What Does That Mean?

“I have no idea what you’re saying…” and “What does that mean?” have been my signature phrases the last month. It’s hard to believe that I’ve been living here a month – it has FLOWN by. So far I am loving it. Sometimes I’ll be walking and just get the thought that…I’m living in Africa. I’m in Africa right now! And it makes me unbelievably happy as I take that quick second to realize I’m living my dream!

I have a pretty regular routine down, which will probably change as I get more familiar with my surroundings. I go to work, come home, cook dinner, bucket bathe, and sit on my computer e-mailing and looking at Facebook minus the pictures (probably more than I should). Just recently I have thrown going on runs into the mix. I had been working out regularly in the States but then I got mono and had to stop working out. I think I’m finally “over” mono though and I’ve been really enjoying the runs. Running is a great stress reliever for me – so it serves multiple purposes. Side story: today when I went on my run some neighborhood kids joined me! It was great and gave me a good idea for a possible secondary project since sports teams don’t really exist at their schools.

I had what I consider a breakthrough at my work when I met and interviewed the founder of Ikhwezi Support Group who was recruited two years ago to be the HIV/AIDS Coordinator of the whole Municipality. A job she deserves – she is an AMAZING woman. I talked to her for a good two hours – and met her awesome daughters. And then I got to watch the E! Channel on their satellite TV…it was pretty much a dream come true. Only in this dream the girls favorite show is “Jerseylicious” (similar to the Jersey Shore only about a hair salon)…if you haven’t seen it DON’T, and if you have you will be mourning for society like I am at the fact that TV like Jerseylicious exists. No wonder people have crazy stereotypes about Americans. But they redeem themselves because they also like Keeping Up With the Kardashins (which I fully support). ; )

I have been able to meet with, and set up meetings with a lot of the other important people I need to in order to write my Community Needs Assessment due in two months. A teacher at the secondary school, the Clinic, the Councellor, and the list goes on. The story about the police station is pretty funny though. So – I had already been to the police station to interview them about crime and let them know who I was, where I was staying, etc (it was my first interview!). Well, I met another police officer at my “introduction to the community” and he is on the leadership team of the station and picked me up the next day, gave me a big tour, introduced me to everyone, and then we took some pictures! I do have to say though I wasn’t really in the mood for pictures because my morning started with waiting outside in the rain for a full hour to be picked up. I tried not to be annoyed the rest of the day but when your day starts with waiting in the rain for a full hour…maybe you can agree that it’s not easy to get over.

I have been enjoying my home life – despite some of the terror children that like to torture me. That’s exaggerating a little BUT there are two little boys that I swear try to make me mad. They play a game of “who is brave enough to touch her” while I’m trying to do something as simple as eat my dinner outside, or do my laundry. And when I yell at them to go away they just laugh and imitate me. I’m trying to be patient with them – and I love the majority of the little kids that stand at my back door to watch me cook dinner nightly, but these little boys are slowing ruining it for the rest. The other day they actually punched me and kicked me as I tried to chase them out of my yard. The only reason they went away is when I started actually yelling in English (I was over trying to be mature and nice) the neighbor girl came over and was able to yell at them and chase them away. Thank God.

At my organization we had a long weekend for Easter and I decided to head into Port Elizabeth (PE) one of the big cities in South Africa (and the biggest in the Eastern Cape) for a little R&R. I met up with two other PCVs from the Eastern Cape and stayed at a backpackers (aka hostel) that was two blocks from the beach! It was perfect because every Easter weekend there is “Splash Festival” in PE which is where they have a couple stages with music and shows, lots of water sports competitions, and a beach volleyball tournament. Also – there was a big market so for the first time since I’ve been here I was able to see anything that was slightly touristy! This whole festival was taking place on the beach we were staying two blocks from! And the weather was PERFECT all weekend nice and sunny. I was also able to do some exciting things – get a haircut, see a movie, use wireless internet (without data restriction) to upload photos, skype, take a SHOWER. It was all so magical! I also ate at McDonald's for the first time since being here, and got to point to a plaque in honor of Ray Kroc and say “I’m from there!” when it talked about Illinois and the first McDonald's. YAY! Pretty sure the lady didn’t understand what I was talking about/or care.

The weekend was so nice getting to catch up with the ladies, meet some cool people, eat some great food, spend lots of time on the beach, and just do what we wanted! PE is a really nice city and I enjoyed the backpackers we stayed at. There are lots of other backpackers though so I think I’ll do some exploring and then decide on my favorite. I have two years after all! It’s only an hour away from me, but PE is WORLDS away from Alexandria. It will be tempting to escape to this urban paradise often, however my bank account and the poor transport options there will stop me. But it is comforting to know that when I NEED it it’s there.

I’m not sure when I will need it. I’m sure I’ll have low points, but for now I’m enjoying it and trying my hardest to live in the moment! After all – I live in AFRICA!