C is for Cape Town

Tomorrow starts our 'holiday'. We will be driving for the next week or so- seeing the sights and traveling along the coast to Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Cape Town, Knysna, George, Qumbu, Durban. Should have a lot more pictures - but I do think it will be exhausting. No pain, no gain though.

Today was our last day in Ikhewzi- I had to say 'bye' to all the girls. I will miss them- epecially Nina because we always hung out and played cards/ talked/ etc etc. I got all their emails so hopefully we can say wassssup once in awhile. Hey, if I ever go to Europe I have some free places to stay....

I don't know what the internet situation will be- but if I cannot get on, I will be home in 10 days! Then I am just a phone call away....

buh byeeeeeee

Africa by the numbers

2: How many days of work we have left
7: The time I wake up in the morning
9: About the time I go to bed at night
2: The number of kisses I have gotten from an African babe
6: The age of that babe
11: The number of workers we had at the beginning
1: The number of workers I have fired
4: The number of workers who got other jobs
6: The number of workers we have working now
500: The amount of Rand they make every 2 weeks
50: That equivalent in dollars
60: The number of Km from Mthatha to Qumbu
3: The number of times I've watched i:Robot
1000+: The number of pictures I have taken
2: How many times I've grown a beard
1.5: How many weeks I have left here
23: The amount of hours our flight will take
19: The day we get back


I dont care what the weather is like at home- I'm riding my motorcycle.

SM

Who wants to invest in the stockmarket with me when I get back?

De a funa sebenza apha

I want you to work here.


Today, I learned a lot of phrases in Xhosa. I am really trying to learn all the words and phrases with the most clicks in an attempt to impress people when I go back home. And I know they will all be impressed. My parents and I worked about 10 hours today-but I am learning a lot of skills that I will be able to use later in my life.

Sat and Sun we worked with an Austrian boy named Mathis, helping out a family who had needed some minor repairs done to their house. Sat night I went over to some Scottish girls flat with Nina and we all watched Harry Potter II and ate pasta- I had a good time. I have a lot of good pictures to show when I get back and am sure there will be at least 1000 more- seriously.

I'm sorry to miss Halloween and pumpkin carving- but that will make next year that much sweeter! I wonder if they have corn mazes here....

Today, I also learned of school shootings at a university that two of my African friends attend. They are ok- but it made me think of April 16 again. What's really weird is, I was at that school on Friday. When I heard- I felt great deal of saddness.

Anyways, it was a long day- and tomorrow is approaching. OHHH- I heard Ben and Anna got engaged and i think everyone is in agreement when I say finally and congrats! I am very happy for them. So if you read this and know them- tell them i said so, please.

Tyrod and Sean are out, I read. Unfortunate. I greatly look forward to next season- Season tickets anyone? ....David?

Polyurethane and Weed

I have warned one of our workers not to smoke weed. I told him in English and, just to make sure, I got another worker to tell him in Xhosa. Today, I smelled it on him- so I fired him. It's the first time I have ever fired someone.

Anyways, we have completely sanded the church and have now completed two coates of polyurethane. It will need a third, but looks greatly improved. We have a lot of the workers painting the outside of the priest's house. It also looks a lot better cream than pink-purple. After this week only two more weeks left until we travel a bit. The plan is to go to Cape town and around the Western Cape to Durban and fly from there to Joberg- to Paris- to Dulles- to Don Pablo's- to Home- to sleep.

Weather is still weird. It's warm one minute and cold another. Today was the first day I sported shorts and revealed my white chicken legs. I still hang out with girls, well mainly a Swiss girl, Nina, on weekends. She is funny as well as fun, so I am having a good time.

Arm still hurts- so I can't do my pushups, which sucks cause I don't want to lose my huge muscles. Actually, I can't do much of anything- it sucks.

On Sun we went to Port St. Johns, which was very small but still beautiful. I have some good pictures! I drove on the way back and I think readjusting to driving on the right-handside will be weird. Even in movies when they drive on the right I think it looks odd.

