TravelStream™ news feed for member asconners on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/asconners en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sat, 05 May 2007 14:39:06 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1178310000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1178310000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1178310000/tpod.html Sat, 05 May 2007 14:39:06 -0400 Living in South Africa and Swaziland- the first of many adventures abroad

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Walla Walla, Washington, United States

I have put off writing my last entry because I was waiting for a moment of inspiration to write something worth reading. All my other entries were written under a time constraint and now that I have the time to sit down and reflect and think about my trip as I adjust to coming home concrete is coming to mind. But I thought that I should post before all of my faithful readers give up on the last pictures I said that I was going to post.

I did not sleep at all on my flights home and I came home a huge mess. I walked off the plane with a rash across my face, I guess I am carrying a little bit more home than I planned. I think that my body has finally reset its body clock and I would be able to sleep through the night if my face weren't burning all night.

In a lot of ways the trip doesn't end by getting home. I am still learning from my experiences abroad. And as I get home and reintroduce myself to the lifestyle at home I start to see home and South Africa and Swaziland differently. Everything is strangely large and manicured in the United States, and the streets are eerily empty of of people walking down them.

I had to stop myself from throwing my banana peel out the window when I was in the car. I also need to retrain my standing in line behavior. When I first got to South Africa it drove me crazy that people would just push past me to get to the counter. The mentality is more, "well she just must not really want to get at the front if she is standing back there for no reason". Unknowingly I seem to have picked this habit up and I have caught myself pushing past people slowly filing into a line.There are a lot of little things like that which continue to happen.

I also brought back some music with me, and while it's nothing that outstanding it has been refreshing to hear Zulu (another language spoken in South Africa and closely related to Setswatsi). I will also recommend a movie from South Africa Tsotsi I believe that it won an Academy Award for best foreign film last year. While the location that I was working in Barberton is nothing in comparison to size of the township near Jo'burg it is a similar picture to the place I was working in.

For any potential travelers reading this blog there is one thing I will do differently next time that I am abroad. I will only take two pairs of underwear. I will buy a second pair of this exoficco synthetic underwear that washes easily and drys in about an hour... and that's all you'll ever need. it's truly a bad ass way to travel.

while i was abroad I realized that I could be doing almost the same teaching/mentoring at home. I am planning to get involved in Walla Walla with some different projects this summer and I hope that I will be able to continue with them on into the school year.

I would also like to say thank you for all your support while I was away. All the comments and emails I got from family and friends were encouraging, it's nice to be able to feel supported even when I am so far away. enjoy the pictures... and i hope you enjoyed this blog... or log... or whatever, I thought it turned out nicely.

just to warn you the pictures a bit random, but most are from emanuel because I know none got up from there. there were also concerns that i only wore one yellow shirt while i was abraod. I assure you I did not wear my yellow shirt everyday... just most days.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1177747560/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1177747560/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1177747560/tpod.html Sat, 28 Apr 2007 04:15:15 -0400 Living in South Africa and Swaziland- the first of many adventures abroad

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London, United Kingdom

I have about 5 mins on the computer at the London airport right now. I don't remember getting any more than twenty minutes of sleep last night, so i don't think this is the time to write a real entry.

There have a been a lot of thoughts still rolling around in my head that I won't subject you all to at the moment in my sleep deprived state.

I think I will just post this brief note for now that i am about half way through my return journey... i was trying to think how many other places in the world would require this long of a journey... there aren't many. I now have a seven hour lay over in london before my 9.5 hour flight to seattle, but i am not complaining i am looking forward to getting on my next plane and landing in my home city. it's strange leaving, and while i was looking forward to going home all the time, it's strange, and part of me wishes i were back in swaziland. i don't think i have ever left a place thinking "i don't think I will be able to ever get back there"

when i get home i will post some more swaziland pictures that i never had the chance to put up and write a proper entry.

you should expect incredibly thought provoking "conclusions" to my trip abroad... but i am not making any promises.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1177589100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1177589100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1177589100/tpod.html Thu, 26 Apr 2007 08:49:05 -0400 Living in South Africa and Swaziland- the first of many adventures abroad

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Lobamba, South Africa

If you have read my last entry I believe I updated everyone that my return date is tomorrow, the 27th of April. Here I am with less than 24 hours remaining and one day left at the orphanage and not a single thing packed. I have not gotten onto the internet since I last wrote and I had 100 emails in the last week, which is nice but it's always hard wading through what needs to be read and what doesn't.

