tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010561056211280132024-03-05T06:31:50.291+02:00Matson in South Africa: A Peace Corps BlogTerm of Service: September 17, 2009 - September 17, 2011Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-15946475230348984552011-03-21T20:56:00.001+02:002011-03-21T20:56:34.888+02:00The Right To Be Human<p>I got pooped on today by an infant. I wouldn’t make that up just for a cheap laugh. It really happened. I’ve got witnesses.</p> <p>I wasn’t planning to start my blog posting this way, but now you’re with me, right? I mean, who wouldn’t want to keep reading to find out what happened?</p> <p>On a more serious note, to today is Human Rights Day here in South Africa. There are several aspects of Human Rights that I reflect on today and I’ll share with you here.</p> <p> </p> <p>I just finished Nelson Mandela’s autobiography <em>Long Walk to Freedom</em>. It was absolutely incredible and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning about South Africa’s struggle against Apartheid and Madiba’s personal role in all of it. One particular part of his life that surprised me was how active he was in “the struggle” while in prison for 27 years starting in 1964. I had gotten half way in his book (which was roughly 750 pages) and had only gotten to his imprisonment. There was so much that happened while he was imprisoned on Robben Island.</p> <p>It really opened my eyes and gave me some more perspective on how far South Africa has come. Even in prison with little to no consistent contact to the outside world, Mandela and others fought for true and indivisible rights of humans.</p> <p> </p> <p>In the spirit of Human Rights Day, I want to make a plea to you to help me finish this fundraiser with <strong>one great last push</strong>. I compete in the KLM charity half-marathon this Saturday with dozens of other Peace Corps Volunteers and thousands of other general public participants. I’ve been training very hard (about 40km per week) and hope to beat my time by 10 minutes.</p> <p>Please take some time and ask yourself if you can put aside $15 for this Kruger Park/Half-Marathon fundraiser. It’s the price of a quick meal out while at work. I won’t be asking for any more donations after this week. So please, if you’ve been wanting to help but put it on your to-do list, please take just a few minutes to do it now.</p> <p>Sadly, I didn’t make anything near to my $1000 goal. I only came up with about $300. Last year, you helped me raise over $13oo! I know money may be tight, but just a little from all of us can really go far!</p> <p>So, do you think you can help? (It’s OK, I’ll wait until you come back!)</p> <p>You can go to either link to donate:</p> <blockquote> <p><a title="http://bit.ly/eSW5i6" href="http://bit.ly/eSW5i6">My Facebook Donation Link</a></p> <p><a title="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2011/02/kruger-park-field-trip-klm-half.html" href="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2011/02/kruger-park-field-trip-klm-half.html">My Previous Blog Posting</a></p> </blockquote> <p>Are you back? Cool, thank you for donating!</p> <p> </p> <p>Finally, I’ll share with you the poop story for all of you who were patiently waiting.</p> <p>My host brother recently had a baby boy born in January. His name is Tlhompo. Here are some pictures of him:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TYefKSCBv5I/AAAAAAAABCQ/94jedliV_w0/s1600-h/P1150073%28480x360%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1150073(480x360)" border="0" alt="P1150073(480x360)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TYefOlDiKlI/AAAAAAAABCU/Rp-Yzc9CQJQ/P1150073%28480x360%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TYefSCL9HbI/AAAAAAAABCY/qC8XITtzJ3Y/s1600-h/P1150079%28480x360%29%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1150079(480x360)" border="0" alt="P1150079(480x360)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1GQgDoUsAT2ZRw2VwAoN-rmryPYnh28wNKrepR6DCRXRW1-IbPh5yN_dM6Q0zBeQXk7v0CMIncqOwIVB_rO7q-kJjXHYbJR63x4spFEYJX-_rAV-_XA2b5RLzanpxnY2TtIj6-NNnoti/?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a> </p> <p>I was over at his mother’s house this evening and got to hold him. He had just eaten, so he had a bit his stomach decided to share with his shirt. No major damage done yet…</p> <p>It had been a while since I got to see my nephew. And I guess he was also really excited to see me that he just <em>couldn’t contain himself</em>.</p> <p>Everyone turned to me once I discovered that the rumblings were not him burping, and immediately the room of women and children burst into laughter, myself included. I think that was the first time I was ever pooped on. I can’t complain that I wasn’t given anything for Human Rights Day. And Tlhompo certainly expressed his right to be human and very matter-of-factly so.</p> <p>And now, I leave you with a Poo Haiku.</p> <blockquote> <p>Happy infant on my lap</p> <p>Rumbling tummy</p> <p>Got to change</p> <p> </p> </blockquote> <p><em>Please, please, consider making a donation. It’s the last chance. Here are the two links again:</em></p> <blockquote> <p><a title="http://bit.ly/eSW5i6" href="http://bit.ly/eSW5i6">My Facebook Donation Link</a></p> <p><a title="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2011/02/kruger-park-field-trip-klm-half.html" href="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2011/02/kruger-park-field-trip-klm-half.html">My Previous Blog Posting</a></p> </blockquote> <p></p> <p>Thanks and wish us all luck on the race this Saturday! ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-82708418008556677792011-02-27T21:15:00.001+02:002011-02-27T21:15:40.433+02:00Good news all around!<h3>First off, a quick fundraising update!</h3> <p>Since I forgot to get a blog update to you all last weekend, I’ll fill you in on how we’re doing on raising funds for the Kruger Park Reimbursement Fundraiser and the KLM Half-Marathon:</p> <p><strong>“Running” Total</strong> (pun cheesily intended)<strong>: $300</strong></p> <p>First week: 5 people donated $75 through <a href="http://bit.ly/eSW5i6" target="_blank">Facebook</a>;  1 person donated $25 from my <a href="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2011/02/kruger-park-field-trip-klm-half.html" target="_blank">blog</a></p> <p align="center">-->Weekly goal met! Thank you!!<--</p> <p align="left">Second week: $100 donated from the blog!</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">I have just over <strong>3 weeks left</strong> to raise the rest!</p> <p align="left"><strong></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong>Your mission this week, should you choose to accept it: Be one of 7 people this week to help me raise $280 (that’s $40/person). Think it’s doable?? Let’s please try it!</strong></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">To show my continued commitment to this fundraiser, I’ve been continuing to train for the 13-mile race. I’m up to 6 miles, 3 days a week with a determined group of boys ages 12-15, most running on gravel roads without shoes. Thank you for your support! And now…</p> <h3>Photo Intermission!</h3> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TWqiL0C0AlI/AAAAAAAABBA/kVR10wDrRnE/s1600-h/P1140162%28480c360%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1140162(480c360)" border="0" alt="P1140162(480c360)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TWqiQbL40VI/AAAAAAAABBE/i4rzFFK-OJ8/P1140162%28480c360%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a></p> <p align="center"> <em>Making tin-can ice cream on a hot summer day!</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TWqiUE-3zPI/AAAAAAAABBM/S222ZiaiYNg/s1600-h/P1140163%28480c360%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1140163(480c360)" border="0" alt="P1140163(480c360)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TWqiZSIog9I/AAAAAAAABBQ/Eyv1Ca61LDY/P1140163%28480c360%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a></p> <p align="center">  <em>And</em> e<em>njoying tin-can ice cream on a hot summer day!</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TWqicrnuf-I/AAAAAAAABBU/s_Yh6BuaQwk/s1600-h/P1140168%28480c360%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1140168(480c360)" border="0" alt="P1140168(480c360)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TWqigFld-1I/AAAAAAAABBY/XsBbS05qxd4/P1140168%28480c360%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a></p> <p align="center"> <em>Toy foam pills turned into dinosaurs in water(shoutout to Liz “Lizasaurus Rex” Doane! Thanks!)</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eE1NgxYLaPTfLUHl08Xgmo6A1BGGX3gWUamKg7AO_5Ggv6QlDIRb60EbiLmLgajb6L0E9kwT2vjFzcbgb77BUJkZzDb7BJzyN41LrJl7pbJxU-zzwybCnQJPeJa_CMpIKSVCemFz6jqX/s1600-h/P1140204(480c360)%5B2%5D.jpg"><font color="#473624"></font><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1140204(480c360)" border="0" alt="P1140204(480c360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TWqinur43kI/AAAAAAAABBg/hg0g20jRRAA/P1140204%28480c360%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p> <p align="center"> <em>Playing in the rain</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TWqiqalMqDI/AAAAAAAABBk/rFEFzJoEjEo/s1600-h/P1140227%28480c360%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1140227(480c360)" border="0" alt="P1140227(480c360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TWqiuriQW2I/AAAAAAAABBo/NSBb4pc6584/P1140227%28480c360%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em> Backyard sunset</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TWqix2lWIWI/AAAAAAAABBs/krvC2o-tuto/s1600-h/P1140264%28480c360%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1140264(480c360)" border="0" alt="P1140264(480c360)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqA3wmA8B2phdZkTj5dZW2EFsl_4ZGhzxVaELsDlZ3dcZUtv86zl356KPDoRbCU29eid_-xzafrxWrGnARoOwop_qJQRCwb4A2gDg-kpjJy5c-eije3LN5La94tsKnso_aGas2JCWIDdLs/?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a><em>These dramatic skies appear overhead practically every summer evening and happen more often than I can remember.</em></p> <h3>Onto the truly great news!</h3> <p>I’d like to congratulate my sister, Eden, her husband, Seth, and their son, Austin, for their most recent addition to the family: Jonah Michael Boyer. He was born into this beautiful world on February 25, 2011, happy and healthy! The whole family is doing very well.</p> <p>I’m looking forward to meeting my newest nephew in 7 months. But for now, Skype and photos will have to do.</p> <p> </p> <h4>Last few thoughts:</h4> <p>-I’ve been slacking on photos. I’m sorry, pictures always make things more fun to read! More to come…</p> <p>-A HUGE thanks to Dr. Johnson and the faculty at St. Cloud State University for coming together to send our school some great science supplies! Safe travels to South Africa, Dr. Johnson and group!