A Nice Day for A Dip!

from Elliott

I was visiting one of our church partners recently and I noticed this above ground pool. It was new so I knew something was up. I wasn't sure though whether it was for a new 'full immersion' baptism strategy, for a new swim team for their church school or just for lounging poolside by the Elders and Deacons. I decided that it was not for lounging since this promontory was often windy and cold. And I don't know any other swim teams in the area that the school could compete against.

I decided not to ask since baptism methodology can be a very sensitive issue and I just did not have the time for that discussion!

Where do I stop?

from Elliott
There used to be a stop sign (on the left side in SA) at this intersection in our town. But one day I was heading out to teach

and it was not there. I guessed it must have been run over the night before but it was nowhere to be found. The car ahead of me just drove right through without stopping. I doubt if it was the first time at the intersection; local folks don't seem to care too much for traffic rules and the absence of the sign was an excuse to move through without a stop.

Then about a week later I saw the sign again but not quite in the same location. In fact, it was about 25 feet before where it used to be a bit further away from the road hiding in the vegetation. I wasn't sure where I should stop now but I did notice the local folks were still just ignoring it.

Upon closer inspection I noticed that it was not planted back in the ground. Instead it was on top of the ground and leaning against the tree that it was tied to. At least it was up right and visible albeit in the wrong location.

At first I thought that a neighbor had put it upright but then I thought if they had taken the initiative to do that they probably would have done so immediately after it came down not waiting a week. Then I though that maybe they reported it and then after waiting a week and getting no response they gave up and did it themselves but nobody would think to give them a week to show up, they would just assume nothing was going to happen. I think the municipality did show up a week later but being ill equipped or unmotivated came up with the rather creative, albeit lazy, method.

Not sure whether to be impressed with the creativity or disgusted with the laziness?!?  It is still there a couple of weeks later so I guess that is the permanent solution.

How is My Driving?

from Elliott
Forgive me for laughing! Sure they drive well above the limit, stop in the middle of the driving lanes without warning, turn from no turn lanes not to mention driving intoxicated or high.

But to think that

I would question their 'King of the Road' status and beyond reproach attitude and run the risk of physical danger or threat is crazy. I don't think the taxi association that is promoting the feedback loop is doing so for the purpose of personal improvement! I wonder if they offer a 'witness protection program' type anonymity for those that provide feedback?

Recently, there was a major taxi strike in a large city near us. Among their demands were the intriguing thought that it was unfair to give out tickets during morning rush hour because they were busy! The best though was the criticism that traffic fines should be more affordable. On both counts they obviously don't think that the objective of the traffic fines was their behavior modification.

If they do not want to change their behavior then perhaps the request for feedback on the sticker is just a bit disingenuous!   

Some Things Just Don't Surprise Me Anymore

from Katherine
The other day Cason and I were driving and came to a robot (traffic light). Cason laughed because both the red (stop) and green (go) lights were shining at the same time. I shrugged my shoulders, checked for oncoming traffic and carried on.

I wonder if you live somewhere long enough things that should strike you as odd just don’t seem to faze you anymore.

I arrived at one of my schools this morning and the lady that runs it was not there. Instead, her adult daughter was filling in. The daughter had her pajama's and a robe on. I might like to do this on some days.

It was chilly last night so the goats were trying to warm up. They chose the black pavement on the busy main road that runs through our ministry area. They must have been more concerned about the temperature than their safety. Goats are clever about how to warm up but I wondered where their owner was.

A bit further down the road  I got stopped by a police man. They stand in the middle of the road,  wave you down and hope you stop,  I wonder what would happen if I did not stop - would he chase me on foot? He asked for my licence, checked my registration on the windscreen (windshield) and then asked where I was going. Do you think he needed a lift. 

A couple of years ago, we happened on an accident at night and a policemen motioned for us to slow down and asked us if we would take a woman that had been in the accident to the next town where she lived. It seemed like a strange request but not strange enough to ask any questions. Fortunately, he told us where because she did not seem to speak our language.

I have decided that it is best to like the funny (odd) things that make a place unique. It may be a bit odd but we call it home.

Is That 'Take Away' or Eat In?

from Elliott

When there are 11 official languages in your country I suspect that the job of a sign maker/ designer might be very difficult. How do you communicate in a way that most people would understand. Words matter but so do the order they are in and how they relate to one another.

We were visiting a game park with some American visitors when we saw this one. I could imagine the connection between the 'picnic area' and the 'takeaway' but not the  'toilet' and the 'takeaway'! It is best that you focus on making a leaving something at the toilet and not taking anything away.  

What is the Best End?

from Elliott
My son-in-laws like most South Africans like Biltong so I have had to learn a bit about this cultural phenomenon. I know it comes from many different kinds of meat - kudu, ostrich, bok, beef, etc and I know there are many different cuts of each animal.

I was not sure though what the 'best end' might mean. Knowing how sensitive people are about their biltong I did not ask the store owner for an explanation for fear I might offend.

Which is the best end of the kudu?

There is a Mystery in the Meat

from Elliott
We read a lot of labels in the market. In some cases, it is simply for education or to choose the best value and other times so we do not make a mistake. There has been a lot of conversation in the media about new government rules regarding the amount of water they put in chicken. Since much of it is sold by weight the amount of water makes a big difference in how much chicken is left in the pan once it is cooked. It can range from 6 - 25% so it is one more variable to consider when looking for the best value or just buying the proper amount for the recipe.

This one though is more concerning. 

Yes, there is a lot of water in this mince but I am more concerned that there is 10% of an unknown ingredient since the beef and water only add up to 90%. What is the rest? Certainly, the spices and preservatives don't add up to 10%

In an unfamiliar culture, that unknown could make a real difference in what you are consuming!