Travelling with a Giraffe

from Katherine

This is Musa. He makes beaded animals near Howick falls which is near Cason’s school. We had had

a lot of rain so we drove up after a game to see how much water was coming over the falls. See Elliott’s blog about 'Laundry with a View' to see the water.

Musa is fortunate to live near a tourist attraction. He does not have to travel far to sell his wares. I have a thing for giraffes and that is what Musa was making when I came to his shade tree. He was gracious to show me how he made the animals stringing a long wire with the same color beads and then very carefully twisting the beaded wire around the frame that he had made. 

Musa did not know I live in South Africa (my accent) so he made a great sales pitch about how my giraffe’s neck would bend and travel well. He was excited to learn that I live here and hoped we would meet again! I hope so too!

Do Horses Speak Xhosa?

from Katherine

Bizana is a market town where one of my schools is and Elliott’s small business class takes place there too. So imagine dusty streets, LOTS of people, traffic, animals loose, street vendors with fruit and veg and chickens, food being cooked over fires, and on and on.

Recently, I left the church to buy bananas for tea time before class. On my way I passed 3 horses on the side of the road, unattended, of course. I love horses so I had to speak to them (not sure if they speak Xhosa but that is OK since I don’t speak much) and tell them how pretty they were. Yes I am a bit crazy, but I am O.K. with that.

When I got to the street vendor where I buy bananas each week I noticed that he had apples too so I bought 3 for the horses. I am REALLY good at drawing a crowd. I have never seen another white woman walking in Bizana but when the white woman buys fruit to feed the horses people stop to see what is happening. I think the fruit vendor was hoping they would like them and I would buy more!

The first horse was very slow to taste her treat but then she gobbled it up. The other two were not too sure about me. A lady nearby pointed out “I don’t think the horses have ever seen a white person” Then she smiled and giggled. The funny part was one of the other two horses went to the first as though he was saying “was it good?”

Always something interesting in Bizana…

Laundry with a View

from Elliott
South Africa has some amazing waterfalls. Howick Falls is near Cason's school and is 300+ feet high.

I am not sure what it is but every time we have seen waterfalls here there is always some group of women doing their laundry in the pools at the top of the falls, often times perilously close to the edge.

I wonder how many pieces of clothing have gotten away never to be found. That would be a pretty massive spin cycle. And how is the view from above?











Look close to find the daredevil laundresses in the picture below!

Strum a Chord?

from Elliott

While waiting for friends to arrive at the airport I found this sign next to a grand piano. I have actually seen someone play before and it was a nice touch. Relieved the boredom of those waiting and maybe the stress of those arriving. When I think of South Africa though the piano does not seem to be the instrument that comes to mind!

I am not very musically inclined but I don't think you 'strum' a piano. Perhaps they should be supplying a guitar instead. 

Politically Correct?

from Elliott
Not sure that this McDonalds marketing campaign would go over well in 'politically correct' USA. It
is just fine though in South Africa's hyper-focused racial/ethnic climate. Not sure which is a healthier approach for a culture trying to reconcile!

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!