</p> <p>-If you’ve already donated, THANK YOU! If you think your friend may want to support this cause, please forward the information or <a href="http://bit.ly/eSW5i6" target="_blank">Facebook link</a>!</p> <p>-It’s still freakin’ hot here!</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>I’d love some input: what do you want to hear about that I’ve been neglecting to blog about!</strong> Leave a comment or write me an email and let me know! ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-55408132904655507242011-02-14T08:49:00.001+02:002011-02-14T08:49:06.090+02:00Valentine’s Day<p align="center">~Happy Valentine’s Day~</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TVjQQG93sXI/AAAAAAAABAw/3GETb3qYvsE/s1600-h/South%20African%20Heart%201%20%28480x360%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="South African Heart 1 (480x360)" border="0" alt="South African Heart 1 (480x360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TVjQUfMnrRI/AAAAAAAABA0/TPOhcq87vRY/South%20African%20Heart%201%20%28480x360%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="South African Heart 2 (480x360)" border="0" alt="South African Heart 2 (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TVjQXpI8jcI/AAAAAAAABA4/4rXeLS6c-jk/South%20African%20Heart%202%20%28480x360%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-52262483692781689192011-02-13T22:59:00.001+02:002011-02-13T22:59:30.311+02:00Phones, Sparks & Giggles.<p>Hello and I hope this blog finds you all well. I had some thoughts over the weekend, and here they are, in 3 acts:</p> <p>Act I: Calling All Readers. Act II: Sparks & Fire. Act III: Giggles.</p> <p> </p> <h4>Act I: Calling All Readers<em>.</em></h4> <p><em>Scene: An imaginary phone conversation between you and me.</em></p> <p><em>[Your phone rings]</em>. You: Hello?</p> <p>Me: Hey, it’s Matson, how are you?</p> <p>You: Can’t complain, just finishing lunch, deciding what I’d like to do for the rest of my Sunday. How about you?</p> <p>Me: I’m doing pretty well. My house is an oven, currently set at about 90 degrees in here, so I’m melting. But besides that, I’m busy writing a blog, but I decided to take a break to give you a phone call. Hope I’m not interrupting lunch.</p> <p>You: No, not at all. What’s up?</p> <p>Me: Well, I wanted to take the time to call and say thank you.</p> <p>You: Thanks for what?</p> <p>Me: Well, last week, you clicked on that PayPal button and donated to my fundraiser for the Longtom charity marathon and the Kruger Park Trip. I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciated it. It’s being put to great use. With donations like yours, these kids are getting opportunities that they’d never get.</p> <p>You: Well I appreciate the call. I figured $5 couldn’t hurt, right?</p> <p>Me: Oh, it’s a HUGE help! Any bit helps, especially if many people think the same way. I know how hesitant one can be when considering making a donation , especially online. But, I’m happy to say that I’ve been able to raise about $125 of the $1000 goal so far in the past week with a few donations, but there’s still a ways to go.</p> <p>You: Well, is there anything else I can do to help?</p> <p>Me: You know, I appreciated your donation a ton! I hope you know that. If you could pass on the word, I’ve got a weekly goal for this week: $250 or 5 more people to donate, which ever comes first! If I can get either goal met this week, I’ll be thrilled!</p> <p>You: I’ll spread the word! What’s the website again?</p> <p>Me: They can visit: <a title="http://bit.ly/eSW5i6" href="http://bit.ly/eSW5i6">http://bit.ly/eSW5i6</a>. And please let them know that just $5 or $10 goes a LONG way here.</p> <p>You: Great, I’ll do that.</p> <p>Me: Thanks a lot once again, it’s really great to have your support. Take care. Bye!</p> <p>You: Same to you, bye!</p> <p> </p> <h4></h4> <h4>Act II: Sparks & Fire.</h4> <p>Sometimes I’ve found myself overeager to start project after project in my community, even if they may not catch on with the community in the long run. Be they computer labs, a recycling program, gardening, running clubs, a world map, newsletters, an A/V cart with video library, or any other number of proposed projects either alone or partnered with others, it just feels good to see a project become successful. This seems to be a common theme among PCVs, and it can get quite discouraging after long delays and lack of support if they don’t work out.</p> <p>But I realized something recently that made things a bit more clear and manageable (*warning: cheesy metaphor ahead): these projects are like sparks in the community: the right spark can lead to a great fire, providing light and a source of energy. But if the wood and kindling for that fire isn’t prepared properly, that spark does no good. And that’s where I think I need to take a step back.</p> <p>I’ve been so anxious to get projects off the ground that perhaps I haven’t been properly preparing those for which the project was designed. I’m the first Peace Corps Volunteer—and foreigner, for that matter—in my village. Especially in a such a rural and traditional village such as the one where I live, it’s going to take a bit more time to adequately prepare that firewood. The spark may have to come later.</p> <p>I hope this makes sense. I knew that I was missing something, some key to why project success was not what I’d hoped it to be, especially compared with success back in the States. Aside from an obvious lack of resources (information, infrastructure, people, and finances), it was that preparation within the minds of the community that needs the most attention, first and foremost. A very valuable and sobering lesson.</p> <p>So, in the end, I suppose I rely on corny metaphors I dream up while sitting next to the fire in my family’s outside kitchen (<em>scarem</em>) to help make these experiences more relatable and tangible.</p> <p> </p> <h4>Act III: Giggles.</h4> <p>Tonight I met the Giggle Monster. The Giggle Monster can possess any person with the heart of a child at any time. No one has ever <em>seen</em> the Giggle Monster (many believe it’s invisible), but tonight I saw what it did to a little six-year-old girl.</p> <p>It was about 6:15pm this Sunday evening. We were sitting outside on the front stoop of the house. She was with her mother who was getting her hair done by my host sister. I brought out some toys for the little girl to play with while she patiently waited. I brought my box of small plastic animals—a wide and colourful variety of mammals, birds, dinosaurs, and creepy crawlies. Upon receiving the box, the little girl peered into the box and quickly threw a giant plastic praying mantis onto her unsuspecting mother’s lap, making her shriek for an instant before knocking it away then realizing what it was. This is when the Giggle Monster attacked. The girl went into a hysterical fit of giggles—one of the most adorable and contagious cases I’d ever seen. We, too, started laughing. The more bugs she pulled out, the more the giggles set in. And there was no stopping them (I mean, with giggles this cute, no one would!) The giant ladybug was the kicker, though. Nothing set on the giggles inside this girl like the giant plastic ladybug as big as a silver dollar. I wish I had a video camera. It made my evening.</p> <p>I now know where the Giggle Monster resides: inside my big box of plastic toy animals.</p> <h4></h4> <h4> </h4> <h4>Final thought…</h4> <h4></h4> <p>I just wanted to end by saying <strong>thanks again</strong> to those that have already contributed to my fundraiser! And if you’d like to help, too, please visit: <a title="http://bit.ly/eSW5i6" href="http://bit.ly/eSW5i6">http://bit.ly/eSW5i6</a> or go to the previous blog posting <a href="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2011/02/kruger-park-field-trip-klm-half.html" target="_blank">here</a> to find out more information <strong>and see more photos</strong> on where the donations are going.</p> <p> </p> <p>Will you be one of the 5 donors this week to help me reach my goal? ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-20647746496229310882011-02-06T21:07:00.001+02:002011-02-06T21:07:55.822+02:00Kruger Park Field Trip & KLM Half-Marathon<p></p> <p>Have you ever experienced that moment where you fully and completely realize its all up to you, where the choices you make at that very moment will change the outcome for those around you? Take a second to recollect when you felt people were counting on you and only you. (I’ll wait…….)</p> <p>Got it? Now, with that moment in mind, what was the result? Are you happy with the decision you made? Any regret? I’ve got a moment of my own to share with you. I hope you can take a few minutes to read this story.</p> <h2></h2> <h4>Here’s what happened…</h4> <p>Events leading up to the moment: Our village’s secondary school has an environmental youth club that organized an educational trip to Kruger National Park this past December, some 600 miles on the other side of the country for 25 learners. At the eleventh hour, we were notified by participating organizations that our food and transportation commitments would not be fulfilled, due to forces beyond our control. This left us scrambling because the parents had already paid the deposit for the trip in full. Not to mention, these 25 children were eagerly looking forward to this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Now, two days before we were to leave, we had to put our heads together and come up with approximately $1000 to save the trip. (This would be the equivalent of about raising $2000 in America taking into account cost of living). We had exhausted all our funding sources; and since this was a weekend, any last-minute donations or loans seemed dismal. Raising this amount of money in two days seemed <em>nearly impossible</em>.</p> <p>My heart was breaking. These kids had been looking forward to this trip for so long. These deposits were Christmas money saved by the families so their kids could go on this trip. As I saw parents reluctantly telling their kids we didn’t have enough money to go, I saw kids break down in tears. In this culture, children are taught to be strong and not show their sadness in hard times. But, behind the attempted emotionless faces, I saw the disappointment, no, complete disheartenment that these kids tried to keep inside.</p> <p>The moment: with emotions running high and after a long internal debate with my conscience, I cleared my head and realized what I felt I had to do. I offered to fund the $1000 out of my savings. I just couldn’t, in good conscience, let this trip along with the hopes of all these kids fall apart knowing full well that I could have done something about it. Still, there was that nagging voice lingering in my head saying, <em>Matson, that’s a lot of money…what if you never make it back? You’re not earning any money as a Volunteer, you know.