Friday, May 20, 2011
Injustices
One thing I have a hard time getting past is the fact that schools make students pay for their tests. Aren’t tests a part of going to school? Aren’t you supposed to be evaluated? At my school, each student has to pay for the paper used to copy the tests- for some students it turns out to be as much as 66mets per person. That’s only about 2US dollars but that’s more than these children and their families can spare. Many kids at my school can’t afford uniforms or shoes or even food- yet they’re forced to pay for tests or they can’t take them.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Jump rope
I’m still amazing to see all the children raising children in my town. Today several little girls were playing on my porch, coloring and jumping rope. One of the girls had a baby tied to her back. But man, she didn’t miss a beat with that jump rope! I guess it’s good to see that even though so many of the kids have responsibilities placed on them at such a young age, they can still have some fun now and then. With a child strapped to their backs.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Locked Up Abroad
One thing I never wanted to experience = Jail in a foreign country. Thankfully I'm still blissfully ignorant- my parents on the other hand are international jailbirds. Yes, my parents.
On the last day of our travels we left Zanzibar in the morning for mainland Tanzania, then caught a flight into South Africa. We had dinner plans, a gorgeous B&B to stay at, and a few more hours to spend together before they left me in Africa. Instead, they were quarantined in the airport for not having documentation of receiving yellow fever vaccine. After I got all hysterical on the customs agents for trying to separate us, they took us to a holding room for about an hour and a half while they “sorted through the situation.” Then, without much warning, they told me I had to leave the airport and they would be taken to another holding facility. I was escorted out of the airport, with hopes that I’d be able to track them down in the morning. Turns out they were placed in two different jail cells- metal bars, squeaky bunk beds, florescent lights that were never turned off, horse-hair blankets- the whole nine yards. And then they waited.
In the morning, about 12 hours after our escapade started, they were released into the airport after signing deportation paperwork and told to wait for their flight to the United States. I, being a Peace Corps Volunteer and therefore very resourceful, worked my way back through the airport and tracked them down (and getting myself into the VIP lounge), so at least we had our last few hours together.
A few things I find odd about the situation: After being detained and help in jail cells overnight, they were released into the airport with all other passengers, to roam around for the three hours before their flight. Wasn’t the point of detention to keep them from contaminating other passengers? Also, all it would’ve taken, to avoid the whole evening of jail cells and airport fees (the airline had to pay 180rand per person per hour for the jail cells AND (I believe) a 10,000$ fine for each of them) was a simple shot. Two 50$ shots, given upon arrival, and they would’ve been let on their way.
So, after a fantastic trip and so many wonderful memories, my parents leave Africa after spending the night in jail and being deported. At least they got a nice story out of it.
On the last day of our travels we left Zanzibar in the morning for mainland Tanzania, then caught a flight into South Africa. We had dinner plans, a gorgeous B&B to stay at, and a few more hours to spend together before they left me in Africa. Instead, they were quarantined in the airport for not having documentation of receiving yellow fever vaccine. After I got all hysterical on the customs agents for trying to separate us, they took us to a holding room for about an hour and a half while they “sorted through the situation.” Then, without much warning, they told me I had to leave the airport and they would be taken to another holding facility. I was escorted out of the airport, with hopes that I’d be able to track them down in the morning. Turns out they were placed in two different jail cells- metal bars, squeaky bunk beds, florescent lights that were never turned off, horse-hair blankets- the whole nine yards. And then they waited.
In the morning, about 12 hours after our escapade started, they were released into the airport after signing deportation paperwork and told to wait for their flight to the United States. I, being a Peace Corps Volunteer and therefore very resourceful, worked my way back through the airport and tracked them down (and getting myself into the VIP lounge), so at least we had our last few hours together.
A few things I find odd about the situation: After being detained and help in jail cells overnight, they were released into the airport with all other passengers, to roam around for the three hours before their flight. Wasn’t the point of detention to keep them from contaminating other passengers? Also, all it would’ve taken, to avoid the whole evening of jail cells and airport fees (the airline had to pay 180rand per person per hour for the jail cells AND (I believe) a 10,000$ fine for each of them) was a simple shot. Two 50$ shots, given upon arrival, and they would’ve been let on their way.