It was wonderful getting back into Swaziland. I was annoyed with myself by doing a round trip from Cape Town to come back for a week, but I am now glad that I am ending my trip in Swaziland. This week I have spent at the orphanage. Zettembe (previously spelled Stembe), who is HIV positive has been moved into the orphanage and I think he has been replaced by a new little boy in the week that I was away. His sores have almost completely healed, he smiles, laughs, and plays. I think his skin was too sore to really play with other children and since he is now getting fed on a regular basis and his medicine he can concern himself with things other than survival and pain.

Zettembe is a wonderful reminder of what can be done to change a situation for the better. I have spent a lot of time in the last three months thinking about what I can do, what I can't do, and what I do actually do. I can't make a child HIV negative, I can't adopt anyone, well not right now anyways, i can't change the school system in south africa... and the list goes on. so in zettembe's situation he is still HIV positive, still doesn't have a family or any education to speak of, but now he is living somewhere where he can be taken care of and get medical care. i believe it's easy to lose sight of the impact and important changes that can be made that make a wold of difference for one child. i have seen a boy completely transform into a much healthier and happier person. i am struggling trying to explain this in a 20 min time on the computer, but i guess it boils down to small things matter, and little changes are still changes.

the schools in swaziland are on vacation at the moment, but obviously the orphanage is still open. this means that all the children that stay at the orphanage are there during the day. it has been a little crazy with children milling in and out of the room, and trying to create things to do for people from 3 to 15, but it has been fun and i have learned some new swazi games and have had a lot of help since i have been working with a new volunteer.

I also went into a small game park in swaziland, which was spectacular. you would have to drive a far way to get to a trail this empty at home. I saw hippos, zebras, a huge snake on the trail (thankfully at a 30 foot distance), gazelles, monkeys, lots of birds, and a sign that said to stay away from the water's edge because there were crocodiles in the water. i hitched a ride home with an italian couple which was perfect since it would have been a 2 hour walk home after a long day of hiking.

i have been thinking a lot about my project in south africa as i begin getting ready to leave swaziland. i am glad to have changed projects and traveled a little in between, but as the time for departure is upon me i think often of pinkie and his class, family and friends. in my mind i am planning a trip out again to barberton, but i have no idea if that will come into place. i got several text messages from here on my swazi phone, telling me that i was missed and that i should come out for a weekend to see her before i leave. i am sorry that i wasn't able to make it out there again. as i depart swaziland i realize that pinkie's kindness and open heart to me will be what i miss most when i get home, and something that i will not ever forget. as a vulnerable lone traveler working in a strange place being able to feel at home quickly with the woman i was working with was a true blessing of my trip.

I have a lot of things to get done between now and tomorrow afternoon when i depart from swaziland to eventually end up in the United States. so i will end this entry now and plan on writing a final reflection entry on one of my 7 hour layovers in either jo'burg or london.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1176897540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1176897540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1176897540/tpod.html Wed, 18 Apr 2007 08:21:48 -0400 Living in South Africa and Swaziland- the first of many adventures abroad

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Cape Town, South Africa

I thought I should update for a couple of reasons. I have been spending my days in a big city, which has been a big change of pace from what I have been doing for the last two months. Sometimes I have loved it, I felt right at home in this westernized big city. At other points it gets a bit lonely running around a city by yourself, and also frustrating to be such a tourist.

I have learned a lot of things while abroad, and one new thing that I think I should pass on to all of you is not to get your hair cut abroad. some things don't translate, because i thought i said what i wanted but i walked out of the salon with something very different. and i am now have my hair cut like all the girls in london. the thing is, i'm not from london, i am an american, and i don't know what to do with this super boxey, short, layered bob thing i have. so i bought some head bands.

i went to robben island today. it was too short, that place has so much history to it. they have been using it as a place to put prisoners since the start of colonization here, for for more than 300 years. it was also a leper colony. the most amazing part about it was that half of the tour was given by an ex-political prisoner. here is this man, my parent's age, talking about his life in the prison, why he was there, what he was fighting for, it was giving me the chills. but i didn't have a good enough question to ask him anything, and he was only there for 45 mins. but it has left me with a lot to think about. i guess with museums and tours you often have to fill in the blank places yourself. as i walked through the halls of the prison i was thinking about the extent government and society will go to maintain the status quo. or the fact that now ex-prisoners and ex-guards both work on robben island still and are neighbors. and yet, what has changed here?