</em> But, I pushed those thoughts aside convincing myself that I’d try my hardest after all this is over to make it up. And, if not, well then so be it.</p> <p>Was it the right decision? I won’t say this is a matter of right versus wrong, but if you ask me if I regret it, absolutely not. Granted, it’s still a huge dent in my tiny wallet, but that’s why I’m writing to you with this appeal.</p> <p>For all those times I walk past someone on the street asking for money, justifying to myself that they <em>probably </em>would have used the money for drugs or alcohol, or those times that charities approach me asking me for funds and I respond politely, “I’m sorry, I’m sure you have a good cause, but I just don’t know where my money would actually be going or how it would be used,” well, now I can say with full confidence that I know <em>exactly</em> where that money went: I saw the smiles on the kids’ faces, I saw the things they experienced, and I know that they brought back memories of a lifetime to share with those that weren’t able to go.</p> <p>So, as I leave you to look at the rest of this blog filled with photos of our incredible trip, please consider this plea for a reimbursement donation and realize that by donating, you will know that this educational trip and your funds were indeed put to great use!</p> <h4> </h4> <h4>Sidenote: KLM Half-Marathon!</h4> <p>I am also raising funds to run in the KLM Half-Marathon just like last year in <a href="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2010/02/peace-corps-volunteer-fundraising.html" target="_blank">this blog post</a>. I raised $1,355 (top fundraiser last year) with your help and got a great time of two hours flat! This year, my focus is with the Kruger Trip. If you’d rather contribute to KLM specifically, you can follow the directions in <a href="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2010/02/peace-corps-volunteer-fundraising.html" target="_blank">this blog post</a>. Either way, you make a difference!</p> <p align="center"><a name="b_9a3dcdd01195012eb8c1000d60d4c902"></a><object type='application/x-shockwave-flash' data='https://giving.paypallabs.com/flash/badge.swf' width='205' height='350' id='badge9a3dcdd01195012eb8c1000d60d4c902' align='middle'> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /> <param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /> <param name="movie" value="https://giving.paypallabs.com/flash/badge.swf" /> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /> <param name="wmode" value="transparent" /> <param name="FlashVars" value="Id=9a3dcdd01195012eb8c1000d60d4c902" /> <embed src="https://giving.paypallabs.com/flash/badge.swf" FlashVars="Id=9a3dcdd01195012eb8c1000d60d4c902" quality="high" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" wmode="transparent" width="205" height="350" Id="badge9a3dcdd01195012eb8c1000d60d4c902" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" allowNetworking="all" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> </object></p> <h4></h4> <h4></h4> <h4></h4> <h4 align="center">Kruger National Park Field Trip</h4> <p align="center"><em>Environmental Youth Club, December 2010</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7tVeLo4pI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/wudf65Wga_w/s1600-h/P1140327480x3604.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140327 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140327 (480x360)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7tae3MfcI/AAAAAAAAA9U/H9VDYkvG8O8/P1140327480x360_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>The 25 Environmental Youth Club learners ready and eager to start the journey!</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7td0hSy5I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/k5vctAJ1UQw/s1600-h/P1140349480x3603.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140349 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140349 (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7tiCkEDCI/AAAAAAAAA9c/mIhY_fMeaVU/P1140349480x360_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>A short rest and a game of ultimate Frisbee at a gas station outside of Nelspruit, Mpumalanga</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7tlYtl2wI/AAAAAAAAA9g/IdcY6o4xZUU/s1600-h/P1140357480x3603.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140357 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140357 (480x360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7tq9nv0aI/AAAAAAAAA9k/DhUFsZOrOew/P1140357480x360_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>After 14 hours of driving, we finally arrived!</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7tvRbw7OI/AAAAAAAAA9o/i4e5fntUTKo/s1600-h/P1140375480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140375 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140375 (480x360)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7tzRp-ZKI/AAAAAAAAA9s/EyVNO1eX9uo/P1140375480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>Our first class when arriving in Pretoriuskop Restcamp, Kruger Park</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcaEdB-rRRBUMvDmJJE3Wt7Z9Hxj7PgL3S-LHAvsG-G3zJ4ymHRxt6y22qQNstX0vRyILyICMYpvRJpykBBxYrf1xf8Qz6jtyqZo8qPIm6kScHeQUU_JHzwQ74cgFVKZnAgyz3irUKr9c/s1600-h/P1140376480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140376 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140376 (480x360)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7t7QcSe6I/AAAAAAAAA90/tBCYthM-Df4/P1140376480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>Hilda, our wonderful SANPark guide</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><font size="2"></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7uA7SWGkI/AAAAAAAAA94/cPnH6qAjGDc/s1600-h/P1140378480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140378 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140378 (480x360)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7uFm7pbmI/AAAAAAAAA98/E47N0bw3zUY/P1140378480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>Playing Predator & Prey—a great ice-breaker!</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><font size="2"></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7uJRTl9rI/AAAAAAAAA-A/OFoYoKn_pLY/s1600-h/P1140379480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140379 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140379 (480x360)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7uTaiasII/AAAAAAAAA-E/hjdJFmWJMys/P1140379480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7ub4E11II/AAAAAAAAA-I/9mce94lnKWw/s1600-h/P1140389480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140389 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140389 (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7uitAu2TI/AAAAAAAAA-M/LfgrEY3adzk/P1140389480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>Dozens of impala in our campsite…</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4L5Ev2NlWQNTJgLfpxWpmx3OLYy8WGxKFrPQcgpm-tQMtfr7z0U9vZfy0wwUwC3fc7jE-huGiDnhTV0fVnYdVSEfnV20TvgnPEa1AwppFEj3R-d3gaEtG55CN7QQLDQLofp4axz_EEpCT/s1600-h/P1140392480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140392 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140392 (480x360)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJ4AZrXsQawSRfG5ZJHyPBM1S9WdXBiYWmAlys0NxRPIcnc6LoXz1h5BAa-BTL7L3rR41keAqJVbUWunhfg8-ope39Ve93FJu1X7p2RoqIovC-hivjxDxpw-2pETmTMjgLJhrIGuBBPTH/?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><em>…and monkeys!</em></p> <p align="center"><font size="2"> </font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7uxEQWm_I/AAAAAAAAA-Y/9SfgKdqMj_k/s1600-h/P1140400480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140400 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140400 (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7u1zUtIWI/AAAAAAAAA-c/9anvx3RA2SU/P1140400480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7u5lC9BWI/AAAAAAAAA-g/6NIFdB-1yDw/s1600-h/P1140407480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140407 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140407 (480x360)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7u_jct3rI/AAAAAAAAA-k/MPOE_J9pi8c/P1140407480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>More classes and activities with Hilda</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7vGSuofKI/AAAAAAAAA-o/dLv-NoRF1Z8/s1600-h/P1140408480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140408 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140408 (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7vLfnPulI/AAAAAAAAA-s/C_jbx7zhD2U/P1140408480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>Juckey, the Club’s facilitator</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7vRon0PcI/AAAAAAAAA-w/TPoD3ez-wMU/s1600-h/P1140410480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140410 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140410 (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7vX9XZabI/AAAAAAAAA-0/FLgO6RvqC9k/P1140410480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>The learners had to present on the material they learned in class with Hilda</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em>Animals!