I saw that VT lost to BC- what's new? Hopefully, we can pull it out over FSU and get back to the top of the Conference. But, 5-2 on what's supposed to be a bad year isn't bad. TTFN

Isn't It?

Jake Schisler- I don't know if you remember the people here always saying isn't it at the end of their sentences. It's the most random thing. They will say, " But you painted that, isn't it?" It's almost a substitute for 'havent you', or 'right'. You can also explain something to them, like a painting technique and their response is 'isn't it'. Strange.

It's funny- yesterday I was at an outlying church and I look over to the lady sitting next to me who was...................breast feeding her baby and her boob was hanging right out of her shirt the entire time. RIGHT NEXT TO ME! Oh my gosh, I felt so awkward. The baby wasn't even young- he could walk and was eating an apple. talk about gross. I mean if she was hot.... nawww. The funny part was, no one else seemed to be fazed by it- it was like it was a normal thing. All the older ladies were making guchi guchi goo faces that the suckling babe.

Anyways, I got a girlfriend proposal from a 14 year old. Needless to say, I am a stud here. It's surprising, I have a 23 year old friend named Simba who is dating and 'in love' with a 16 year old. BUT the whole culture is different because of AIDS and the promiscuity among the people. He said if he went after a girl any older she would be "lucky to not have a baby." And it's true. Today, I saw a young girl- school age- with a baby. Almost all the young women have a baby attached to their back. It's crazy.

Well, it's 9:05 pm here and that means it is almost my bedtime. I go to sleep so early- it is like I am an adult... oh wait I am....sort of.

until next time.

Work week and Weekend

This week was the first full week with all the workers and we got a lot done. I wish I could post some pictures, but it isn't possible. I fell off a roof because I was trying to jump from one ledge to another and hurt my arm. Then I re-injured it, stupidly, playing soccer the next day. Nothing is broken- but it is sore. So now, the hall below the church is painted white, almost all the roofs are painted, an education building is getting a first coat, and two other classrooms are painted. This week we will be working on sanding the inside of the church and polyurethaning it. The pews will also be taken out and refinished.

I am growing a beard - two weeks and it's really coming along. I'm impressed with how manly I am. This weekend, like all the other weekends, we went back to our flat. On Friday, we went out to an awesome seafood place (my favorite here so far). Then, I went over to the ladies flat and hung out for an hour or so. Saturday I volunteered some time at the orphanage and studied for MCATs, but ran out of notecards and motivation. I might have to cut up some paper and fashion my own set.

We were all set to vote with our absentee ballots, but I read the wrong email with instructions and now we do not have the proper information on the ballots. My dad is upset-

Other than that, the weather is good- now it is getting hot. I am learning Xhosa- well just 'follow me', 'good work', 'I am fine', 'How are you?', 'sit down' etc. Some work words mixed with some words for children.

Hope all is well there-

If you give a Mouse a Cookie....

....he will ask for a glass of milk.

Refer to me as 'boss'. I am da bossman. This whole week, thusfar, I have been supervising the workers and the language barrier is the most difficult and frustrating part. They want to please, so they say 'okay' and 'alright' to everything, even if they have no clue what you just said- which is almost always the case. We are getting a lot done- mostly painting, but that makes the place look so much better.

Switching topics, food here is not so good. A little taste of our menu if you will:

Chicken and Rice
Chicken and Rice
Chicken and Rice
Chicken and Noodles
Sausages and Rice
Chicken and Rice
Chicken and Rice

etc. etc...

I've had enough chicken and rice to last me a lifetime.

The best part of Africa, or Africans, I should say is the singing and music. My gosh, in church the singing would lift the spirits of even the most depressed person. I wish I had some recording equipment because I have not been able to find music like this on the internet. I wish you all could hear it.

It's still cold

Cloudy weather here sucks because that means no hot water. Actually, today there isn't any water. I'm tired. We had a good weekend in Mthatha- I had a fun time with the girls and, again, went down to volunteer at the orphanage. It still is very cold, which is a little annoying because I didn't pack but a few warm clothes. We have 11 workers now. I am glad we are able to kill two birds with one stone- one: helping people find jobs and earn a little rand two: getting the job done faster. Managing is a challenge because the work ethic is very different that what we are used to- but it's good for me. I'll build some character. booyah.


