tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68168537001675425802024-02-21T08:40:36.521+02:00Expressly LesleyExploring the offerings of this big & beautiful world...***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-23827656511427874892014-02-09T13:04:00.002+02:002014-02-09T13:04:20.767+02:00Another beginning...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNYAlgzrHMxNeKWh15O3lX7OhJ3QX9qD9Q_82skKAodJpna05M5eM4xutZyGL28qOam_Psxb-fb6DfSRNNFlg7KVVpyf_hir7qWtRzjwKYEp-0oGYr5VXciYgVZoSCdXNE2BTH1STkwKn/s1600/Every+new+beginning+comes+from+some+other+beginnings+end.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNYAlgzrHMxNeKWh15O3lX7OhJ3QX9qD9Q_82skKAodJpna05M5eM4xutZyGL28qOam_Psxb-fb6DfSRNNFlg7KVVpyf_hir7qWtRzjwKYEp-0oGYr5VXciYgVZoSCdXNE2BTH1STkwKn/s1600/Every+new+beginning+comes+from+some+other+beginnings+end.jpeg" height="322" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyrics from Semisonic's 'Closing Time'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">About two and a half years ago, I stepped out of the stable
and wonderful life I was living. I left a great job, hugged my family, bid
farewell to a circle of fantastic friends in a great city, and stepped onto a
plane to elsewhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">While sitting on that airplane, not knowing what to expect
and shocked at what I was doing I wrote this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘<i>Beginnings are a
funny thing.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I oftentimes wonder if
they exist in and of themselves at all. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Perhaps they are
notable only because they make us take notice of the existence of something. As
humans we need ritual to mark events in our shared and infinitely long story.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am divided in
writing this for it is unethical and impure to claim this as a beginning, but
in my imperfection I need to start somewhere.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>So welcome to this
beginning, a folded page corner in a vast and expansive book. A small makeshift
indicator to mark one human experience in our deliciously large and unfolding
novel</i>.’<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is February 8<sup>th</sup>, 2014. I reflect on the
idea of ‘beginnings’ as I sit sipping coffee on a couch in Cape Town on an
unremarkable, lazy Saturday afternoon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I now believe that we mark beginnings to reflect something
we’ve taken notice of, an arrival or change. Sometimes the arrival of a
‘beginning’ is irrefutable – a birth, a new relationship, a new job, stepping
onto an airplane. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Other times beginnings don’t align with an external event
and are so subtle we don’t even realize when they’ve crept up on us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Getting onto that airplane was one of those irrefutable
beginnings and I started this blog to mark it. I’ve recently
somehow fallen out of the last chapter and stumbled into yet another new beginning
without all the crisp fresh-paged symbolism of packing a suitcase and stepping
onto an airplane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp22G2IRO4NJpv4_R8Q355R6YKIPgEJo1yseXdveNg0JjzdDDBBwlilaCet64bt143qBD6XMLYIhI1_wWttGChR4QMGuSenmHNwNZmymPrKgQnUidrZg8HXMdd4EYzY6o2BhDXSOXs3MNK/s1600/turning-pages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp22G2IRO4NJpv4_R8Q355R6YKIPgEJo1yseXdveNg0JjzdDDBBwlilaCet64bt143qBD6XMLYIhI1_wWttGChR4QMGuSenmHNwNZmymPrKgQnUidrZg8HXMdd4EYzY6o2BhDXSOXs3MNK/s1600/turning-pages.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This realization came about after a long period of
practicing avoidance behaviour with blogging. The truth is that I don’t even
want to look at my blog these days. I’ve been feeling guilty about not writing
despite having ‘Write!’ perpetually on my to-do list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Going deeper into the passing of months without posting and
the associated stomach churning this elicits for me, I’ve come to realize that
something between content and format and what is said and unsaid in this blog no
longer feels authentic to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was authentic then, but I have an acute sense that
something, somehow and at some point shifted and is not reflected here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I take stock of the years since that life changing
beginning, I feel both emptied and a brimming over. Things have shifted on so
many levels - emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and physically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Looking back on these recent years, I feel like I’ve had
many operations - some major, some minor – and I’m just learning how to use my
body again. Things feel different and are in different places, but everything
is somehow functioning in a way that feels authentic to where I am right now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I wish I could somehow capture this shift, the steps that
somehow walked me from the beginning of that chapter to where I now stand. A
whole bunch of experiences and half memories spill out in a jumbled and
irrational manner… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> ***</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*the metaphorical and literal stubbing of
toes and scraping my knees * adding wrinkles around my eyes from a combination
of sun and laughter * succeeding some, failing more * writing tons * </span><span style="font-size: large;">deep, aching longing for home, family and friends *</span><span style="font-size: large;"> crying and
dreaming a lot * struggling with apathy * learning bits of another language * learning
policy and administration theory * completing the coursework for a masters
degree * losing hope * heart break * spending
</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">time learning from men about how they
live positively with HIV * witnessing country responses to the deaths of two
leaders * fuel crises and hyperinflation * the swearing in of the first female
president of Southern Africa * being completely embraced by the love of a family
who didn’t know me a year ago * driving manual on the other side of the road * breakdowns on paved
roads and in jungles * learning a new healing modality *connecting and loving
SO, SO much * grieving the loss of a family member and friend from across the
world * getting Malaria AND bilharzia * deeply questioning of the development industry
* swimming in one of the worlds most beautiful lakes * celebrating a birthday
where two oceans meet * having numerous magical serendipitous adventures *
reshaping personal ideas of beauty * dancing barefoot on beaches and in cafes *</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I could keep going for days, filling pages with a variety of
experiences ranging from mundane to devastating to fantastic, but with what
purpose? If I could somehow scramble all of the colours and textures and words
and sounds and feelings of these experiences and drink them as a potion or don
them as a shirt, maybe I could better embody what feels different. But in
reality, they are already part of the cells that make up my body and absorbed
into my experience of this life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m excited by the opening of this new chapter despite not
having any idea what it will hold or how to express it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m not taking the blog down or changing the address. All
former blog posts will remain as they are, chapters past, but what will come
will be different somehow. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I have nothing to promise as I have no clue what to expect. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading this incredibly self-indulgent
post and helping me mark a new chapter.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLQKwubhkQbghcJzmMWJ6aDH3zXm_nk1nKJEpOsi_MAgiU3opP1O8zYUPZig3H5pbY5X8lhvQ0vqIXEvcq-nv2Bwssj6-eFqlQi43cRepmJujk3QJ6PEZ7URXwsE1mw9Jc-4htmidx06G/s1600/page-turning.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLQKwubhkQbghcJzmMWJ6aDH3zXm_nk1nKJEpOsi_MAgiU3opP1O8zYUPZig3H5pbY5X8lhvQ0vqIXEvcq-nv2Bwssj6-eFqlQi43cRepmJujk3QJ6PEZ7URXwsE1mw9Jc-4htmidx06G/s1600/page-turning.png" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
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***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-1570149626803098382013-11-22T17:21:00.001+02:002013-11-22T17:21:59.012+02:00HAIR - Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZTeXSyycaANPoIhQmfejn-WvoQ7HLgeDuhOh4HD2AwrOnsldmKyQmgUNNnhIA8nKR6qKdChIX4PNsj5yV7RvuoU98DMBDLeI2qBbuyEqB2ETgBcD2xjSE0Iv2qWaILwJ1rn0EYUzzR1x/s1600/DSC_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZTeXSyycaANPoIhQmfejn-WvoQ7HLgeDuhOh4HD2AwrOnsldmKyQmgUNNnhIA8nKR6qKdChIX4PNsj5yV7RvuoU98DMBDLeI2qBbuyEqB2ETgBcD2xjSE0Iv2qWaILwJ1rn0EYUzzR1x/s400/DSC_0557.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGTHrBNuO491KUsBmZnkitWB2soAwRAAyPdzuYgcvknjEVtv1TgKsWuDd_Jof5hKcziqXHnT8VJJoDNqTqmQdEWIrRENyaEtRT4C6lDrtLoln8Lqes14pZOSa7TbobY9sAIZeGNzBN6EV/s1600/DSC_0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGTHrBNuO491KUsBmZnkitWB2soAwRAAyPdzuYgcvknjEVtv1TgKsWuDd_Jof5hKcziqXHnT8VJJoDNqTqmQdEWIrRENyaEtRT4C6lDrtLoln8Lqes14pZOSa7TbobY9sAIZeGNzBN6EV/s400/DSC_0558.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmTte-fv8SSd0-N402rWof3xev4fJo7zoYYVgYf36KNS4SJpsZxslfZF8CYKaz7twd2tnBHxm_kyWG5Tpy-iI4D2xOB_MBA_ruVn2e_rdjaMBbCjHeqYP3cniPGTRfToMzItHiKayaoz7/s1600/DSC_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmTte-fv8SSd0-N402rWof3xev4fJo7zoYYVgYf36KNS4SJpsZxslfZF8CYKaz7twd2tnBHxm_kyWG5Tpy-iI4D2xOB_MBA_ruVn2e_rdjaMBbCjHeqYP3cniPGTRfToMzItHiKayaoz7/s400/DSC_0548.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Lesley's Commentary (vis-a-vis previous blog post)</span></u><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t write the last post on my blog, although no one
would question that it was mine based on the content.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>My dear friend Doreen, an incredibly talented writer, gender
activist and lovely person did. In addition to both being 28 year old females, Doreen and I
have a lot in common in terms of interests, values and beliefs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing that is different about us is that Doreen grew up
in Zimbabwe in a ‘Black’ body and I in Canada in a ‘white’ one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We decided to post our own personal experiences and struggles
around hair on each other’s blogs, in each other’s names.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This idea came about during an impromptu dinner at Matipa’s
house. Matipa and Doreen are best friends, work together and both hail from
Zimbabwe. While eating Matipa’s beautifully prepared dinner, we (as usual)
talked about all the off-limit topics: politics (the recent elections in Zim,
the human trafficking bill that recently passed in South Africa) and ‘personal’
stuff/politics.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ‘personal’ discussion focuses on hair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
We talked about the politics of ‘Black’ hair… how natural is oftentimes
not considered as beautiful. How many women wear wigs and weaves, many which
seemingly replicate ‘white’ hair (read long, straight, etc). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is a complex, politically charged topic of which I know
little about, save for what I’ve learnt watching Chris Rock’s ‘Good Hair’
documentary and conversations with friends.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They told me about a blog post <i><a href="http://colouredraysofgrey.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/the-hairy-nature-of-our-race-identity/" target="_blank"><b>The Hairy Nature of our Race Identity</b></a> </i> that Doreen wrote on
hair that caused a bit of controversy after Matipa tweeted it to a Zimbabwean
hair blogger. One critique that Doreen received on her post was that she didn’t
speak about ‘white’ hair. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They then turned to me and asked my mop-headed self about my
hair experience. I told them<b><u> <a href="https://colouredraysofgrey.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/hair-part-1" target="_blank"><i>this</i></a></u></b><a href="https://colouredraysofgrey.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/hair-part-1" target="_blank"><i> </i></a>which Doreen published on her blog at the same time I put her story on mine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tipa and Dor were surprised to hear the similarities that my
experience had to theirs. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite having very different hair colours and textures, we
realized we had something in common in that we have been conditioned into
believing that our natural hair is somehow sub-par. We’ve all spent a lot of
time and money trying to manipulate our hair to fit societally imposed ideals
of beauty. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The intention of these posts is to point out the widespread
societal constructions of what is beautiful with regards to hair (which is
usually straight and long). The intention is not to undermine or delegitimize
the experiences of ‘Black’ women with regards to hair. Indeed the racialization
of hair is a complex and horrific phenomenon which I have not experienced
living in the body of a ‘white’’-skinned middle class woman, with all the
accompanying privileges. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While not intending to minimize or sideline focus from the
political and social evils propagated against ‘Black’ hair (as they have been
aptly highlighted by African American comedian and actor Chris Rock in his
documentary <i><a href="http://jezebel.com/5329866/weaves-extensions--creamy-crack-chris-rocks-good-hair-trailer" target="_blank"><b>Good Hair</b></a></i> and Toyin Agbetu’s new documentary <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4_dGjxNBo0&feature=share" target="_blank"><b>Beauty Is…</b></a> </i>and
many others<i>)</i>, we decided to post this as a general and united commentary
of the painful and degrading politics of hair in which people around the world
are taught that their hair isn’t beautiful if it doesn’t live up to a narrowly
defined norm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;">
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Doreen’s Commentary:</span></u><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As my dear friend Lesley has already highlighted above, the last post I put up on this blog was in fact written by her, a Canadian 'white' woman activist, scholar and writer/blogger. We decided to do a blog swap after exchanging hair war stories and realizing that a lot of what each of us was saying could very well have come from any one of us as there were so many similarities in our stories regardless of our ethnic and racial differences. (see the post actually written by me <b><u><a href="http://expresslylesley.blogspot.com/2013/11/hair-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a></u></b>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I particularly found it interesting because as a
womanist/Afro-feminist I strongly believe in the recognition of
intersectionality within any conversation regarding the empowerment of women. I
also believe that it is important to acknowledge that the oppression of women
is not all the same or always informed by the same politics or at the very
least, in the same way, and that the different groups of women have different
lived realities from that of what is the archetypal feminist i.e. the working
class to middle class, heterosexual, able bodied, secular ‘white’ woman;
however, during this conversation I was reminded that although our struggles
can have their unique aspects, there are similar struggles that we fight as
women, albeit informed and exacerbated by different politics, and that is the
narrowly defined standards of beauty and acceptability even in these current
times in which we live.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, it is perhaps because we live in these times that
the politics of hair have finally found a platform in public discourse where
they can be picked apart and interrogated. In the last two decades or so we
have seen people challenge the prescribed definitions of beauty with a
particular focus being directed at body image and the fashion industry; more
recently we saw the German plus size model, Mariesther Venegas protest the Berlin fashion week’s continued
marginalization of fuller figured women [models] by walking down the streets of
Berlin naked for the <i><a href="http://www.navabi.co.uk/finally/?tr_id=linkshare&utm_campaign=10&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=linkshare&siteID=TnL5HPStwNw-RkWaQLApcDu57IVca0jrUw" target="_blank"><b>Finally - Navabi</b></a></i> campaign (which was strikingly
similar to brown neo soul/ hip hop artist <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI3qRovp1A8" target="_blank"><b>Erykah Badu’s personal protestagainst “group think” in the video to her song Window Seat where shealso bared all</b></a>). Also, in the recently concluded Paris fashion week, US
designer <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WfAmL-dIBQ" target="_blank"><b>Rick Owens [controversially] opted to model his creations usingAfrikan American stomp dancers</b></a> instead of the conventional leggy, uber skinny
and mostly ‘white’ super models we are accustomed to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hair politics are not exclusive to female members of our
society but also extend to the male members of our society where there too they
have particular standards they have to subscribe to, especially ‘black’ men. A
couple of years ago there was an uproar when Nivea produced an ad for their <i>Look
Like You Give a Damn </i>campaign for their products for men that featured a
‘black’ male model holding the (decapitated) head of his former self, who's
sporting a beard, an afro, and a pissed-off expression and has the words "<a href="http://www.good.is/posts/nivea-s-racist-ad-re-civilizes-a-black-man" target="_blank"><b><i>Re-civilizeYourself</i></b></a>" scrawled across the image, with the smaller phrase "Look
like you give a damn" on top, implying that Afrikan men, along with their
hair, have to be packaged in a particular way in order to be considered to be
civilized. The same expectation is extended to ‘black’ women as we are
constantly discouraged from keeping our hair natural let alone finding
empowerment and strength in it. However, as we have seen from this exercise
between Lesley and myself, that this marginalization of the ‘other’ also
extends to white women and perhaps men too, with a certain type of hair
although comparatively, the degrees and negative impact of said marginalization
differ from race to race, gender to gender and sex to sex etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Doing this exercise was not very easy. When Lesley and I set
out to write our stories in our individual spaces before meeting up, exchanging
them and posting, we realized that it was not going to be as easy as we thought
it would be and questioned if it really was a good idea. Thing is, everything
seems like a brilliant idea after a couple of glasses of wine and loads of
rolling-on-the-floor laughter. We later confessed to each other when we finally
got together again that we had both struggled with the initial pieces as we
constantly battled to make the post as “racially aligned” as possible (i.e.
convincing enough to readers that my piece was written by a ‘white’ woman and
Lesley’s by a ‘black’ woman) in order to pull off the ruse. We were tempted to
just forget about it, or at least I certainly was, until we realized that
deliberately writing in such a way that alluded to a particular race was not
only unnecessary but also contrary to the whole purpose of the exercise which
was to find commonalities in the hair and identity politics of two women from different
racial backgrounds despite perceived physical racial differences as well as
informally investigate to what extent these commonalities, if at all, affect
women of different races at an individual level.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The issue of hair (although it is a very personal thing) and
how it positions an individual in the global economic, political and social
hierarchical structure is proof that the personal is indeed political. People’s
hair, although personal, is subject to the whims, attitudes and opinions of a
society as a whole and not just the individual. It manifests itself as an
identifier, a classifier and a political statement, whether we are conscious of
it or not. Ultimately, whether we like it or not, our hair plays a huge role in
deciding where society positions us politically, economically and socially.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Note all racial references are put in quotations to denote
that race is a social, rather than biological construct. <span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:child%20labour" datetime="2013-11-21T11:55"><o:p></o:p></ins></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0Cape Town, South Africa-33.9248685 18.424055299999964-34.7681915 17.133161799999964 -33.081545500000004 19.714948799999963tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-53493876275458734822013-11-12T14:23:00.000+02:002013-11-12T14:23:44.458+02:00HAIR - Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<!--StartFragment-->
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout my life I have spent a substantial amount of time
and money on HAIR.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a younger person, my focus was mostly on grooming it,
removing it, colouring it, straightening it and otherwise manipulating it on a
quest to ‘look nice’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although I do still spend time on hair today, my focus has
shifted in that I spend a bit less time manipulating it and more time
reflecting on its social and political implications.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All other forms of hair aside (that would require innumerous
more posts!), the variety that grows from our scalps is what I’m focusing on
here - an intensely personal as well as politicized subject.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a multi-part blog post. This first section aims to
share some of my personal experiences with my hair. The next one is co-authored
with a friend and will be posted later this week to consider some societal and
political implications of hair.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*** <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">When I was a little girl I wanted nothing
more than to have long, straight hair just like all the ‘beautiful’ women I saw
on TV and in fashion magazines. I considered my own naturally curly hair
unsightly and after much begging I finally convinced my mother to straighten
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Seeing my hair straight and flowing for the
first time in my life, I honestly believed that I looked like a Disney
princess, particularly my favourite one, Ariel from the little mermaid, save
for the difference in colour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">After that first experience, the twelve
years that followed were a menagerie of chemicalisation, texturisation,
wrestling, wrangling and taming my hair just to get it looking ‘fabulous’ or at
the very least, get it looking as though it sat atop the head of a civilised
human being and not a ‘primitive bush person’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Buckets and buckets of money and tears
alike went into this quest to achieve ultimate beauty and with each success
hair story, I surprisingly felt a small part of me die. With each battle won
against the kink in my hair the less I recognised myself and for some reason I
felt the opposite of what I expected the resultant straight hair to make me
feel. Of course I felt beautiful, if for only a moment, there’s no denying
that, but I also felt like a fraud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I was always complimented for ‘my’ long,
flowy, straight hair and I was the envy of other girls at school. I was told
that I had ‘good’ hair and that I was very lucky that it ‘behaved’ so well when
I made the effort to ‘fix’ it. Everyone always oohed and aahed and people
always wanted to touch it. All this attention always made me feel special but
never proud. It was hard to feel proud of something that wasn’t authentically
yours. Something that you should have loved and cared for the way it naturally
was but instead you resented and relentlessly abused time and time again with
strong chemicals and harsh heat, yanking and pulling at it, ultimately
weakening and destroying it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I
never realised back then that the way I viewed and treated my hair was an
extension of how I viewed and treated myself. I always thought myself confident
and comfortable in my own skin and yet the truth is I wasn’t. My confidence and
high self esteem were only ever truly there when I received validation from
other people and they were, and in some ways still are, inextricably linked to
my relationship with my hair.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Upon realising this, I awoke one Saturday
morning, four years ago and cut it all off much to the dismay of everyone
around me. I realised that it wasn’t enough to just stop with the constant nuking
I was conducting on my hair and just let it grow out; I actually had to purge
and get a fresh start and reacquaint myself with my hair and by extension with
my true self.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Four years on, I am glad to say I have
mended my relationship with my hair and I am for the first time madly and
unconditionally in love with it, knots and all. I am learning to take better care
of it and I let it tell me what it needs and what it is comfortable with wish
is usually just a wash and go; no combs or brushes required. Suffice it to say,
this new found love for my hair, my natural hair, has also had a positive
impact on my relationship with myself as a whole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-36324049049706362992013-10-03T13:42:00.001+02:002013-10-03T13:42:24.526+02:00South Africa-isms <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoFgk4Mh2ZmLwWp7QPunm-WRtH33_b80vjSzJZxzcEJRa05nn4kEp3WvqJBkiRqu5kNMY82iNTDq1X07oV9Ob1jQnMUWfqFMG6RMT_d3NXCeq5IaVEezpeAmOjlOUUj746iQ6Gj9sp3ts/s1600/words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoFgk4Mh2ZmLwWp7QPunm-WRtH33_b80vjSzJZxzcEJRa05nn4kEp3WvqJBkiRqu5kNMY82iNTDq1X07oV9Ob1jQnMUWfqFMG6RMT_d3NXCeq5IaVEezpeAmOjlOUUj746iQ6Gj9sp3ts/s640/words.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from allthingslearning.wordpress.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I love words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the things I love about words is how they are used in different ways in different places - even amongst people who speak the same
first language. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">English is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa,
and regrettably and embarrassingly the only South African language I speak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">There are some
notable differences between Canadian and the South African English that I have observed that quite
enjoy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some of my favourite South African words/expressions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Robot. That thing that turns red to tell you to
stop and green to go? It isn’t a traffic light here - it’s a robot. So if
someone tells you to turn right at the robot, don’t look for R2D2. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Braai. A favourite South African past-time of throwing
meat on the grill is braaing, not barbequing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Howzit? Abbreviation of how’s it going? A very
quickly spoken greeting, and not always meant as a question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Is it? Spoken as a question but really meant as
a comment, like ‘is that so?’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
arrived, I kept wanting to answer ‘yes, it is’ until I realized that it is
meant rhetorically. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->JYOOOHHHH. One of my favourites. It is more of a
sound then a word – akin to ‘Wow!’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Hectic. Used to refer to pretty much anything
intense, chaotic, etc… The wind can be hectic, a party can be hectic, a fight,
a day… you get the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Shame. Anything negative meets a response of
‘shame’ from the listener. Sometimes accompanied by empathy, sometimes not. ‘I
missed class today’ – ‘shame’, ‘my friend is sick’ – ‘shame’...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yebo. isiXhosa
for yes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sharp, Sharp (to me the pronunciation sounds
closer to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chop, chop). Used as a
greeting, to say everything is cool, when saying goodbye, etc.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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most confusing to me. They all denote different urgency. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Now</i> is right away as we would understand it in Canada. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Just Now</i> is a bit further into the
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future than that. When my Swedish friend Lena moved here to be with her South
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***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-41975602680780877582013-09-04T19:57:00.000+02:002013-09-04T20:02:19.071+02:00The Rotary Club of Roggebaai and Rotary Family Health Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the many wonderful elements of the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar programme is that they place each scholar with a host Rotary Club. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was lucky enough to wind up with a small vibrant club of 12 members, the Rotary Club of Roggebaai (pronounced more like rock-a-bye but substitute the 'ck' with a throaty 'G' sound).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The club has been wonderful and taken me under their wing. Aside from my <a href="http://expresslylesley.blogspot.com/2013/07/my-rotary-host-family-matzdorffs.html" target="_blank">host family</a>, one couple in particular
(Sonia and Humphrey) have opened their home to me – they’ve had me for over for din and
shared about their experiences living in Zimbabwe (now Rhodesia) and South Africa.