…</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIws4JCtoZ4Z6gz9wEANUyfBqNvTkCD-KZSrQuT79dZi31-O2d2qa86EsCYGLyCV6ZbJYBQcmc2P3RV3k6P5-NU0BQR33zxi5mDMjW93NNJ0gqx2_0wd8kXOojUfsWB9NqKRuDaVaj8Ux/s1600-h/P1140416480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140416 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140416 (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7vhcr_epI/AAAAAAAAA-8/NTTVZzsZQXM/P1140416480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7vme5pH6I/AAAAAAAAA_A/vlSFZxia3nI/s1600-h/P1140417480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140417 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140417 (480x360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7vrKsSyoI/AAAAAAAAA_E/B1ackeKyXQw/P1140417480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7vuxTZnGI/AAAAAAAAA_I/7F0CFOyvPc0/s1600-h/P1140457480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140457 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140457 (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7v0EqUEVI/AAAAAAAAA_M/x8feq0IHD7g/P1140457480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7v4d8jeBI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/yqcCfOBIs8A/s1600-h/P1140464480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140464 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140464 (480x360)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7v-Dhlu8I/AAAAAAAAA_U/R-XXhV-R0aw/P1140464480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7wCT02UgI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/U0Kn9TTsoaM/s1600-h/P1140468480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140468 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140468 (480x360)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7wHGSdA5I/AAAAAAAAA_c/8nhbgI08x_E/P1140468480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>We were lucky enough to see four of the Big 5 in the park (lion, elephant, rhino, and buffalo)</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7wLq4U04I/AAAAAAAAA_g/4-SdBL6wxRA/s1600-h/P1140473480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140473 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140473 (480x360)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7wRKcBB7I/AAAAAAAAA_k/EDrcrba9-ns/P1140473480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7wVkaaPcI/AAAAAAAAA_o/zxzcxbxMgaI/s1600-h/P1140481480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140481 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140481 (480x360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7wcQRFfbI/AAAAAAAAA_s/k4hrTG8DV9c/P1140481480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7wgnI54KI/AAAAAAAAA_w/5oz6dDVGF4U/s1600-h/P1140484480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140484 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140484 (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7wlJ-AOZI/AAAAAAAAA_0/RXZF-_13sGM/P1140484480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>While at Skukuza Restcamp, we were given a private lecture on erosion and poaching</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7wpLTtUrI/AAAAAAAAA_4/XcgeZj5W1mY/s1600-h/P1140504480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140504 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140504 (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7wtuhyBKI/AAAAAAAAA_8/dpSpfy9iOT4/P1140504480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7wxhF3Z_I/AAAAAAAABAA/G-bqr3mo0es/s1600-h/P1140517480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140517 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140517 (480x360)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcNkavso_7_n1ml8lchI5SrCjejRzFx3dAYd5EcEhMTIizMp1ESuY2kS4djY-MDN44PS2tS46tj82ip6BBcXo4vfq-NNELSdNwJA_I9cF7sbeSUVb1EIv_TKceiDAG4-Lq_0ASTO7_pv1/?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>For some leisure-time, I taught the kids Bocci Ball, improvised, of course!</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7w5h_UfzI/AAAAAAAABAI/QYLXxc-WIQE/s1600-h/P1140520480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140520 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140520 (480x360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7w9UyZurI/AAAAAAAABAM/cqNEoTo3EFE/P1140520480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7xBeKlUTI/AAAAAAAABAQ/JLiKSwvgIng/s1600-h/P1140526480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140526 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140526 (480x360)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZ7W7YA4M04PRsLTKxORFTJzUq0THnUvZ3-VHGICCoDNKEpC-HMLbpmf_aB9rNZGrqbesqmPd8fCyHNOSCX6c_dq0tTQz2fvPZDzuWFeaEj3vXvGVmXtgGNJLcSYhF04e6Bgj_pH1CeFR/?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>The learners love playing ultimate Frisbee!</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7xL-7XJKI/AAAAAAAABAY/jKAOeeOgP-I/s1600-h/P1140528480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140528 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140528 (480x360)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4d4n7OFN5myEQsNuFTTFTcVfRpvdT7-ffY4uytm8kLEw3KQRCIO5PfrhDEzJmluy7BDgLxVZyp5pwV6D_NOpaLCSsd09JEQn1VjuRMYcjbmk_7ec84CbEE-Xb86PGI-oXl6zDO02MIPM8/?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7xUFUXZFI/AAAAAAAABAg/UXHZafUo_-I/s1600-h/P1140607480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140607 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140607 (480x360)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAeBBdPdSCQ8w1PFHU4slyg4Llg-fUgbfFre5YTpMTlqyOY8r5-JS6T16XnfVDpgVfiKLmDAeIQrWfQOWqgHki9hbwCeGMoZQamAuPDyxuyghNbkSj7-kFhDGMhG__VrmFCVAcNP-gTeX/?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>Photo under the marula tree before we left the park</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7xdhLCsSI/AAAAAAAABAo/HppSammcznI/s1600-h/P1140655480x3602.jpg"><font color="#29303b" size="2"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1140655 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140655 (480x360)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TU7xghLLyYI/AAAAAAAABAs/GLaa9_ok_s0/P1140655480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p align="center"><em>Into the sun we rode home, taking back with us smiles, lasting friendships, and experiences we’ll never forget.</em></p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p align="center"><a name="b_9a3dcdd01195012eb8c1000d60d4c902"></a><object type='application/x-shockwave-flash' data='https://giving.paypallabs.com/flash/badge.swf' width='205' height='350' id='badge9a3dcdd01195012eb8c1000d60d4c902' align='middle'> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /> <param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /> <param name="movie" value="https://giving.paypallabs.com/flash/badge.swf" /> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /> <param name="wmode" value="transparent" /> <param name="FlashVars" value="Id=9a3dcdd01195012eb8c1000d60d4c902" /> <embed src="https://giving.paypallabs.com/flash/badge.swf" FlashVars="Id=9a3dcdd01195012eb8c1000d60d4c902" quality="high" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" wmode="transparent" width="205" height="350" Id="badge9a3dcdd01195012eb8c1000d60d4c902" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" allowNetworking="all" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> </object></p> <p></p> <p>Please consider a donation. Thank you. ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-85648700900567825642011-02-04T18:02:00.001+02:002011-02-04T18:02:00.501+02:00Hesitant to blog…Then, a change of heart<p>Six months. One half of a year. Has it really been six months since my last blog entry? It has, hasn’t it?</p> <p>No, I didn’t decide to take a spontaneous trip to Antarctica, nor did I choose to renounce all worldly possessions. There were many decently justifiable reasons for my hiatus. Allow me to explain:</p> <blockquote> <p>1) My blog is public, and I was unsure for a long while as to whether or not I wanted it to remain that way. I’m exposing myself for the world to see—for better or for worse.</p> <p>2) I can realistically only share a fraction of my true experience through an online, public blog—many things get lost in translation or misunderstood while writing for such a vast, anonymous audience.</p> <p>3) I got busy, life happened.</p> <p>4) I wasn’t sure how much exposure or unsolicited publicity I wanted to give my community or individuals. I feel an obligation to respect and represent my community appropriately and my words and photos must reflect that.</p> <p>5) I was not finding a balance. If I spend enough time to accurately and adequately express my experiences in a series of blogs, I’ve already spent too much time here and not enough in my community.</p> <p>6) Let’s throw a bit of laziness into the pot.</p> </blockquote> <p>That about covers what was going through my mind.</p> <h4>Well, what changed, Matson?</h4> <p>I spent some time back at home in Minnesota for these past holidays. After a year and a half of not seeing friends or family, this was a great and needed vacation. I got to meet newborn family members; I got to see some of my favorite ones growing up; and I got to create, rekindle, expand and rebuild important relationships with those closest to me in my life .</p> <p>While at home, time and time again, family and friends approached me and said how much they’ve enjoyed reading my blogs and seeing my photos. For that, I am truly grateful and humbled. And I couldn’t help but feel rather guilty for not keeping up with it, like I was letting them down. I realized that if I wanted to just keep a journal of happy memories, I could just keep this to myself, or write personal emails now and again. But obviously, I have a specific intention for this blog and I need to regain that focus. What I’m trying to say is, that during my three weeks home, I realized the impact of my communication with those of you back in America. I realize that not only do I have an obligation to those I live with in my community here, but there’s an unspoken responsibility to maintain and update all of you who take time to read my words.</p> <p>Blogs, at least for me, often leave this impression in my mind in that they’re a way to vent or ramble on about mundane aspects of life (let’s not get started on the (ab)use of serial status updating on a certain social network). But really, they’re an opportunity to give more than 160 characters worth of your thoughts, feelings, and opinions.</p> <p>We’ve been given (or some would say <em>we created…</em>who gets the credit is up to you) these great tools to communicate and we are able to do so at a rate and ease far greater than ever before. From written language, then the printing press, then telecommunication, and now the internet. It’s an incredible time for those in our generations.</p> <blockquote> <p align="center"><em>“With great power comes great responsibility</em>.”</p> </blockquote> <p>This quote may be a bit cliché, but the truth when put into context of communication is that complex language and communication is one significant thing that separates us from other animals; we have the power to do something great with it.</p> <h4>Next question is: now that we’ve got this vast resource of knowledge, what do we do with it?</h4> <blockquote> <p align="center">“Knowledge is knowing something; wisdom is knowing what to do with it.”</p> </blockquote> <p>Social networks and blogs are great to get the word out, from tweeting to “liking” to blogging about what’s happening around the globe. But how do we make this tidal wave of daily information useful? How do we digest it and make these words do work? Or do we just say to ourselves, <em>hm, that’s neat, </em>then move on to the next insatiable news feed? Talk is cheap, but truly communicating with responsibility is not. It takes time, effort, direction and purpose.</p> <h4>So…? Get to your point, Matson.