A Wandering Sole

Mati: The hot topic in the village

// July 8th, 2011 // 6 Comments » // South Africa

Mati is the Shangaan word for water.

Water is a huge issue in the village. Huntington has four boreholes, which is not enough to support the village. There are more boreholes in the village, but apparently the pumps have been stolen to the rest of them. There are water taps throughout the village- our water tap by our house supports 15 families. The taps are a fascinating place to people watch on water day. Our water is turned on three times during a two-week period. It takes all day to collect water. (more…)

Welcome to Huntington!

// July 7th, 2011 // 3 Comments » // South Africa

My sisters playing in front of our gate.

After arriving in Johannesburg early in the morning, we took a shuttle to Nelspruit to meet the in-country staff. After a few days of training, it was time to head out to our villages. They are located in the Lilydale region, the Bushbuckridge municipality, and the Mpumulanga province. The official unemployment rate for the province is around 27% but it is much higher within our region. (more…)

What I’m Doing in South Africa

// July 5th, 2011 // 14 Comments » // South Africa

I finally wrapped up my Barcelona posts and, for the most part, my around the world trip posts. I’m ready to forge ahead and share more about my adventures in South Africa now. I’ve been journaling like a madwoman, and I have so many fun and ridiculous stories to tell that I don’t even know where to start! I’m currently on a luxury safari, but it’s probably best to take you back four weeks ago when I landed in South Africa. (more…)

A Taste of Mama Africa

// June 14th, 2011 // 8 Comments » // South Africa

Musical entertainment at Mama Africa

Cape Town is an anomaly in Africa. The scenery, architecture, infrastructure, and world-class dining set it apart from its neighbors. I traveled for a couple of days with a Dutch girl from my hostel in Cape Town, and we both really wanted to dine one night at Mama Africa in the heart of the city. It’s super touristy and for good reason; it has good local food and excellent musical entertainment. The place is so crowded on a nightly basis, that when we dropped in without reservations for a late dinner during a week night, we were told the restaurant was completely booked… ‘But,’ they said, ‘you can sit at the bar if you’d like.’ This is what I’d call a fortunate mishap. If we had made reservations, we most likely would never have had as good of seats. We were right there on the front row for the entertainment by being at the bar, and it was a happy accident. (more…)

Setting off to South Africa

// June 5th, 2011 // 17 Comments » // South Africa, Travel Reflection

An explorer at heart (photo taken in Namibia)

It’s just after midnight. I’m hopping into a taxi in less than five hours and am heading to South Africa. By the time I reach my first destination, I will have taken a taxi, a car, two flights, and a private shuttle. It will take me about 25 hours. I’m excited and nervous all at the same time. But mostly excited! I have a great group of very bright and talented students that will meet me there in a week who have an entrepreneurial spirit and are eager to dive right in. This region of South Africa is new to me so it will be quite a cultural learning curve. Most of these students have never even stepped foot in Africa so I believe I have my work cut out for me. I’m hoping they simply fall in love with the continent as much I have. (more…)

Infectious: If Only I Were Talking About My Personality

// April 29th, 2011 // 21 Comments » // Bali, Malawi, Malaysia, South Africa, Travel Review

Note: This post has photos and details about medical ailments due to travel. If you are queasy or easily grossed out, perhaps it’s best to skip this one and check back in later!

February 2011. Friends were coming to stay at our house for the weekend. Two days before they were to  arrive, my sister decided we had to tell them. I thought it wasn’t a big deal, but then again, when you’ve had the same recurring (highly contagious) infection for, oh about 8 months, it probably shouldn’t be taken lightly. I had a severe staph infection.  (more…)

Book & Film: South Africa

// April 5th, 2011 // 17 Comments » // Book & Film, South Africa

I’m not shy about how much I love the library. And it just so happens that our local branch is pretty amazing. In addition to a great selection of books, I can get my hands on pretty much any movie whether it’s a new release, an 80s blockbuster, a foreign film, or an obscure film festival nominee. I assure you that I take advantage of where my tax dollars are spent and check out an array of books and movies. I’m hoping that my excitement spills over, even just a bit, and you might be interested in some of the things that keep me so highly entertained when I’m not traveling.

Recently, I’ve been reading and watching all things Africa. While I wish I had been more knowledgeable on historical events before I went to Rwanda and South Africa, I think I can definitely appreciate and recall the information better now that I have seen and experienced things firsthand. Since there are so many great books and films out there, I thought I would break them down by country. First up? South Africa!

BOOKS:

Long Walk to Freedom:
The first book I’d like to touch on is Nelson Mandela’s autobiography. While I found it difficult to get into at first, after 200 pages, I didn’t want to put it down. Even after visiting Robben Island, Mandela’s detailed account of ending apartheid goes much more in depth on the events leading up to his imprisonment, his childhood, and the growth of his political party the ANC. Not only did I learn a great deal about his life, I now have a better understanding of how so many people could have the mindset that apartheid is acceptable. This was one book that I really wish I had read before going to South Africa. However, with that said, it was also interesting to be able to identify with certain points in the book. For example, he discusses a particular protest in Langa township that essentially kicked off the police violence. My friend that I met in Langa was at this event as a child, and her cousin and future husband were arrested at it. Having been to Langa means that events that may feel abstract and detached from what I know as everyday life suddenly become very real. (more…)

My Summer Travel Plans

// March 31st, 2011 // 34 Comments » // South Africa

Atop Table Mountain in South Africa

Summer has to be my favorite season. While I like the emergence of Spring and football in the Fall, the Summer brings hot weather, beach time, the sun setting later, tank tops, cookouts, and happy times. (more…)

Montage Monday: A Glimpse Back of Cape Town

// March 21st, 2011 // 8 Comments » // Photo of the Week, South Africa

As I stood at the water’s edge and looked back towards Cape Town I tried to imagine…. imagine what it was like being a prisoner on Robben Island, a person whose crime was most likely fighting for equal rights and defending freedom. Feeling trapped and wrongly imprisoned on an island, while tensions ran high back on the mainland. The views of  Table Mountain, Cape Town’s grandiose backdrop is spectacular and one not to be missed when visiting Robben Island. I could enjoy the views as a temporary spectator. If I had to see this sight every day for years before I would be allowed back on the mainland- now that might be a different story.

Montage Monday: Seals in Kalk Bay

// December 20th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Photo of the Week, South Africa

During my time in South Africa, I made a second visit to Kalk Bay, a coastal fishing village just thirty minutes from Cape Town. The harbor drew me back for the photo-op  and for more time to check out all of the brightly painted boats. An unexpected surprise, the seals playing in the harbor further idealized this quaint, beautiful town.