They are exactly how I would like to be in retirement. They do
things that interest them, travel, keep wonderful company and give back to
their community. I suppose I shouldn’t wait until retirement to aspire to be
like them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIttYM9yaxtSSgrRpYAFaCV5f7VJVENPqyhg0AlBtFcGE5jy2y8ckL9IawGU5SSvoNPChueOsyl-qbGqMVKNpzb-0uKpm3oMvyNHw5_smPnqNAn9QQnf3v53MMet9rTyaFa3Hp0KnLH6E/s1600/DSC_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIttYM9yaxtSSgrRpYAFaCV5f7VJVENPqyhg0AlBtFcGE5jy2y8ckL9IawGU5SSvoNPChueOsyl-qbGqMVKNpzb-0uKpm3oMvyNHw5_smPnqNAn9QQnf3v53MMet9rTyaFa3Hp0KnLH6E/s640/DSC_0230.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humphrey, Renata (Ambassadorial Scholar from Germany), Sonia and the dogs at their house for din</td></tr>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p>
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">Another Rotarian in the club, Peter, is a retired photographer and has been kind enough to give me lessons. He is warm, friendly and has a great sense of humour!</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">As much as the social aspect is wonderful, Rotary South Africa also does some amazing work.</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">Over the next few posts I will feature a few different projects that I Rotary does here. First up is... </span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Family Health Day:</b></span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUzFplga9U0Sce9PHsL1RjIpTtBVjwjLEORTW8Q7lTX3eoWBTNXRcJwyKyzfBRl5Lxr_kweOCApvT7VM8PeONiei6bXPM-ldMD4iBCeglfVsdYXpbpVUOtqGIG92y4v3rzeL1IyysBHBa/s1600/DSC_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUzFplga9U0Sce9PHsL1RjIpTtBVjwjLEORTW8Q7lTX3eoWBTNXRcJwyKyzfBRl5Lxr_kweOCApvT7VM8PeONiei6bXPM-ldMD4iBCeglfVsdYXpbpVUOtqGIG92y4v3rzeL1IyysBHBa/s640/DSC_0127.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rotary Family Health Day</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Actu8JIDywnSfLdOD_q7C1mnzneQVPoyVEBlH7t4awJCVhzo-hSbEf44fKJ5qww3VOk5IwXu4xMmqWRE3KBFuXrWSaVB-RCNU757cO7Qi82JbjGYJ2qbOGY4KxumLE1Qzk8kCOQSRHHa/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Actu8JIDywnSfLdOD_q7C1mnzneQVPoyVEBlH7t4awJCVhzo-hSbEf44fKJ5qww3VOk5IwXu4xMmqWRE3KBFuXrWSaVB-RCNU757cO7Qi82JbjGYJ2qbOGY4KxumLE1Qzk8kCOQSRHHa/s640/DSC_0132.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;">Rotary Family Health Day - TB Screeing</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Earlier this year, Rotary, in conjunction with the South African Department of Health, set up centres where people could come for free health services. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8UGIVMtyCUfRaTLG59sn6r0ByqH4T8Djk0eLuGHrDOwYTg2QRINZhIMcbhzfoz2x9zY8AvOWhTN0YCig8vvQOkXlZdHiZDIJNL6grCd7xeVGEl6B1gy0T0jrxkDgQgXOgNYVKqhMCAbJ/s1600/DSC_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8UGIVMtyCUfRaTLG59sn6r0ByqH4T8Djk0eLuGHrDOwYTg2QRINZhIMcbhzfoz2x9zY8AvOWhTN0YCig8vvQOkXlZdHiZDIJNL6grCd7xeVGEl6B1gy0T0jrxkDgQgXOgNYVKqhMCAbJ/s640/DSC_0150.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blood pressure testing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oygisJrVUFyDLwQQV3GRMaRCNgVfZvobMenw9QvALl_ZzM-8BqtNTHCijh_E5foqs-8g_BtxgN5Eeo0FaAm8JRvUhRbLkOkkihZgGIbWKcEf033DUe3ug2SZTBjx6sh05b-st1aCCyy7/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oygisJrVUFyDLwQQV3GRMaRCNgVfZvobMenw9QvALl_ZzM-8BqtNTHCijh_E5foqs-8g_BtxgN5Eeo0FaAm8JRvUhRbLkOkkihZgGIbWKcEf033DUe3ug2SZTBjx6sh05b-st1aCCyy7/s640/DSC_0134.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Condoms, pamphlets on medical male circumcision</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">The event was held throughout the country and services included blood pressure, blood sugar tuberculosis and HIV testing, deworming, vaccinations for children and free condoms and sanitary pads. They also provided information on a host of other health-related topics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">During a lull in visitors, I went through the ‘circuit’ of family health day activities with Peter capturing it on camera to show some of the things that they offer and get my health sorted at the same time.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkrH-fyNpVUj4drRmLv3mAS1fHBoIdFgXTgD_8bUmd8sVBMTAWoTWpKfzSbjLtFvbvcpTfXb8A6HDClAoqVl9C017aEGqMQcB81FiEVRbXJOklqTdEkuA6ZAnTEB8YNzwV9o7wcqzgpFF/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkrH-fyNpVUj4drRmLv3mAS1fHBoIdFgXTgD_8bUmd8sVBMTAWoTWpKfzSbjLtFvbvcpTfXb8A6HDClAoqVl9C017aEGqMQcB81FiEVRbXJOklqTdEkuA6ZAnTEB8YNzwV9o7wcqzgpFF/s640/DSC_0153.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Getting registered</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWrMcoFBQTZq7TkNigxuUqHlWIHqe2__-AppCUucsCvi_-ulirR2StXtRfkdzVALQXKUaERqUcuHQU6g8jpc3Q1rk22RrqAJ4NW7pAJOQ-kYF6wBZFc2aVnTKxxEvAWijSSuwOxBUrQbc/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWrMcoFBQTZq7TkNigxuUqHlWIHqe2__-AppCUucsCvi_-ulirR2StXtRfkdzVALQXKUaERqUcuHQU6g8jpc3Q1rk22RrqAJ4NW7pAJOQ-kYF6wBZFc2aVnTKxxEvAWijSSuwOxBUrQbc/s640/DSC_0157.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blood Sugar Test</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBzEMrViyU6XC1rTuM-ZauEb0X4ZhT6IwOsSv9MUlHhHOAi5ZIQ-HHKzwjL68RnFp53FBy3lY5KDupisddHeu3pTm4Urj7teXvkteiInig1XBnK8hNEhdL2tl0uqvpTw9Y4spFGU_H6dO/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBzEMrViyU6XC1rTuM-ZauEb0X4ZhT6IwOsSv9MUlHhHOAi5ZIQ-HHKzwjL68RnFp53FBy3lY5KDupisddHeu3pTm4Urj7teXvkteiInig1XBnK8hNEhdL2tl0uqvpTw9Y4spFGU_H6dO/s640/DSC_0161.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blood pressure test - mine is a bit high :S</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xcstrPm2kcslxJbAiII546DN0SpnwlP0jMaTRDxBGOyxLtzpK842dBMfOz0SooGVHBhySFi9abVT4TDWDDfAf_sw024FSne8OCZQuJ8H7MlE44lFlmTj_6gIZw0iENiDjjTAXu69EzeQ/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xcstrPm2kcslxJbAiII546DN0SpnwlP0jMaTRDxBGOyxLtzpK842dBMfOz0SooGVHBhySFi9abVT4TDWDDfAf_sw024FSne8OCZQuJ8H7MlE44lFlmTj_6gIZw0iENiDjjTAXu69EzeQ/s640/DSC_0163.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pre-HIV test counselling</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNLda6tUZaaLv-LeNzf4IzTRPcTz4TIk_Cu0V3EJDTMWzuxGctVJcKFLMHYJiPD3TyIK-lkyuB5a2BVUq_JB09rwoeghngFVYmD_cIF8ekvoQyt4AtIoiy7pr7rDBP5QEtzvLGr_LWU1v/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNLda6tUZaaLv-LeNzf4IzTRPcTz4TIk_Cu0V3EJDTMWzuxGctVJcKFLMHYJiPD3TyIK-lkyuB5a2BVUq_JB09rwoeghngFVYmD_cIF8ekvoQyt4AtIoiy7pr7rDBP5QEtzvLGr_LWU1v/s640/DSC_0167.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">HIV test</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">What a great initiative to support the government in providing some basic health services. I <a href="http://expresslylesley.blogspot.com/2013/08/reflections-on-access-to-health-care.html" target="_blank">wrote recently</a> about access to health care, focusing on the unfair reality that access to health care is oftentimes determined by the circumstances people are born into. Given that many South Africans have poor access to basic health services, programs like Family Health Day help to fill that gap.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0Cape Town, South Africa-33.9248685 18.424055299999964-34.7681915 17.133161799999964 -33.081545500000004 19.714948799999963tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-8204653150224277582013-08-27T22:26:00.001+02:002013-08-27T22:26:57.145+02:00Reflections on Access to Health Care<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
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<b><i>Memory: November 2012</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wake up in the middle of the night with stomach cramps and
nausea. I stand up and walk from my sister’s room to one of the bathrooms in my
family’s home in Canada.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I walk I feel faint and call for my Mother. I then loose
all control of my body, collapsing onto the soft carpet floor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I come to as my mother drags me to the bathroom and helps me
sit upright. In minutes, two paramedics are hovering over me. They wait while
my Mother cleans me (sorry about that Mom) and then I’m on a stretcher being
hoisted into an ambulance. The ambulance ride is less than 5 minutes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m wheeled through the emergency room and immediately get a
bed in the emergency ward. I’m seen quickly by a doctor and hooked up to state
of the art machinery. They take samples of everything you can imagine, conduct
X-rays, give me an ultrasound and monitor me constantly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Within hours, my father is on a plane home from Florida and
my Mom takes the day off work to be with me. I was discharged late the next
day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I lay on that hospital bed I felt angry for competing
reasons. At first I was angry to be in the hospital, to be sick, to feel
helpless and confused because I didn’t know what was happening. I wanted to go
home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I thought about what would have happened if the same
thing had occurred a month before when I as living in Malawi…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
... and THEN I thought what would have happened if I was a
‘typical’ Malawian women.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Malawi, the GDP per capita is $900 USD per year and 80%
of the country lives in rural areas. Thus, the ‘average’ Malawian woman is
living in poverty in a rural area. At the age of 27, I would most likely
be married with a few children and have significant family responsibilities to
attend to. I would likely have collapsed onto the mud or cement floor of a small makeshift brick or thatch house without electricity or running water in the
home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just months previous, we had been delivering <a href="http://expresslylesley.blogspot.com/2012/10/bicycles-not-wheelbarrows.html" target="_blank">bicycle ambulances</a> in a rural area. While thanking us, one of the carers who would be using
the bike to transport sick people to the hospital told us that someone he knew
had died the previous week because they couldn’t get him to the clinic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even if the person who passed away HAD been able to get to
the clinic, they certainly wouldn’t have had anything close to the quality of
treatment Oakville Trafalgar Hospital in Canada had. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9R3AESl7kR56GkeY5Kg_eT1NNq5p92IBLMxzW-Ht9AMlHWWkduo4UqVTi5sTsEi-95WTT8nEq4qDjPwYlLl1IvS4xKJ7U617ay-B2ysH2ytJUAORhrN1lCpHBywIsdKzWpwQm9-MMYa1/s1600/September+2012+299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9R3AESl7kR56GkeY5Kg_eT1NNq5p92IBLMxzW-Ht9AMlHWWkduo4UqVTi5sTsEi-95WTT8nEq4qDjPwYlLl1IvS4xKJ7U617ay-B2ysH2ytJUAORhrN1lCpHBywIsdKzWpwQm9-MMYa1/s640/September+2012+299.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alinafe Hospital in Salima District</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reflecting one what would have happened to me if I had been
born into a different body on a different piece of land, I felt simultaneously
angry, lucky and sad. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to being able to access a quality hospital, Mom had
a good job that allowed her to take the day off work at no cost. Dad was able
to buy an emergency plane ticket from another country to be with me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The cost of my day in a state of the art hospital in a
country where private care does not exist? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>$0.</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How did I get so lucky?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;">
<o:p>*** </o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Memory: July 2013</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My friend calls me one Saturday morning, telling me that she
is sick with Malaria after a trip to Mozambique. She asks if I wouldn’t mind
taking her to the clinic – she isn’t responding well to the medication she was
prescribed. We go to one of Cape Town’s clinics where her international student
medical insurance is accepted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While at the clinic, her condition deteriorates quickly.
When the doctor sees that her, her temperature is over 41 degrees. We are told
that she must go to the emergency room immediately and then gets asked if her
medicare covers private hospitals? (A note on South Africa’s health care system: there are essentially two of them – a private one which the richest
approximately 20% of the country accesses and a public one used by rest who
don’t have medical coverage or the ability to pay out of pocket.) My friend
isn’t sure what is covered so we get referred to the closest public hospital.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time we get to the hospital, she is unable to walk. A
porter comes with a wheelchair to take her to the emergency room. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I park and make my way inside to find her slumped alone on a
chair, waiting in the crowded room to be triaged. After pushing my way
to the triage station and insisting they see her immediately, they triage her
‘red’ (high priority) and she is finally taken to be seen by a doctor in the
emergency ward. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We wait for hours while they take a blood test and eventually
give her medication. They say if she can hold the pills down without vomiting,
they will discharge her – they don’t have enough space to keep her there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m asked me to leave the area – visitors aren’t allowed. In
response, I search my bag, find an orange and smile at the security guard while
passing it to him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just before they discharge her, I give her juice and tell
her to chug it – I’m hoping she will vomit because I’m terrified that they will
kick her out of the hospital. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just before discharging her, the doctor looks down again her
file. His expression changes - her kidneys aren’t functioning properly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m on her phone frantically trying to communicate with her
family in America and at the same time, talk to her South African medical insurance. I call them
on repeat, but it is the weekend and I keep getting passed to different places.
No one can tell me if her plan covers a private hospital. Choking back tears, I
tell the woman on the phone that my friend is very sick and that its pretty
shitty that she can’t tell me if I can get her private care. She tells me there
is nothing she can do and hangs up the phone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next I’m on the phone with my friend’s sister, trying to
figure out if the situation needs, if they would like to transfer her to a
private hospital at their own expense. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the corridor outside the emergency room, I stand stunned.
I have a million questions running through my head but the main one is ‘Should
I try to get her to a private hospital?’ and ‘Can I afford it if it comes to that?’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never in my life have I had to ask myself these questions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never have I had to consider the cost of healthcare when
making a decision. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never have I had to do a cost-benefit analysis with regards
to a human life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rarely have I felt so lucky to be Canadian.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;">
(Note: my friend is alive and
after 3 weeks in the hospital has gone back to the States. We later found out
the severity of the Malaria – she is lucky to be alive. She has lost most
kidney function and is now in need of a transplant.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;">
<o:p>*** </o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Memory: June 2013</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m sitting chatting with a friend in a small restaurant a
few hours outside of Cape Town. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She is more educated than I am and has access to well
paying work as a journalist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She casually mentions that before leaving for Cape Town she
had to decide between getting a polyp removed from her cervix or getting a
mammogram. She is pleased that she chose the cervix operation because her
periods are much less painful now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My fork freezes mid-way towards my face. My eyes well up as
she looks at me questioningly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
YOU HAD TO <b>CHOOSE</b>
WHICH MEDICAL PROCEDURE TO GET?!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had minor surgery on my cervix a few years ago and I’ve
known for years that I will start getting mammograms when I turn 40. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It never crossed my mind that I would have to PAY for
either. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It never occurred to me that I would have to pick and choose
health services based on what was in the piggy bank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hell, my piggy-bank and health services don’t even fit in
the same category in my mind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite hearing about health care debates in the States and
hear-say on Americans making the trek North in hopes of accessing Canadian
health services, the reality of the country less than 100km away from my home
neverfaithdp3 really hit me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not to say our health care system is perfect. Not everything
is covered and access to health services for marginalized peoples isn’t near as
good as what I’ve had the privilege of accessing. I’ve had to wait months to
get an appointment for an annual physical. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The concept of having to choose between cervical surgery and a mammogram completely floors me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;">
<o:p>*** </o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Memory: November 2011</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m sitting reading the newspaper in Malawi. The fuel crisis
continues to rage and neither diesel or petrol are available at the pump.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black market prices are skyrocketing (around $3 USD
equivalent per litre if my memory serves me correctly). It is next to
impossible to get a taxi cab, and if you can, it is close to prohibitively
expensive. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m used to hearing about the crisis and seeing huge lines at
the pumps on the odd day when a shipment comes in. I’m used to hearing about
cars damaged from black market fuel which has been mixed with cooking oil or
water. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m also used to the frequent (oftentimes daily) power
outages. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite having become used to the fuel and energy shortages,
this newspaper article put things in a completely different perspective. It was
a story about 3 lives lost in the city in which I was living. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One woman died at home because the ambulance didn’t have the
fuel necessary to pick her up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other woman was at the hospital giving birth and
developed a complication. She was in emergency surgery when the power went out. Since
there wasn’t any fuel, the backup generator didn’t go on and both her and the baby died.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The relationship between infrastructure, economics and
access to hospital services had never crossed my mind. To have a power outage
in a hospital was obscure enough – loosing two lives on one operating table
because there isn’t fuel for the back up generator? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;">
<o:p>*** </o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coming from a country with one of the best health care
systems in the world, these past 2 years have been a huge eye-opener for me. Access
to health services is immensely important, and very few people are as lucky as
I in this regards. Despite firmly believing that health care is a right, the daily realty for many people across the world is much different for many economic, social, ideological and political reasons. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-18875335410892197442013-07-26T15:12:00.002+02:002013-07-26T15:13:19.041+02:00Gratitude in Cape Town<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznWKH6GdFmlkoel8nu0agjZEyWabA5xprQNfice4L8msyA9mJAMgbfa29pM13E4KVselC75no_6PfRGjt5TJqt36xmYeQxfKX51rr2tL27gJmeZF_tlfdIqFyxiVFR1yfsjjy8tmoNv6w/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznWKH6GdFmlkoel8nu0agjZEyWabA5xprQNfice4L8msyA9mJAMgbfa29pM13E4KVselC75no_6PfRGjt5TJqt36xmYeQxfKX51rr2tL27gJmeZF_tlfdIqFyxiVFR1yfsjjy8tmoNv6w/s640/IMG_0192.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">These past weeks I've been waking up full of joy and incredibly happy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few of the things that I've been enjoying about Cape Town lately: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Fruit and veg</i></b>. There are delicious fresh fruit and veg here. Vendors all over the place offer them at incredible prices. Coming from a place where many things are imported
because the earth is frozen for a good part of the year, it is great to have
year round access. My favourite? The avocados.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8CngXoGeb4KJQNW0soyFM61RRyHVqnv3Kflg9xyFSDn6q4k_NQWlZStJeYRDK_gt69cIw0_ueBxrstzZBggKj36kbXA_D11u86JvGcrpAtmVV3ksmQeLJDJj-qSU6kI3yHjOeuCZ0c-F/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8CngXoGeb4KJQNW0soyFM61RRyHVqnv3Kflg9xyFSDn6q4k_NQWlZStJeYRDK_gt69cIw0_ueBxrstzZBggKj36kbXA_D11u86JvGcrpAtmVV3ksmQeLJDJj-qSU6kI3yHjOeuCZ0c-F/s640/IMG_0281.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fav fruit & veg vendor, Durban Rd, Mowbray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQIOKtsetjXtyojpW_oor4-2jGVpMmqfiOXn6rW2pIWTTk1AbzSjf6XDnEj6fE6iVdeqL4SdelP4HcOmp0u-rz094z2WrYRCSKkA-lZByRUCEItBZ080lz7NSimiWOaHLSLnYbwVehuI1/s1600/IMG-20130610-00487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Cycling</i></b>. I thought it would be scary to cycle here, but Cape
Town actually has an emerging cycle scene. There are bike
lanes downtown, new awareness campaigns for drivers on how to share the road