</h4> <p>Okay, okay. (Gosh, no need to be so pushy.) My point is this: I will try to bring you more blogs, more photos and more experiences. I’m not, however, going to waste my time writing or your time reading some half-butted (sorry for the profanity) attempt just to keep the blog quota high. It’ll be words and photos I’m proud to post and share with you, Mr. and Mrs. Blogreader.</p> <p>And with that, I’ll leave you with a recent photo of the neighbor kids. ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TUwi5qhyO5I/AAAAAAAAA9I/g2P0inxqzUw/s1600-h/P1140188b480x3602.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1140188b (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1140188b (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TUwi8heoOCI/AAAAAAAAA9M/P6S7WsexxL0/P1140188b480x360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-38742850008087661282010-08-12T13:24:00.001+02:002010-08-12T13:24:17.400+02:00It was here. Did you feel it?<p>As quickly as the excitement came to my village and—what seemed to be—all over this Rainbow Nation, the World Cup has now passed. It’s memory and the stories are like the sounds of the vuvuzelas—growing more and more distant by the day. It’s sad to think that all of the enthusiasm was short-lived for only a month of international fame and spectacle. However, aren’t we all too familiar with the sensationalized and over-commercialized clout that surrounds events like the World Cup, the Olympics, and the well-known International Clogging Festival?</p> <p>Well, it was here, we felt it; and now, things are practically back to normal: I’m back to getting assaulted by more aggravated mother hens, strikes are once again in season, and the power has miraculously decided to go out, time and time again (strange how it worked just fine during the World Cup, hm…)</p> <p>During and after the World Cup, people here and in the States asked me, <em>did you go to any of the games!? </em>Sadly, no, I did not. I had no interest after my ticket attempts failed miserably. That’s OK, though. I’m not much of a soccer spectator (more of a fair-weather fan, to be completely honest) nor do I enjoy large crowds, expensive concessions, or freezing in the stands. I enjoyed the games I did see from the comfort of a warm living room in front of a TV. In this blog, I’d like to share with you how I kept my self busy while school was on break and most everyone was in hibernation in my village. I needed to stay sane and this is what I did…</p> <p>(Oh, if I can interject here for a second—I want to announce that I am indeed evolving as a technologically advanced blogger: I realized that my photos were just a tad too small for those that don’t have eagle-vision or a microscope handy when reading my blog; also, the formatting is a nightmare when this blog goes from Windows Live Writer to my Blog, then to either email, RSS reader, or Facebook. So, I’m working on that one…Wow, I’m still debating whether all these forms of communication are obnoxious or impressive… Please bear with me while I work out these technical glitches.)</p> <p>(Funny story—I just discovered that to say, “Please bare with me,” which I thought was right until just now, is a request for you all to take off your clothes with me. Woops, that explains that one time... Please keep your clothes on for the remainder of this blog. Thank you.)</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em>The Computer Lab</em></strong></p> <p>I made some real progress with my computer lab. After opening up these computers that sat dormant for three years, I got some help and a air compressor to blow out all the dust from the machines. (I think I got the black lung after we were finished. It looked like an industrial vacuum exploded in that room.)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPYEIceXtI/AAAAAAAAA6U/2ZSz-v2cdC4/s1600-h/P1120699480x3604.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1120699 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1120699 (480x360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPYIDOZI1I/AAAAAAAAA6Y/v9NteWDt6mE/P1120699480x360_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a><em>The school’s “library” houses many things other than just books: supplies, a microwave, the new computer lab, and a lot of dust. Clearly, a work in progress.</em></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPYLKppdJI/AAAAAAAAA6c/ceTDtQOGk6M/s1600-h/P1120701480x3608.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1120701 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1120701 (480x360)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPYPOd-eCI/AAAAAAAAA6g/Xv18ON-29go/P1120701480x360_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p> <p align="left">Every day for a few weeks, I would spend my time here, putting together the computers, matching hardware, and getting them up and running. I had to reformat a few corrupted hard drives, install the identical software on all of 11 computers and get them running as smoothly as possible. In the meantime, I invited a few eager learners to come in and use the computers while I worked. It was great because it kept them from suffering from School Break Boredom (mind atrophy), I had someone to talk to, they had a chance to use the computers (which they’ve been chomping at the bit to do), and I got to find out which typing and training programs they enjoyed the most. I’ll use their feedback to help me tweak my lessons. They are now virus-free, clean, and ready for classes! </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em>Village-wide World Cup Spirit</em></strong></p> <p align="left">The week before school was let out, the Grade 5 Class Teacher organized a World Cup Party for the kids on Friday. Throughout the semester, the kids brought in as many 5-Rand-cent coins (a little less than the value of a penny) as they could. With that, the teacher set up a party with cakes, treats, and drinks for them. A few other educators and I helped him set it up that day. We all had fun—it was a great day. Here are some photos:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPYSbUNRiI/AAAAAAAAA6k/JQBdfYyE7lE/s1600-h/P1130184480x3603.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1130184 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130184 (480x360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPYWGstcFI/AAAAAAAAA6o/BQTlZ7XdIfQ/P1130184480x360_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPYZPMl45I/AAAAAAAAA6s/9mY9hcvkB1I/s1600-h/P1130185480x3603.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1130185 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130185 (480x360)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDK8sDlMpnNxJ9NKPpgHy8CEPOXay1qtrEwKGZATWnlop2l9inIGFj5mwV_YBGC6K4O1CxE2NjCMassajFRpTlAqaTpr6fXMPHdUzHukrEVH_YG9UutMkPwEtpCS6ISaqgsYDTPb9Qygo/?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>In preparation for the 50 kids that were anxiously waiting and watching from the windows.</em></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPYgHJLlpI/AAAAAAAAA60/Cn247dRSaVU/s1600-h/P1130189480x3603.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1130189 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130189 (480x360)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPYkA68eiI/AAAAAAAAA64/-ehWaDccqzk/P1130189480x360_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPYofRsW1I/AAAAAAAAA68/Zfowqrj6qgU/s1600-h/P1130191480x3607.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1130191 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130191 (480x360)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKi0vtP7kVBMfec0_7C4hLDBqHRJ-XpAhcUK1nhQiY1fohg_ONhTJLYRJghNwKiRjeQrdNY2HdRt-cFpgx296wt7rqIUCzm7NkZA42aiYdJ33hMy7UdW5SMtG4RKX3SrBcCD46LWq8CyBJ/?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPYu_OcvFI/AAAAAAAAA7E/m1s9ttyE3kI/s1600-h/P1130194a480x3604.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1130194a (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130194a (480x360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPYx4WSnbI/AAAAAAAAA7I/89_o_xNLiBM/P1130194a480x360_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Here, a staff member is showing me how to blow out of a vuvuzela. I got it after a while, but then my lips went numb.</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPY0_lAbnI/AAAAAAAAA7M/KN0SLdJL8gk/s1600-h/P1130200480x3604.jpg"><font color="#956839"></font><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1130200 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130200 (480x360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPY4excP9I/AAAAAAAAA7Q/ICgyvHOG454/P1130200480x360_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a></p> <p align="left">After the party, I took my camera around the village. Everyone was in full Bafana-Bafana mode, kindergarteners and high-schoolers, alike.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPY7TGDQJI/AAAAAAAAA7U/Z2C_vFC0Cug/s1600-h/P1130206480x3603.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1130206 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130206 (480x360)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPY_uKmT2I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/mgbEWUhPeDM/P1130206480x360_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZDyJy1uI/AAAAAAAAA7c/nj0vdUN304g/s1600-h/P1130211480x3603.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1130211 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130211 (480x360)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZIeqtQuI/AAAAAAAAA7g/VzZd0xtPimQ/P1130211480x360_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a> </p> <p align="left">After school let out for the break, the primary school looked like a ghost town. </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZLp7lmVI/AAAAAAAAA7k/Xmv_luJp9H0/s1600-h/P1130262480x3603.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1130262 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130262 (480x360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZQCApuaI/AAAAAAAAA7o/vVYEYu0-KuE/P1130262480x360_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>Over the winter break, this building got a new roof, new cement floors and a new paint job—something it was needing for quite some time.</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em>World Cup Warmth in Winter</em></strong> </p> <p align="left">I thought it would be a fun idea to have the community gather in the community hall to watch the South African team play. I tried to organize TVs and a braai (BBQ) for the first three games. However, logistics didn’t work out in our favour, but at least at the last minute, we got a small TV (thankfully with reception!) and some chicken to grill. Not a very successful event, but at least it was a gathering!</p> <p align="left"><em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZTKmCj0I/AAAAAAAAA7s/mz8M6lWvNLQ/s1600-h/P1130267480x3603.