So, after a fantastic trip and so many wonderful memories, my parents leave Africa after spending the night in jail and being deported. At least they got a nice story out of it.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Spice Tour
We took a tour of a spice farm today. It was so cool how they had so many different spices growing next to each other. And not only spices but fruits and trees as well. They had; teak trees, red mahogany trees, rice paddies, vanilla bean, cumin, ginger, tumeric, coffee, anato, lemongrass, star fruit, bread fruit, banana trees, coconut trees, cardamon, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few... We walked around the farm, which looked and felt like a rain forest, and then had lunch in a thatched roof patio thing in the middle of a spice farm. The food, once again, was fantastic. So many spices and flavors. Can't wait to get back to my hut and start learning to cook. Like actually cook.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Hakuna Matata
What a wonderful phrase! Seriously, I never thought I'd be able to say those words and yet still be taken seriously. It's great. At least 3 times a day people say Hakuna Matata to me and I break into song and dance. Also, Zanzibar. Say it with me, ZAN-zi-BAAR. This place is just as exotic as the word sounds. Tonight, after wandering through Stone Town we had margaritas on the beach while a movie was filmed on one side of us and boys practiced capoeira on the other side. Then it was off to the Forodhani Gardens for street food- zanzibar pizza with coconut bread followed by fried banana and nutella. I'm in food heaven.
Zanzibar
So, day two in Zanzibar and I've already eaten my body weight in fantastic food. Oh my goodness!!! Yesterday was fresh fruit smoothies while watching sunset over the water. Last night was traditional Swahili cuisine, coconut milk King fish with lentils, sweet potatoes and calamari on the side, while sitting on the floor (PS sitting on the floor was great, except that my mom noticed the mouse running around and wasn't too excited about his company). This morning, homemade chocolate cake for breakfast (YES PLEASE!). This afternoon, street food (kinda) including coconut squid, clams, and red curry vegetables. And tonight, we went to this family's house, sat in their dining room, and ate a 7 course meal. Appetizer after appetizer of fried, stuffed goodness followed by coconut milk tuna (if you can't tell, I have a thing for coconut milk), deep fried sweet bread, and a fruit juice concoction from heaven. I thought I was going to explode. It was so delicious, I put all the sweet bread we couldn't finish into my bag so I could eat it later. Don't judge- you would've done the same.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
New perspectives
It's fun having new eyes after being here so long. Showing my parents where I live was not only fun for them but fun for me to relive the peculiarity of my current situation.
-There's no possible way to sleep-in in Hokwe. By 6am, without fail, there are goats, chickens, children, pigs running around making noise. I've become accustomed to this. My parents- not so much.
-The goat tied up outside my bathroom for three days threw them off a bit. We couldn't hang out clothes to dry on the hedges for fear the goat would eat them.
-A baby goat gave my mom a little mid-morning entertainment as it ran inside my house, narrowly escaping capture by three dogs. It came in, wandered around, then waltzed out again.
-Giant snail crawling around outside my house- also apparently not normal. It's only the size of my hand, why so surprised?!
-Daily afternoon on my front porch = 12 children anxiously waiting for the coloring books and frisbees while chickens, goats, dogs and pigs wander around my yard looking for food and/or shade.
-main roads littered with potholes so big I could lay down in them, with ease.
-3 day power-outages.
-Cockroaches the size of small birds.
-Bats flying around in the classroom during English Club, that drew no attention from anyone other than my parents.
-There's no possible way to sleep-in in Hokwe. By 6am, without fail, there are goats, chickens, children, pigs running around making noise. I've become accustomed to this. My parents- not so much.
-The goat tied up outside my bathroom for three days threw them off a bit. We couldn't hang out clothes to dry on the hedges for fear the goat would eat them.
-A baby goat gave my mom a little mid-morning entertainment as it ran inside my house, narrowly escaping capture by three dogs. It came in, wandered around, then waltzed out again.
-Giant snail crawling around outside my house- also apparently not normal. It's only the size of my hand, why so surprised?!
-Daily afternoon on my front porch = 12 children anxiously waiting for the coloring books and frisbees while chickens, goats, dogs and pigs wander around my yard looking for food and/or shade.
-main roads littered with potholes so big I could lay down in them, with ease.
-3 day power-outages.