with cyclists and fun cycling events. I gifted myself with an old one-speed for my birthday and derive a lot of joy from exploring the city by bike.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQIOKtsetjXtyojpW_oor4-2jGVpMmqfiOXn6rW2pIWTTk1AbzSjf6XDnEj6fE6iVdeqL4SdelP4HcOmp0u-rz094z2WrYRCSKkA-lZByRUCEItBZ080lz7NSimiWOaHLSLnYbwVehuI1/s1600/IMG-20130610-00487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQIOKtsetjXtyojpW_oor4-2jGVpMmqfiOXn6rW2pIWTTk1AbzSjf6XDnEj6fE6iVdeqL4SdelP4HcOmp0u-rz094z2WrYRCSKkA-lZByRUCEItBZ080lz7NSimiWOaHLSLnYbwVehuI1/s320/IMG-20130610-00487.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 'new' bicyclette</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>My neighbours</b></i>. I’ve become quite close with the young
Congolese family 2-doors down (Ceclia, Mike, Gradi & Gloria). It all started when Cecilia passed by one
day as I was opening my front door. It was Easter and I was feeling pretty down. She gave
me a warm hug and I invited her and her two young daughters in for tea and
snacks. Since then, we visit each other frequently. They have been incredibly
kind to me. On top of helping me practice French, they gave me a car radio
after mine was stolen. One morning, soon after they knocked at my door late one
night with a request to drive their sick 1-year old daughter to the hospital, Cecilia came outside still in her nightgown. She enthusiastically told me that she
had been dreaming all night of braiding my hair (she is a hairdresser). She then
invited me inside and gave me some pretty mean cornrows <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a nice exchange –I babysit
occasionally and I’ve given driving lessons to Mike. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrz_4vrqy4rdIm-viM3HypMpcJdjJioY1WT7IQqTckxkUvBR_GOIPqq9qRharMVTbJow6ITBiXZa6fz43oSPbJaMBQe4Q7KD2HakrMsLcOWZU2lp01SdNicrlaMME6pyT2xCpp-b3y1DI/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrz_4vrqy4rdIm-viM3HypMpcJdjJioY1WT7IQqTckxkUvBR_GOIPqq9qRharMVTbJow6ITBiXZa6fz43oSPbJaMBQe4Q7KD2HakrMsLcOWZU2lp01SdNicrlaMME6pyT2xCpp-b3y1DI/s640/DSC_0125.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">4 year old Gradi (Short for Grace a Dieu - Grace of God)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0LnkENipc96s_eQOB1QTOg4FwmcYHqJXj4XfnPzV3bMIAVBLGvZ-hOHxxzrfiZ4uV9OT3hTcuIQMpu_BgBiKDLAa3gEB25aJ0CquduTvfOUMdESUwtMVeW6mVBxQdnInCIE0-etVAUvM/s1600/DSC_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0LnkENipc96s_eQOB1QTOg4FwmcYHqJXj4XfnPzV3bMIAVBLGvZ-hOHxxzrfiZ4uV9OT3hTcuIQMpu_BgBiKDLAa3gEB25aJ0CquduTvfOUMdESUwtMVeW6mVBxQdnInCIE0-etVAUvM/s640/DSC_0193.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cecilia in her home</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhnwqqXgADKWwVvTsfIuK8jLqmTlacNMeA7cszYjuacQbHxk40CFF9JfIToD9vUoS-uDMKPOYEnszzeAkFIEUeQ06Ti1O_G7Ery5y0SRfEQI35DoCUzw4uPYycavE7QgrHdFci5LlHOr-/s1600/IMG_0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhnwqqXgADKWwVvTsfIuK8jLqmTlacNMeA7cszYjuacQbHxk40CFF9JfIToD9vUoS-uDMKPOYEnszzeAkFIEUeQ06Ti1O_G7Ery5y0SRfEQI35DoCUzw4uPYycavE7QgrHdFci5LlHOr-/s400/IMG_0272.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 year old Gloria and I</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I also recently connected with some Malawians that work in
the area. There are twin mechanics that work at the garage on the
corner, Mtembe and Mtembele (translating as Peace and Peaceful). Mtembe is my
link to Malawi – he told me where I can get Malawi gin, flour and chitenje,
and keeps me posted when Malawian artists come to perform in Cape Town. I saw him one
day in the corner store and we had a brief chat. When he left the produce guy
turned to me and said ‘Mumalankhula Chichewa?!’ (you speak Chichewa?). Now Aubrey
keeps me posted on when shipments of Avocado are coming in. The sense of
community here is beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoavUtsNhKnr4m-pyz1ddU6klmzLCiF9e1OxZ7Pu12IDzmst-7HN6CW9lBrkstKrRqMQHBS2_uUV4qofFRKWGc-hyG5FG5ofjacvK-N1UxHl6Una1recGHSJMdwsNt_rudSEnPHTvJTp0-/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoavUtsNhKnr4m-pyz1ddU6klmzLCiF9e1OxZ7Pu12IDzmst-7HN6CW9lBrkstKrRqMQHBS2_uUV4qofFRKWGc-hyG5FG5ofjacvK-N1UxHl6Una1recGHSJMdwsNt_rudSEnPHTvJTp0-/s640/IMG_0284.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mtende (left) and Mtendele (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Diversity.</i></b> I love the diversity here. Sometimes I feel like I'm surrounded by the whole world. Being from a pretty
diverse country, It feels simultaneously new and familiar. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04Nf4FaN6c_DoxrfPR6m3QwgQTWOzMwiNo3AdpfQCTmPb_YpvhoUWsXGn9KEzKMIpn3vKYrQlfvv5a4uthVYpoHYRsZAfQ7oQvfSlzNkrk76idJbjdFIa1C8AfSeUk5CBahdhNjVRSgXU/s1600/DSC_0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04Nf4FaN6c_DoxrfPR6m3QwgQTWOzMwiNo3AdpfQCTmPb_YpvhoUWsXGn9KEzKMIpn3vKYrQlfvv5a4uthVYpoHYRsZAfQ7oQvfSlzNkrk76idJbjdFIa1C8AfSeUk5CBahdhNjVRSgXU/s640/DSC_0299.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Open Streets, Observatory</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwlPjSPWAJAPK8JpKnf7ub9oEHBYL75dOF7t851R-ngOxz5O6VkO3V8wOPFnLhdkJZRsmMDuIX2eNNY5tjSrS3EZp36Yca2rvcGbYBsKbf97HgHFCFGzPyMesrheGvXG4hnDTqtVZqm9S/s1600/DSC_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwlPjSPWAJAPK8JpKnf7ub9oEHBYL75dOF7t851R-ngOxz5O6VkO3V8wOPFnLhdkJZRsmMDuIX2eNNY5tjSrS3EZp36Yca2rvcGbYBsKbf97HgHFCFGzPyMesrheGvXG4hnDTqtVZqm9S/s640/DSC_0214.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Campus, UCT</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Alternative communities</b></i>. Cape Town seems to have lots of random, wonderful communities and events. I met a man at a poetry reading who invited me to a Dance Class called 'Bliss Dance'. Every week, the class provides a space to explore conscious movement. The facilitator and DJ work in combination to put together weekly themes in which we are encouraged to move creatively. I find it incredibly fun and healing. Another practice I've got involved with is the Art of Living. After wanting to do a course for many years, I did one in Cape Town last month. It was a great experience - among other things, they teach yoga, breathing and meditation techniques to live a more joyful existence. I make a point of going to the centre once a week. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>The views</i></b>. It is such an irrationally, incredibly PRETTY
area nestled in between mountains and oceans. I oftentimes find myself laughing
alone in my car while driving, just because I don’t know how else to respond to
the stunning beauty of this place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IZKIgKI9TiWG5KQOh_pnu5dOg9Bb14luTko85xr5VZ66T0Z5DUyWDkxRKECPMXlq5gnqhFD9UOmZpdOMOruIYSvuBfJCPeDHLpbk8EC8jNn0lc38O75NzQy9tShMW7mdEa5IuzIm4in-/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IZKIgKI9TiWG5KQOh_pnu5dOg9Bb14luTko85xr5VZ66T0Z5DUyWDkxRKECPMXlq5gnqhFD9UOmZpdOMOruIYSvuBfJCPeDHLpbk8EC8jNn0lc38O75NzQy9tShMW7mdEa5IuzIm4in-/s640/DSC_0181.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Driving home </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Sensory overload</i></b>! From amazing jazz, to deep rhythmic house
music, street art, obscure galleries, shards of poetry sprawled on walls,
brightly coloured homes, amazing gardens, projects to fuse genres of art, a mix
of African and Western fashions, food from every corner of the globe… you get
the picture.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzErym5jMMQ7IkrHAsvzu1AUXMLpplCFlSlYEAbR1GQ5FOnjJEsRymtqoGDNyNpJiEMqE8gwzoh-YHyNkOPoGpTdDQ646tsnTohxEZTkfnrOtXHXZ3yeXGDR7Z6CkBS58iq4Ma5Rn5JZud/s1600/IMG_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzErym5jMMQ7IkrHAsvzu1AUXMLpplCFlSlYEAbR1GQ5FOnjJEsRymtqoGDNyNpJiEMqE8gwzoh-YHyNkOPoGpTdDQ646tsnTohxEZTkfnrOtXHXZ3yeXGDR7Z6CkBS58iq4Ma5Rn5JZud/s400/IMG_0271.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You are always with me (check out the wall in the background!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkf_R1TjnnBwVNIXFy88dbpdXIR-rELkslvWwbBiO13xql2T8Q_-LQyqDgG0yJvHT6xz6Y1vkJQg3s63ZliKOo_xxj_VoQv3N8LLQyPBb6WGpd_NHtpt_2AQ_jlsONMij8NDE1EETPKaw/s1600/DSC_0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkf_R1TjnnBwVNIXFy88dbpdXIR-rELkslvWwbBiO13xql2T8Q_-LQyqDgG0yJvHT6xz6Y1vkJQg3s63ZliKOo_xxj_VoQv3N8LLQyPBb6WGpd_NHtpt_2AQ_jlsONMij8NDE1EETPKaw/s640/DSC_0454.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Words on walls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cape Town and its inhabitants are teaching me about a new way of living. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Oftentimes the focus from outside is on the bad bits. Despite the many insurmountable problems, this city is also chock-full of amazing stuff. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am deeply grateful to be living in this city with its myriad of beautiful offerings. </span><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFIznq5TdgEtA-qGJGkpJ__UY-lY4a9jImVa9dFPEeJzgQmahhoT6y1z9VD4ifKwQkw-kBiVG7eRo1QqPt0cm-R9yDhsXewWZWnmjLsx_EoWMtMQAed3ZtV_9d-mOCCLB75vWy18wbwy6/s640/DSC_0446.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Revision is Me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-60782608601542913822013-07-22T03:00:00.000+02:002013-07-22T03:00:03.852+02:00Winter Solstice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCluBB88xT16GsonFeuy_dMpSaGyTv3sJPUnDjaRabWCShP1HaanQzyx0emPT08NFs6qj5cuQVOyqlTqvGt3m8oBmvkveDZL2jHTYq-aWAuJhNAKBNLA8277hinOdhK2dJlbtvHvKMXPcw/s1600/DSC_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCluBB88xT16GsonFeuy_dMpSaGyTv3sJPUnDjaRabWCShP1HaanQzyx0emPT08NFs6qj5cuQVOyqlTqvGt3m8oBmvkveDZL2jHTYq-aWAuJhNAKBNLA8277hinOdhK2dJlbtvHvKMXPcw/s640/DSC_0719.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A few weeks ago it was the Winter Solstice of the Southern
Hemisphere. The shortest day of the
year, it is when the sun is at its lowest and weakest. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It is also considered to be the turning point of the year,
after which the light will grow stronger and brighter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Many traditions around the world celebrate solstices. The
winter solstice (in December in the Northern Hemisphere) was dubbed ‘the
Birthday of the Unconquered Sun’ by the Romans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pagan Scandinavia’s festival of Yule involved drinking mead
as minstrel-poets sang ancient legends around bonfires. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The last few years, I have developed my own tradition of marking
the solstice (despite that earning me membership in what my friend Deb calls
the ‘Woo woo club’). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">June 21<sup>st</sup> this year was no exception. In addition
to being the solstice, it also happened to be one of those Cape Town winter days that rests in your bones - complete with heavy winds and rain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Despite knowing that we wouldn’t SEE the sunset, three of us
decided to brave it and go outdoors anyways. We found a west facing piece of
beach on the Atlantic ocean for our reflections. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wCX9DOs7QFTQzmw08SkRT4ev_gCxWx9436Dz-G6iUc2RAEDpVChFUNesZI8ILYZ_ZZk_7rExPexanzOlFeFbuZXGfNtmimdBJj2NpB0fdVX9CJoaLhRxGEIGCZCd35sPQ250OK5GHWrZ/s1600/DSC_0686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wCX9DOs7QFTQzmw08SkRT4ev_gCxWx9436Dz-G6iUc2RAEDpVChFUNesZI8ILYZ_ZZk_7rExPexanzOlFeFbuZXGfNtmimdBJj2NpB0fdVX9CJoaLhRxGEIGCZCd35sPQ250OK5GHWrZ/s640/DSC_0686.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Incense on car dashboard :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sitting in the car, we lit some incense and wrote intentions
for the upcoming year. My friend Allison, determined to find something close to
mead (honey wine used traditionally in ancient solstice celebrations) produced
some sweet wine to drink at sunset. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwgXIhh-sXf9QJ0pthDpbYXGje0p8uPqk-NL98a0WQuPkoCigcbhLF4AwFFN6_cisHO5lHf3T070sQhnJumlzj-HclLFVeLSf5TZUZJ9u2gCDkbb8_SS9jHrLBxrWZDzBG0-G6Rw5qVGS/s1600/DSC_0710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwgXIhh-sXf9QJ0pthDpbYXGje0p8uPqk-NL98a0WQuPkoCigcbhLF4AwFFN6_cisHO5lHf3T070sQhnJumlzj-HclLFVeLSf5TZUZJ9u2gCDkbb8_SS9jHrLBxrWZDzBG0-G6Rw5qVGS/s640/DSC_0710.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Allison (the mead provider:-P) and myself</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately, the rain subsided to a drizzle and I took a few
minutes in silence after writing my intentions, wrapping them around a rock and
throwing them into the ocean. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">To many, Winter solstice represents a triumph of light
over darkness. After that day, every day will get a bit longer, a bit more
sun-filled. I look forward to the lengthening days and new light in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Despite being a wonderful time full of learning and growth,
these past six months have also contained a lot of loss and grieving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Coming here, I grieved leaving my family for a second year
living in Africa. Soon after arriving, my Uncle Greg passed away unexpectedly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">South Africa has also given me some space to come to grips
with my experience in Malawi, one of the most eye opening times of my life.
Malawi taught me a lot and as grateful as I am for it, it wasn’t always easy. I have taken some time to grieve the injustice of the crushing poverty. I left Malawi </span><span style="font-size: large;">feeling like the rug had been pulled out from under me -I was
flying through the air not knowing where I’d land. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I lost my naive innocent belief in own ability to change things and began to grasp the enormity of the complexities and challenges of development.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The way I saw and understood
the world had changed completely. It felt like the very foundation on which I had
spent the past twenty something years had crumbled and I was having trouble
situating myself in a new knowledge. These past months in South Africa have been my start to emotionally integrating this learning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve also been grieving from a tough break-up which resulted
in my ex getting on a one-way flight to Norway. After moving to South
Africa together, the man who had been my support system, friend and lover in
some of the most exciting, challenging and heart-wrenching experiences of my
life and I parted ways on very sad and unpleasant terms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Being the longest night of the year, it
felt like a pretty fitting summation to the grief and loss of the past 6
months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sorry for all the drudgery and whining, but to sum it all up, the world
that I previously been so in love with has revealed a different, harsher part
of herself to me. I was ready to start seeing more positivity and light again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">As
we entered into the longest night of the year, I released some of the pain that
I’d being carrying around from all that loss and grief. As the sky darkened, I
knew that the next day would be longer and prayed that I be open to receive the
light that each lengthening day brings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgjYsC2ko-412exQ_Jd4xVjGmXxCJrIM58CdVrRRxVyvYmebY-5rn5TH5wc3XbXhpgqmA2uz2FfxpAchw-F6XV8GbBNGqUZ0tzIaWGEzWbZmBmARoLqxL-osxnPi4RgIgVU_vqozUQg91/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgjYsC2ko-412exQ_Jd4xVjGmXxCJrIM58CdVrRRxVyvYmebY-5rn5TH5wc3XbXhpgqmA2uz2FfxpAchw-F6XV8GbBNGqUZ0tzIaWGEzWbZmBmARoLqxL-osxnPi4RgIgVU_vqozUQg91/s640/DSC_0687.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com1Cape Town, South Africa-33.9248685 18.424055299999964-33.9248685 18.424055299999964 -33.9248685 18.424055299999964tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-75209059056240481292013-07-19T14:00:00.000+02:002013-07-19T14:00:10.034+02:00Vacation – Part 2: Durban<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlRPsXDgscbQgUMsnLZUNCU5GZ7Tjm7RtH4SindqHggOoYqLFASlAUgfkMZRXRj9ISpZtcL7PZLVnRro0MLPTIRva-iun3B_0nCp7DvafyzvhZpHhyphenhyphenZVCJ5sN5lhrxPmABojLkicohLPA/s1600/DSC_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlRPsXDgscbQgUMsnLZUNCU5GZ7Tjm7RtH4SindqHggOoYqLFASlAUgfkMZRXRj9ISpZtcL7PZLVnRro0MLPTIRva-iun3B_0nCp7DvafyzvhZpHhyphenhyphenZVCJ5sN5lhrxPmABojLkicohLPA/s640/DSC_0224.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">After hanging out in <a href="http://expresslylesley.blogspot.com/2013/07/trip-to-eastern-cape-province.html" target="_blank">East London</a>, I decide to continue on
alone to Durban. This coastal city is situated in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, home of the Zulu nation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwQ5uOcg9zCjskGgP8cnNbjZfTZJ3qQUBcnnQv2s-IUzyt66BuK1Sw3hGYGMYjLGxpIyGTrKMmvX0MZF2nxSslbygNKInfsIV4mAjtBMB_0EPnbh-Cz6BjA8L6rw4Qah_AeU6IOMZ1N3s/s1600/durban+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwQ5uOcg9zCjskGgP8cnNbjZfTZJ3qQUBcnnQv2s-IUzyt66BuK1Sw3hGYGMYjLGxpIyGTrKMmvX0MZF2nxSslbygNKInfsIV4mAjtBMB_0EPnbh-Cz6BjA8L6rw4Qah_AeU6IOMZ1N3s/s640/durban+map.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Durban - Look to the East Coast!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">On the 8-hour bus ride, a few really cool things happened:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">1) Staring out the window, I felt something
familiar. I oftentimes miss Malawi, the landscape and the earthy, basic beauty
of the place.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">In big, cosmopolitan Cape Town, I often
long for this feeling. Seeing the rural landscapes pass by, I feel like I am back
in Malawi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">My Aunt Sandra once told me that as a
child, she believed that it wasn’t the car that moved people places. Instead, she
thought you would get in the car, close the doors, and then the world would somehow
move around you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">I felt the same way on this bus trip (as
ego-centric as that may sound!). I plunked myself down on a seat near a window and
the world morphed around me, offering landscapes that I
could never imagine. How could I, with such little effort, have such a nice experience sitting looking out the window? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">2) The bus stops for a while due to construction. I
look down at my phone and use the Facebook ‘check-in’ function to figure out
where I am. Turns out we were stopped no place other than Qunu, the place where </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Nelson Mandela grew up!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">3) Somewhere past Butterworth (yes, towns here are
named after the colonizer too</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">, despite
seeming very away from their namesakes!) a woman gets on the bus and sits next
to me.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-size: large;">The first thing that strikes me about Jazz
is that she looks like a character from the book I was reading, Chimamanda
Ngozi Adichie’s <i>Half of a Yellow Sun</i>.
The beautiful character Olanna is described in this way:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Bell MT';">‘<b>Her oval face was smooth like an
egg, the lush colour of rain- drenched earth, and her eyes were large and
slanted and she looked like she was not supposed to be walking and talking like
everyone else; she should be in a glass case like the one in Master’s study,
where people could admire her curvy, fleshy body, where she would be preserved
untainted</b>.’</span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I feel shabby next to her in my makeshift head wrap,
crumpled travelling clothes and pimple inflicted face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">She smiles and talks to me anyways. Turns out that Jazz is going
home to Durban after visiting her family in the Eastern Cape. Her Dad is a town
counselor and her Mom a teacher (sounds a little familiar right?!). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">She asks where I’m staying and when I tell her the name of
the cheap backpackers where I booked a dorm bed she looks very concerned. <i>You’re going to be eating cockroaches all
night there! How would you feel if I invited you to stay with me instead?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Technically, I know it isn’t the smartest thing to stay with
an utter stranger in a city you’ve never been to. Especially when you are a
solo female traveller in a very unequal country where ‘crime’ seems on the tip
of everyone’s tongues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">At the risk of sounding trite, I disregarded that
technicality and followed my intuition. And I’m glad I did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jazz is finishing her studies in Durban. She lives with her
brother and sister who were gone for summer vacation. I had a room to myself, complete
with a double bed. I woke up in the morning to a stunning view of Durban. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLYx3L0-vWnXl7g5ixPMKFZyinrcghMtVZu5ox6IAMpjfiln0srsfTytG0SgU8wRogAgU49-WM5pFYP0Tt2-3pN3AbJC-k3q608KOKUOCGbB989M6SQ2HqP7ZkUbxaNXRkNQlmTZgYq22/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLYx3L0-vWnXl7g5ixPMKFZyinrcghMtVZu5ox6IAMpjfiln0srsfTytG0SgU8wRogAgU49-WM5pFYP0Tt2-3pN3AbJC-k3q608KOKUOCGbB989M6SQ2HqP7ZkUbxaNXRkNQlmTZgYq22/s640/DSC_0202.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from 'my' room - Durban</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTrJJy2TvDvFj6GfMoVBTs3vSgdcgfbPuEu6i0pUV63_T16VPCtwgSPXO86Mp4NUxRTWBjNXRIoz8QgZWfqhJ5XUGiXMNv_oV0gYQLcjcY3iM5wr6XaLKizAi9xx8WDm9qgxS2IV5Cahz/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTrJJy2TvDvFj6GfMoVBTs3vSgdcgfbPuEu6i0pUV63_T16VPCtwgSPXO86Mp4NUxRTWBjNXRIoz8QgZWfqhJ5XUGiXMNv_oV0gYQLcjcY3iM5wr6XaLKizAi9xx8WDm9qgxS2IV5Cahz/s640/DSC_0237.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jazz and I - at the Ocean<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The next few days, Jazz shows me around the city and I spend
time hanging out with her and her boyfriend Lunga. They adore each other and I
adore being around wonderful people who are positively in love. Having recently
come out of a tough break-up, they remind me that love exists, and I feel
hopeful and happy in their company. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOGskRquCnNyNv3VKD9_WR0na3dUvcptxY8HBGUPuj2j7tTdAkUNR3Xxht2fKtxb1mP4rfP0ALXsNgtjXe9loF3sG_LqNwOZUo1C5Z2XpNlFL0pndW9y_f4dDh3SRjgetYYdqktIEZm2c/s1600/DSC_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOGskRquCnNyNv3VKD9_WR0na3dUvcptxY8HBGUPuj2j7tTdAkUNR3Xxht2fKtxb1mP4rfP0ALXsNgtjXe9loF3sG_LqNwOZUo1C5Z2XpNlFL0pndW9y_f4dDh3SRjgetYYdqktIEZm2c/s640/DSC_0266.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Jazz and Lunga<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The first morning she prepares breakfast for us and shows me
how she makes eggs. The next day I make French toast for them, and the day after
I teach them how to make it on request. Despite having to substitute corn syrup
for maple syrup, they still liked it and wanted to learn! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the things I love the most about travelling is this