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1130267 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130267 (480x360)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZW2PZHDI/AAAAAAAAA7w/I2M1wS32_UM/P1130267480x360_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a></em></p> <p align="center"><font color="#29303b"><em>Many people don’t have electricity to watch the games or even a TV, so this was surprisingly a well-attended event. Yes, that’s a 20” TV propped on a set of chairs.</em></font></p> <p align="left"><em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZZhy0U-I/AAAAAAAAA70/oFOs7rxEMwk/s1600-h/P1130272480x3603.jpg"><font color="#956839"></font><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1130272 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130272 (480x360)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZdLWl_9I/AAAAAAAAA74/dFJhku2BYUs/P1130272480x360_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#29303b">It was cold! No heat in the hall, but we still had diehard fans!</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZgFCLgWI/AAAAAAAAA78/pM0WyoviQao/s1600-h/P1130276480x3604.jpg"><font color="#956839"></font><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1130276 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130276 (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZj1TYQGI/AAAAAAAAA8A/NYC8KW-X4XM/P1130276480x360_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </em><em>People found ways to warm up while helping to cook the chicken.</em></p> <p>I spend some time visiting some friends in Vryburg who let me stay to watch some of the WC games with them. They had heat, but it still got chilly at night.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZmy0UCtI/AAAAAAAAA8E/iYFXm_miJUU/s1600-h/P1130279480x3603.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1130279 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130279 (480x360)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcdBZl2Q5K8OYP0vc6F4G7JgwVPF1Vj9xMLJgzrOSGTFAxulidqfV-bCUQ7vHKvkhy-ZhwZLG0hXY6W0craXo3BQcXQOJie5Vtwrju1M4Py8nh_wBTIFGooCFDwEqPn2xfxGFglh9FZiR/?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a> <em>Even the family dog, Xena, had to come inside and bundle up for some surprisingly cold weather in Vryburg.</em></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em>American Patriotism, Peace Corps-style</em></strong></p> <p>For the Fourth of July, I celebrated the best way I knew how! Sparklers, a buttery American meal, and the movie <em>Drop Dead Gorgeous</em>, which I watched with my friend, Lorraine at her house in the village.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZs9kPscI/AAAAAAAAA8M/YebAiGmta-Y/s1600-h/P1130307480x3603.jpg"><font color="#29303b"></font><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1130307 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130307 (480x360)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZwLi2HWI/AAAAAAAAA8U/_tQvhQUJCHo/P1130307480x360_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Lorraine and I enjoyed the magic of burning chemicals on a stick and a very patriotic, American movie. She now understands Minnesotan humor and our lovely accents thanks to Kirsten Dunst and Kirstie Alley.</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZzKZaIfI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/g2WqV9kJxN8/s1600-h/P1130301480x3603.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1130301 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1130301 (480x360)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGPZ2oPZA5I/AAAAAAAAA8c/pP0vqgkafEg/P1130301480x360_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>Yes, that’s fried fish, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob (“mealies”, as they call them here), and the only American flag I could find in my room. God bless America.</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em>Normal Once Again</em></strong></p> <p align="left">The World Cup came and went. I’m happy to find out that no major incidents occurred here like many had worried would happen. When school started back up again, we all exchanged a WC few stories, but mostly, our conversations went back to talking about the weather, daily life in the village, and basically anything else people casually chat about. Life’s back to normal in this post-World Cup South Africa: South Africans put away their Bafana-Bafana jerseys and life continues on, sans vuvuzelas.◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-72039292481441445262010-08-09T20:39:00.001+02:002010-08-09T20:39:52.697+02:00It’s Been a While…<p>Welcome back! Or rather, please welcome me back to my own blog. It indeed has been some time since I last wrote (in May, I believe). I can’t say I was caught up in the fanatics and hype of World Cup 2010. I suppose you can simply chalk it up to another bout of inconsistent blog-authoring rooted in wishful thinking that I’d unearth some  inspiring passion for new hobbies such as blogging, novel-reading, or even dabble in painting while spending my two years here. Sad to say, it’s pretty apparent it’s not working out that way! But, to make up for my literary lethargy, I offer this:</p> <p>There’s been a seriously rumored teachers’ strike on the horizon (Tuesday, I believe) so I won’t be teaching, obviously, until it’s sorted out. I assume I will have a lot of time this week to put together a few blogs (with pictures!) to share with you all about life in my village for the past few months over our moderately quiet winter. (Let’s call my recent blogging sabbatical a sort of <em>hibernation</em>.) But don’t worry! I won’t be sending new blogs out every day—I’ll stagger them so I don’t flood your inboxes like my Facebook notifications do to me (<em>note to self: </em>I really need to turn those off…)</p> <p>In my pocket, I’ve got blog-topics-galore: lions, kites, traditional dances, 150 year old missions, homemade gadgets, robots and much much more (now in <em>Technicolor</em>)! OK, I lied, no robots.</p> <p> </p> <p>First up… <strong><u>GO! Overseas interview</u></strong></p> <p>A few weeks ago, I was asked to interview with GO! Overseas, an online travel resource that focuses toward those wanting to teach, study, and volunteer abroad. You can check out the interview by clicking the link below:</p> <p><a title="http://www.gooverseas.com/go-abroad-blog/interview-matson-conardo-peace-corps-volunteer/4003" href="http://www.gooverseas.com/go-abroad-blog/interview-matson-conardo-peace-corps-volunteer/4003">http://www.gooverseas.com/go-abroad-blog/interview-matson-conardo-peace-corps-volunteer/4003</a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><u>Cloud Photo Intermission!</u></strong></p> <p>The Egg & Swan: these photos were taken in my back yard in March, 15 minutes apart from each other.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFA2-cjOI/AAAAAAAAA40/xKVmhKPBVyo/s1600-h/P1120038%20%28240x180%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1120038 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1120038 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFDY8cZVI/AAAAAAAAA44/UjakF6xd7Y4/P1120038%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFF6TUkwI/AAAAAAAAA48/bmfadrQ6esk/s1600-h/P1120044%20%28240x180%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1120044 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1120044 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFJE3eQ9I/AAAAAAAAA5A/JFFERmJP8UE/P1120044%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong></strong></u></p> <p><u><strong>Email to my family</strong></u></p> <p>The other day, I spent some time writing an email to my family, filling them in on life here on the borders of the Kalahari and realized this was something I wanted to include on my blog, so I did a little creative editing and cut out all the juicy family gossip (not that there is much other than a request for nice pens and good, old-fashioned Target-bought white t-shirts. See? Really not that juicy).</p> <blockquote> <p>I wanted to send you a little note this chilly spring morning. Spring here is nothing like spring that I know and love back at home. My village’s spring is merely a windy transition between winter and summer. The short cold winter killed most of the plants and dried up all the greenery. What remained is the white dusty roads and sand. The wind shifted once again from a cold southerly wind to a warmer northern wind from Botswana. This wind also kicks up that white dust and covers the bare shrubs and trees with what looks to be a light dusting of snow, but we know it's not. The vehicles that pass also churn up more white faux-snow and if you breathe it in, it leaves you coughing and your throat, slightly irritated. I remember that feeling from when I came in September. Luckily, summer is soon to follow and the white dust will soon stay dormant once again for nine months, replaced with sweltering hot, sweaty days. But that's not until the end of September. Until then, however, we are stuck with it. What's more, the sudden change in season and temperature (cold mornings, warm afternoons) brings sickness and "flu" (colds, mostly). I even felt it this morning when I woke up and as I nurse a warm cup of tea writing this email. But then again, I suppose weather transitions like this bring similar sicknesses back at home as well, so it should be nothing too surprising. The plus side—I did notice some fresh sprigs of leaves budding from some of the trees; it’s strange to think that the same trees just dropped their leaves a little over a month ago.</p> <p>Enough talk about the weather. (Though this, I've found, is universal human nature, even here--to chat about the weather when there's nothing else to talk about as if it's a surprise every season. Go figure.)</p> <p>I've been working on a few projects and have really gotten moving on some new proposals in the pipeline. It's true how they say that something unexplainable happens about a year into your PCV service: they say that things just start clicking, projects get off the ground, and that's when the real PC magic happens. It seems to be working in my favour (<i>touch wood</i>, aka “<i>knock on wood”</i>). I'm awaiting word from my principals who will meet to discuss use of the school-hosted computer lab for the community and the other schools' learners and the liability that comes with putting eager youth and expensive objects together (potentially a crisis waiting to happen). I have gotten two internet modems connected to each of the schools and working wonderfully. These modems had been sitting idle in boxes at either school for about a year. They were given to the schools by the district office but never were able to set them up. What's more, these modems were set up to work with a cell phone network that doesn't have reception here in my village (that took some time to figure out!). So, I reconfigured them to work with the one working network, Vodacom and voila! Great success! So now comes the part of getting the school to budget for internet usage (we pay per MB here) and getting the staff and educators set up to use email. Currently, if they have to do any type of correspondence, they have to either a) make an expensive phone call (an equivalent $0.50/min during business hours), b) drive 25 km to the nearest town to fax documents, or c) pay for a minibus taxi to drive 2 hrs to the district office and hand-deliver documents. Email is a blessing in disguise and I hope it works out in the schools’ favour.