i also forgot my camera this morning, so i will have to remember that i went to robben island without the photographic evidence.

i am disappointed because i got my things i put in the hostel safe out today, and found that all my cash was gone. thanks ashanti hostel. oh well, my passport was there and i have my bank card, so no need to cry over spilled milk. it just puts a wrinkle into my day.

so this is my last night in cape town, i leave tomorrow in the afternoon for durban. on friday i go back to swaziland to finish out my project there and then on the 27th of april i leave back to the United States. my departure date moved forward, for a lot of reasons. one of them being I have the best job that is starting in early May. It is likely that i may never have a job i am looking forward to this much. I was awarded a grant to do research with a US historian at my school. I will be working independently and setting my own hours, and i spend a week in New York doing some primary research since his book is going to be on the development of American nationalism focusing on New York city. essentially i am getting paid to read books.

i am also going home to do an interview at the admission office for the senior intern position. it will be a full plate next semester if i get the job. i hope i don't drive my boyfriend too crazy from all my work.

it's go go go, for the next 13 months, and then i graduate from Whitman. what happened? and my answer to your question, what are you going to do after graduation- my dad has helped me out a bit and i have the answer for you, "I will get a well paying job that also beings me a lot of personal satisfaction and enjoyment. Though I haven't narrowed down the field yet because I know it will be a hard job to find."

well, you'll hear from me next in swaziland.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1176645840/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1176645840/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1176645840/tpod.html Mon, 16 Apr 2007 12:15:03 -0400 Living in South Africa and Swaziland- the first of many adventures abroad

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Cape Town, South Africa

Getting into Cape Town felt like coming home in a lot of ways, but it's also been a little strange being a full on tourist. I don't have a lot of practice being a tourist, and I don't think I really like it all that much. Compared to working with the kids in Swaziland and Barberton it feels like a superficial way of getting to know a place. just picture taking and tourist traps.

"Okay, drive over here and take pictures of that, alright now, let's go out to eat there, want to go on a tour bus?"

I went to Camps Bay, which is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen let alone been on, but I actually just got sad and grossed out with the whole tourist world, and maybe the whole world in general. If you have money and you are in Cape Town this is where you will spend your time and money. So there are all these beautiful people laying out in their beautiful bikinis, lounging about in big sunglasses. and i am sitting among them, one of the beautiful people, or at least trying to be. and then there are all the people bustling about trying to sell 'african' things to the tourists, selling ice cream, water, or asking for money... and I won't be able to put it into the right words but I just didn't want to be lounging at the beach at all, I felt a bit sick and I just ended up walking up and down the waterfront. the feeling has been lingering as i walk through the markets and stores of cape town.

my position has always been a privileged middle class westerner, but i guess now i am able to see it a little bit more clearly than before. i came to teach and help the community I was living in... and i feel like i was able to accomplish a little bit in that time. perhaps what i have really gained through my work is the opportunity to glimpse the world and my position in a different way. i think what drove me crazy on the beach was that i was turning up my nose to people that i wouldn't have if they were walking down the location in barberton, or i'm sitting there more worried about if this guy is going to bother me or try and take my bag... it's amazing how quickly i step back into my old position.

i went to table mountain, it was amazing. i had to stand in the middle of the cable car and not look out because i was convinced that it would fall for the first time the day i got onto it.

i went into the market today, and walking through the busy streets of cape town. there are a lot of beautiful things and people in this town. i also went out to dinner with an acquaintance from seattle who is studying abroad in cape town. it was nice to get a confirmation of why i didn't do a study abroad. the classes are easier and you just make friends with other americans.

i also thought i was going to mass, but i got tricked. it was an avengelican church, but it was where archbishop desmond tutu served at, its a beautiful cathedral in the center of cape town and where a lot of resistance of apartheid took place. its inspiring to talking to the leaders of the anti-apartheid movement, who truly believed in the power to forgive- which directly led to negotiating a peaceful transition to democracy when the nation was on a brink of civil war. they concuducted the service in afrikans, english, and xhosha, in the only way possible- awkwardly. though, it is good that they try to have an inclusive service, though it doesn't make it coherent.

