Call Your Mom

from Elliott

WiFi in public places is not as typical in our rural area as it is becoming in the urban areas even in South Africa. In Europe and America it seems almost as common as a public restroom. I saw this notice at a coffee shop nearby and totally agreed with the social commentary. The more we 'communicate' with each other via the internet or smart phones, it seems the less we have to say, at least that is something to say of consequence.

I can remember when I used to have conversations of consequence with my mother and/or father so the sentiment to 'Call Your Mom' left me wishing that I could!

Regardless, I did notice that most of the people in the coffee shop were indeed talking to each other although they were a few that were taking selfies or showing another some Facebook posting via their smartphone. Seems like we are heading in the wrong direction! Guess I am hopelessly stuck in pre 1997 mode....

Going for a Ride

from Elliott
I followed this truck up the road for a while. I have seen live chickens in a handbag or held upside down by their legs as they travel home to become someone's meal; I have seen some in a cage on the back of a bicycle or scooter; but most of the time they are in small cages stacked on the back of an open pick up truck.

In this case though they were loose in the back of the covered pick up. That is not too bad but most of

the time I see something live in the back of the truck it is children loaded in the back in what they refer to as 'scholar transport' or packed with adults on their way to work or church.

As I followed them two or three would come to the window and peck at the glass or call out while looking at me. I can imagine they were exclaiming 'Help' or 'Rescue Me'. I even noticed them jumping up to look out of the side window. I don't know how good the eyesight of chickens is but I wonder they were expecting to see out of the window. maybe they are like our dog, they like a change of view now and then!

I like the extra security of the strap across the door. I wondered if the driver was expecting some kind of an escape!

I Must Confess

from Elliott
I must confess to a bit of American arrogance!

On a recent trip to Capetown I saw this tour bus. They say they speak my language and have 20 flag symbols representing the countries/languages their staff speaks. I scanned the flags and was incensed that there was not a US flag in the mix. So I assumed that means they don't speak English - imagine that!

Then I came to my senses and remembered that English (note the Union jack) is spoken in England; and there are some in England that do not think what I and many Americans speak is English! Oh well, a bit embarrassing if I do say so myself....

Is Something Sore?

from Elliott

When you see a doctor’s office (surgery) here they often have a sign with their degrees and schools listed. I don’t know enough about the various schools to know whether you can judge the abilities of the doctor by the location of the school but this one  really caught my attention.

The medical school is “MYSORE”. At first pass it seems like a perfect name for a medical facility, “My Sore”. If you had a sore or something was sore you would certainly want to go to this doctor. I had to look it up; turns out it is a school in India in the Mysuru District pronounced “mi-suer”  .

When You Don't Have Water at Home....

from Elliott

Our town has had a shower to rinsing off at the beach for a long time. What is new is the sign in the photo. One day our son came home from the beach a bit shocked to have seen someone using the shower. That of course is not unusual but this time the person had taken all of their clothes off!

Often we see small children at the beach or at the shower in their underwear instead of a swim suit but we began having young adults doing the same! I am sure the sign was a stock image but it sure seems to bear (or bare) a close resemblance to someone I saw there…

Many times the Zulu or Xhosa translation for something that is very short or cliche' in English turns out to be something quite expansive. The Zulu on the sign, "Abahamba benqunu abavunyelwe lapha" translates into, "Walking around without clothes on is not allowed here"

Which begs the question, "Where is it allowed?"

The Walking School Bus

from Elliott
There is a primary school we pass each day that is on a busy tarred road at the crest of a hill. Cars and trucks often drive over the speed limit through the area. To complicate matters there are no sidewalks or footpaths and the grass is often 3-4 feet high at the pavement edge. The result is young children walking in the lane of traffic and crossing in blind areas. Unfortunately, there have been numerous children hit and killed in that location. We have even witnessed one of the deaths. Tragic.

Finally there was enough community outrage that a number of things have happened. Something as simple as a road hump was added and now there are crossing guards with reflective vests. But just the other day I noticed that there are groups of young children that walk along the road with an adult in a single file. For their safety even they are given reflective vests. And on the vests are the words, 'Walking School Bus.'

While many students ride in minibus taxis, I have not seen what I understand as a school bus here- that is the yellow and black type we know in the US. Regardless of what the reflective vest says, I hope that I never witness another young child killed at Ebenezer Primary School.

The Price of Being an American

from Katherine
We were in the hot, dusty market town of Bizana recently for one of our small business development classes. I had to make a run to the market for supplies to cater the lunch and overheard (and participated in) a conversation of the older couple in front of me.

Husband to Wife: "Let's buy some mushrooms for you to make for dinner for me tonight."
Wife to Husband: "No, I am not buying mushrooms. Just let me shop."
Husband to Wife: "You are always telling me what to do. You sound like one of those American women on the soapies!"

Then someone gives the man a nudge and then points to me. The man looks at me and shrugs his shoulders and apologises. I tell him, "Don't worry, I don't think the women on the soapies speak nicely to their husbands either!

Unfortunately, we bear a burden as Americans from how we are portrayed in television - American or otherwise.  Perhaps our behavior is instructive more so when we are 'counter cultural.' At first I wondered, how did they know I was American and then I remembered that even for those that do not know us personally we are known of here in this town for the work we do and because we stand out just a bit!