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong><u>Cloud Photo Intermission!</u></strong> (Part deux)</p> <p>Living in such a flat area on the outskirts of the Kalahari, I have developed a slightly unhealthy obsession for clouds here. Even though I never grew up with mountains as a child, I have a long-standing fascination with them. And because of that, I jokingly say that the clouds are my mountains. It makes the flat not so…<em>flat</em>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFLHzX2_I/AAAAAAAAA5E/-pgmt1pRNrY/s1600-h/P1120490%20%28240x180%29%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1120490 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1120490 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFN8hXBOI/AAAAAAAAA5I/LmzzrUwndx4/P1120490%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFP2wTgEI/AAAAAAAAA5M/C4Sf0YDJjNU/s1600-h/P1120498%20%28240x180%29%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1120498 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1120498 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFSxHe4HI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/MPq-x0w8z_s/P1120498%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFUy_n0PI/AAAAAAAAA5U/zoaQkJ3ZG2w/s1600-h/P1120438%20%28240x180%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1120438 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1120438 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFXWGrlYI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/dqZwdcNfvM0/P1120438%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFZKXEv6I/AAAAAAAAA5c/CqIiVBa_h34/s1600-h/P1120491%20%28240x180%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1120491 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1120491 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFcM_b3SI/AAAAAAAAA5g/rWvwf_TvYCY/P1120491%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <blockquote> <p> </p> <p>(Back to the story!)</p> <p>Another project I'm proposing  is a PC World Maps Project, a very successful and simple painting of a 12' x 6' world map painted on the side of a school. The learners help trace and paint the countries. We are also going to make a large South Africa map as well as the school emblem. This will be for both the primary and secondary schools. The World Maps Project was started in 1988 by a PCV in the Dominican Rep and has caught on like wildfire throughout the countries where PCVs serve. I've seen a few on the sides of nearby village schools where former PCVs have lived. Should be a fun project :)</p> <p>While we're getting our hands dirty with paint, I figured we could incorporate another proposed project of building picnic tables for the school courtyards. Currently, they have no adequate, comfortable place to sit, study, eat, and socialize outside. It's nice for the learners to be outside during the winter to avoid the cold classrooms and to be outside during the summer to avoid the hot, stuffy classrooms. Plus, it can help alleviate the overcrowding of the classrooms. So, I'm working on a formal proposal hoping to get all wood and hardware donated from local hardware stores. I'd like to have all the wood pieces pre-cut so it's easier to transport and so that we don't have learners cutting their fingers off. I thought each grade could assemble the tables as part of their technology class and paint them as they chose. Then, they could take pride of something they built that other future learners will benefit from. Fingers crossed (not cut) on that one.</p> <p>Trash pickup is not a common theme from what I’ve seen—many youth just throw it on the ground after they’re finished with a wrapper or plastic bag. It's scattered around the streets and fields. What isn't laying around or eaten by goats is burned in thick black smoky fires, which smell of burning plastic. I called a few recycling centers and am working on making arrangements for either us to pick up and bring recyclables into the nearest large town or, if they're willing, to have them come out and collect on-site. I think with the combined help of area schools, we can make it worth their while to come out and pick up our glass, plastic, paper, and cans. Again, fingers crossed!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong><u>Cloud Photo Intermission!</u></strong> (Last one, promise)</p> <p>Sunrise</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFenNtd3I/AAAAAAAAA5k/xUSB0qX9etA/s1600-h/P1120516%20Stitch%20%28480x217%29%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1120516 Stitch (480x217)" border="0" alt="P1120516 Stitch (480x217)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFhzVgz5I/AAAAAAAAA5o/wm9cqGO1NJg/P1120516%20Stitch%20%28480x217%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="221" /></a></p> <p>Sunset</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1120561a (480x210)" border="0" alt="P1120561a (480x210)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFkRIwWzI/AAAAAAAAA5s/PxHVBDsS79A/P1120561a%20%28480x210%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="214" /></p> <p>Sunrise, sunset (ok, who’s singing <em>Fiddler</em> by now? I am.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFmwoD2SI/AAAAAAAAA5w/DFvf5UY9U34/s1600-h/P1120558%20%28240x180%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1120558 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1120558 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFpALruCI/AAAAAAAAA50/2b__WvqKTTk/P1120558%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFrk4k4sI/AAAAAAAAA54/9VyWbDspu4w/s1600-h/P1120549%20%28240x180%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1120549 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1120549 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBFufH3ZvI/AAAAAAAAA58/ugTHJKJwCCc/P1120549%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>  </p> <blockquote> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>(And, we’re back!)</p> <p>When I'm not busy working on these projects, I'm still giving assistance at the schools, showing how to make tables and worksheets on the computer or substitute teaching if an educator is sick or is at a workshop for the day. But what I really look forward to every is teaching my class every week. I am really, really enjoying my time with my Grade 5 Technology class. We're starting to make breakthroughs in communication, understanding what we can expect from each other in the classroom and speaking more English. I have more structure for them to follow on a weekly basis this quarter and in turn, they are excited to participate and not so embarrassed to speak up in class. We meet 3 days a week, 4 periods in total. Tuesdays, I give them new vocabulary words for the week related to what we're studying that week. Our unit this term is <em>Computers</em>. Each week we study a new part of the computer and learn how it works. We review the words and read the definition for each in preparation for Friday's vocab quiz. I also post pictures of the week's Mystery Technology. They love guessing what that mystery technology is. I have them ask educators, family, and use books to research what it is. Past weeks’ objects were a solar panel charger, a jet engine, an electrical pole transformer, and a ball from a ball-point pen. They need to tell me what it is and what it does. The first to guess correctly gets to be my assistant the following week. I can see they really get excited to win. Wednesday is a double period where I teach lessons related to the vocab words and that week's parts of the computer. After the lesson, I have them work on an in-class activity that I mark and record. Having weekly activities, I can make sure we're all together. At the end of this term, instead of a project like the last two terms, I will have them write a test, preparing them as we go. Fridays are fun days. We begin with the vocab quiz that I reminded them about earlier that week. It's short, worth 5 marks, and only takes 5 minutes for 5 fill-in-the-blank or multiple choice questions. After the quiz, they are rewarded with two activities, ranging from maths puzzles, mazes, logic puzzles, or a spelling bee. The first to complete both activities successfully wins some Pop Rocks (from America)! It's amazing how eagerly, quietly, and quickly they will work for a cool prize like Pop Rocks. I know I would!</p> <p>And that, my friends & family, is my week. I know I haven't really shared too much about what I've been doing lately, so I figured it's about darn time I do so! Hope this gives you a better idea of what I'm doing and how much I'm enjoying my work here.</p> <p>I'm re-reading what I've just written and if you don't mind, I'd like to tailor this email into a blog to share with others. People always ask “<i>So how's South Africa?” “What kinds of things are you doing?” </i>I figured this may be a good way to let people know what I'm up to other than just sharing about my adventures outside the village. But just know that these words were originally meant for you. :)</p> </blockquote> <p>Assuming that the teachers’ strike doesn’t set us (the schools and I) back too far, I hope to get going on my projects ASAP—I’ve got the go-ahead by the schools to start looking for paint and lumber donations. So that’s a good thing.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><u>Final Thought</u></strong></p> <p>Whew! I appreciate it if you made it this far in reading my words—such dedication! Or, you’re just scrolling to the bottom hoping to find some more really neat cloud photos, right!? Well, if you are a scrolling cloud-enthusiast, you’re in luck!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBLSarSa7I/AAAAAAAAA6E/xaBkqOpdIy0/s1600-h/P1120766480x36010.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1120766 (480x360)" border="0" alt="P1120766 (480x360)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBLXiCbFgI/AAAAAAAAA6I/POXnOFF5Dgs/P1120766480x360_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a>  Don’t they kind of look like mountains?