, the lights came back on and we finished shopping. We got up to the checkout lines when I realized that they had shut all of the doors leading out of the store. The manager was standing next to a few security guards with key in hand. A friend of mine then commented that she didn't remember the windows being tinted. We walked out of the grocery store to discover that the entire mall had lost power too. It was dark. Visions of "Dawn of the Dead" came to mind. We immediately made a plan to find the handheld crossbow we saw in one of the stores if zombies showed up.

Eventually, we found our way out and to the restuarant that we had planned on eating at with a few friends from school. We had a good laugh about it but we also knew that when the power goes out, crazy things CAN happen (i.e. anytime this happens in a big city in America - looting). So, we survived...except for EJ, he's got this rash and a bite mark on his arm...we've got him tied to a bed because he keeps shaking...

We Win This City

It's been hard to find a suitable church to attend here in South Africa. Even in San Diego, I had lots of problems. I think it's because I get a bitter taste in my mouth when I hear the words, "evangelism," "win converts," and "we have loud rock music." I'm weird. I like traditional hymnal music with emergent teaching. But, as one wise man said to me, "don't look for the church, be the church." I would like to show people love and compassion and let that be a testimony. Problem is - that's really really hard to do. I suppose that's why it's easier to hand out flyers that say, "We win this city...disciple the nations" or "harvest the fields."

I had a burrito on Sunday. Beef in a tortilla. Guacamole and sour cream in a cup on the side. "Salsa" on the outside of the tortilla. NO beans, NO rice, NO lettuce...but I still enjoyed it :-)

Ode to Mexico

I miss the culture, people, and cuisine of Mexico. I would love to eat a carne asada burrito right now. Even Taco Bell would suffice. I miss Mexicans too. I miss hearing about them on the news. I miss speaking Spanish to them which illicits various reactions. I miss their tortilla chips, sobreros, and dance music which blasts from the park across the street. FIESTA! I miss that word. When I get back, a fiesta is in order.

The Weekend

It was one random and crazy weekend. Friday night, I hung out with my friends as we had a little apartment party. We then proceeded to a bar and then to a club to go dancing. My favorite part of the night was the dancing - my friends won't stop quoting me ("all I want to do is dance!").

On Saturday, I visited the Salvation Army again. This time, I played with the younger boys and girls out in the yard. My co-interns and I taught them how to play such games like: "Steal the Bacon," "Freeze Tag," and "Eight" (an English rendition of "Ocho"). I just now realized that we can still teach them "Red Light, Green Light." We don't know who is and isn't HIV/AIDS positive so we have to be on alert for any blood. It definitely puts you on edge at first, but you just have to release yourself of that fear and love these children. Most of the boys really enjoyed hanging out with me because the orphanage is run by older women. These boys have probably never had an older male figure in their lives. That's what I will try to be for them for just a few precious hours each week. Hopefully, they'll get someone new when I leave. Someone constant.

Sunday morning, I decided that I was going to go to Durban for the day. I made my way to my girlfriend's house where we ate breakfast in the sun, went for a walk, and watched soccer/football with her roommates. It turned out to be a very pleasant day and one of my favorites so far this trip. Also, my girlfriend and I have decided to become Liverpool fans.

This morning, I took the bus back to PMB, where I sat next to a young actress from Soweto. We talked about how formulaic Hollywood has become and how striking it is when it deviates. We also talked about her past television projects as well as her excitement for her role in an upcoming American mini-series set in Sierre Leone. Politics, education, HIV/AIDS, religion, and healthy foods - bad traffic allowed me to gain a local perspective on all of these things. I was not aware of this but apparently the South Africans pay for the HIV/AIDS treatment with their tax money. Westernized churches have get-togethers during the week where they sacrifice animals to their ancestors. And - there is actually someone in South Africa who does not eat chicken. Amazing.

An amazing weekend. I am so much more relaxed now and I feel a whole lot better!

It's Been a While...

Sorry about the long gap inbetween posts. During the week, there's usually not too much to talk about since it's just school and finding things to eat before falling asleep. Last night, my friends and I went out to a dance club called "Crowded House," which turned out to be a lot of fun. You know me and my dance moves :-)

I'm going to the Salvation Army to volunteer today for my community service internship. I visited it on Thursday and had a small orientation as well as a trip around the orphanage. The kids are really nice and well-behaved. They were having dinner and an eleven year old boy stated that he was, "just enjoying this delicious food!" I even got to meet the new members of the orphanage, two five month old twin girls. I think today I'm going to play some soccer/football with the older boys.

Life has gotten better here. I'm enjoying myself more and I'm not paranoid every time I leave the university. I know the area more and that helps in determining how I feel about what I do.

I'm jealous of my girlfriend right now. She's surfing in the Indian Ocean! That's okay. Maybe she'll take me to the beach this weekend!

Pictures!

Pictures from SOUTH AFRICA!

Also, the long anticipated Zulu Dancing PICTURES!

Here's another link to see the photos. YAY!

A Different Kind of Illness

This weekend, I decided it was time to splurge. There comes a point where you just want good food, good sleep, and good service. The "First World" syndrome: the desire to have things like they are in a First World country. I went to some very nice restaurants, found a nice hotel, and was toured around the countryside by that hotel's hostess. My girlfriend came up for the weekend so it worked out to be a nice and romantic time (we figured the hotel was a good compromise between one of us sleeping on the floor and both of us sleeping on a twin bed...don't think the parents would've liked that). We also went to a game reserve where we got to see giraffes, water buffalo, antelope, and hippos. I also went shopping and got myself a nice new sweatshirt.

I really have no idea what I am going to do for the next couple of weeks. My girlfriend and I have decided that we are going to have some time apart for a while so now, all of my plans are placed on hold. I'll have to come up with some new ones and see what people around here are doing.