type of exchange. As trivial as it may sound, I love sharing breakfast making
techniques and other little shards of lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m always floored by how willingly people share and open up
to a foreign, scrungy traveller like myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I arrive back in Cape Town and am greeted at the airport by
my dear friend Marina from the States. I am warmed, humbled and astounded by
the love that I have been surrounded by here. This trip was exactly what I
needed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyki2HYlGkWfMTr1t2lR2MYa0x9vTbXFRw93rt1mYDJj91IAXfWS24Lv47NwvRQU09pJxbEW_G1Rp7Zg2q2Wv8xn-JW9XOVBCEGG5EgFuM0UgCW4Q1-dxcobCfwI1TtQ1yEmF2B5GoxEl/s1600/DSC_0300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyki2HYlGkWfMTr1t2lR2MYa0x9vTbXFRw93rt1mYDJj91IAXfWS24Lv47NwvRQU09pJxbEW_G1Rp7Zg2q2Wv8xn-JW9XOVBCEGG5EgFuM0UgCW4Q1-dxcobCfwI1TtQ1yEmF2B5GoxEl/s640/DSC_0300.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way back to Cape Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div>
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***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com1Durban, South Africa-29.857876 31.027581000000055-30.078232500000002 30.704857500000056 -29.6375195 31.350304500000053tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-24657882060297542862013-07-16T14:23:00.001+02:002013-07-16T14:23:20.294+02:00Trip to Eastern Cape Province<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7PCTlNjU4E51zp-OTD4-D2VcYCHpa1dDtDbKWZ9pfl0JNIohFvfzei3jj52vVAapGZxCLuaxBNNE-utSaA3Hx3s0yx9Q2jhcnpgSnBSReCJEYGKKEogB0yrJJEXNul7JK1DAZ0BZhXLT/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7PCTlNjU4E51zp-OTD4-D2VcYCHpa1dDtDbKWZ9pfl0JNIohFvfzei3jj52vVAapGZxCLuaxBNNE-utSaA3Hx3s0yx9Q2jhcnpgSnBSReCJEYGKKEogB0yrJJEXNul7JK1DAZ0BZhXLT/s640/DSC_0107.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A few years ago, I interviewed health care workers in
townships surrounding Cape Town as part of a volunteer project. These health
care workers, called <i><a href="http://khethimpilo.org/programmes/programme_community_services_cluster" target="_blank">Patient Advocates</a></i> were truly inspiring individuals who
work tirelessly to support people living with HIV in taking their medication
and living healthy lifestyles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICclhl04qv_ecU0CI06dzXTVo_Wtmldi6haXCAOo3TIVXAG1zok0Yt96QJoBRZgNcREVvCJkx3d1OuwtbuC3YzrDXAbglS3imux7-0jrHztkmL01nT8tNseRFJfawMsOXI1b3NUHC83yw/s1600/eastern+cape.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICclhl04qv_ecU0CI06dzXTVo_Wtmldi6haXCAOo3TIVXAG1zok0Yt96QJoBRZgNcREVvCJkx3d1OuwtbuC3YzrDXAbglS3imux7-0jrHztkmL01nT8tNseRFJfawMsOXI1b3NUHC83yw/s320/eastern+cape.png" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eastern Cape</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Most of them, like many other South Africans in this
area, hail originally from Eastern Cape Province.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A mostly rural area, Eastern Cape is said to be the home of the Xhosa people. It also
happens to boast some of South Africa’s most famous, including the first and
second presidents of democratic South Africa, Nelson Mandela and Thabo
Mbeki as well as founder of the Black Consciousness Movement Steve Biko (just
to name a few!). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Needless to say, I've been wanting to visit the Eastern Cape for some time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was lucky to receive an invite from a friend to join him on a trip home to East London (one of Eastern Cape's major cities) for a visit. There ended up being four of us travelling together, two friends
from East London, a German expat and myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The 18-hour bus ride in itself was very eye opening. We
move into more rural areas and pass through smaller towns. Siseko points out young Xhosa initiates wearing blankets with faces painted white, walking along the side of the road.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It felt new and
familiar at once – in some places the level of development made me think of a
less populated Malawi. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of my favourite things in the world is travelling overland to new places - I am always giddy with excitement and childlike as I press my face up the window to take in the new surroundings.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmzXufgBuBax8YlSYo-DYGBzskBaW1SBa207xy1iMggRv3k6vTyjH11M1c79uQXsfCslrjNiz_Pf_8-r2FaBSQzKTHCWj_yAznEuTXZ9EL5IGqvbn9YDxlCNRLpZMyvYAZb8BDaENIh6m/s1600/DSC_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmzXufgBuBax8YlSYo-DYGBzskBaW1SBa207xy1iMggRv3k6vTyjH11M1c79uQXsfCslrjNiz_Pf_8-r2FaBSQzKTHCWj_yAznEuTXZ9EL5IGqvbn9YDxlCNRLpZMyvYAZb8BDaENIh6m/s640/DSC_0199.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">View from the bus window - Eastern Cape Province</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">East London is situated on the Indian ocean. The waterfront is beautiful and the weather more temperate (a treat after Cape Town winter). Rather than playing tourist as I usually do upon arriving in a city, I went along with whatever my local friends were doing - which was a lot of hanging out (and a lot of fun!).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm2xPyTMPcqp4Q6sFQOeKsY7I2svpvSTjQTPoKcCWXaulBfrDPyGpjq9VsFraq3WZwUjyj3KDo6SCzPk9eESnUNy2SK6cncbecFfb5ShFjQEKLwq8055DxvKdDQ6iitBmQ4hXUayCT2B9/s1600/DSC_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm2xPyTMPcqp4Q6sFQOeKsY7I2svpvSTjQTPoKcCWXaulBfrDPyGpjq9VsFraq3WZwUjyj3KDo6SCzPk9eESnUNy2SK6cncbecFfb5ShFjQEKLwq8055DxvKdDQ6iitBmQ4hXUayCT2B9/s640/DSC_1015.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">East London</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzen0jqY7heiwWPY13Vueu1U6oQF3qaGx02d3TIoAegWA9LGzZict8KWDbtgp24Wf7phPNdHdymkNi9f38e_a6dU8a7D5kmv2iGxmiqdgeMirhCZXxZWTKfpdgL33QP5Z8UCW1QU7pEIs/s1600/DSC_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzen0jqY7heiwWPY13Vueu1U6oQF3qaGx02d3TIoAegWA9LGzZict8KWDbtgp24Wf7phPNdHdymkNi9f38e_a6dU8a7D5kmv2iGxmiqdgeMirhCZXxZWTKfpdgL33QP5Z8UCW1QU7pEIs/s640/DSC_1016.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Street vendors posing for a picture - East London</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">One highlight was going to a Chisa Nyama, which is a barbeque restaurant. You buy raw meat from the attached
shop and give it to the cook to have it braaied (barbequed). There are picnic
tables to sit at, big bottles of beer to wash the meat down and loud, fantastic
music. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnZ3XPg4G5fUby01KG546unE9tpwdBoDigUNkyJ7r8HJWVA95j0spJAaL3LzWJzZdHDJA-1cr0-nrR5n45S2_uTaLqmNJA5VplqLk2PtYZZ9zD8XfPO7OUlSb3XjobB_RJzCdVKQjqFVP/s1600/DSC_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnZ3XPg4G5fUby01KG546unE9tpwdBoDigUNkyJ7r8HJWVA95j0spJAaL3LzWJzZdHDJA-1cr0-nrR5n45S2_uTaLqmNJA5VplqLk2PtYZZ9zD8XfPO7OUlSb3XjobB_RJzCdVKQjqFVP/s640/DSC_1090.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cook at Chiya Nyama, East London</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy-FkwEdDNKoiAE6YNa7NvYWFlpjhPC-C6-AEH7neJyxIX9LTZ8V1fLA2ZaLUkHJBafvPgvyfRI8j6uvDyOJFj7iMploXlaxN5R0mX_U1Fb4X6Z91uqyxfGctSZVeq39YrRGuPiLFB2_-/s1600/DSC_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy-FkwEdDNKoiAE6YNa7NvYWFlpjhPC-C6-AEH7neJyxIX9LTZ8V1fLA2ZaLUkHJBafvPgvyfRI8j6uvDyOJFj7iMploXlaxN5R0mX_U1Fb4X6Z91uqyxfGctSZVeq39YrRGuPiLFB2_-/s640/DSC_1089.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Braai @ Chiya Nyama</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I also stayed in a township for the first time which was both an eye-opening and heartwarming experience. People were extremely friendly and welcoming. A walk through the location quickly turned into hours hanging out on the street and chatting. The day was a beautiful blur of people blasting music from their cars, greetings, conversations and laughter.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqxK4Ndmb4nMghuW79m1iGXuyc5pTkPdmO4gvilWveeQWWErr334NdHmXO1nvOB3ZY2yK1UairdMMQh3-qaH0qahgYdueCL4WNwMOSr4rDttqBuzAjtUbJzXnr5FCjZHMJPZo91VbXrJO/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqxK4Ndmb4nMghuW79m1iGXuyc5pTkPdmO4gvilWveeQWWErr334NdHmXO1nvOB3ZY2yK1UairdMMQh3-qaH0qahgYdueCL4WNwMOSr4rDttqBuzAjtUbJzXnr5FCjZHMJPZo91VbXrJO/s640/DSC_0084.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The last evening, we visited another home and were met with (yet again) wonderful hospitality. We stayed up late into the night dancing in the living room to South African music (a mixture of old freedom struggle songs and newer stuff). What a beautiful glimpse into a different side of South African culture and life. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnptEcpwO-KdoBAwE4jKSdNbED34kCudFcv2Fwl7oLn42Bzmqid4tc6LE9cbQunDOjEvNR7Kn0zKR91GEruzpO2CdOES48SxxVmhXYHyVIwwflHknbGGSpTzUNKsBhQuV3Ylikg32i_9hE/s1600/DSC_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnptEcpwO-KdoBAwE4jKSdNbED34kCudFcv2Fwl7oLn42Bzmqid4tc6LE9cbQunDOjEvNR7Kn0zKR91GEruzpO2CdOES48SxxVmhXYHyVIwwflHknbGGSpTzUNKsBhQuV3Ylikg32i_9hE/s640/DSC_0183.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Ewonke busting a move<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Below are some pictures of our time in East London, most taken by Siseko in the community where he grew up. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB58JODzDJffD6vJt09yvUnI63kZmSIWIrETIdU71o18aG-2fqe7FrY5zetS-fz79cKN4oIUpCYfDTKkcBA_1zFRCTNraq9iV7fAfPQZEdSFV4tu33-IT3xI6mwHFbUOtxvlXxIWgY0YI_/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB58JODzDJffD6vJt09yvUnI63kZmSIWIrETIdU71o18aG-2fqe7FrY5zetS-fz79cKN4oIUpCYfDTKkcBA_1zFRCTNraq9iV7fAfPQZEdSFV4tu33-IT3xI6mwHFbUOtxvlXxIWgY0YI_/s640/DSC_0029.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owner of Lungi's Tavern - She invited me in to chat and hang out with her grandchildren (below)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65rvT3ClKArN7WskADk6EO7xZLnGSZsj4dNV3UDYDT1H-0cbOHsqwwDLlhnlBxSdkptwteWAjIuJUbvxQtwDkNzwFV6Qc4_YwoiIes1IyYWBKdykgp4yYJrDcRX1cBzB7aYCktCOFChKI/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65rvT3ClKArN7WskADk6EO7xZLnGSZsj4dNV3UDYDT1H-0cbOHsqwwDLlhnlBxSdkptwteWAjIuJUbvxQtwDkNzwFV6Qc4_YwoiIes1IyYWBKdykgp4yYJrDcRX1cBzB7aYCktCOFChKI/s640/DSC_0030.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXo0ZhCE55d73VVTDkqLrrSzjZ-7x9Y85Zr5NVrE91koiAnVtLfjx72ZmrjksaPyRkzcK6vkwkHs916izgSH3UWFW88LyiUI0RhT-rwinbv8H0WSBwlgThHKIVCmo8LsYSpx3Pbt9J4_R/s1600/DSC_1088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXo0ZhCE55d73VVTDkqLrrSzjZ-7x9Y85Zr5NVrE91koiAnVtLfjx72ZmrjksaPyRkzcK6vkwkHs916izgSH3UWFW88LyiUI0RhT-rwinbv8H0WSBwlgThHKIVCmo8LsYSpx3Pbt9J4_R/s640/DSC_1088.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tumi</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-size: large;">Following a few days in East London, I continued on alone to Durban (next post!).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<!--EndFragment--></div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0East London, South Africa-32.9833333 27.866666699999996-33.4096883 27.221219699999995 -32.5569783 28.512113699999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-72860396148039740282013-07-06T13:45:00.000+02:002013-07-06T13:45:21.986+02:00My Rotary Host Family - The Matzdorffs <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19jsJVqTRdsk6FtCaahFNW_zNq-uUWvKx_fmnweLdhML6s_RIdPJ8-NFKx_daH8MgVcXvSljm2Bvy4nHlU0VgU42cQnc4QJ2xiNfqNDfvSGIvjHa_UITax02Si0ybsdD-mbBheQTcTnJK/s1600/DSC_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19jsJVqTRdsk6FtCaahFNW_zNq-uUWvKx_fmnweLdhML6s_RIdPJ8-NFKx_daH8MgVcXvSljm2Bvy4nHlU0VgU42cQnc4QJ2xiNfqNDfvSGIvjHa_UITax02Si0ybsdD-mbBheQTcTnJK/s640/DSC_0561.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am incredibly privileged to have been placed with a wonderful host counsellor and host Rotary Club here. Everyone teems with authenticity and the vibe is
always warm, inviting and (oftentimes) quirky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn’t be luckier with my host counsellor. Terence is
incredibly engaged, interesting and interested man. His family has opened up
their home to me. Terence, his wife Connie and daughters, Michelle and Nicole have gone out of their way to make me feel welcomed and comfortable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO6U68xoO3KFPSBlBMcZO9Wgq8u0N36cB8z8AEU9-1QtpfgKQyVD10057Q-5aoB23Gyxnn-ecAZT0a8fWbb72R2fwD4nkSFGlIKuRbstckfcJPiWKcwO7ijJnrovMx4N1IkUBit-B9gdV/s1600/DSC_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO6U68xoO3KFPSBlBMcZO9Wgq8u0N36cB8z8AEU9-1QtpfgKQyVD10057Q-5aoB23Gyxnn-ecAZT0a8fWbb72R2fwD4nkSFGlIKuRbstckfcJPiWKcwO7ijJnrovMx4N1IkUBit-B9gdV/s640/DSC_0570.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Matzdorff's + Chrissy, last year's scholar & me<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcdOFNG7Lzt7e1JbULlix4tkvgJ7kGqFJZAjBVAa23R7ejD8fv9xf1SObta5tLkXgkdgvADJpA5FZDEN-BpQrFMRRA4oIR0DIVtGIYNaN-OYPHUV3cfR7coFUF_AUHhyphenhyphennlmxCTfxvfhxc/s1600/DSC_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcdOFNG7Lzt7e1JbULlix4tkvgJ7kGqFJZAjBVAa23R7ejD8fv9xf1SObta5tLkXgkdgvADJpA5FZDEN-BpQrFMRRA4oIR0DIVtGIYNaN-OYPHUV3cfR7coFUF_AUHhyphenhyphennlmxCTfxvfhxc/s640/DSC_0521.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Terence and Nicole</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMVo2tTvStPhm3-z1BdbEjd3CGV69hy0jlDDg2nesxq8Vq3yTUzKGktzOL6x-5c3okgA6ILclPvSwFAaCDyR6Cu7Kxak3ibpMiDh3avTx92-d_dGews6nEdzJsyzpJxSQ3VIxQnOFHuF_/s1600/DSC_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMVo2tTvStPhm3-z1BdbEjd3CGV69hy0jlDDg2nesxq8Vq3yTUzKGktzOL6x-5c3okgA6ILclPvSwFAaCDyR6Cu7Kxak3ibpMiDh3avTx92-d_dGews6nEdzJsyzpJxSQ3VIxQnOFHuF_/s640/DSC_0506.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connie being a silly rockstar in my pink <br />sunglasses to match her shoes!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;">Michelle - on the way back from lunch<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Through the time I have spent with their family, I have had
the privilege to learn about bits of South African history, culture and
perspectives through their personal journeys. It has been a very humbling,
enriching and eye-opening start to my year in South Africa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">They also happen to have a wonderful library of books and
unbounded supply of silliness. On occasions when I’ve been upset, they have
offered silent compassion and acceptance coupled with warm beverages and
tissues for my tears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I've spent chatting, laughing and
eating with them. I continue to be floored by my luck, the generosity of Rotarians and the way that South Africans have opened their country and homes to me.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzDU3ThprWVx7WPG-HYzP_stW4SQnZ_HUx8QJBCxStehXwX8S7j0xtfiYuxjIYLsoDjmX5dk9YP_UNNG-sl2UX00llTmdQ6LX4dmAmpzQsNstpUjUni9DkoSK9cs8QRsVlhPJ2GV68oZl/s1600/IMG_5214.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzDU3ThprWVx7WPG-HYzP_stW4SQnZ_HUx8QJBCxStehXwX8S7j0xtfiYuxjIYLsoDjmX5dk9YP_UNNG-sl2UX00llTmdQ6LX4dmAmpzQsNstpUjUni9DkoSK9cs8QRsVlhPJ2GV68oZl/s640/IMG_5214.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Me and Toffee<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<!--EndFragment--></div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0Cape Town, South Africa-33.9248685 18.424055299999964-34.7681915 17.133161799999964 -33.081545500000004 19.714948799999963tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-44924480176871181002013-06-17T16:48:00.000+02:002013-06-17T16:48:18.000+02:00A day in Khayelitsha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJLy1khbM5NG-MaoUB-ePW2dAaJJza-7RpAE1VGu0lP6w6q7Vv3fJEBW8z3ZDJynZEA1OBSm2Y8j670R0MZZzlYS-0FjyjXm7dWbf-NmAZdsUENofHXPh94uQ4AmaYNS-JLcFIGCMFb6m/s1600/DSC_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJLy1khbM5NG-MaoUB-ePW2dAaJJza-7RpAE1VGu0lP6w6q7Vv3fJEBW8z3ZDJynZEA1OBSm2Y8j670R0MZZzlYS-0FjyjXm7dWbf-NmAZdsUENofHXPh94uQ4AmaYNS-JLcFIGCMFb6m/s400/DSC_0408.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marina @ HubSpace Khayelitsha</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">My friend Marina and I met two very interesting local entrepreneurs a few weeks back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We went to check out
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HubspaceKhayelitsha?fref=ts" target="_blank">HubSpace Khayelitsha</a> - a new project they are working on in one of South
Africa’s biggest townships. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Khayelitsha is second in size only to Soweto with
an estimated population of 1.2 million. Khayelitsha translates as 'new home' in isiXhosa and in addition to those who were born there, is home to many people who have migrated from Eastern Cape province, other areas of South Africa and increasingly other parts of Africa. It was
my first time to Khayelitsha and it served to be a very interesting day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Many entrepreneurs in township spaces don’t have access to a formal office area. In this context, the logistics of administration and gaining credibility are sometimes barriers to success. HubSpace is a solution to this problem – they rent out areas on an hourly, daily, weekly monthly or annual basis where entrepreneurs can access a phone, printer, internet, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a great set-up and I thoroughly enjoyed my free trial there that morning. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKHQ0nxl9XE8dsJgftVHX4zHa30a2GuDEnNyWqSd-Ol5Xm6BP6JHIy5yn7AtVcXMWAEdWlAVlfDLNBkH-fU80SJnTDERpb98FizwIghOEN_vxGq7RNgpQ_fK4_7lGfM60Eqx422AxTvaW/s1600/DSC_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKHQ0nxl9XE8dsJgftVHX4zHa30a2GuDEnNyWqSd-Ol5Xm6BP6JHIy5yn7AtVcXMWAEdWlAVlfDLNBkH-fU80SJnTDERpb98FizwIghOEN_vxGq7RNgpQ_fK4_7lGfM60Eqx422AxTvaW/s640/DSC_0394.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seko & Meli - Hubspace Khayelitsha</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9QQYVt6R4b-1uptLQe-KI8kFsssecQUGCwmMwOyDsPlBBl0chQLCwLM2ZADPJRvh9I39dQXOaos-hSxCdpsLziUqbIA0wjC1X6usLzczrcdxufSCvmARAPnsaD_MDv8g5q-3jWt1Dwqi/s1600/DSC_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9QQYVt6R4b-1uptLQe-KI8kFsssecQUGCwmMwOyDsPlBBl0chQLCwLM2ZADPJRvh9I39dQXOaos-hSxCdpsLziUqbIA0wjC1X6usLzczrcdxufSCvmARAPnsaD_MDv8g5q-3jWt1Dwqi/s640/DSC_0370.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working @ Hubspace Khayelitsha</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The day also proved interesting for another reason. While driving in, I saw men on the side of the road holding
jerry cans. I wondered what was in the jerry cans but didn’t think much of it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">At the space, we heard singing and looked out through the
window. People were holding signs directly below us. The premier of Western
Cape Province, Helen Zille was scheduled to be arriving for an event. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70lwOlm2znb4_gcsMfIPtvRWmkHTna7wbxCOdmU0-lZEKWEb-ur3x28-4z6Dpc127x4eKsjEPyuS0NlAOCNho03BBPgpoIBoDW6G5xnh6tI9XQ93L4zJkRU8qYRkyjzRvixxFbuz2Askm/s1600/DSC_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70lwOlm2znb4_gcsMfIPtvRWmkHTna7wbxCOdmU0-lZEKWEb-ur3x28-4z6Dpc127x4eKsjEPyuS0NlAOCNho03BBPgpoIBoDW6G5xnh6tI9XQ93L4zJkRU8qYRkyjzRvixxFbuz2Askm/s640/DSC_0373.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protest starting... view from the window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We heard warning shots being fired into the
air. Outside, police threw someone in a van and it smelled realllyyyy bad.
Turns out the protest was on sanitation in the area. Many people don’t have
access to flush toilets and have to share portapotties amongst many people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In
protest, they threw jerry cans full of poo on the Premier’s convoy. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Poor living conditions are a daily reality for many South Africans and an ongoing part of the sad legacy of apartheid.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tTY7GDI7DNy8FUP5ps27U5hFDu55yP2mkEI2yEWk3gBWqXXzRtQbEPkJgR9I7JZNDDxh962UgctrFGsiEwd3lnbQTNteenxg2RpobBXWnN7fulLMSU-rdT3CoZFcvFz6t2O3n_88FrEW/s1600/khayelitsha2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tTY7GDI7DNy8FUP5ps27U5hFDu55yP2mkEI2yEWk3gBWqXXzRtQbEPkJgR9I7JZNDDxh962UgctrFGsiEwd3lnbQTNteenxg2RpobBXWnN7fulLMSU-rdT3CoZFcvFz6t2O3n_88FrEW/s640/khayelitsha2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Protest Aftermath (Photocred to Marina)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNYtPsjBaRJFW2hbMJTKONamloxDw0SPULzxuAuIHlNxEBKRRikMTZacuHPyarL7UNwVf2b5WsNO1nSCApCK4eT_J3CwLTp0q9B_GJ0LhDCGeYrK0wUeff-wFe8bscD21RD_p38uuq-X3/s1600/Khayelitsha1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNYtPsjBaRJFW2hbMJTKONamloxDw0SPULzxuAuIHlNxEBKRRikMTZacuHPyarL7UNwVf2b5WsNO1nSCApCK4eT_J3CwLTp0q9B_GJ0LhDCGeYrK0wUeff-wFe8bscD21RD_p38uuq-X3/s640/Khayelitsha1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protest Aftermath (Photocred to Marina)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistGHPV0I-w_pEK3DZXC77Ieek4P7mk4DjMoC7PyRCpiVTkyMFH8yPAHr_A10kfFnnMSAQ_Qf7Ns0KoDajFRDG0Q2SKM0nOUQTB2hIN2_tsvCk9hquJ8zgwH-H4w_xG9hoxXAEvrR30TtX/s1600/khayelitsha3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistGHPV0I-w_pEK3DZXC77Ieek4P7mk4DjMoC7PyRCpiVTkyMFH8yPAHr_A10kfFnnMSAQ_Qf7Ns0KoDajFRDG0Q2SKM0nOUQTB2hIN2_tsvCk9hquJ8zgwH-H4w_xG9hoxXAEvrR30TtX/s640/khayelitsha3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Protest Aftermath (Photocred to Marina)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every day I am here I learn something and become more aware of how little I know. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This day in Khayelitsha (</span><span style="font-size: large;">seeing a </span><span style="font-size: large;">wonderful local entrepreneurship project and a protest for access to basic sanitation)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> stands out to me as an illustration of the incredible complexity and contrast present in South Africa. </span><br />
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***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa-34.0402778 18.677777800000058-34.1455518 18.516416300000056 -33.9350038 18.83913930000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-73178524207860527922013-06-12T16:47:00.000+02:002013-06-12T16:47:06.062+02:00A photo walk through Woodstock, Cape Town<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodstock (Table Mountain and Devil's Peak in the background)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Art & Words</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cape Town is a sprawling city, containing many ‘suburbs’
that used to be small towns in themselves. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Woodstock is one such suburb, about 1 kilometer from the
city centre (or ‘town’ as it is called here’).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My introduction to Cape Town two years ago was in Woodstock.