-Cockroaches the size of small birds.
-Bats flying around in the classroom during English Club, that drew no attention from anyone other than my parents.
From Alaska to Africa part II
The Parents
I've had such a fantastic time having my parents visit!!! They picked me up from the airport and immediately took me to a FABUOUS B&B where I drank wine, took a bath, and slept in a giant bed in a room all to myself (note: yes, small events, but when combined after a year and a half living in the bush, they are amazing). Then we went to Mozambique and to my site where my Alaskan family got to meet my Mozambique family. I have to say, they handled themselves quite well in all regards of living in the bush- no electricity, sleeping in 90+ degree weather, peeing in a hole- great job guys. Then it was up to the beach for Beach Beer Olympics. Yes, my parents were not only invited, they stayed with us at the hostel. They were champs, meeting all my friends and holding their own when need be.
After Moz we went to Kruger Park. We hadn't been in the park more than 30 mins when we drove up and saw zebra and wildebeest on one side of the road, a giraffe, an elephant, and two rhinos on the other side, and all the while impala running around grunting mating calls at each other. Then we watched a crocodile eat a snake in the water while a hippo calmly watched from a few feet away. And, get this- Big Five within 24hours. Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard.
Now they bring me back to the B&B for a few more hours of wine, internet, and delicious food. Tomorrow, off to Tanzania!!!
Happy Mothers Day. I'm so thankful to have my mama with me even though I'm living on the other side of the world. I have amazing parents.
I've had such a fantastic time having my parents visit!!! They picked me up from the airport and immediately took me to a FABUOUS B&B where I drank wine, took a bath, and slept in a giant bed in a room all to myself (note: yes, small events, but when combined after a year and a half living in the bush, they are amazing). Then we went to Mozambique and to my site where my Alaskan family got to meet my Mozambique family. I have to say, they handled themselves quite well in all regards of living in the bush- no electricity, sleeping in 90+ degree weather, peeing in a hole- great job guys. Then it was up to the beach for Beach Beer Olympics. Yes, my parents were not only invited, they stayed with us at the hostel. They were champs, meeting all my friends and holding their own when need be.
After Moz we went to Kruger Park. We hadn't been in the park more than 30 mins when we drove up and saw zebra and wildebeest on one side of the road, a giraffe, an elephant, and two rhinos on the other side, and all the while impala running around grunting mating calls at each other. Then we watched a crocodile eat a snake in the water while a hippo calmly watched from a few feet away. And, get this- Big Five within 24hours. Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard.
Now they bring me back to the B&B for a few more hours of wine, internet, and delicious food. Tomorrow, off to Tanzania!!!
Happy Mothers Day. I'm so thankful to have my mama with me even though I'm living on the other side of the world. I have amazing parents.
and i fell from the sky!
Cape Town, South Africa
4 Peace Corps volunteers, 6 days, 1 car, so many memories!! Hiking up to Table Top Mountain in the freezing weather (I hadn't seen my breath in over 2 years!!), Cape Point to see the penguins and of course visit the most southern point in Africa, wine country (3 wineries in 1 afternoon = fantastic! even when I was DD), and jumping off a 64 story high bridge. Amazing! So bungee jumping was great! I got my toes over the edge of the bridge, help my arms out, they counted "5 4 3 2 1 BUNGEE" and I did a swan dive off. Let me just say, even though I was screaming on the way down, it was a damn good looking dive. Thank you Alice Sullivan and ADT for the many years of ballet training to allow me such beautiful form while jumping off a bridge.
4 Peace Corps volunteers, 6 days, 1 car, so many memories!! Hiking up to Table Top Mountain in the freezing weather (I hadn't seen my breath in over 2 years!!), Cape Point to see the penguins and of course visit the most southern point in Africa, wine country (3 wineries in 1 afternoon = fantastic! even when I was DD), and jumping off a 64 story high bridge. Amazing! So bungee jumping was great! I got my toes over the edge of the bridge, help my arms out, they counted "5 4 3 2 1 BUNGEE" and I did a swan dive off. Let me just say, even though I was screaming on the way down, it was a damn good looking dive. Thank you Alice Sullivan and ADT for the many years of ballet training to allow me such beautiful form while jumping off a bridge.
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