There are some birds here that make a sound like crack-babies crying and I would have no problem with that species becoming extinct...

Blood Hound or Doberman?

Man. A lot has happened- and I mean a lot. So much that I had to stay up one night and think about all the things I have seen and need to add to blog. SO here it goes...

Normally as we drive the 50 km back to Mthatha for a weekend, we probably see about 20-30 males on the side of the road peeing- not trying to hide it- just letting it all fly. If I tried to do this in the States I would be arrested- but here it is normal. What really weirded me out was when I was working atop the roof- I looked down and saw two women (at different times) walk off the road (barely) and just pull up there skirts and proceeded to squat. GROSS! it is so gross.

One day, my Mom and I were walking to the store to get some food and on our way out we say two boys- probably around 18 years old in a real, old fashioned fight. My Mom was kind of scared- but all I remember thinking was "They can't fight at all. Why don't they just try to tackle each other and try to break the nose?" Funny that's what came into my mind.

Okay. This is going to be long- but very good. We went to Mthatha this past weekend to the Catholic compound for the handicapped and orphans. I met a Swiss girl the last time I was there and she said she would take me down to the orphanage the next time I arrived (which was this weekend). So I went to knock on her door and a beautiful girl answered it. Her name is Karin- she is from Lichtenstein. So normally I would be like "oh Nina (the swiss girl) isn't here...I'll come back." BUT NO! I talked to her and another nice girl from Germany who's name is Anne. They invited me in and Karin said she would take me to the orphanage on Saturday. I probably stayed there an hour and a half talking. Karin is 26 and had volunteered at the orphanage 2 years before- and is only going to be here for a week. So Saturday came and after waiting until about 3pm Karin came and we went to the orpahanage. I got to play with tiny black babies. She took me around to the toddler section where we stayed for about 30 mins. They stole my wallet 3 times. No joke. It cracked me up. THEN, we walked back and I went back to my flat with an invite to go over to the girls flat later that night. I went back over and played UNO with them and a boy named Matteas. Then we all just talked. Sunday, I went to the longest mass in my life and waited again for Karin to fetch me to go see the orphans. She came around 4pm and we walked back on down there. My parents' plan was to leave Sunday night to go back to Qumbu- so I didn't have much time and was bummed that I couldn't hang out with the girls another night. Nina was supposed to come back and it would have been fun to go back over there. Well, as luck would have it- the road ended up being closed and we went back to the compound. I walked right over to the girls flat and stayed there for almost 3 1/2 hours.

I don't know if it was because I was lonely and I could talk to people my age and with a similiar background or what, but I had one of the most fun weekends ever. They are all so cool and fun to be around- This Friday, we will go back to the compound and I think we are going to have a party with wine and some food. That is the thing I am looking forward to most this week.

So- If I ever go to Europe- Switzerland and Lichtenstein are on the itinerary.

Anyways, other than that- we have painted 2 coats on the roof and are now working on refurbishing the flooring in the church.

Oh yea- The days are long so I've been trying to think of simple decisions to make in my life- such as: should I get a blood hound or a doberman as a dog? Should I buy an Xbox 360? etc etc. And you know- I think of these things everyday and still have no answer.

I saw VT over Nebraska. Niiiiice

You are Ikhewzi!

I assume from the comments I have recieved that people read this- but I think I will write like no one does.

We are still on the roof and it is frustrating- I would very much like to be doing some building or demolition. BUT we are where we are and I should try to be positive. Over this past weekened we went to East London to get some supplies. The drive was about 4 hours one way so by the time we got back we were pretty worn out. I am drinking some wine here, which is tasty but makes me sleepy. Man does it make me sleepy.

The African people stare at me. I think it's because of apartheid- but it could also very well be because of my stunning looks. nahhhhh... But they do. It's okay though- I think if I were oppressed I would stare at a person who could have oppressed me as well. As long as I don't have to throw any 'bows, everything is kosh.