This is where I lived and volunteered for a month and a half on my first visit
to the city. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Woodstock continues to draw me back – I find myself coming
back to this area often.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is a fascinating and intense space:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Van taxis swerve and
squeal through traffic while the conductors shout their destinations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Vendors
line the streets selling their wares. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Funky</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">cafes, art
galleries and antique shops abound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Devils Peak provides a stunning background to the myriad
side streets adorned with brightly painted houses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pigeons and the occasional scroungy dog pick through the
mounds of trash. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Circles of barbed wire line virtually every fence.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty & barbed wire</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Woodstock has a unique history as one of the areas that
remained integrated during apartheid, escaping the forced removals that saw its neighbouring suburb; the once vibrant District 6 bulldozed and classified a
‘white only’ area. Today it continues to be a diverse space.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_eHfFi64JBnhxBbnEKj9ZDcfOXMeR1-6bIVkrRDXNm1QD6lfCFd6gy8oYaGTdAnvOMG9w1TGpCZwSocb5LhyphenhyphenEoQef_4DtO7FydJAPdn_DQ_HAB9GFBA7S_dezzyRGzFFLavs6hxsh6nG/s1600/IMG_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_eHfFi64JBnhxBbnEKj9ZDcfOXMeR1-6bIVkrRDXNm1QD6lfCFd6gy8oYaGTdAnvOMG9w1TGpCZwSocb5LhyphenhyphenEoQef_4DtO7FydJAPdn_DQ_HAB9GFBA7S_dezzyRGzFFLavs6hxsh6nG/s640/IMG_0237.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Elaine was a resident of the former District 6. She was forcibly removed during apartheid and moved to Woodstock years ago to be close to where she grew up. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cape Town has been selected by the International Council of
Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID) as the World Design Capital for 2014
(the last two awards were giving to Helsinki and Seoul). The objective of the
award is to recognize and showcase cities that are dedicated to using design
for social, cultural and economic development.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Woodstock really stands out to me in this regard, using
design for social, cultural and economic ends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although it is a microcosm of the inequality present throughout
South Africa, I believe that this place has something really special. It is
full of beautiful and uplifting street art and crammed with visuals of hope,
vibrance and beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The graffiti is a combination of esthetics, inspiration,
politics and poetry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some offerings from today’s stroll through
Woodstock with a camera...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_c-o44KpMPTnLaxi0J4zmTcYXSQvlzbUVOgbiYTIkCC3GgPoP0tivfeSWlLcpbSRk4DZzQbfB3Yr6PC5DnZtRxVAdrO6oguEiRbVlFgaAbuLfLllY79iO2-QQpK7YcKfjhMDWVCuAxSr/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_c-o44KpMPTnLaxi0J4zmTcYXSQvlzbUVOgbiYTIkCC3GgPoP0tivfeSWlLcpbSRk4DZzQbfB3Yr6PC5DnZtRxVAdrO6oguEiRbVlFgaAbuLfLllY79iO2-QQpK7YcKfjhMDWVCuAxSr/s640/IMG_0238.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0CSY0pjdab6Evgpn3ZOBfp8scOmB-P-AbQx0y3mJvANszcGg3ypwSTZAox8ITBxGNvI0HV2yxqCkwtHFj89LRg_XgferqAodSNen_tO8e4pV93Xftida1jukphXz-lehn_1WzOOLJc04/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0CSY0pjdab6Evgpn3ZOBfp8scOmB-P-AbQx0y3mJvANszcGg3ypwSTZAox8ITBxGNvI0HV2yxqCkwtHFj89LRg_XgferqAodSNen_tO8e4pV93Xftida1jukphXz-lehn_1WzOOLJc04/s640/IMG_0227.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Feeding the Pigeons</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You've Got the Whole World in Your Hands</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxoCfZcS1NlbtSLXUqqr-4Jv5NYpu56DhettbmdGbztAYKDrHlXPUHEDV6BCdbbyW5Hos2Z_04JPHNCXa8TL7ILCpkcI9ZhWAfmuVoQaBpSLrDpfe1Lazp96AfHSNnmlEp1LF-Wq8AXO9/s1600/DSC_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxoCfZcS1NlbtSLXUqqr-4Jv5NYpu56DhettbmdGbztAYKDrHlXPUHEDV6BCdbbyW5Hos2Z_04JPHNCXa8TL7ILCpkcI9ZhWAfmuVoQaBpSLrDpfe1Lazp96AfHSNnmlEp1LF-Wq8AXO9/s400/DSC_0497.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part 1 - Evolution (?)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnd14nAYgEinMvUcNskkf3ZZwBzAIAjL0QeG5BIVQsQ0iwp5iMW0VJYNT49AXl6wrJa2O9bS3ifnLVeuHBJl5eHCQgc4BErJQnfx_DmgEFTMw5LZnErdtr3fywos7i6JRdWL1f44Z5UVPa/s1600/DSC_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnd14nAYgEinMvUcNskkf3ZZwBzAIAjL0QeG5BIVQsQ0iwp5iMW0VJYNT49AXl6wrJa2O9bS3ifnLVeuHBJl5eHCQgc4BErJQnfx_DmgEFTMw5LZnErdtr3fywos7i6JRdWL1f44Z5UVPa/s400/DSC_0490.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part 2 - Evolution (?)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh303aE_F1-SSZc0xtsehQ_kNZZRSgHUCJplpC33sp1hmTaOoqVlG9zlV9enAPk454kX8Jt9Q9GhFW-uECWuz_RJRen411R72WOxdWg3I-3IE5IMYWFDxZMP3-xWQeuddhdKIlg-svhW3i0/s1600/DSC_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh303aE_F1-SSZc0xtsehQ_kNZZRSgHUCJplpC33sp1hmTaOoqVlG9zlV9enAPk454kX8Jt9Q9GhFW-uECWuz_RJRen411R72WOxdWg3I-3IE5IMYWFDxZMP3-xWQeuddhdKIlg-svhW3i0/s400/DSC_0494.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part 3 - Evolution (?)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0soAB4M1W4ZF98MUnzg7g52M550tgIlzhxvQFIdQO63l2CRqZCnKacvIgprjc3FmS-klrxiJPE4yH8WSPks638gNkI4C6E9Vjn5lqsnscQDZMVqjhapVFokg4M9seNSIdi6XHv0o9mPRr/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0soAB4M1W4ZF98MUnzg7g52M550tgIlzhxvQFIdQO63l2CRqZCnKacvIgprjc3FmS-klrxiJPE4yH8WSPks638gNkI4C6E9Vjn5lqsnscQDZMVqjhapVFokg4M9seNSIdi6XHv0o9mPRr/s640/IMG_0190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuRgQ6hjPX6ZscyElgNj3TmhlLeH2m42aV41DllbO5av6ZCbtMUW0934YoZKuIBx3OnuwD0eZWAqKHhYQr9ZYaaZRz32HG7dNV2WTGRq4BfanniwOhQafGdZD82Fztp2P3__wBikaWTVH/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuRgQ6hjPX6ZscyElgNj3TmhlLeH2m42aV41DllbO5av6ZCbtMUW0934YoZKuIBx3OnuwD0eZWAqKHhYQr9ZYaaZRz32HG7dNV2WTGRq4BfanniwOhQafGdZD82Fztp2P3__wBikaWTVH/s640/IMG_0145.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing the greyness from the soul is the job of musicians, artists and poets...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiiGRAMZIGN27Vpv5Ren_TJcdjg8vW00GJhhIgs35WjFB_oasRf5VKHoysQMvcTKzDK0p59i9lNZW_GFYzB4v2oDq7_BZkAw6OU1z1GgBq_wXXGF-qLcDrK-bERUJxBBpfpb_TmRSOCuF/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiiGRAMZIGN27Vpv5Ren_TJcdjg8vW00GJhhIgs35WjFB_oasRf5VKHoysQMvcTKzDK0p59i9lNZW_GFYzB4v2oDq7_BZkAw6OU1z1GgBq_wXXGF-qLcDrK-bERUJxBBpfpb_TmRSOCuF/s640/IMG_0188.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing their hearts on their sleeves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44oWQUXL7hscA59ojVu72217MogyEGddmDGSLfinfUnNm8HReAWKIzsACNiF26mvGy9shcQ5bH-m0uNBfjqkYAMBjagy-kMexqSlmpDskJrFTmFX9_NOe0nzJQOH5VHNsNc0v0-9i1g4P/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44oWQUXL7hscA59ojVu72217MogyEGddmDGSLfinfUnNm8HReAWKIzsACNiF26mvGy9shcQ5bH-m0uNBfjqkYAMBjagy-kMexqSlmpDskJrFTmFX9_NOe0nzJQOH5VHNsNc0v0-9i1g4P/s640/IMG_0192.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spray Paint Poetry</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An imagined window</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7VwmvfXcIUQXre9EFdNYVZAQyyTGFU4ID2w4po0UHTilMSv93PZdpanb6QUMFNhx70McqGLbGjaKezQZ3BVK5Oc7nNsQIVsUJhycmPNdoI1UnyAjuT2YxJOI6EGa0risBZC-_ZHxD7u_/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7VwmvfXcIUQXre9EFdNYVZAQyyTGFU4ID2w4po0UHTilMSv93PZdpanb6QUMFNhx70McqGLbGjaKezQZ3BVK5Oc7nNsQIVsUJhycmPNdoI1UnyAjuT2YxJOI6EGa0risBZC-_ZHxD7u_/s640/IMG_0242.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagined windows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutJH0hxDjoZp7qTkyT66gBhouDF5-xa2xzugIg2-R5b5Gdl1P4IQ2HT-yV-1z_cSGhyphenhyphenEeDtklQRkKY2IMmf9LXp6p9Gb7WjOMhqo4I8Dw5qLstiiyVJDPP2Sn5oZ5u5T74JMzhvWoQOW3/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutJH0hxDjoZp7qTkyT66gBhouDF5-xa2xzugIg2-R5b5Gdl1P4IQ2HT-yV-1z_cSGhyphenhyphenEeDtklQRkKY2IMmf9LXp6p9Gb7WjOMhqo4I8Dw5qLstiiyVJDPP2Sn5oZ5u5T74JMzhvWoQOW3/s640/IMG_0251.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outer wall of Children's Home</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outer Wall of Children's Home</td></tr>
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<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfj_KclUSRynfFkgSiPb5iwYsgFb3i4LaB2werGL63d2QNZvVh1jVizVHuVHUyoWpWgpRmSYg-a22aPqozQP3mw-3JHvMNzEH0YKNqB_M9B-Xpby-haEffsf6ymZke4wGqIwnh7NsR8JZp/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfj_KclUSRynfFkgSiPb5iwYsgFb3i4LaB2werGL63d2QNZvVh1jVizVHuVHUyoWpWgpRmSYg-a22aPqozQP3mw-3JHvMNzEH0YKNqB_M9B-Xpby-haEffsf6ymZke4wGqIwnh7NsR8JZp/s640/IMG_0245.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">@ a Children's Home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com3Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa-33.9305556 18.447222199999942-33.956906599999996 18.406881699999943 -33.9042046 18.487562699999941tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-20869805156786400232013-04-24T14:57:00.000+02:002013-04-24T14:57:38.865+02:00Signposts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">The house I rent has a long narrow outdoor space in the
back. More like an alleyway than a patio or backyard, the walls are painted a
warm bright orange. There are many cracks and plastered over bits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">An obscure lion fountain hangs off the wall and the other
side is adorned with untamed plants and herbs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yqDMdNKDFH4WQYKUQ69nVb3MkNFh8qSV8P5BvgY2DgmD3fkvxcYbtOJszjgpxixBndlKwFQPemhyphenhyphen1KPHj518jOgTVzEYR5hrB2CjkpmuiWSS2X6oC9l9W7KVCWHKY4gzg5-LgmkVxX6j/s1600/DSC_0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yqDMdNKDFH4WQYKUQ69nVb3MkNFh8qSV8P5BvgY2DgmD3fkvxcYbtOJszjgpxixBndlKwFQPemhyphenhyphen1KPHj518jOgTVzEYR5hrB2CjkpmuiWSS2X6oC9l9W7KVCWHKY4gzg5-LgmkVxX6j/s640/DSC_0544.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Steph @ Orange Wall</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I love this awkward and vibrant space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sitting in the confines of the orange concrete, everything
is beautiful to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The sky looks bluer against the citrus hue,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">barbed wire and neighbours’ metal roofs somehow look
romantic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every person who sits against that wall is transformed
into a stunning caricature of themselves, their uniqueness drawn out by that
orange. I’ve taken to photographing my guests there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Somehow, that wall, in my small rented home in the
Southernmost bit of Africa, acts as a bridge for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In that space, (in the words of Mark Helprin), the world
deepens and becomes art.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Memory: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It is a cool night in the Malawian spring. Like most
evenings, I’m in a guarded, walled compound in a low-density suburb called Area
3.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">With nowhere to go and little to do, my ex and I decide to
watch a movie. Our pick? The last king of Scotland; a film about Idi Amin and
the horrors that this charismatic and terrifying character propagated in Uganda.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The scenery of the film looks so much like Malawi. Lush
greenery, big smiles, a dreamlike quality of light… against this backdrop, the
film narrates incomprehensible horrors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the film, I stand up, stunned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Unable to integrate what I had just seen, I stared into
nowhere before walking out into the cool rain that was beginning to fall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I stood outside sobbing, cold and wet in the dark, not being
able to make sense of anything and not understanding how I could continue to be
shocked by the injustices of the world. The film didn’t teach me anything I
didn’t already know from reading history and yet it still clawed at my insides.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I thrust my hand into the pocket of the hot pink sweater I
took from my sister’s closest before leaving Canada a year earlier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I felt a small mass of soft fabric. Pulling it out for
examination, I found a fake red coronation style flower. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Somehow, in that moment, that flower was the most beautiful
item I had ever seen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">My breathing slowed as I stared at the strange object in my
hand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Suddenly, I saw hope and beauty as I stood on the soil of one of the
plundered continent’s poorest countries. The blood red cloth flower seemed like a small
offering, a reminder that there is beauty in the oddest of places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMtmKAYuplW5zFQG4PP7corSDUPHADdRnIf1DcOW8dHyQ8SnNVgGmgMgD_I3DtH-vixc6CVIsYch0vFNMBCigCmQlQqCMXaIvMfhlRO-CMz9nIL1-G7rX-aV3EDUn_DV9ojcpqF5MNgV4/s1600/carnation.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMtmKAYuplW5zFQG4PP7corSDUPHADdRnIf1DcOW8dHyQ8SnNVgGmgMgD_I3DtH-vixc6CVIsYch0vFNMBCigCmQlQqCMXaIvMfhlRO-CMz9nIL1-G7rX-aV3EDUn_DV9ojcpqF5MNgV4/s320/carnation.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Present:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Since leaving the life I had in Canada a year and a
half ago, I’m not sure if I have ceased to feel stripped and unsure of myself.
I’m constantly puzzled by the world I have discovered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">As cliché as it sounds, the more I live, the smaller I feel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last night, I stood in the little walled-in alleyway behind my house and stared up at the stars
framed by the orange wall. It was as though I was shrinking and the sky was
growing at the same time. Its vastness kept seeming bigger - beautifully and dizzyingly
so and I, like Alice in Wonderland, rapidly shrinking after drinking some
magical potion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Moving to South Africa has been an exciting and shocking
experience. I have yet to wrap my mind around my transition from living in one
of the world’s poorest countries to the world’s most unequal country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have an open loft space in my home that I use as a studio
and office. One day while walking down the steep stairs from the loft, I saw a
larger-than-life outline of a woman on the wall. She had unruly hair and wide
hips emphasized by harem pants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Who is that</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I actually <b>like</b> her</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Everything seems to have so much texture these days.
Although not always comfortable, I am realizing that I am living the life that
I’ve always wanted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">My journey feels akin to a constant arrival. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve been so caught up in my awe and bewilderment of the
continent that is fostering me that I have failed to realize that I am exactly
where I have wanted to be: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In a house with a cracked orange wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A red cloth coronation in my pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Followed by the shadow of an unruly woman who I
actually like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I carry these knick-knacks, turn them over, and cross them
as hopeful bridges. Awkward little signposts that remind me of the beautiful
and privileged journey that I’m living. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PaPNRt6fGrkzw8lpqUmd77o6Hd48ZsttJOtMYQ4lpt-8oOc_X4SgHk5j-Rg0SqKkGC_fZtZ0O-HgyktQteV07x5uxitkSUpQIqpgYIqJDinYHFXnVh_en0OnxKyNBNvVPXay1lVuhCJA/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PaPNRt6fGrkzw8lpqUmd77o6Hd48ZsttJOtMYQ4lpt-8oOc_X4SgHk5j-Rg0SqKkGC_fZtZ0O-HgyktQteV07x5uxitkSUpQIqpgYIqJDinYHFXnVh_en0OnxKyNBNvVPXay1lVuhCJA/s640/DSC_0097.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out @ orange wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-3568956758920715512013-04-17T20:12:00.001+02:002013-04-17T20:16:44.050+02:00Directionless Travel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXu2veNHOQ7kcM9GFmV-nlH2T98yYy4clxDvxMPAt7hIy6R1m1RtLeDvOXgxWaLWJZuojRDM_Jw7TW8Pyu61oKBJWmthUFd5znEo8DgY2rLrxWnHL5gu0YFXbjUP0zQVuqlDmHuNIIiwGR/s1600/LesleyHair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXu2veNHOQ7kcM9GFmV-nlH2T98yYy4clxDvxMPAt7hIy6R1m1RtLeDvOXgxWaLWJZuojRDM_Jw7TW8Pyu61oKBJWmthUFd5znEo8DgY2rLrxWnHL5gu0YFXbjUP0zQVuqlDmHuNIIiwGR/s640/LesleyHair.jpg" width="476" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">It was the Easter long-weekend and I was itching to get away.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">I had a car, a map, some pocket money and no idea where to go or what to do.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">I called three friends, who indicated that they too
wanted to get away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">I told them to pack a bag and we agreed on a pick
up time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">The four of us then crammed into my small car, and
decided to drive North. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">The trip served to be exactly what I needed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VxTDbikROME6P47GyHm2Dy7G8VBto0IW3W8PRg138O0uSblS4ZayJIDHY7bwaLwOYiHCrEurM0RFE3IBgguIQM3l_E5Us9jxnVDAFrWStH0qxMOTaV-m4IeNL5lmuQHSWzASOiF0mxM2/s1600/20130328_152845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VxTDbikROME6P47GyHm2Dy7G8VBto0IW3W8PRg138O0uSblS4ZayJIDHY7bwaLwOYiHCrEurM0RFE3IBgguIQM3l_E5Us9jxnVDAFrWStH0qxMOTaV-m4IeNL5lmuQHSWzASOiF0mxM2/s640/20130328_152845.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Driving North towards Namibia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisM9VZRQb5by-Ai9xn7WLVXjHON-UX_g-n34jXU1K5uOu7R2P9QICUTIjjNukV-AmNlnfHeqex-yXrV716FvJqlulxwh83jPYoNlAcdSDzslfHDTK0NFdbK9puM8MBQFk1kNa23WhB9ok7/s1600/20130329_123839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisM9VZRQb5by-Ai9xn7WLVXjHON-UX_g-n34jXU1K5uOu7R2P9QICUTIjjNukV-AmNlnfHeqex-yXrV716FvJqlulxwh83jPYoNlAcdSDzslfHDTK0NFdbK9puM8MBQFk1kNa23WhB9ok7/s640/20130329_123839.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">In the car and ready to go!<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKt4ir8h15ohxWqvtnm8Cqc1jieyh_kzXQykiGjYvyDtYVXDNTAFrggLjjXSz5WxoRBSozQPizKTr8SWokwM46T7dXoAeWw5SETrDbeAl3-0ck8-raiTAwGI5hhvnwoOF1haHq-MEmtR52/s1600/20130328_181906-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKt4ir8h15ohxWqvtnm8Cqc1jieyh_kzXQykiGjYvyDtYVXDNTAFrggLjjXSz5WxoRBSozQPizKTr8SWokwM46T7dXoAeWw5SETrDbeAl3-0ck8-raiTAwGI5hhvnwoOF1haHq-MEmtR52/s640/20130328_181906-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph, Allison, myself and Marina - Citrusdale</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">The first day we arrived in Citrusdale, a small-ish town that has citrus farming as their main industry. We stayed in a lovely lodge in a citrus grove.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8h4E2NuA5aP5HGpKNOTfnyPQM1Hk-7l0J0fniFv473HyvwsU0e1nrj1IGWk0STQQb_2jej0B3WamVcGGURDwSunq9fxYOL0K9_ylGWQm1lVZxsHHSIEK_xav-ds6Syi9GnAyEuJaGLus/s1600/DSC_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8h4E2NuA5aP5HGpKNOTfnyPQM1Hk-7l0J0fniFv473HyvwsU0e1nrj1IGWk0STQQb_2jej0B3WamVcGGURDwSunq9fxYOL0K9_ylGWQm1lVZxsHHSIEK_xav-ds6Syi9GnAyEuJaGLus/s640/DSC_0568.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopping for a peach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 21px;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoTA0n6vU7PnplTJmgwpAmeEUE2wesX50kZuJmtTnN1fhFSMgi7U360h7bJZACcPHqtVvYOECeFmQwxXUXtJxS84X78zgUaLWKiB3IzbGhXsjOZBhf4Sp7ULQGQrYDqltIlmXBIGxnAXm/s1600/DSC_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoTA0n6vU7PnplTJmgwpAmeEUE2wesX50kZuJmtTnN1fhFSMgi7U360h7bJZACcPHqtVvYOECeFmQwxXUXtJxS84X78zgUaLWKiB3IzbGhXsjOZBhf4Sp7ULQGQrYDqltIlmXBIGxnAXm/s640/DSC_0609.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Fruit Stand<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJ6UntSfFwflKkUWu6rOSAFvxxzqLJnB3uNuE0fQEqu9OREtvdrWhTVjU7YEZA2T6tU8-D489KJwfNqLt9cnDPm3Iq3O8strOhmKozCXhFSlO3Ob2SfW3BzveRvHb2DsPdAoZuF5_mxys/s1600/DSC_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJ6UntSfFwflKkUWu6rOSAFvxxzqLJnB3uNuE0fQEqu9OREtvdrWhTVjU7YEZA2T6tU8-D489KJwfNqLt9cnDPm3Iq3O8strOhmKozCXhFSlO3Ob2SfW3BzveRvHb2DsPdAoZuF5_mxys/s640/DSC_0614.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Fruit stand</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1972576088"></span><span id="goog_1972576089"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 21px;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 21px;">Every day contained some sort of sweet offering in the form of an </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 21px;">adventure. Our first day, we stumbled across hotsprings and soaked in the soothing warmth of the water.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFC2dkq7MXhnhgAk-BBBkAPCDh6KDnl9rpBLQpG2UgLXvKFHOqf5sMUQwuME-GnwNLR38Y0pILYb2Mjh_fgR9GB3KWcLMKGEV68_YictW-S2eHraBgXC9Mx68f_l5NbcSIkJLSlvagYQA/s1600/20130329_163841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFC2dkq7MXhnhgAk-BBBkAPCDh6KDnl9rpBLQpG2UgLXvKFHOqf5sMUQwuME-GnwNLR38Y0pILYb2Mjh_fgR9GB3KWcLMKGEV68_YictW-S2eHraBgXC9Mx68f_l5NbcSIkJLSlvagYQA/s640/20130329_163841.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotsprings</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">The next day we drove to Algeria (yes the area is
actually called Algeria due to its similar appearance to the former French
colony!) and took a stunning day hike to a waterfall and mountain lookout.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5iH78yfviSbi6WaAYf5Yt5bd24_wN_VaQGOxKfO90oghhG5ctmDQVU0IRmtYsjAPFjUEGZj7tEvkYvos-0RDLkvqh9KsvXMNVsQW_YO4nMqhKRH2uNZ1LWJmQEyOQ6d-lL-8emGJW1Vi/s1600/DSC_0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5iH78yfviSbi6WaAYf5Yt5bd24_wN_VaQGOxKfO90oghhG5ctmDQVU0IRmtYsjAPFjUEGZj7tEvkYvos-0RDLkvqh9KsvXMNVsQW_YO4nMqhKRH2uNZ1LWJmQEyOQ6d-lL-8emGJW1Vi/s640/DSC_0816.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road to Algeria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmXDK_IhNUaDcH8asLPlO3H1v-grAlJgSdMrfDd8c0ctXoPIowZ0SSpoIKpaOSa2tHutSQ82-tFRzLWbLvFaJ2qNCrF-sh5x7gN-XZSZoC0BoXvGEhQ3wo0oM5HnCvnAOLHJH8PbIvjse/s1600/OntheTrail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmXDK_IhNUaDcH8asLPlO3H1v-grAlJgSdMrfDd8c0ctXoPIowZ0SSpoIKpaOSa2tHutSQ82-tFRzLWbLvFaJ2qNCrF-sh5x7gN-XZSZoC0BoXvGEhQ3wo0oM5HnCvnAOLHJH8PbIvjse/s640/OntheTrail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in Cedarburg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdrF2866jg4BJLB33xkSpxWAfGV00-J2X5M2_WZPSGeexV1akSTIZ09I_cpRBah_zuy9ZLRaUQrfk5Op48Ji3TyYmazakiKZz_jz8pWU5T9I_357amRmxoXPJCwByJO4PpJM_rX4jLZeb/s1600/Storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdrF2866jg4BJLB33xkSpxWAfGV00-J2X5M2_WZPSGeexV1akSTIZ09I_cpRBah_zuy9ZLRaUQrfk5Op48Ji3TyYmazakiKZz_jz8pWU5T9I_357amRmxoXPJCwByJO4PpJM_rX4jLZeb/s640/Storm.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in Cedarburg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo764vdSZ24xRfJvwXIKmEF_-jBmRYtR5GIhAdy8wjOGlVmEkZHeLokv3Urh-ttOTG5RII3T9iltZ0LerFt6XCUv2bddvuFXzuZzT5uKhlmBtATeQIOvvotYO4G_TbjgJs5nHaTBUKnS1/s1600/Olifants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo764vdSZ24xRfJvwXIKmEF_-jBmRYtR5GIhAdy8wjOGlVmEkZHeLokv3Urh-ttOTG5RII3T9iltZ0LerFt6XCUv2bddvuFXzuZzT5uKhlmBtATeQIOvvotYO4G_TbjgJs5nHaTBUKnS1/s640/Olifants.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oliphants River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxHjeeasDUXe0_VtjXu6TqLakH1UkxSvChT3afTnGxLE7kurqAGBVs0j4czcauNKiqU4kNRTs_M8joF2vfiJ2Cv2ygJ_tDHPjTd0g7qn_riO0PZ-mggUmt1km-EB2Fuy9HsYBfMlVNvr-/s1600/DSC_0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxHjeeasDUXe0_VtjXu6TqLakH1UkxSvChT3afTnGxLE7kurqAGBVs0j4czcauNKiqU4kNRTs_M8joF2vfiJ2Cv2ygJ_tDHPjTd0g7qn_riO0PZ-mggUmt1km-EB2Fuy9HsYBfMlVNvr-/s640/DSC_0697.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph @ Waterfall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 21px;">We stopped to switch drivers, still in our bathing suits. Feeling freer than I have in a long time, we got out and did an impromptu dance on the side of the road.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFU0ACuZk_XI2zDUZ8aGFNBQHDQfeXJSmsNrMW3C-D1SRU0KBLS_LGRVHK90hTN4OUAFdYbX0jpYdPXodCKZFYPWiVlVcn-s02N8hsUCYyCTBHTLSnZFh6bPDyMdHVSqLX1yU4WyTEWN4e/s1600/20130329_173745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFU0ACuZk_XI2zDUZ8aGFNBQHDQfeXJSmsNrMW3C-D1SRU0KBLS_LGRVHK90hTN4OUAFdYbX0jpYdPXodCKZFYPWiVlVcn-s02N8hsUCYyCTBHTLSnZFh6bPDyMdHVSqLX1yU4WyTEWN4e/s640/20130329_173745.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Sometimes you just need to get out and dance while switching drivers...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">We then drove further North and then East to the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">We saw seals and incredible ancient cave paintings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoEaiTwcj2XXWeLC7qUMVq1TZVKk-EHVuB7qTaFbv111p2Im96_txkWVzCjjMgHMATaXe6YZiYnmTgCv8ZGw0g4Jnqsc9usjBb_zSGcf3OugshHApqUxv6qQA5XHoVCy7rfi4dRlFvi_9/s1600/ElandsBay2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoEaiTwcj2XXWeLC7qUMVq1TZVKk-EHVuB7qTaFbv111p2Im96_txkWVzCjjMgHMATaXe6YZiYnmTgCv8ZGw0g4Jnqsc9usjBb_zSGcf3OugshHApqUxv6qQA5XHoVCy7rfi4dRlFvi_9/s640/ElandsBay2.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFIPYedDbm4-MPQ6OQj1UD9GITzlfh9AS9L588WluJc9YQCD6Nxiy1Jtm3NM1vSX-Z1mR75fiowyq0pEp2vwO_Gsaxfouk65H9cbcVRsPgp9hAFELk7uSCKDjZa2PE3PVfQ4YSq6Bjt67/s1600/DSC_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFIPYedDbm4-MPQ6OQj1UD9GITzlfh9AS9L588WluJc9YQCD6Nxiy1Jtm3NM1vSX-Z1mR75fiowyq0pEp2vwO_Gsaxfouk65H9cbcVRsPgp9hAFELk7uSCKDjZa2PE3PVfQ4YSq6Bjt67/s640/DSC_0865.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A seal!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvQeeWMiWi1jCacehtATQoZwghydbrkPsxxDQ87jd7bxhbrF0qHdQQHPNGQK8sr_YnCuGWFK3F7dgk4MoCKpa2fVR-LV4NT5eipzzIYadiW_48BnQskcctflokQBnQquoK_8zk5Gk_9au/s1600/RockArt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvQeeWMiWi1jCacehtATQoZwghydbrkPsxxDQ87jd7bxhbrF0qHdQQHPNGQK8sr_YnCuGWFK3F7dgk4MoCKpa2fVR-LV4NT5eipzzIYadiW_48BnQskcctflokQBnQquoK_8zk5Gk_9au/s640/RockArt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cave Paintings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 21px;">Dusky Cape Town pulled us back days later. The city slowly approached, the shadow-like deep blue mountain ranges unapologetically announcing the city.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Despite being disappointed that the vacation was over, I had the sense that I was coming back to a fairy-tale place. The Mother City continues to pull me to her and I have no choice but to allow her to wrap herself around me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi8SU28CVTa2-tZMmJVxZXh0HM2ZD8JJyQ3sXMvtYAA_0uBsJxMgamQfHxFs2D0Ka9yAY_G-tPYfBD8dBhsGnoXTtELYq67gAWM7KOoZRmy3u2RUpTKV3vlXhGCRkc5ymGE9quetZATxr/s1600/DSC_0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi8SU28CVTa2-tZMmJVxZXh0HM2ZD8JJyQ3sXMvtYAA_0uBsJxMgamQfHxFs2D0Ka9yAY_G-tPYfBD8dBhsGnoXTtELYq67gAWM7KOoZRmy3u2RUpTKV3vlXhGCRkc5ymGE9quetZATxr/s640/DSC_0934.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Town and her mountains in the distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0Citrusdal, South Africa-32.2129777 18.617562599999928-33.9294682 16.03577559999993 -30.496487200000004 21.199349599999927tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-52171206987736400392013-04-04T15:49:00.001+02:002013-04-04T15:49:32.155+02:00Public Policy as LOVE (?)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am taking 3 courses this semester: Public policy, Public