The local taxi services are having some trouble along racial lines. One company split itself up into two groups, one for African drivers and another for Indian drivers. The owner is now giving the Indians less hours and less jobs. The Indian drivers aren't too happy about that and there is some conflict growing between the two racial groups within other taxi companies as well.

In other local news, there was an article today by a man who journeyed with several Zimbabweans who were smuggling food across the border from South Africa into Zimbabwe. Apparently, the prices in Zim are inflating and there is not enough food for everyone. Smuggling is now a common occurrence and there are approximately 7,000 people crossing the border every day.

This morning, I had eggs, sausage, ham, and toast. This morning, someone in Zimbabwe was arrested. He was hungry. You can blame whoever you want, I still feel sick.

A Cold Day

Today has been the coldest day in South Africa thus far. Add in rain and wind and there suddenly is nothing to write about because you have retreated to classrooms and the computer lab to stay warm and dry all day. I managed to set up a pretty nice weekend for when my girlfriend comes tomorrow. Her Friday classes were cancelled (Thursday being a holiday) and so she has decided to stay in Pietermaritzburg until Sunday. I'm hoping to get in touch with a game reserve so we can do that on Saturday. Yay for animals!

The social culture here is definitely interesting. I don't think I've ever been more aware of my racial identity before. You are treated differently by different races based on your skin color. While I was talking with my friend from Rutgers (who would be titled a "coloured" here), he received very intense stares from some of the blacks walking by and I got the same treatment by some whites. I was talking with one of the German girls who stated that she said "hello" to one of the black girls and the girl seriously did not know what to make of it. Of course, not everyone is like this and many people are indeed friendly. It is just very interesting to experience this kind of culture shock on a daily basis.

Determination

When I decided to go to South Africa to study, there was one course that I was extremely excited and motivated to take: Religions in Africa. I contacted the professor to determine where and when this course was. He replied that there would be a meeting where we would decide on a time that was suitable for everyone in the class. After three such meetings where the professor didn't show up, I decided that as soon as I found him, I would not leave his presence until a time and date was established. It worked. He stated that the faculty was debating over whether or not the class was going to happen since there were very few students in it. He asked if I really wanted to take the class and I said that I did. I then pulled out my timetable and we decided on a time and place - his office, the only place I've ever found him. Finally. Finally, all four of my classes are taken care of.

Art History. Screen Studies. Policy Issues and Community Service. Religions in Africa.

I also have my community service internship worked out. I'm going to be volunteering at a Salvation Army children's home. This home is an orphanage for abused and HIV/AIDS positive children. It should be a humbling and challenging experience.

I went to Durban this weekend. It took 3 combis, 2 hours, and 45 rand to get there. The problem was that it wasn't exactly the safest trip. On the way home, I took a bus (like Greyhound and as adequate) which was 50 rand and much safer. My girlfriend is doing well. Her place is nice and very secure. Her roommates are very friendly and easy-going. I think she is going to do well with her living arrangements.

We went out Friday night to a club called "80's." It wasn't the best club and we probably won't go back but it was fun nevertheless. Don't worry, it was definitely not Tijuana dancing (which is gross and makes you wonder about the end of mankind). My girlfriend and I avoided the drunk stage of alcohol (I avoided alcohol altogether...I still haven't found something I like, which is probably a good thing considering my addictive personality) and we also avoided getting shot by drug dealers. Those guys are everywhere. When the taxi stops, dealers come up to the window and ask if you want some. Find a person selling metallic flowers at 4am, you find that's not all he's selling. By the way, they all have guns. It's ridiculous and scary and I don't know why people chance it but they do. However, it is not the only thing that is in abundance in South Africa.

Chicken is the staple food of South Africa. You have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Grease and chicken. And rice. It's very cheap so that's why a lot of people eat it. I just wish there was a little more variety. Where's the steak?

There is a holiday on Thursday. National Women's Day. My girlfriend is going to see if she can come up on Wednesday and visit me. This weekend, we are thinking about going to a game reserve. I am going to work on getting pictures uploaded this week so keep an eye out for that.

P.S. I love samosas.

Redemption

South Africa always seems to know how to redeem itself.

I live in a two-story building that holds seven rooms on each floor. The building is painted white with green outlines around the windows and edges. Inside, the kitchen holds pink cabinetware, a refridgerator, a microwave, and a toaster. The living room on the opposite side has three sofas which display a grotesque print of green with black and lime stripes. There are two bathrooms, each with a toilet and a shower. The tiles are blue until you reach the shower, which has chocolate tiles with white lining. Interior decorating...not this university's finest. But it suffices. The water is always really hot and the toilets flush (still can't tell which way the water is spinning because it just shoots down like on an airplane). My room is on the first floor and has a small twin-sized bed (arguably smaller) with a desk, chair, bookcase, sink, and window (with bars). It is cozy and comfortable; nothing too flashy.

Last night, my room was invaded by a cacophony of sounds from the room next door. I thought I had traveled several thousand miles to avoid the booming of bass blasting from a subwoofer. I was wrong. Until 3am, I stared blankly at the ceiling, pondering when the party would end and when I could begin my sleep. I had approached the group several times by that point and quietly told myself that if it happened another night, I would let the respective housing representives know.

This morning, I woke up in a sour mood. Understandably so. I poured myself some breakfast, glanced at my cell phone to check the time and said good morning to the housekeeper. Summoning some courage because I knew I had one clean pair of underwear, I asked the housekeeper where the laundry room was. She said, "I'll do it for you." Shocked and slightly surprised, I initially declined. She insisted and I decided that South Africa had redeemed itself. Later on, she ironed my clothes and I compensated her geniality with a tip. Today was a good day.