and i am trying to put some pictures up on this thing.

the "welcome picture" i put up is of Makie, a girl in Pinkie's class. she had the most infectious laugh, and while i can't capture it in a picture, i love this picture because it wasn't often she smiled or laughed. she seemed to be a little bit of a sad and preoccupied girl, but part of the beauty of children i have found is their resilience.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1176301260/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1176301260/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1176301260/tpod.html Wed, 11 Apr 2007 10:46:05 -0400 Living in South Africa and Swaziland- the first of many adventures abroad

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Cape Town, South Africa

I am in Cape Town, at this really nice hostel near the city center. I almost feel like I am coming home in such a big and beautiful city. It was cloudy today, which made it feel like Seattle or SF on the drive in.

I also am realizing how awesome it is to be on my own. I didn't realize it but living in a small space with a lot of different people for a long time can be grating... and this volunteer program can sometimes leave me with the after taste of summer camp. i hate summer camp, for reasons i have never been able to clearly articulate. but, it has something to do with the fact that friendships feel a bit forced and a bit fake. i realized that i end up trying to spend as much time alone, and i am increasingly irritated by people wanting to get money from me to bake whoever is leaving that week a cake... its not the money its more the fact that people coming and going is suppose to be a big deal when i have been watching people do it for months....

anyways, its been wonderful having space and time to myself. i got a ride from the people i stayed with last night from durban. just as i was thinking on the highway that things feel a bit too easy just bouncing around south africa the tire on my side of the car had a blow out going 70 mile an hour. it was exciting, although i thought something underneath the car was about to explode. they had someone meet us on the highway and i got to the airport just in time.

while it is nice to be out on my own, i realize that i would be missing a lot if i were only touring around the country on tour buses. while my days do become all the same sometimes i would get a really different view of the places i was staying in if i just jumped from tourist spot to tourist spot. i will miss the kids and i am glad i will be going back to Emanuel to see them all before i leave.

while i am thinking of it stembe loved his clothes i got him, although i think his jeans were miles too long. the care giver said she had to tie a big knot in the side of them because he wanted to wear them so much. he went to see the social worker about permanently placing him there, which is a big deal because staying there will save his life. he is wearing one of the brand spanking new shirts I got him, that i hope fit him a bit better. i really hope to see him when i get back.

like i said its rainy in cape town and i am staying with two girls i know from baberton. they will be here until Sunday, and then i'm out on my own. is it strange that i feel more comfortable and at home in a big city than the bush of swaziland? i am excited, although i have a feeling it will be a struggle to not spend all my money here.

robben island, and table mountain are on the agenda. i am also meeting up with a friend of a friend sort of thing for dinner on friday. and other than that... i don't know.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1176230880/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1176230880/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1176230880/tpod.html Wed, 11 Apr 2007 10:19:36 -0400 Living in South Africa and Swaziland- the first of many adventures abroad

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Durban, South Africa

I drove to Durban today, it was a long drive. the highlight was giraffes i saw near the highway. crazy, i got really excited- it was like driving through a game reserve for free.

so here i am, the free woman out in the world alone traveling through africa. what an adventure. well not so adventurous i will have to admit- i was on a tour bus thing listening to my i-pod for the whole day. it's annoying to be so much of a tourist, but i have listened to local advice and south africa isn't the place to be cruising alone solo on public transportation. it's a bad idea for a lot of reasons.

since i am paying such a premium on transportation i have decided to see how much i can save on my food budget. today i spent 2 rand on lunch, so far so good.

I wanted to write about Easter Sunday. I went to the stadium in Lobamba, with a group of volunteers, dressed in my easter best. The kombi we were in stopped because of the flood of people marching, running, singing, to the stadium. it was the most spectacular thing i have seen since i have been out here. there were just droves of people, all dressed in their church uniforms, which i am sure uses some traditional dress. I think all of Swaziland must have been out for it. We were also the only white people in sight, and I haven't ever been stared at as much, and I am pretty sure i have never been so out of place. I might have well landed on mars. Let's just say it was a little bit of a different ceremony than easter mass.