We have 56 days left here- time in some instances moves slowly and others flies on by, which I suppose is a lot like life. (I don't know what that means because life is always being lived so, of course it is like life). I definitely miss home- but am enjoying my time here. President Mbeki was essentially forced out of office, which has caused some turmoil- but not much more than a ripple in the vast ocean that is African politics. Anyways, internet is more accessible than I had thought-so hopefully I can write more.

Brrr....it's spring

It is cooooold here! Who would have thought that it would be so cold here? It is 9:00 pm on Saturday September 20. A day off! We have been scraping the roof of the church- some local Africans joined which made me glad because they are a pair of 23 year old boys. They speak enough English to share some laughs. It rained today and like I said before it is sooo cold. There is no heat in the houses so I am having to wear layers upon layers of clothes.

I haven't taken enough pictures yet- boooo- but there still is alot of time to make magic with a camera. Unfortunately, the internet isn't fast enough to upload any pics- but we may be getting a wireless card which appears to be a little faster.

In my off-time we hang out with the priest, study for the MCATs, and attend random churchy things. Like today, we went to mass dedicated to an unvieling of a tombstone, saw it at the graveyard, and went to a biiiig lunch. Now it isn't the most fun things to do, but I am going to try to be open to those sorts of things so I can grow as a person and try to be more positive. Hope all is well with you all.

Man, it's been awhile

Hay hay hay! Geez, it's been too long since my last update. Ten days actually. The internet here is slow- sometimes you can get on and it won't even load up a page. This is the first time I have gotten blogger to even load. Either way- I'm here safetly. We are mostly in Qumbu living with a priest, who by the way is absolutely hilarious. However, we do go to Mthatha which is about 50 km from here. There we stay in an area called Ikhewzi Lokusa. There is a compound run by nuns who take in the handicapped (both physically and mentally), teach them skills, such as: Sewing, Leather working, Pottery, and more. The nuns also have an orphanage with children ranging between the ages of 3 months and 4 years old. I really want to work in the orphanage when we go back there for a few days.

It really is sad to see so many disabled people, some of whom were shot in the back, hit on the head with a pipe, or ate bad pork to become that way. It is inspiring, however, to see how chipper they are and how much they do for themselves. I have heard not one single complaint- amazing! I doubt I would be like that. They play soccer very well and enjoy every minute of it.

Here in Qumbu, we are currently scraping the roof of the church so we can paint it as one way to seal it. The church has had some water damage, so we are trying our best to seal the roof. The next step will be painting. Then we will apply some sealent to the random holes and cracks in the tin. There is a lot of work to be done here AND in 10 outlying churches- but I doubt we will make it to many of them due to the time constraints.

It's funny, when I told people I was coming to South Africa to do work they said "South Africa isn't like Africa." And to be honest, even though I have been to South Africa before I too believed that. BUT....in Mthatha, 77% of people are unemployed. Here in Qumbu it is much the same. People do not have money. They have to walk sometimes miles to get water. So South Africa is very much like Africa. People here are poor. And it isn't safe- although I can't say people aren't obviously intimidated by my bod.

Anyways, I am going to try to be patient and update this as much as I can- but since it is dial-up and the priest pays for the phone bill, it's hard for me to spend a lot of time on his internet. I miss all you guys and miss home- but am really loving my time here and feel very grateful to be able to come back and see with more mature eyes what I, and all of us really, take for granted. I have been in such a good mood here and am happy, which is very good- hopefully I can bring this back to the States! I can check emails pretty easily so if you guys want to send me some emails I can see them and write back. Please update me on VT football. I saw we beat GT! niiiiice.

Miss you all- hope all is well there.

Tomorrow

Even though we are leaving tomorrow, it still hasn't hit me.  It doesn't seem like by Wednesday we will be halfway around the world for 3 months.  It hasn't hit me that 3 months is a long time.  Today, I just did some laundry- prepared my ipod- and will probably end the night by playing 2 crude dudes with some friends.  