management and Comparative social policy in Africa.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am quite enjoying learning about the theoretical
underpinnings of public policy and administration. Although I have been asked
many times why I have chosen to study HERE, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere
else. South Africa is a world of things
in one country:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><a href="webkit-fake-url://F4A1BDAF-BCF2-41DB-8B0F-CE1D6638A352/application.pdf" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="webkit-fake-url://F4A1BDAF-BCF2-41DB-8B0F-CE1D6638A352/application.pdf" width="320" /></a>
<li>A relatively new inclusive democracy.</li>
<li>A regional superpower.</li>
<li>A developing country with highly developed areas.</li>
<li>Steeped in history.</li>
<li>A huge success story AND facing insurmountable challenges
and shortcomings.</li>
<li>A dynamic political space bourn out of years of struggle.</li>
<li>Much more!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Town boasts a fabulous University to study public
policy and administration against this backdrop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sitting in class a few weeks ago, our stand-in professor
(our regular one was in Kenya monitoring the elections), said something odd. We
were debating if the public policy cycle theory can actually be applied to the
real world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The case in point was the South African Government’s
response to HIV/AIDS. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The professor took us through the era of AIDS denialism and
the shift towards acknowledging and better addressing the issue. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTvqC0R6crfgqWebMmqkLsZXf3_P1KVZ8yPKWCRhhQIgwIKQfJXzcb8GV4fiR59c7XrSFUHJaG-YX6ws074TTEJEpQ-vlY7ImoA5EUvDGq2mo8Au0Jj7D578VVOX3nmR1R2c1aCg2lRVg/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTvqC0R6crfgqWebMmqkLsZXf3_P1KVZ8yPKWCRhhQIgwIKQfJXzcb8GV4fiR59c7XrSFUHJaG-YX6ws074TTEJEpQ-vlY7ImoA5EUvDGq2mo8Au0Jj7D578VVOX3nmR1R2c1aCg2lRVg/s400/images.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangosuthu Buthelez</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He told of us his experience working under Prince Mangosuthu
Buthelez, the Chairman of the Zululand District House of Traditional Leaders,
the traditional Prime Minister of the Zulunation and leader of South Africa’s
opposition Inkatha Freedom Party. Mangosuthu Buthelez lost 2 children within a
few months of each other to AIDS related illness. Despite incredible stigma,
fear and political pressure, he decided to go public with their sero-status in
efforts to change government policy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He even broke with Zulu tradition and allowed himself to be
filmed by the BBC walking in the graveyard where his children were buried. He
did this in hopes of raising awareness and turning the tide on a critical, unaddressed
issue in South Africa at the time when people were dying in droves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘<i>So you see</i>…’ the
professor concluded, '<i>public policy isn’t just about theory, or politics, or the
myriad of other things that we so often focus of as students or practitioners</i>'.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>PUBLIC POLICY IS ABOUT <u>LOVE</u>.</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I took a sharp breath and suppressed a chuckle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
POLICY and LOVE never go together in the same sentence!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How could he not know that? He has worked extensively in
British and South African politics and studied at Oxford.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a few moments, I become aware of my cynicism. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the past year or two, I have found myself becoming
increasingly jaded, especially in Malawi where I was surrounded by extreme
poverty and suffering in my daily life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Studying domestic and international politics, reading the news
and seeing challenges has oftentimes left me wondering, in the words of my late
friend, Joan Anne Nolan, who wrote during the post-apartheid transition: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘<i>Do you ever think
that the world will be whole? I feel such a loss because of the tattered &
ragged edges of our souls. The world is too harsh & I wish for an innocence
that really does not feel corrosive pain</i>...’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On my best days I aim to see opportunity in challenge and
appreciate the small beautiful gems that life has to offer in hopes that I can affect
positive change in my own, small way. My worse days do not need mentioning. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The teacher’s words help me to situate myself and check my
pessimism.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If it’s all bad, why am I working and studying in
the field? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Isn’t love the reason why I chose to study policy and
administration in the first place?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My underlying belief is that bureaucracies (domestic and
international) at their best can be vehicles for supporting and elevating people.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That public policy can be a mechanism towards supporting and
upholding humanity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If that’s not love, then what is?<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment--></div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-61037498296458761272013-03-08T21:09:00.000+02:002013-03-08T21:09:15.063+02:00Big questions on a big day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>'Be the change that you wish to see in the world.' </i></b><b><i>- Gandhi </i></b></h2>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is International Women’s Day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As a woman, a sister to a sister and a brother, a daughter
to a mother and a father, a feminist, an advocate for women’s rights and
someone who loves women and men, today is very important to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAwh_NDtGDvmaUB7CldgRM_LICq7fkEHdnGG3iQsZT4SP4Q25Vks5OJ5SECLDVu_WO7vpThxdy7j6iU4BA4nCU0oZqAChy8TMPPs4I4PMy9f3gIpLQZDh8uyckLkaCaYoRlnTCOoEkD_p/s1600/women+and+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAwh_NDtGDvmaUB7CldgRM_LICq7fkEHdnGG3iQsZT4SP4Q25Vks5OJ5SECLDVu_WO7vpThxdy7j6iU4BA4nCU0oZqAChy8TMPPs4I4PMy9f3gIpLQZDh8uyckLkaCaYoRlnTCOoEkD_p/s320/women+and+love.jpg" width="228" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">I feel incredible joy that I have had the opportunity to
receive an education in two previously male-dominated fields, business and now
public policy. I’ve had access to meaningful work and volunteer opportunities.
I spent most of my twenties living in places where I could walk or bike around
at any hour of the day or night safely.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve enjoyed living and traveling alone and doing pretty
much whatever I darn-well-please. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My parents don’t care if I choose to have a partner or bear
them grandchildren. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don’t even consider my gender when getting into the
driver’s seat of a car or casting a ballot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A lot of the world doesn’t live this way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Even my grandmothers didn’t enjoy all of the freedoms that I
do today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m not saying that these privileges aren’t also things that
every woman deserves or that I have never faced gender discrimination. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What I am saying is that I feel grateful for these
privileges in light of our global context. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now on to what this means for me today, on International
Women’s Day. I believe that today is important, not just as a day on it’s own,
but as a time to start reflecting and dialoguing on where we have come from,
where we are and where we hope to go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I say ‘we’ both in the collective sense and in the sense
that ‘we’ are a world full of individuals. I believe that we too often make the
marginalization of women and girls something that ‘someone else' does without
first critically examining the role that each of us individually plays in a
global system of gendered inequality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rnHPhY4jDdOM6tM8V34wIS4Qlv6u1Zht4K78TlNBr63-9YVPLMWqdmXUva2ZU2CWDCKuDctZoLTR9jFIeCEefCo_wm94N3uovarAGFgWR9HGqQAVN29zBWpB9IbBa6yzK_G60MGJVBTX/s1600/women's+day.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rnHPhY4jDdOM6tM8V34wIS4Qlv6u1Zht4K78TlNBr63-9YVPLMWqdmXUva2ZU2CWDCKuDctZoLTR9jFIeCEefCo_wm94N3uovarAGFgWR9HGqQAVN29zBWpB9IbBa6yzK_G60MGJVBTX/s640/women's+day.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Like many people living in South Africa, I have been
thinking a lot about gender-based violence these past weeks. There
have been two very high-profile femicide cases this month in South Africa. One
involved a famous South African Olympic Athlete fatally shooting his
girlfriend. The other was a gruesome gang-rape murder of a 17 year-old girl. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">These two murders have pushed the issue of gender based
violence in South Africa to the front of every newspaper, to the ‘breaking
news’ on every newscast, and onto everyone’s lips – talk show hosts, university
professors, discussion groups, the President in his State of the Nation
Address… you get the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Despite recent attention, gender based violence is not
a new issue in South Africa. Every 6 seconds a rape is reported and every day, 3 women are murdered by her intimate partner. (South African
Medical Research Council, 2012)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Despite being constantly on my mind, I have been hesitant to
write about gender issues in a country where I am a foreigner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I struggle with how gender inequality in the developing
world is often portrayed and </span><span style="font-size: large;">wonder if we often lose sight of the crux of the issue?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Patriarchy somehow becomes something
that exists somewhere else, gender-based violence something that happens ‘over
there’ and by ‘someone else’. We don’t
often critically examine how we interact with these systems in our own lives.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is an excerpt from a recent article in the Toronto
star. While rightly covering an important and serious issue, I wonder what the
writer was attempting with her sensationalism and finger-pointing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">‘As a woman in South
Africa, you worry when you leave your house and you worry when you get home.
You are never safe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is a violent,
macho, testosterone-fuelled place. <b>I
visited for two weeks eight years ago and don’t want to go back. One
bed-and-breakfast host pulled out a gun and another pulled out a giant knife.
The hair on the back of my neck was in constant electric shock- mode. I felt
safer in Pakistan.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">What’s most worrying about South Africa’s violence to women is the
general acceptance of it. Men are not ashamed of beating and raping women. Most
husbands think that’s their right. And many women agree.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Either way,
Steenkamp’s gruesome story fits into the country’s damning narrative of men
killing women. And <b>in the court of
social conscience, it provides yet another opportunity for South Africans to
examine their misogyny.’<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Not to diminish the writer’s experience, but does a 2-week
visit to a country give an outsider the expertise to boil an issue down in the
‘court of social conscience’ to a country being full of misogynists?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I agree that gender based violence is a major issue
that requires significant attention, but wonder what the international portrayal
of a place as scary and woman-hating aims to accomplish? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Every day, week and month I spend here unveils more
complexity in what previously seemed straight-forward issues to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of focusing on gender based violence and the marginalization of women and girls as something
that happens ‘in Africa’, ‘in THAT neighbourhood’ or ‘next door’, I think we
need to take a deeper look at the issue instead of ‘other-izing’ it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBL8ZcwRUlQcMG7r8mwEiE5AXDhPwIZlhGpPQwlZ9csgs34WGodFyL_fvnTkWCO4cUyBO3-uRD5e5by5Tr6n-TMjbqSULAIe7aFt3lkqHpTtaOy3AvnYG6YE1ZrQZFBAq7ZT8kOV6rxSE/s640/IMG-20130220-00421.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protest against GBV at UCT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBL8ZcwRUlQcMG7r8mwEiE5AXDhPwIZlhGpPQwlZ9csgs34WGodFyL_fvnTkWCO4cUyBO3-uRD5e5by5Tr6n-TMjbqSULAIe7aFt3lkqHpTtaOy3AvnYG6YE1ZrQZFBAq7ZT8kOV6rxSE/s1600/IMG-20130220-00421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A few weeks ago I attended a protest at the University of
Cape Town. Thousands of people attended, classes were cancelled and the
vice-chancellor, professors and students took to the podium. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The vice chancellor caught me off guard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He challenged us to question what we were protesting and to
start by examining ourselves. To start by examining how we with our thoughts,
actions and words play into a system of patriarchy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is much more difficult to do than to raise a fist against
a monstrous perpetrator. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Horrendous inequalities between men and women exist all over
the globe, in different ways and with varied severities. Marginalization of women and girls exists in
the very fabric of our societies and affects us all. So why do we so rarely
examine our own actions and how they perpetrate an unacceptable status quo?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For me, International Women’s day provides us with a
starting point to do this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What about my actions? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have engaged in small talk with other women and men about
how a woman is dressed ‘too’ revealingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have remained silent when others use condescending
language towards women, or the word ‘rape’ to describe what happens on the
sports field. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have doubted myself and other women’s thoughts and
abilities and normalized behaviours that are not acceptable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve silenced other women and undermined their experiences. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Although I have a significant amount of privilege, I don’t
always use my voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve blamed others without first exploring my role. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What I have done is not ok, even if society says so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I pledge to try to be better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I believe that perpetrators of gender based violence and
femicide SHOULD be held to account.
Issues should be discussed, debated and put in the news. Movements of
individuals standing up against issues affecting women are powerful and I fully
support them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOfpJBhyzDyaYqMszSQkGsJo9yPmSdKM_RnbrL_fFo_4_N7VxwvM2OndDPB0A4M5ycIqkoyaoOFtuT2imKbpIo-NN4SpOlcvKZmhyphenhyphenwY3zHxuUj_fHUeuwCc-I03gF4JqiCuly07sYBxPs/s1600/women's+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Within this, lets also try to do something powerful within
ourselves:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let us consider our love for each other, our love for women,
our love for ourselves. And if we do indeed have that love, as I believe is
natural in humans, let’s take a look at our actions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">How might we perpetuate a
system that marginalizes over half of the world’s population and how we can
interrupt it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let’s commit to doing better for the women we love and women
around the world. And let’s start with ourselves. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOfpJBhyzDyaYqMszSQkGsJo9yPmSdKM_RnbrL_fFo_4_N7VxwvM2OndDPB0A4M5ycIqkoyaoOFtuT2imKbpIo-NN4SpOlcvKZmhyphenhyphenwY3zHxuUj_fHUeuwCc-I03gF4JqiCuly07sYBxPs/s1600/women's+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOfpJBhyzDyaYqMszSQkGsJo9yPmSdKM_RnbrL_fFo_4_N7VxwvM2OndDPB0A4M5ycIqkoyaoOFtuT2imKbpIo-NN4SpOlcvKZmhyphenhyphenwY3zHxuUj_fHUeuwCc-I03gF4JqiCuly07sYBxPs/s640/women's+day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-5277492081809780952013-03-07T16:21:00.001+02:002013-03-07T16:21:52.662+02:00Arriving in Cape Town: Broken toes, tin-can cars and how we inevitably journey forward<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<i>“Life goes on, unmindful of beginning, end…crisis or catharsis, moving forward like a slow, dusty caravan of kochis (nomads).” - Khaled Hosseini</i></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtfZBZY2r0pbdiHvYcq5eBRiw-WQXbF0NBi0-DOAa_pC-k7BDrB_wjiXKnakssA3jnr7dbRS1aH08Q9aqxg4TQDsFCDjFd6o1fh9FYJ1w3q3GfGpe1_AOMEKgHFKkvw7ZM49KOcc2D43I/s1600/DSC_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtfZBZY2r0pbdiHvYcq5eBRiw-WQXbF0NBi0-DOAa_pC-k7BDrB_wjiXKnakssA3jnr7dbRS1aH08Q9aqxg4TQDsFCDjFd6o1fh9FYJ1w3q3GfGpe1_AOMEKgHFKkvw7ZM49KOcc2D43I/s640/DSC_0778.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve been in Cape Town a few weeks now and have been very
bad at keeping my commitment to start blogging again.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I usually choose my posts by picking a topic that has been
prominent in my life, then writing about my thoughts surrounding it. This post is rather less profound and more an odds-and-ends overview of my arrival and and settling in here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After years of figuring out how to move here and 2 years of anticipation, to finally arrive seems like the most natural thing in the
world. Things seem almost too easy after working and saving so hard for this next step. It seems as though moving forward sometimes happens with great intention and struggle. Other-times things happen so naturally that we barely notice our movement at all. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmi6c7bjiqs4LBw5WLinLqGdHpUpuAUPQfQlWHrvp3TyPvzHGsNtM_J2Ml36Mn6jc6wTsWtH1Ac0rvoA7vsfxMERlVHQRIO2FuklTxgd753qfRQptFRf8ekJ-blKfanLT1ErxxXlls8PG/s1600/DSC_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmi6c7bjiqs4LBw5WLinLqGdHpUpuAUPQfQlWHrvp3TyPvzHGsNtM_J2Ml36Mn6jc6wTsWtH1Ac0rvoA7vsfxMERlVHQRIO2FuklTxgd753qfRQptFRf8ekJ-blKfanLT1ErxxXlls8PG/s640/DSC_0277.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Arriving in CT</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I arrived in this stunning city, excitedly but without
event or incident after travelling overland from Malawi (accompanied by my wonderful friend Ms. Bolen). What has happened
since has been a natural progression in getting settled into a new life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPETYLoVMGAcf0YCQQpMlZYsi7t3dEsHzXfB7fYNlIVQq0ryA-ydFsIPP8N-ZaOYG-J5SABGsNzAa86bT6-ALcw7httYEljKn7IBpXXSLb-JKzVJ15oHxwb_8iTPdC0pcfu8UMumMeO3C/s1600/DSC_0727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPETYLoVMGAcf0YCQQpMlZYsi7t3dEsHzXfB7fYNlIVQq0ryA-ydFsIPP8N-ZaOYG-J5SABGsNzAa86bT6-ALcw7httYEljKn7IBpXXSLb-JKzVJ15oHxwb_8iTPdC0pcfu8UMumMeO3C/s640/DSC_0727.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful Ms. Bolen at the Cape of Good Hope<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the first things that strikes after the beauty of the city and the warm Rotary welcome, is that things are
relatively easy for me here. Keep in mind that I’m living in one specific
region of the Western Cape province, arguably one of the most developed areas of South Africa. I also carry a significant amount of privilege being an international student from Canada and through incredible support from Rotary.
There is a lot of ease in my experience that many others in South Africa don’t
have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I say ‘easy’, I mean that things seem to happen
relatively on time and without struggle. Fuel is always available and water,
power (for the most part) and internet are reliable. There is also an amazing
selection of places to go and things to do, see and eat. I also haven’t
encountered any language barriers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdnXlDK4eQW_6ofS4gbP0gE6UEy9R6ZRwx42nostfnlhw6wMNkbcHikJF97EnUdbA71CHeTYc07B0EozBQkRn3iOcF83Ly9TcK83b055PmUIYMNbOOS5DjYXm3_r0iUbYE8y7oxeUH9Vq/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdnXlDK4eQW_6ofS4gbP0gE6UEy9R6ZRwx42nostfnlhw6wMNkbcHikJF97EnUdbA71CHeTYc07B0EozBQkRn3iOcF83Ly9TcK83b055PmUIYMNbOOS5DjYXm3_r0iUbYE8y7oxeUH9Vq/s640/DSC_0294.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">View from the back porch<br /><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have found a place to live for the time being. Although
not ideally located near school or downtown, I walk out onto the street in the
morning and look at a mountain looming in front of me. Sitting on the back
porch, I have a stunning view of the ocean and the boats in the harbor. Pretty
amazing! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In other news, I’ve bought a car. Although I’ve been driving
for 10 years, this is the first time I own transport that is not a bicycle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I usually opt to bike, walk or
take public transpo but this is a sprawling city and the public transport
infrastructure isn’t great. After a year of nights sitting in gated compounds
in Malawi or waiting on expensive taxis, I decided to bite the bullet and buy a
cheap little hatchback 'tin can' to bop around town. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Driving to the place where I’m
currently sitting, I’m sure I stalled over 20 times, mostly on hills or in
intersections. Driving manual takes some getting used to, but this is part of
the learning process. I am keeping a little room in my budget for a new clutch
:-P</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKkj3g_8_rEErejhbZHvJPGIKtjN5OE5_JDibLmnKN8Y6YYPE1ORUcJ_lB5gGLnBGDA69Y2ievsHpjgmS7H2xHl7AAMRFoccilrETLUXkkgx_JYrruAiHAXnkRDvEr4gevbjekdO9mSQ1/s1600/DSC_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKkj3g_8_rEErejhbZHvJPGIKtjN5OE5_JDibLmnKN8Y6YYPE1ORUcJ_lB5gGLnBGDA69Y2ievsHpjgmS7H2xHl7AAMRFoccilrETLUXkkgx_JYrruAiHAXnkRDvEr4gevbjekdO9mSQ1/s640/DSC_0308.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Matimati (Chichewa word for 'tomato') and I :-P</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I also broke my big toe a few weeks ago in a very
under-dramatic fall. Things are healing
relatively well and I have learned that Cape Town and campus aren’t all that
bad barefoot. In fact, I’ve noticed many able-footed bohemian types opting to go barefoot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Classes began a few weeks ago after a pretty intensive
but uneventful registration process. Sitting in the first few lectures, I quite
frequently felt my heart brimming over with joy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We are talking about uncontrollable, eyes-welled-up type of joy here!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am ecstatic to be back to
school and in Cape Town. What a fascinating place and time to be studying. Looking around the classroom, I often get the feeling that some of my classmates will take on leadership roles and be part of the futures of their respective countries. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Having been out of school for 6 years and having only studied business, this is all a bit intimidating. I’m worried about
keeping up but am excited for new challenges, lots of learning and hopefully
some growth thrown into the mix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Signing off broken-toed and happy!</span></div>
</div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-20854208084285715882013-02-20T21:44:00.000+02:002013-02-20T21:44:03.711+02:00Moving to South Africa - My 'What', 'Why' and 'How' <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
One day, a few years back, I was chatting with my Aunt’s
partner during a family visit. I was researching places to study outside of
Canada and we discussed Cape Town at length (he is originally from South
Africa). As we parted ways, he clapped his warm, heavy hand on my shoulder,
smiled and said ‘<b><i>Girl, you’ve gotta get yourself to Cape Town</i></b>!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was the moment I first knew I would go to South Africa.