Talking about it now, it's hard to remember why i was scared, but i was. a lot of the men were talking tongues (I figured out what they were doing, the other volunteers had no idea...thanks mom for not raising me a hethan) as people poured over the hill at us we were the ones that had to move not them. so here comes waves of people, yelling swazi, in glazed over eyes, running at me, and the people who aren't about to run over me are staring at me with a look that says, "what is she doing here?"

so, what could possible happen to mkae me feel more uncomfortable, more out of place, and more of a tourist? the six other volunteers all pulling out their cameras and snapping away. it didn't even occur to me to bring a camera. i suppose i was under the impression that i was going to participate in the celebration, when i got there i realized that wasn't really going to happen. anyways, they all lined up and starting snapping pictures. So there i was in the midst of the only white people anywhere to be seen, and they were all flashing their 300 dollar toys. people were understandably getting mad at them, and asking for money for taking their pictures. i know that it is nice to have pictures, but there are just certain moments when it's better to let the moment happen then taint it by interruptioning the present moment by snapping pictures.

i have to go...

cape town tomorrow
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1175778000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1175778000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1175778000/tpod.html Thu, 05 Apr 2007 09:40:18 -0400 Living in South Africa and Swaziland- the first of many adventures abroad

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Lobamba, Swaziland

By tomorrow I will be in Swaziland for two whole weeks. The access to internet is a little bit frustrating, but other than that I have really enjoyed my new placement.

To get anywhere in Swaziland you have to drive. The way most people get around, and the way that I have been getting around are in the kombis. They are big vans, and seat about 10 people comfortably, and 20 people normally. You hop in, and when you get to your destination just hand them over the money. I'm usually listening to some pounding hip-hop that the young kombi drivers seem to preference. I have almost met a lot of people on my drives through swaziland. let's just say the men are real friendly here.

I have been getting a lot of marriage proposals. I usually feel like I have a good excuse because men are often asking me to be their number two wife, and you know i just can't settle for less than number one. that's the response i often dish out in the kombis. I also met this man Ishmael who is a hairdresser and spent the entire ride telling me about his hair dressing skills. i guess he has been trained be the greatest in europe, and specialized with my type of hair. he was also looking for volunteers with straight hair to get their hair cut by his students. i do need a haircut, and a free one was tempting. i may still call him.

the orphanage has been great. i am learning all the kids names and personalities. i will have to admit that i enjoy working with the youngest kids most. I sit them down separate from the rest to teach them colors and shapes for an hour or less. I hold up a crayon and say, "okay, what's this color?" and Naliswa, and Knulu look at it and go "mmmmmmmmmmm" until I say "orange". and then they shout "orange" back. it's actually real fun. with the older kids i really struggle, i still don't know how i read- and i haven't the faintest clue how to teach children how to read a language that can't speak. any ideas? i have started with rhyming words... we'll see how much sinks in.

a new boy was placed at Emanuel today, which was really exciting. long story short he's been on the radar of the program i am working with. he is really sick, and HIV positive. the person that is suppose to be looking after him doesn't care for him at all... it's just a whole sad story that i shouldn't re-hash. anyways the clinic wouldn't give him medicine if he didn't have a caregiver to administer the medication. makes sense, although frustrating because he was sick, had no one to care for him and couldn't get medicine because no one would care for him. but someone pulled some strings and he walked into Emanuel today with only the clothes on his back. he looked really scared and tired. i tracked down the head lady and told her that he needed to go to sleep or eat or something. so he got a meal, which i think he desperately needed. i actually came into Mbabane to get him some clothes.

another point of concern is i'm not sure the kids are getting fed enough and i am starting to suspect that the donations to the orphanage are finding their way into the two care givers personal cabinets. i have talked to my director about it, and now i am suppose to report any strange behavior to her. i'm not sure how much that is going to fix.

I leave this tuesday for cape town, which according to many is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1175351940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1175351940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1175351940/tpod.html Sat, 31 Mar 2007 10:54:31 -0400 Living in South Africa and Swaziland- the first of many adventures abroad

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Lobamba, Swaziland

Access to internet here is a much different thing than in South Africa. I have to take a twenty minute taxi ride just to get into the Mbabane to get on the internet, so sorry for the delay.

I am working at Emanule, which is an orphange just less than a mile down the rode. There are ten kids in the class anywhere from 3 to six years old. On my first couple of days there I was really missing my old placement, knowing all the kids, and that my kids knew me. It's also a much more informal day, another volunteer and I are the only ones that work with the younger ones durning the day. Which means its just us and ten kids that speak another language, and these kids aren't use to the same sort of structure- they can get a bit wild.