I suppose I will be all packed by tonight and will be ready to go to the airport around 3 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.  I should take advantage of all I can while I'm here- I know I will be without 85%  of these things I take for granted.  Air Conditioning, I will miss thee.  Nice big bed, goodbye. Internet whenever I want it, it's been too good.

Anyways, tomorrow is the big day and then my life will be different.  It's going to be crazy.

3 days

Three days until we make the almost day and a half journey (including layovers) to South Africa.  I know some of the plan has changed- but I do not want to get into it too deep right now because I should be asleep and will most definitely pay for it tomorrow.

I do know that we will be going to Umtata instead of Qumbu.  I also know we will be driving to Qumbu to do work.  Here is a map of the area.

Umtata is near the star and Qumbu is just North

The ocean you see is the Indian Ocean- and I think we will be able to travel there at somepoint.  We still will be building and repairing buildings- but we will also spend time in an orphanage located in Umtata, which I look forward to doing a lot.  Hopefully we will be able to provide medical care to the children there.

This may sound stupid- but I think ( and hope) that I am going to be taller than 90% of the people there- I seem to remember being much taller than them when I went in high school- so hopefully I'll be able to teach people the phrase "How's the weather up there?"  I, of course, will proceed to do a helicopter dunk then say, "The weather is good, sooooo good."

 And the clouds in the sky will vaporize.  

Background

Like I said, this is the second time I will have traveled to Africa.  The first time was in high-school.  I went with my parents, my dad's church group, and my friend Jake Schisler.  We stayed there for 17 days in April of '05. (their fall due to the hemisphere change)- We basically just rebuilt a technical college.  The experience was so amazing.

All I can say is: Thugs in '05.

We went to a region called Arthur Seat- it was in the bush and not many of the children there had seen white people before.  The coolest experience I had there were the kids coming up to me and just touching my skin to see if it was real.  Good thing I do not have a strict personal bubble otherwise some of those kids would have gotten blacker eyes...you know what I mean.

So- moving on.  The church I go to at home brings in a lot of foreign priests in order to get some new perspectives on Catholicism.  Last year, we had Fr. Richard- from South Africa.  When he was about to leave, my parents approached him about any need there.  After a few weeks of mulling through details, my parents informed me of their decision to spend three months in Africa volunteering their time. 

My first reaction was, "THREE MONTHS!? That's crazy."  I had never thought of going again.  I was in school- set to graduate on time in '09.  I was also in a relationship that I did not want to be away from.  But like many things in life- both those things changed and I decided I wanted to get away for awhile and,  it seemed, that the best way to do that would to be to go to Africa.  I could be gone and help many people at the same time.  Win - Win.

So here I am- preparing to leave in just a few weeks.  While there, we are going to be living with the priest.  We will be repairing some of the local buildings, teaching children English (they speak Xhosa, pronounced Kllo:sa), as well as working in a clinic (which I will be looking forward to the most).  Since I work as a clinical technician now- I think I will be able to provide rudimentary medical care i.e. dressing wounds, giving shots, if needed I can draw blood and start IVs.

It should be an experience of a lifetime and I look forward to living there.  I will miss VT, my friends, and the rest of my family, though. 

Oh, Xhosa is the clicking language and I plan to learn it-  be ready to hear me clicking at you.

Not there yet-but soon!

So, this is the second time I will be going to Mother Africa.  Last time I got so many shots and immunizations, I felt like my arm could have floated in water due the sheer number of puncture wounds.  This time, in order to get ready I had to get 2 shots that cost me $160.  Luckily I just got a credit card because I would not have been able to pay for them.  

Other than that,  I am trying to get my eyes ready for contact wear again.  I don't want my rep to be a dork in yet another country. I also got a sweet crocodile dundee hat....so much for the dork notion.

I think we are planning on taking a computer and some cameras so there will be tons of pictures. I will try to write in this as often as I can and only stuff about me being in Africa- not anything else...... you know- like an ex-girlfriend...