I have been asked many versions of the ‘why are doing what you’re doing?’
question so I thought I would dedicate a post to the story of how it started
and how and why I’ve come to move to Cape Town.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o2E83HEXKZRDiqCrBuVuH49SDKCXWfC27t1rQ7xpEH7_K9-LFRHGDRhBWQO1doQiRO0N-cEbZPkdqoEB4iAJaKGqUtURhN4kRVUehgDFrK9j2gBrXiStaYDcrI3ieF2ZwZQAWsR9Xjd4/s1600/UCT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o2E83HEXKZRDiqCrBuVuH49SDKCXWfC27t1rQ7xpEH7_K9-LFRHGDRhBWQO1doQiRO0N-cEbZPkdqoEB4iAJaKGqUtURhN4kRVUehgDFrK9j2gBrXiStaYDcrI3ieF2ZwZQAWsR9Xjd4/s640/UCT.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">University of Cape Town Middle/Upper Campus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I began working full time when I was 21 and would dread
receiving my annual pension statement. A pension is a very privileged thing to
have, but when you have been working for 5 years and still have 30 to go, it
can be a bit daunting. Despite this, I was fascinated by the workings of
government and loved working in both strategy and international relations. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It never crossed my mind that I would want to go back to
school after finishing my bachelor degree. I had studied business because I
thought it would be practical – not because I was particularly excited by the
topic. After a couple of years of working, I began to feel an increasing urge to
study something that fascinated me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the same time, I was volunteering at the city’s local
AIDS Service Organization and was exposed to social justice advocacy. I was
excited to see passionate people working to benefit their communities and it
felt great to get involved with an issue that I thought to be fundamentally
important. At the same time, I was appalled to learn that there is oftentimes <a href="http://expresslylesley.blogspot.com/2012/06/we-are-all-living-with-hiv.html" target="_blank">a link between HIV and marginalization</a>. I
became curious about if this link exists in other regions, especially ones
where HIV is endemic. I wanted to get involved further with development and
social development initiatives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Enter Rotary International.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJTB7GZ9QFCmqq3gYbpUtXT8DJ5xID020HuL-ZFFmb_7V6C-10xzsz1zfuMYFvhQamtaeoXedZjyDOnF0VQ2Ub6OW2tehGJ6zBHvG0OR5iHF_Q7aC6CFrZMWCr4iRx_hf9Zweeuhz6xlZ/s1600/Rotary+Wheel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJTB7GZ9QFCmqq3gYbpUtXT8DJ5xID020HuL-ZFFmb_7V6C-10xzsz1zfuMYFvhQamtaeoXedZjyDOnF0VQ2Ub6OW2tehGJ6zBHvG0OR5iHF_Q7aC6CFrZMWCr4iRx_hf9Zweeuhz6xlZ/s400/Rotary+Wheel.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I grew up hearing about Rotary from my parent’s close
friends, Bob and Mary Jean. I loved the concept of ‘Service above self’ and the
goal of the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship program, which funds students to
study in different parts of the world with an aim to promote world peace
through intercultural understanding.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I applied unsuccessfully 2 years in a row for the
scholarship. The second year, the Rotary Club of Ottawa provided me with two
mentors and sent me to the district finals. Although I wasn’t selected, the
mentorship provided me with clarity in terms of the direction I wanted to take.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through working for the government, I knew that I wanted to
study public policy and administration. My passion for HIV work made me want to
study public policy through a health and social justice lens. After researching
schools and locations, I went to Cape Town on a volunteer project to see what
the city was like and to check out the University. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This time was arguably the best five weeks of my life and I
knew I wanted to return. It is a beautiful, diverse country with a degree of complexity that I can't begin to understand. I am fascinated with this place and find myself reflecting on myself and country of origin in the context of what I learn here. Cape Town also happens to be one of the most stunning cities I have ever seen with a fantastic University.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQdLGn3yOjqYDiDT11PYq1KGZoU4EiiI_ybq-Vx7qaeDzfh0xdbNv8i9kmrXEzD36xZV_FV325iUu02JjLREYTl6GTJYZufnBKHbVx2aGqLic_Zr9DxpbVkCvfuq4vllVeJAk2IhczZ4C/s1600/cpt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQdLGn3yOjqYDiDT11PYq1KGZoU4EiiI_ybq-Vx7qaeDzfh0xdbNv8i9kmrXEzD36xZV_FV325iUu02JjLREYTl6GTJYZufnBKHbVx2aGqLic_Zr9DxpbVkCvfuq4vllVeJAk2IhczZ4C/s640/cpt1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Town </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started saving vigorously and was accepted into the University
of Cape Town to study public policy and administration. When my mentors
recommended that I apply a third time to be an Ambassadorial Scholar, I had
nothing to lose. This time, I was fortunate enough to get the scholarship and
get placed at the University of Cape Town! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I had a year before the scholarship year started, I
deferred by studies and moved to Malawi to volunteer for the year. While there,
I became more passionate about issues of social justice, health and
marginalization and even more excited about the Ambassadorial scholar program.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Scholarship has a number of requirements that are
completely in line with things that I love doing anyways. Scholars are required
to (in addition to school, of course) visit Rotary Clubs and give presentations,
get involved with community service projects, and share about their experiences
when they return home. The idea is that scholars should serve as ‘Ambassadors
of Goodwill’ from the Rotary Club, District and region that they are coming
from. In my case, I’m coming from the Rotary Club of Ottawa, in District 7040
which includes parts of Canada and the United States.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the risk of going on a tangent, I’m not a cultural
minimalist. I’ve tried to be one, but ultimately I believe that circumstance, location
and culture can oftentimes be factors that lead us to believe that we as human
beings are separate from one another. In acknowledging this, I see immense
value in programs offered by the Rotary Foundation to further intercultural
understanding. In her writings on her
experience as an exchange student in Thailand, Karen Connelly says:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘<i>I’d like to believe –
and I sometimes do – that every boundary between people can be crossed, that we
are connected to each other by invisible bonds that override distance. My skin
stretches over the earth.'</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think that programs such as the Ambassadorial Scholarship
Program offered by the Rotary Foundation can and do build these bridges.
Although not necessarily quantifiable, I believe that these bridges have immense
value in our world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a year in Malawi and only a week into my studies, the
program has already changed my life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
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<br /><br />
<!--EndFragment--></div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0Cape Town, South Africa-33.9248685 18.424055299999964-34.768171 17.133161799999964 -33.081566 19.714948799999963tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-38458050584244347542013-01-31T00:30:00.000+02:002013-01-31T00:30:01.461+02:00A (kind of) new chapter - moving to Cape Town<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhia-m1NMC1wfhKPNX1DcyE_ENKpYXB6BT3xfjttqSQF9hKQ_mZBaWpkJ7MSO-VUMxm46gJYRlA5uH6hxtrfyQkEAAb_JKELp5-nVUqkzwHK_i6K9ykMUzthcNN8Z9nj21O6JFk6jvahDWx/s1600/_MG_2064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhia-m1NMC1wfhKPNX1DcyE_ENKpYXB6BT3xfjttqSQF9hKQ_mZBaWpkJ7MSO-VUMxm46gJYRlA5uH6hxtrfyQkEAAb_JKELp5-nVUqkzwHK_i6K9ykMUzthcNN8Z9nj21O6JFk6jvahDWx/s640/_MG_2064.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camps Bay, CT</td></tr>
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It rained twice in the five glorious weeks that constituted
my introduction to Cape Town – the day I arrived and the day I left.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It has been almost two years since I left that beautiful
city - a sufficient amount of time to erode the crispness of fresh memory.<br />
<br />
When I think of those sweet weeks of growth
and exploration, Cape Town feels like a reverie of something akin to warm
light. I remember sunrises and the sensation a plethora of small pistons
igniting my mind and spirit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Hoek</td></tr>
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Now I’m moving there. Sitting in the Frankfurt airport, I
keep checking my passport. Page 14 displays a study visa that will allow me to
live as a student in South Africa. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m headed first to Malawi where I lived last year. I will
then travel overland to South Africa with my dear friend Andrea.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Stay tuned!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAF2uui5TaC0pQAWQNmhM5PZrIIKxD3WCza2tKcRHtU0w5I4y3ea3ooPlAJLK5m800I99eZtduEupNHBSFwb5DmHX3tA8x75sFmtxRtTqNJepiaQwU_1F3rXx0j8B6YTvaSdJqwwOaIIRI/s1600/P2010797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAF2uui5TaC0pQAWQNmhM5PZrIIKxD3WCza2tKcRHtU0w5I4y3ea3ooPlAJLK5m800I99eZtduEupNHBSFwb5DmHX3tA8x75sFmtxRtTqNJepiaQwU_1F3rXx0j8B6YTvaSdJqwwOaIIRI/s640/P2010797.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Penguins, Boulder's Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-50502449204473120412013-01-27T19:14:00.001+02:002013-01-27T19:14:34.893+02:00Returning Differently<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFi0iFjshoSb8TLory-jAGn7cizEOQ2yDbM3aKsjsguQAXqJQuki-d9Fpbli3xZ_9Q1lGPdVP7Jj9LJSI9fymovmTRjozEPpuEb7MOe1fPWMf1dPFahWPrjKUNkumedY0zHqzTqUucC78P/s1600/DSC_0270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFi0iFjshoSb8TLory-jAGn7cizEOQ2yDbM3aKsjsguQAXqJQuki-d9Fpbli3xZ_9Q1lGPdVP7Jj9LJSI9fymovmTRjozEPpuEb7MOe1fPWMf1dPFahWPrjKUNkumedY0zHqzTqUucC78P/s640/DSC_0270.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Soon I’ll be off to a different country on a different
adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have a mindset that doesn't serve me well - adventures occur when I go to places
or have experiences that are different or new to me. It then logically follows that
familiar places and lived experiences are somehow ‘normal’, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A few times I have sat anxious on a landing airplane,
nervous about what I would experience when I set foot in a foreign land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This natural spike of adrenaline coupled with the expectation
of a new experience has helped me to navigate these adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Operating from this framework, going back to Ontario, Canada (the most familiar place in the world for me) was surprisingly more challenging
than I expected. Everything felt relatively the same - except for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It is one thing to be obviously foreign, an easily
identifiable outsider based on language, accent and appearance. It is a
complete other experience to feel foreign in the place where you’re from. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Canada was a different type of adventure - an internal one
set against a familiar landscape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Don’t get me wrong, it was wonderful to be home! While travelling to Canada I burst into tears
a number of times out of sheer excitement and a sweet feeling of familiarity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On the flight from Frankfurt to Toronto, I heard people
making announcements in my accent and was overjoyed to watch a movie in
Canadian French. The man sitting beside me was from Calgary in all his plaid
flannel shirt, handlebar mustache glory and went out of his way to help me with
my carry on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I adored being in a racially diverse crowd of people waiting
to board the aircraft. Most of us held passports that like mine bear shiny gold
letters that spell ‘CANADA’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was greeted by smiling parents who showered me with
comfort things – cheese, chocolate, warm clothes. I enjoyed the company of many
beautiful friends and family members. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRLqwlvvFiqzAWymK2KWYAxUkZMF6_FPZ62g8J_fqiEfxJ1uQvpLKvUBQOvP0x9b2yFPYN3IDY4-1bbfMSn90KdU8QFUADdrW9yQcaiDZqx110PITlei6yHPlbGA6ES3gahklA0FZi0gq/s1600/DSC_0198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRLqwlvvFiqzAWymK2KWYAxUkZMF6_FPZ62g8J_fqiEfxJ1uQvpLKvUBQOvP0x9b2yFPYN3IDY4-1bbfMSn90KdU8QFUADdrW9yQcaiDZqx110PITlei6yHPlbGA6ES3gahklA0FZi0gq/s640/DSC_0198.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mom welcoming me home - complete with cheese platter!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDPEW04zryIbRydCFvsupYN3ovofQNxiBu91hULdmjN6jsuB4I3q1li-al3gvJFCC4Nz7TqHiyYNFwKrxRt9SygqS4k2gGE8f5ILPe24YlSzILxLY_u4GNRq5LmFWBD_Sv2IgKgRCOQPR/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDPEW04zryIbRydCFvsupYN3ovofQNxiBu91hULdmjN6jsuB4I3q1li-al3gvJFCC4Nz7TqHiyYNFwKrxRt9SygqS4k2gGE8f5ILPe24YlSzILxLY_u4GNRq5LmFWBD_Sv2IgKgRCOQPR/s640/DSC_0201.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful gift and meal from Elsa</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSzv6h0CuxnjnGLfiGXFFDwNnteH-5i8feAwGkri9wz3GjsRn8Vo9XXT13Cbz9FatzNlmClnjYU8SiuFXX_t5hdtFPm7gE-lt49rs-frHycOTXuniPbeqpTi_PxA1k-_8bgKY42qc7sBq/s1600/DSC_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSzv6h0CuxnjnGLfiGXFFDwNnteH-5i8feAwGkri9wz3GjsRn8Vo9XXT13Cbz9FatzNlmClnjYU8SiuFXX_t5hdtFPm7gE-lt49rs-frHycOTXuniPbeqpTi_PxA1k-_8bgKY42qc7sBq/s640/DSC_0204.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Despite all this, I found myself feeling overwhelmed with a
completely new and indescribable feeling. Not being able to put thoughts and
feelings into words is incredibly frustrating for me. How could I understand
and express that something inside of me has shifted, that I don’t know my
different self at home, the very place where I’m from? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Malawi turned the world upside for me and stepping back into
my motherland didn’t turn it back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I know much less now, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A few days after arriving home, I wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">‘Everything
is so fast. Blazing by so quickly, I can observe the intensity but fail to
capture any warmth that this rat race might emit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Friends
and family have been small oases scattered amidst this chaos. They are eager to
listen to the fragments of my experience that I can muster words for. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I
was worried about questions wanting neat, packaged answers. I have been lucky
to have few. Instead I'm receiving patience and acceptance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">They
also allow for the silence that expresses the spaces I feel so acutely, silence
more expressive than any words I can string together.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thanks to family and friends for all the love that was
offered to me while home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks also to those who gave me hope through their donations and interest in development initiatives in Malawi. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHyo82kww7I5nk3oMUKBbVCVwtX2Px2EnRVMvrLKTLBVRDdzv2rxoC9FoH-EX1lFGjM6ubssgjo5vyO_qyu4pG-MWckRt3Oc1r2zHq5Sn5Rmt5ybZb5PwOxPPmjdoy4kUunSHtN-l4HzO/s1600/DSC_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHyo82kww7I5nk3oMUKBbVCVwtX2Px2EnRVMvrLKTLBVRDdzv2rxoC9FoH-EX1lFGjM6ubssgjo5vyO_qyu4pG-MWckRt3Oc1r2zHq5Sn5Rmt5ybZb5PwOxPPmjdoy4kUunSHtN-l4HzO/s640/DSC_0287.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nugget getting carried in Chitenje</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEOlxgNagmYr_Da-jD9rPsuNOcFESHWHAQ18jqux6scN-_oO5PNaUJMU_JEOdWenXSnwwxAVobBu28lPofA3_i29Rb5URjjwkSNA9DNn-BJHLCXqAHteE_Nn_VEQ8TD2pR8jdragqxqMx/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEOlxgNagmYr_Da-jD9rPsuNOcFESHWHAQ18jqux6scN-_oO5PNaUJMU_JEOdWenXSnwwxAVobBu28lPofA3_i29Rb5URjjwkSNA9DNn-BJHLCXqAHteE_Nn_VEQ8TD2pR8jdragqxqMx/s640/DSC_0226.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3mGYxmH1WQgRgvgjjeYa4lzOXYAL0m9RPrA-tQ-jcZVGlHzroDj3_1IsLZ84njoFLXOiEOxMMB_M1XOtLSwELjmlj8J4ApMu5t2JVlTnnpjw1i-2KDiXivvzBp_m9yJkefdUcVNs82-F/s1600/DSC_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3mGYxmH1WQgRgvgjjeYa4lzOXYAL0m9RPrA-tQ-jcZVGlHzroDj3_1IsLZ84njoFLXOiEOxMMB_M1XOtLSwELjmlj8J4ApMu5t2JVlTnnpjw1i-2KDiXivvzBp_m9yJkefdUcVNs82-F/s640/DSC_0210.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTeiYWaw_WlbnG4cbUm5N8oaHSVvX9vSueIlcTkdXhOKYzHunpkGPOlQPQuT3vMxr0JoaM3pwCa-juwgDCMcIIrzksI5IFZqVgnP1bxkKydFRUERhfMtuH4ZCoaKJJLWGKgeMv90dDhty/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTeiYWaw_WlbnG4cbUm5N8oaHSVvX9vSueIlcTkdXhOKYzHunpkGPOlQPQuT3vMxr0JoaM3pwCa-juwgDCMcIIrzksI5IFZqVgnP1bxkKydFRUERhfMtuH4ZCoaKJJLWGKgeMv90dDhty/s640/DSC_0091.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad on Christmas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LkIb-troIhyRu4WU6KRbMdtI56Bik-mMrW_kQhoDeKsc5hHi6SY8LwYYlEQGcEuk6Z97vSVmi2igPrCcpJF7ObD98izjUZLjGGX7ujQGwebuDNCoZG-2eOIehh5yd40Y6vo_SUCA0Hc2/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LkIb-troIhyRu4WU6KRbMdtI56Bik-mMrW_kQhoDeKsc5hHi6SY8LwYYlEQGcEuk6Z97vSVmi2igPrCcpJF7ObD98izjUZLjGGX7ujQGwebuDNCoZG-2eOIehh5yd40Y6vo_SUCA0Hc2/s640/DSC_0080.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister! Christmas Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gPqPd0ajKLPUAorMNK5y5crKCdgJjcd31Sa2p4WlnxFCXjCIVqXA0DRQ8cc71Q_HojsUkxQrspXOTfVJzIyzFNTiZAhPbu7Fpm5YY_LvbfxhzFMy5GYp595Rouy98kc0hn58qg9HNdiT/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gPqPd0ajKLPUAorMNK5y5crKCdgJjcd31Sa2p4WlnxFCXjCIVqXA0DRQ8cc71Q_HojsUkxQrspXOTfVJzIyzFNTiZAhPbu7Fpm5YY_LvbfxhzFMy5GYp595Rouy98kc0hn58qg9HNdiT/s640/DSC_0079.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother :) Christmas Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0Oakville, ON, Canada43.45 -79.68333330000001543.265561000000005 -80.00605680000001 43.634439 -79.36060980000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-35655649731818686772012-10-31T12:19:00.001+02:002012-11-06T16:40:16.768+02:00Leaving Malawi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sitting on my porch drinking in the
warm Lilongwe night air, Daniel tells me:<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
'<i>I don't know if you've experienced
this, but I feel much more alive when I'm in Africa</i>'.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I ponder his statement for a moment,
willing my experience to agree with his. It doesn't, I don't feel
'more alive' here.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think about what I do feel here, what
this place has given me if it isn't a feeling of being pressed up to
life.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Realization and gratitude sweep simultaneously over me
as the answer finds me:
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don't feel more alive here, and this
place hasn't offered me what I want. It has however offered me
something much more profound than filling my desires.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It has given me everything that I NEED.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When I decided to leave my life in
Canada for a year in Malawi, I didn't hope that it would be easy. I
did however hope to be challenged, to experience and to grow. I don't
know if I've grown but I do know that I have been challenged and have
experienced a great deal.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The experiences that I've had and the
lessons that have been offered to me are all exactly what I needed
at this point in my life.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've also felt deep joy here, connected
with fantastic people and enjoyed the beautiful landscapes. I've seen
a complete different way of living and marveled at how people find
joy and a beat to dance to in the face of hardship. I've even found
new passions – who would know that I would become passionate about
education for development and menstrual hygeine?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This place has also held up a mirror and forced me into all of my dark places – apathy, helplessness,
discomfort, failure. And although I've been present in these
uncomfortable places, I haven't conquered them. I haven't needed to
conquer them, but I've needed to know them intimately, and that's
exactly what happened.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm reminded of the opening line of the
poem that my mentor Angela sent to me just before my departure.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>When you set out for Ithaca, ask
that your way be long, full of adventure, full of learning.</i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those words were akin to beads on a
rosary string for me. I would turn them over, touch them and they
became my prayer.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And Malawi, a departure point to
Homer's mystical Ithaca has been just that for me - <i>full of
adventure, full of learning</i>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This place has worn on me like a gentle
sandpaper. So refined that I haven't always felt its rubbing, but so
constant that when I take stock of this year, I realize that I don't
recognize my own shape anymore – I've changed form.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I examine my reflection in the mirror and its odd to say but I even look different now, my skin is a
bit worse for wear, my body weaker and rounder.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I wonder what my former self would
think if I were glimpsing into the future and reading this entry on
the way to Malawi. I was so hopeful about making a difference,
building meaningful relationships and sparking positive
transformation. I would even venture to say that I was more naïve
than today about development and how things function. I felt firm in
my conviction and stable in my values.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think my previous self would smile
at this entry and believe that I needed every experience
to get to this point where I don't know anything. Where I've been
transformed and become well acquainted with my dark places. There is one
thing on which I know that my past and present self would agree:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I WOULD NOT CHANGE A THING.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My first post was rife with information
about where I was going, what I would be doing. I won't conclude this
chapter with facts about what is next. The truth is that I don't
know. And that is how I know I'm on my way to Ithaca.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTh9rRP4UPbOlNQPZuzcoELvRTMMjrzJUFXg9J7lnj8FZjG6k4uSj5762LrVM7-oeNFC0eydUn9M7_MHLqJOz43h1Z-OT_3bDj9vB6Xi028nRQbOU54_f5Yf-sIJDMPahjc8TvKyNhPwe/s1600/sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTh9rRP4UPbOlNQPZuzcoELvRTMMjrzJUFXg9J7lnj8FZjG6k4uSj5762LrVM7-oeNFC0eydUn9M7_MHLqJOz43h1Z-OT_3bDj9vB6Xi028nRQbOU54_f5Yf-sIJDMPahjc8TvKyNhPwe/s640/sunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com2Lilongwe, Malawi-13.9833333 33.7833333-14.1065988 33.625404800000005 -13.8600678 33.9412618tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-15373213706139796142012-10-27T10:07:00.000+02:002012-10-27T10:07:00.909+02:00Malawian Proverbs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sitting in the office with my colleague
Eddie, I learn that the Malawian government has made a commitment to
phase out a toxic compenent of HIV treatment. This response was
partially triggered by an advocacy letter that Eddie himself signed.
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Laughing, he say's 'I'm glad for the
result. I thought I had burnt my fingers signing that letter'.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I sit dumbfounded for a moment, trying
to understand what he is saying. After a second I realize that he is
saying that he thought he had made a career limiting move by signing
the letter, a very political act of advocacy.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After congratulating him oncemore on
such a huge victory, I start thinking about the use of proverbs here.
