Sensitivity is a Moving Target

from Elliott
Political sensitivity seems to vary from country to country. South Africa tends to say it like it is

without a lot of sensitivity whether it is issues of race, economics or disability. I will have to admit this one still takes me by surprise. Certainly it is not meant to be demeaning, it is simply the common term to used for a special bathroom.

I am not sure what causes cultures to shift form certain terms to then embrace others. Definitely in the West there seems to be a methodology for people to address what they may see as offensive. From a distance though, it seems like the West has gone overboard to be politically correct - perhaps somewhere between the two cultures that I am part of would be a happy median!

A Trash Can Full of Meth?

from Elliott
We have laughed before about the shorthand for the Methodist Church here in South Africa. The email address for some is "methchurch".

It was taken one step further when our Methodist Church got a new trash can and decided it needed to be labeled to reduce the chance of theft. Perhaps it is my American culture coming out but I just can't think of anything else other that the popular narcotic in the US any time I see the word 'meth'. 

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!