Emanule is clean, the kids are well cared for, and its all funded through private donations. They don't like to call it an orphange for a couple reasons, they work hard at placing the children back in homes. But I found out that only once in the last 9 months one baby has been adopted, so it doesn't happen that often. There are two babies there, Moses and Angel. They are very sweet and seem happy and engaged in what's going on around them. Lots of the kids have rather heart breaking stories, and it was when the volunteers and I took them out to the pool yesterday evening that I realized really how little they have.

If anyone is looking to adopt a beautiful, sweet, smart Swazi boy you should let me know because Tamsana, is the most sweet thing. He loves to climb into my lap, and do all the singing and dancing that I do with them. The kids love to play with my hair, the three year old Ngwasi pulls me accross the room, sits me down, and brushes through my hair with a pencil. She also pats it down as she goes, i think she is copying how women braid each others hair.

i also almost stepped on a spitting cobra right outside my door.

i have to go, we got the guy to open up the shop last mintute so we could get on for 15 mins.

more later....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1174571940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1174571940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/asconners/anne_abroad-07/1174571940/tpod.html Fri, 23 Mar 2007 04:43:07 -0400 Living in South Africa and Swaziland- the first of many adventures abroad

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Barberton, South Africa

Alright, the time for my departure to Swaziland has changed no less than five times in this last week. But I should be leaving sometime this afternoon. So this is my last day in Barber ton, and yesterday was my last day at my projects here.

before i go any further I have to make a confession. When I had 'binki' write down her name and address for me, it turns out her name is actually pinkie. i have been calling her binki the whole time, and i swear the accent here makes it 'pinkie' and 'binki' sound exactly the same. i considered keeping her name binki, but i decided that re-naming people would be wrong on a lot of different levels. so binki is actually pinkie.

In the first two weeks here if you told me I would be sad to leave Barber ton I would not have believed you, but I am sad to go. I feel like I have spent enough time here to get o know the people and kids I am working with, feel comfortable with what I am doing and able to do. I feel guilty leaving, and on my last day I was just thinking of all the things I could have done in my time here with the kids that I didn't. I suppose it's reassuring to know that I will be able to take that knowledge with me to my next placement. I am curious to see how different my project will be in Swaziland, I will be working at an orphanage there by caring for the babies and children. I also think that I will try and get involved with digging trench gardens and building classrooms that our projects are working on. I wanted to do it even before our project leader talked about how great it was a boy was coming so those things could get worked on... listening to conversations like that are so annoying. digging holes in the ground a couple times a week sounds fantastic, and i don't like people assuming i can't do it.

nothing like telling me i can't do something to get me motivated.

on the last day i brought the kids candy, pinkie a card, and a box of chocolates, and some things for the classroom. any boxes that arrive for the school will be given to her, because i know some people did send things. i am planning to keep contact with pinkie so that i can continue to send her all the things that she could use in her classroom.

when pinkie explained to the kids that it was my last day and they wouldn't see me again they all looked really stunned and mxcolisi actually cried. again, i feel like i have been her long enough to make connections, and now i am off for something else to do the same thing. i also realize that the kind of projects i am working on are great and being able to be an active part of the community is valuable... but it is also more valuable when i am permanent part of the community. this is a nice reminder of what i should be giving back to the schools that are near whitman.

Swaziland is only a couple hours drive away, and yet has a very different history than south Africa. i am looking forward to the more relaxed racial dynamics, and the culture that swazis in swaziland have been able to hold onto. i have a feeling i will get fewer questions on my relationship with snopp-dogg in swaziland. swaziland is also a more desperate place than south africa, the only real things going on there for work are farming and tourism. i guess it was a really dry summer, and most farmers don't have an irrigation system, so it will be even tighter than normal. Swaziland also has the highest percent of HIV/AIDS infection rate in the world according to some statistics. a lot of these kids i will be working with will be AIDS orphans. they are also suppose to be the friendliest people in sub-saharan africa.

i am going to a drum workshop this weekend. i thought it meant i would be making drums, but i guess i will actually be drumming on drums.

it is strange to leave a place for forever... but i am looking forward to this next placement.
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