What a simple and beautiful way to express himself. It gives the
listener an image, ignites the mind and accurately conveys his
message. Burning ones fingers is much nicer than saying 'I thought I
screwed myself over'</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Malawians use a plethora of proverbs in
daily life. These are used for expressing thoughts and feelings as
well as imparting lessons.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Coming from a very direct culture,
these mind twisters are oftentimes lost on me. Its a shame that I
can't seem to wrap my head around more because they are one of the
parts of Malawian culture that I appreciate most.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After a year here, I've managed to
learn a few that I apply to my experience in Malawi.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Being that I'm leaving this week, I
wanted to share the proverbs that have helped me understand this
experience.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1) Proverb: 'Walira mvula walira
matope.'</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Translation: 'He who cries for rain
cries for mud.'</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In a country where over 80% of
Malawians engage in subsistence agriculture (growing their own food
to eat), the rains are fundamental to life. Mud being a byproduct of
rain, the proverb reminds us that if we ask for something, we have to
also be prepared to take what comes along with it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I came to Malawi because I desperately
wanted to learn about a different way of life, to develop as a person
and to hopefully to make a difference. My time here has allowed me
space to do these things but hasn't been without challenges. The
proverb reminds me to suck it up when I'm taking a cold shower,
sitting in the dark or craving cheese - because these challenges are
the mud to my rain.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2) Proverb: 'Zidze pano ndi zatonse'<br />
<br />
Translation: 'That which befalls one of us befalls
all of us.'<br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpWtJpPOF2d3FBni8Z76C-8tskN6aojOe5Fo4oLpj9Yjj9YcCRv1ppnYIbXJuGW8e6N-Tyiljzhz9A6mkTeYB2gcqwW6czD_JD2-bM6zZkMyBuC2M7TFSkYRdz4NRkteXL0gtngWjUjqB/s1600/September+2012+112.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpWtJpPOF2d3FBni8Z76C-8tskN6aojOe5Fo4oLpj9Yjj9YcCRv1ppnYIbXJuGW8e6N-Tyiljzhz9A6mkTeYB2gcqwW6czD_JD2-bM6zZkMyBuC2M7TFSkYRdz4NRkteXL0gtngWjUjqB/s640/September+2012+112.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Child in Rural Nkhotakota, Malawi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OBDo4cNjqWQPTP5DCLwX_iVRC6Ss985uyBr2uwpbCKIq2_x_vYa0fe-l6BzgI8oxHCweGK-2OnWY2kx_q_fKg6jX2KXTZCAYEM33KAarrxRTXsYseEfglnyWN85zQeY2w1kS7tOjThCn/s1600/Misc+591.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OBDo4cNjqWQPTP5DCLwX_iVRC6Ss985uyBr2uwpbCKIq2_x_vYa0fe-l6BzgI8oxHCweGK-2OnWY2kx_q_fKg6jX2KXTZCAYEM33KAarrxRTXsYseEfglnyWN85zQeY2w1kS7tOjThCn/s640/Misc+591.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Follow the leader! Nkhotakota, Malawi</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
This translation apparently doesn't
capture the full meaning behind the proverb. When asking colleagues
to translate, they would say things like 'if the ship is off course,
we are all going in the wrong direction' or 'when the rain falls we
all get wet' – not direct translations, but they were trying to
convey the actual meaning.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Coming from a culture which prioritizes
individuality, this type of communal mentalitiy has been a pleasant
shift in my way of thinking. It is true that events that have
occurred during my time here have help bind me to the country. I felt
afraid along with Malawians when the president died and a new leader
wasn't announced for days. I felt angered alongside my fellow women
at the trouser strippings and joyful at the coming into power of
Malawi's first female president. Devaluation of the currency by 50%
and the subsequent inflation was felt by all of us. The HIV virus
impacts our workplaces, relationships and communities. When someone
gets married (however distant the relation) we all go to celebrate.<br />
<br />
Oftentimes when walking here, people come and walk beside me. Sometimes they speak and ask questions, and sometimes they just silently keep pace and provide company. There is a sense of community and connection to fellow humans here. Zidze pano ndi zatonse.<br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEw-NObLYrOToaNfZ-Oh6Y2t8ML7aOHqLwf2-RaXw29UXpCt5WaSKk80sA7PNThXoZUndDcxE217Ygrlz3bg9fDeDN1nG81qHlsK4cucACqnf0d8qqrKg7cB2-Wbn5kVnkfcrXEpelasL/s1600/Misc+593.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEw-NObLYrOToaNfZ-Oh6Y2t8ML7aOHqLwf2-RaXw29UXpCt5WaSKk80sA7PNThXoZUndDcxE217Ygrlz3bg9fDeDN1nG81qHlsK4cucACqnf0d8qqrKg7cB2-Wbn5kVnkfcrXEpelasL/s640/Misc+593.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
3) Proverb: 'A child who doesn't leave his
family compound thinks his mother is the best cook.'<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGM4ZfhbLZyU6yM-5e7x5oN2EWeeQkn-Ii2g2hYb_mNq5MyVM9a0fHi-SBvO-mmiC48-5dZ1D8-PIwXtY4GnzOxgyGW9aUz5kVjZi_ffwtlVBM88GotZJGioB5YhD05ssvCwNh6xu5Ri7i/s1600/September+2012+147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGM4ZfhbLZyU6yM-5e7x5oN2EWeeQkn-Ii2g2hYb_mNq5MyVM9a0fHi-SBvO-mmiC48-5dZ1D8-PIwXtY4GnzOxgyGW9aUz5kVjZi_ffwtlVBM88GotZJGioB5YhD05ssvCwNh6xu5Ri7i/s640/September+2012+147.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Malawian food: Nsima, chambo, soup and rape (green leafy veg).</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
First off: Mom, I love your cheese and
brocolli casserole.
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This said, trying new things allows us
to experience more of the beautiful flavours and textures that life
has to offer. Coming here and trying something different has allowed
me to experience new music, different types of food, words in a new
language, and a different approach to time to name a few.<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm grateful for these experiences and
have no doubt that they will continue to enhance my life after I
leave.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The use of proverbs in language is
something else that I have come to appreciate being here –
something I wouldn't have gotten if I'd stayed on the family
compound.
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhziEC09RtU1Wm0BFWMo6DEdIWZXqjUbbyGU4LTDaSNeEAe4BSgxN195xhI_-Bm20mYQAalFF73pOHf5et0Rg-tU0iNhrJWzzpRpI9QhbhAz3Q9SOVIOqGUcFmnDmdLX18r4nRvf2LFYP/s1600/September+2012+146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhziEC09RtU1Wm0BFWMo6DEdIWZXqjUbbyGU4LTDaSNeEAe4BSgxN195xhI_-Bm20mYQAalFF73pOHf5et0Rg-tU0iNhrJWzzpRpI9QhbhAz3Q9SOVIOqGUcFmnDmdLX18r4nRvf2LFYP/s640/September+2012+146.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating typical Malawian food with my friend Happy Joe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com0Malawi-13.254308 34.301525-17.208579 29.247813999999998 -9.300037 39.355236tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-87570580838835793812012-10-16T22:22:00.003+02:002012-10-16T22:22:37.590+02:00Pads for Empowerment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrv7Q19FsXH6vbZzjjH2c4gtR867qWAbOkMqqpuoLlxYiGyjUrxPpMSrrphP8-HTczSGOPsWTIcTk0XyZe2A4cpFARwDqw-KZZ1wOw8tqGuzpCfGMHASFiwgwGRGxp4BvtFyxJM1VYZ2O/s1600/September+2012+117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrv7Q19FsXH6vbZzjjH2c4gtR867qWAbOkMqqpuoLlxYiGyjUrxPpMSrrphP8-HTczSGOPsWTIcTk0XyZe2A4cpFARwDqw-KZZ1wOw8tqGuzpCfGMHASFiwgwGRGxp4BvtFyxJM1VYZ2O/s640/September+2012+117.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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When I first arrived here, I was
appalled to learn that menstruation is a major challenge for school
age girls in Malawi.
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Why?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Because they don't have sanitary
products to use. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Not only are pads too expensive for
most Malawian girls and women, they are also widely unavailable in
rural areas where 85% of the country's population lives.
Some girls try to use coarse and poorly
absorbent local fabrics, but they hurt them, smell and give them
rashes.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This means that once a girl starts menstruating, she is likely to miss 3 days of school a month. This is
often the 'straw that breaks the camel's' back that causes girls to
drop out of school. Girls already have to worry about school fees,
heavy work pressures at home and lack of electricity to study at
night. Not being able to attend school while menstruating makes
getting an education much more difficult.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I see this as an incredible
injustice. I remember starting my period and finding it challenging although I had readily available menstrual products. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4325GyhJA4Qnrc6Czu3tH6eN9gdu9VU9tck1SO3CL33KP4q_4pdfshh4vS9guSGRXaw_qj6kqn3d5yF4d1tgxGkgoU0K_p-KC6kONr2FVk65r1-VDqf8Kh_ptbWR2Px2U1_97ltXKTMmc/s1600/September+2012+192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4325GyhJA4Qnrc6Czu3tH6eN9gdu9VU9tck1SO3CL33KP4q_4pdfshh4vS9guSGRXaw_qj6kqn3d5yF4d1tgxGkgoU0K_p-KC6kONr2FVk65r1-VDqf8Kh_ptbWR2Px2U1_97ltXKTMmc/s400/September+2012+192.jpg" width="266" /></a>FAWEMA (the girl's education NGO that
I'm volunteering with) tried an intervention in a school in the South
of Malawi to solve this problem. A group of volunteers (called a
'Mother Group) sewed re-usable sanitary pads to girls and saw
performance and retention of girl increase. The challenge with this intervention was that it was unsustainable from a resource perspective. Some girls also complained that the pad was uncomfortable.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When my friend Mayme sent me a link to
a competition for Women's entrepreneurship in the developing world,
we decided to try to model this intervention with a few twists. We added an income
generating component for sustainability, made the pad more comfortable and added an economic empowerment
component for the female volunteers. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSEuU8mbdFo" target="_blank">Here's a YouTube video we made with the help of my friend Josee for the application</a>.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We've called the project Tilimbikile, a
word from Malawi's national language of Chichewa. It is used as an
encouragement to work hard and remain strong. We believe that
Tilimbikile captures the resilient spirit of Malawian women who are
dedicated to improving their lives and bettering their nation as a
whole.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Unfortunately we didn't get the grant,
but have gone ahead with the project anyways, The World University
Service of Canada provided funds to pilot the project. I've been busy
the last few weeks rolling it out in 3 different groups in rural
areas outside of Lilongwe. Here's what we've done.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hRWcXC2u6G5VtP4v6HPRvJEQDJcVBBe6Ttm1Sbe2p3o15OCcCVJIewTSsCfgc-SSoXzLmIu8XVfMOKd_9Wlt3m3SYW-KK9ij7eTZsiW82YeTce3XePnoW4mwYfBWzms-3hzkDxmHDijv/s1600/pad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hRWcXC2u6G5VtP4v6HPRvJEQDJcVBBe6Ttm1Sbe2p3o15OCcCVJIewTSsCfgc-SSoXzLmIu8XVfMOKd_9Wlt3m3SYW-KK9ij7eTZsiW82YeTce3XePnoW4mwYfBWzms-3hzkDxmHDijv/s640/pad.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
My friends Sadia and Briony are fashion designers volunteering in Malawi. They designed a pad based on a
sample sent over from Canada (thanks Michelle!). They used locally
available materials and designed it so that it can be easily hand sewn.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We put together a curriculum consisting
of one-day of pad sewing training and one day of basic business
training. We tried it out with a train-the-trainer component on one
Mother Group and then rolled it out, using those women as trainers.
So far we've trained 3 other mother groups.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBoBlZiNIxoyGEQHftnHuEOiAT29wm-7RYuabtzFYt3pc5JIXTgh8AAjsFUUlujGBEvnLn6WlpJurmYfgzeVmVSkNnd_g0P-yMzwfOq01hh2VHk5KTXrEQ4Beiclud6YA7MktZ4tlE3oh/s1600/September+2012+143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBoBlZiNIxoyGEQHftnHuEOiAT29wm-7RYuabtzFYt3pc5JIXTgh8AAjsFUUlujGBEvnLn6WlpJurmYfgzeVmVSkNnd_g0P-yMzwfOq01hh2VHk5KTXrEQ4Beiclud6YA7MktZ4tlE3oh/s640/September+2012+143.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother Group members in the business training<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1PpgY-LgfwfRmnWljPrWAv5i6C6T2_5q3F7NdJA-8MWY5yF0AHKPVp7Q2YwMywLtq_81XUNWnynulE3A0oStwSDR1nUEcoVtmBaINAxjO4YqwuibAuoPzMlMdz7tSYtxQYe-xbgjKx5M/s1600/September+2012+152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1PpgY-LgfwfRmnWljPrWAv5i6C6T2_5q3F7NdJA-8MWY5yF0AHKPVp7Q2YwMywLtq_81XUNWnynulE3A0oStwSDR1nUEcoVtmBaINAxjO4YqwuibAuoPzMlMdz7tSYtxQYe-xbgjKx5M/s640/September+2012+152.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother Group Member presenting the group's business plan at the business training</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The idea is that the women can sew and
sell the pads for a profit. Some of the profits go to the women with the aim of economically empowering them. A portion of the
profits are reinvested in the project so that they can provide pads
to needy girls so that they can stay in school on their periods.
Since the Mother Groups work to help girls be retained and perform in
school, they know the girls who need them most.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The trainings, although not without
challenges, have been a lot of fun. It was so inspiring to see the
women passionate about helping girls and empowered to make a
difference. Hopefully we can roll out more in the future!<br />
<br />
Here are some pictures of the past few trainings.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzP2VdMMiMmCZb8xc-vEFxqHqAnku65ZGu0J0ajXejrqDMJetCrRB7f3sQ7m6afzUBuKnWsUwR2jZswnb1YZRuDHZX7f1qyjh_y4mR7z-y9y-POkiPi7NDBsd_R_bqI5_YYECNoatNTtu/s1600/September+2012+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzP2VdMMiMmCZb8xc-vEFxqHqAnku65ZGu0J0ajXejrqDMJetCrRB7f3sQ7m6afzUBuKnWsUwR2jZswnb1YZRuDHZX7f1qyjh_y4mR7z-y9y-POkiPi7NDBsd_R_bqI5_YYECNoatNTtu/s640/September+2012+028.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother Group Member Cutting Fabric from Pattern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOa1DeMriDo51uvrYqpEny0GJpWVX0uEiW8KCv2a2AqfyQ2SonKiicxvBN-gxGcNiy6riRr4qNcdy-JWUsmxTriWJxHbq9TfE04aTsLCwl-FdmRx4jhwZTFhdSAu2PLdTfk3dkmwVQQ4Aa/s1600/September+2012+076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOa1DeMriDo51uvrYqpEny0GJpWVX0uEiW8KCv2a2AqfyQ2SonKiicxvBN-gxGcNiy6riRr4qNcdy-JWUsmxTriWJxHbq9TfE04aTsLCwl-FdmRx4jhwZTFhdSAu2PLdTfk3dkmwVQQ4Aa/s640/September+2012+076.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cut materials ready for sewing!<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nPAYbvgJC3CnaQSTJ91TZZiFwdefjEFfot_FEJWzEtzKgeiJCLTqEuuRKmSi69nnlh0_K1cchV0vHMyK0loDcHL_EPKebwoZQnoJpDyKogulIr_XAIoMF01P4kBTzZhUSAorCtXfSMvM/s1600/September+2012+186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nPAYbvgJC3CnaQSTJ91TZZiFwdefjEFfot_FEJWzEtzKgeiJCLTqEuuRKmSi69nnlh0_K1cchV0vHMyK0loDcHL_EPKebwoZQnoJpDyKogulIr_XAIoMF01P4kBTzZhUSAorCtXfSMvM/s640/September+2012+186.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother Group Members sewing the pads<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaHfBgySF7guWlnXfpmlQ5cWYypC3POlvGJtATtIibjXzVJFRRaWIX75sQh4tJvEc2NjVLO4xGQQzW6fT6iADQxuxgCK7NKazu-uMgbPk4Hs9FQ2Uc_9sbpMIQxdSBI7o4n2a8IAjj_P1/s1600/September+2012+116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaHfBgySF7guWlnXfpmlQ5cWYypC3POlvGJtATtIibjXzVJFRRaWIX75sQh4tJvEc2NjVLO4xGQQzW6fT6iADQxuxgCK7NKazu-uMgbPk4Hs9FQ2Uc_9sbpMIQxdSBI7o4n2a8IAjj_P1/s640/September+2012+116.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the Head Teacher sewed a pad!<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXaIgB_RB8IPZ7QSVb5Ba34hpQbeii2Y4h_Hic5-SKBG_R10wwmsTtQFpKAkbDljvUnxrMWnWM-n3PCE_qfyIHqYI4c9aDID6EIkheJnfF5Xd4xQCxA-vssYjR2HIrgaqOivqH_bXQ52w/s1600/September+2012+180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXaIgB_RB8IPZ7QSVb5Ba34hpQbeii2Y4h_Hic5-SKBG_R10wwmsTtQFpKAkbDljvUnxrMWnWM-n3PCE_qfyIHqYI4c9aDID6EIkheJnfF5Xd4xQCxA-vssYjR2HIrgaqOivqH_bXQ52w/s640/September+2012+180.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Men getting involved - the group village headman (chief of a number of villages) of Nathenje learning to sew pads<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdkF5XvgS6OXS6FXZmklRemN_zRhf0lF7Z5XnzLm_Fn5xr7sEpJDePu4KWFYl62-Yj2JtiJ0Tyngd7B5JowDQXap5WP_djIy62ulQU7qaiaRs1f5t2LLgoFJCArdCcBqWL7M5ShYA8RV_/s1600/September+2012+259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdkF5XvgS6OXS6FXZmklRemN_zRhf0lF7Z5XnzLm_Fn5xr7sEpJDePu4KWFYl62-Yj2JtiJ0Tyngd7B5JowDQXap5WP_djIy62ulQU7qaiaRs1f5t2LLgoFJCArdCcBqWL7M5ShYA8RV_/s640/September+2012+259.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">My FAWEMA colleague Cecilia & I . Cecilia is the program officer implementing the project.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kUK63HzO2CqH25lkcLyhN7g1EfQzC1E_blfg2DWJyia5B8ZPuL6TMgyIh5DI1kom0aYSTmcauP7oh59R8OPW8stQ-dRTkqd1hV_-FKLAOXgWDBPZpcLD6cxWiSVlpi4waTKYS17b16wI/s1600/September+2012+168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kUK63HzO2CqH25lkcLyhN7g1EfQzC1E_blfg2DWJyia5B8ZPuL6TMgyIh5DI1kom0aYSTmcauP7oh59R8OPW8stQ-dRTkqd1hV_-FKLAOXgWDBPZpcLD6cxWiSVlpi4waTKYS17b16wI/s640/September+2012+168.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The women from Nathenje Secondary School at the end of the training</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816853700167542580.post-10520154543096640362012-10-07T22:10:00.000+02:002012-10-07T22:10:00.605+02:00Life Lessons from Learning to Drive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5mvzJ8yt4Ru1pmn_Wsm2R2wrufxK5xTTyv5f7XifzBa6jhANZ6DFsLmO4dn-w3u5fVNgW71cBUhsupX6tSYk1dLnTTOhHxdP7sYy7ESu37PVrDRm-d2lOUFxs2Cl60IeZu7i1TL7kQzw/s1600/car1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5mvzJ8yt4Ru1pmn_Wsm2R2wrufxK5xTTyv5f7XifzBa6jhANZ6DFsLmO4dn-w3u5fVNgW71cBUhsupX6tSYk1dLnTTOhHxdP7sYy7ESu37PVrDRm-d2lOUFxs2Cl60IeZu7i1TL7kQzw/s1600/car1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sometimes 'sucking it up' and giving
oneself no choice but to do something is the best way to learn.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Learning how to drive was a grueling
process for both myself and my parents. Depth perception is not my
strong suit. Nor is time perception. On top of this, operating
machinery is also not something that I'm naturally adept at. Combine
these shortfalls with a fear of damaging an expensive piece of
machinery or injuring someone? Young Drivers certainly had their work
cut out for them when I enrolled in driving lessons 10 years ago.
</div>
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<br />
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I'm now an ok driver. I know my weak
points and make up for them by being extra cautious. My caution has
also had a negative sub-product: I haven't learned how to drive
manual cars.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
About 2 years ago I decided that I
should have basic knowledge on driving 'stick' in case I wind up in
an emergency situation, for example taking someone to the hospital or
dropping a drunk driver off at home.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
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I've made some feeble attempts, always
stopping when I stalled repeatedly or started feeling stressed out.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Since most cars are manual here and
public transport is relatively slow and uncomfortable, I've spent a
lot of time as the passenger in stick shift vehicles.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXesm0MCfvsd0rJ2lNI0C_byn6_MqOFtI2L6AQ3jcKbLhylNwxGEi-N-646otlQcat-VBLXSi8wGhbRNmXTNlclxKvb6Utgnc7Rd5OeUINsoitjqOpHRDJSt8dzNVZjVFyWbWLC8qB6Pg/s1600/car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXesm0MCfvsd0rJ2lNI0C_byn6_MqOFtI2L6AQ3jcKbLhylNwxGEi-N-646otlQcat-VBLXSi8wGhbRNmXTNlclxKvb6Utgnc7Rd5OeUINsoitjqOpHRDJSt8dzNVZjVFyWbWLC8qB6Pg/s640/car.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel's car</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My boyfriend also happens to have an
unusually large, beast of a diesel SUV which I would drive
occasionally. Always with someone in the passenger seat, I would
nervously engage the clutch, start the car and proceed to freak out
for the short distance I had to drive.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
'I can't get into 3<sup>rd!</sup></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Why is it stalling?
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm not used to driving on the left
side of the road!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Where is the blinker and how can I turn
of the d*mn windshield wiper?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I would usually arrive at destination a
few minutes later feeling panicked and beg the passenger to drive
back.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The other morning I had a huge load of
materials to bring into work. No one else was available to drive so I
had no option but to drive the manual beast myself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I shook off my nervousness, got into
the car and just went. The odd part? When I was driving by myself, I
wasn't scared and didn't even stall.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I knew that I had no choice but to make
the thing move and when I couldn't get into third gear, I just put
the gear back into second and tried again. I started finding myself
listening to the car and seeing what was needed instead of panicking.
I found myself driving confidently desbite being in the capital city
of the most densely populated country in Africa (read: people
everywhere).
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The next morning I realized that tank
was close to empty. Worse yet, Malawi is going through another petrol
and diesel shortage meaning that everyone was scrambling to find a
filling station with a bit of fuel left. I drove all the way to the
first station, waited in the queue and was told that the diesel had
just run out when I got to the front of the line. The attendant
thought that there might be a shipment coming in next door so I
rushed off, fought my way into the lot and found that the shipment
wasn't coming. There a man told me that they still had diesel in one
place: the dreaded bus depot.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like many Southern African bus depots,
the depot in Lilongwe is crowded, hot and smelly. Vendors, chickens
and goats are milling about everywhere. Buses and transport vans are
all honking, yelling and weaving their ways through the constantly
shifting maze of chaos. I had no choice but to haul myself back into
the beast and step on the gas. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3Wdih48FHR1dx97OXHE9mV6OQUzfRXqqFb6q3HMRENRY_aEqy-RvbZA6xvatK0tOeTB5-G6cr4E92EnGMdZtXvLRgTVvfokkq7A0tMZy7ZQL0B5gP7fGw_nnbNLMdpEK18d-bYOsV2M4/s1600/bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3Wdih48FHR1dx97OXHE9mV6OQUzfRXqqFb6q3HMRENRY_aEqy-RvbZA6xvatK0tOeTB5-G6cr4E92EnGMdZtXvLRgTVvfokkq7A0tMZy7ZQL0B5gP7fGw_nnbNLMdpEK18d-bYOsV2M4/s640/bus.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LLW bus depot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I arrived at the depot and started
weaving through the chaotic mass. Women carrying unbelievably large
buckets on their heads, fruit vendors and goats took no interest and
refused to veer off course as I honked and yelled my way through the
crowd. I got into the line, got cut off, snuck onto the other side of
the queue and had angry men with jerry cans hit the side of the
car. I finally made my way to the front, coerced the attendant to
stop taking bribes for filling jerry cans and help me out.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I arrived home sticky with sweat, my
heart pumping from the adrenaline. The car however was perfectly in
tact and full of diesel.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If there had been a passenger beside
me, I would have freaked out and probably landed in the nearest
parking lot. Because I didn't have any option but to push forward and
trust in my own abilities, I learned that I was capable of something
that I never though that I could do.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
</div>
***http://www.blogger.com/profile/14766027443063012060noreply@blogger.com1Lilongwe, Malawi-13.9833333 33.7833333-14.1065988 33.625404800000005 -13.8600678 33.9412618