</p> <p>(Lastly, I just have to say that if you enjoy digital photography and take way too many photos like I do, check out FastStone Photo Resizer. It’s a great free program that is really easy to use, with a ton of settings, and does batch edits in a flash.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/TGBLZRrjmVI/AAAAAAAAA6M/-7XYZnJPufw/s1600-h/P1120750240x1805.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1120750 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1120750 (240x180)" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmqTL30ifjkkWYbbOwJlnPRC9tnZOv3rdGb-rdIsPRVMVk6ohP7nj6grfiS3Ysw7kQvd9CHjuGiZDhvoTKv9YzIYzv-m39AEyMwWQjwUwAXEVA4oRZ59kIBT370ZCpykacTEPT1n7c_Lj/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="left">Well, that’s about all I have for today’s show. Stay tuned for our next episode, <em>It was here. Did you feel it?</em> coming soon to a blog near you! ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-25058951844220346842010-05-19T13:17:00.001+02:002010-05-19T13:17:33.660+02:00My Day-To-Day Village Shenanigans<p>I realized the other day that I haven’t done a very good job at keeping you all in the loop about what kind of activities I’m involved with here in the village on a day-to-day basis.</p> <p>This blog will be rather brief (probably not, actually, seeing as how I tend to get lost in the details once I get going) and will probably contain a few typo’s because I don’t have the energy to re-read my work this time. (I am recovering from a cold that wiped me out and kept me in a reclusive—and somewhat vegetative—state for the past few days. Aside from sleeping most of the day, I’ve been enjoying episode upon episode of the Simpsons, lots of tea, basic meals [no interest in doing too much cooking lately], and more sleep.)</p> <p>Needless to say, I am craving social interaction, and believe me, Facebook just doesn’t cut it. Spending too much time on Facebook actually has made me feel like Jeff from Rear Window; once I came to that realization, I figured it was time to lay that beast to rest. Instead, I hope at least that a one-sided dialogue can help satiate my cravings for the time being. Here we go…</p> <p>I wake up most mornings between 6-7am, and start my days out pretty consistently with a cup of coffee, breakfast, and emails. Yes, I have extremely consistent internet access, contrary to popular belief of life in rural South Africa (a belief held by both, Americans and urban South Africans alike). I cannot escape the grips and demands of modern technology. But despite my griping and complaining that I can’t get away from it, email has proven to be one of the most useful means of communication for practically anything I need.</p> <p>After breakfast, I typically head to either the primary or secondary school. At the primary school, I am currently working on setting up a previously non-existent computer lab in their library. We have 11 working computers; the plan is to have them fitted with all the basic typing tutorial programs and MS Office applications. These are dinosaurs of computers, running Windows 2000 with 65MB of RAM on old Pentium II processors. The hard drives are about 4-6GB. But they'll do the trick. So far, I’m just at phase of installing the correct software. The plan is to set up computer classes, first, for the educators and learners; then for the community, we’ll charge a small user’s fee. I have one eager counter-part from the village that is working with me. Our hope is to eventually turn things over completely to her, and turn her voluntary position into a paid position using the fees. Furthermore, I’ve asked the educators and learners who are familiar with using computers to assist others, working with them in pairs or small groups. Thanks to the great efforts of past PCVs in South Africa, they’ve created some outstanding self-guided computer tutorials that step the new user from turning on the computer to designing presentations in PowerPoint! And, they’ve made these lessons available to all PCVs. Why reinvent the wheel, right?</p> <p>I also am teaching a grade 5 Technology class for four periods a week at the primary school. Thankfully, it’s not a common occurrence that kids fall out of trees or get sent to the hospital. We have fun and are working on some great hands-on projects.</p> <p>When I go to the secondary school during the other part of the day, I am busy with writing a simple computer program for the educators to use that will give the learners student ID cards. I also assist the educators with typing documents. I’ve transitioned from <em>clerk</em> (secretary or typist) to teaching them how to type their own documents. While the educator and I are working on the computer, we both realize that it’s a slower process for that person to type the document while I stand by and assist, but the easy solution of me finishing a document in a fraction of the time would not be serving the long-term purpose of me being here. But I appreciate their patience and determination in learning how to make tables, columns, highlighting, and copy&pasting.</p> <p>Every few days during the week, I get a request to assist someone in the community. It could be doing research for a bursary (scholarship), application for a business license, information on starting their own business, or other job/education-related topics.</p> <p>One thing that came as a surprise to me upon coming to my village is that as “casual” as it may seem to have so many social interactions and side conversations during my work day (what American bosses would frown upon as “personal conversations”), they are, in fact, adding to my work experience by learning about the community, the culture, and language through our “water-cooler” chats. I have learned to appreciate these conversations and include them as integral parts of my workday; these interactions help me understand the community better and allow them to understand me as well. But as nice as these chats are, they are exhausting. It takes so much more energy to choose my words carefully, clear up my diction and annunciation, and use phrases that a foreign English speaker would understand, avoiding any colloquialisms. </p> <p>Before I know it, my day’s finished, I’m exhausted, and I prepare to go home, ready to do it again the next day. Thankfully, as routine as my “rounds” are at each school and in the community, I am thankful for the variety of the day: the conversations I will have, who will ask for my assistance, or which projects will take priority for the day. The routine keeps me sane and level-headed, but the variety makes time just fly by. ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well </em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-63798466084615813982010-05-14T20:03:00.001+02:002010-05-14T20:03:49.205+02:00The Unlucky St. Patty’s Day<p>I found this blog sitting all alone, tucked away in the dark crevasses of my computer. Perhaps out of sheer neglect or more likely out of memory suppression, I forgot to post this blog I share with you now. Here it is, two months late; yet it’s still just as laughable at the irony of my misfortunes on a day that should be bringing good luck.</p> <p> </p> <p>How many disastrous things can go wrong in a day, let me count the ways…</p> <p><strong>One</strong>—I woke up in pain from a reoccurring ailment that just wouldn’t leave me alone.</p> <p><strong>Two</strong>—I felt slightly nauseous from the medication meant to relieve the pain.</p> <p><strong><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PGs3mCEI/AAAAAAAAA3s/9QwEV2lGnG0/s1600-h/P1110843%20%28240x180%29%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1110843 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110843 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PJp6IEnI/AAAAAAAAA3w/MxXGUY7EOSE/P1110843%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> Three</strong>—I got out of bed and stepped on a small, prickly thorn that I wrote about in <a href="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2010/03/animal-house_10.html" target="_blank">Animal House,</a> back in March. So far so great. Not.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> (At this point, the morning’s not going as well as one might conclude.)</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PMDB3FSI/AAAAAAAAA30/parU4dotHw4/s1600-h/image%5B20%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PO8juCHI/AAAAAAAAA34/iy7cWlYA4rk/image_thumb%5B16%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="112" height="172" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PTRKyaII/AAAAAAAAA38/IymtJJEH-0Q/s1600-h/image%5B11%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PYb_mmhI/AAAAAAAAA4A/8t1rO8fH6eQ/image_thumb%5B9%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="196" height="244" /></a> I made it to school without a piano falling on me or falling into quicksand, luckily.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PTRKyaII/AAAAAAAAA38/IymtJJEH-0Q/s1600-h/image%5B11%5D.png"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PTRKyaII/AAAAAAAAA38/IymtJJEH-0Q/s1600-h/image%5B11%5D.png"></a></p> <p><strong> Four</strong>—my grade 10 learners were absolutely wild and uncontrollable in Physical Science class when I arrived. They were yelling and upset that I wasn’t in class the other day, because I had to go to Vryburg for the medication last minute. I informed the staff and principal, but the word must not have gotten to them. <strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoozwNOyzaaAw5Qe52CaGglqD_SQ0UHo81bZSlfUOhs0e5dBA3v9-pUPZl6i5SrgLC_GIml10bFg5LX6HPuxRHzuKapV7lGNXJubTXAU8gm8Xgjv0Z52N1lNsvbbGnPhNJqzqNZb4qmio5/s1600-h/P1120648%20(180x240)%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1120648 (180x240)" border="0" alt="P1120648 (180x240)" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PeDCncsI/AAAAAAAAA4I/r_YINojNNTU/P1120648%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></strong>So, when I didn’t show up for the planned lab experiment I promised them, they sure let me have it that morning. Then, I explained that they had a test in two days, which evidently they were not informed about either. They were not happy campers and became very obstinate and difficult to work with for the rest of the—not one, but two—periods I had with them. They also didn’t like the fact that we had to reschedule the lab experiment for Saturday because there was no other time to do it.</p> <p><strong>Five</strong>—upon leaving my class, flustered and aggravated, I was called into my principal’s office to discuss a matter of the grade 10 Physical Science class (the one I teach). It turns out that the learners have collectively requested (strongly) that they would like their original educator to return to teaching them. I was taken aback by this because I thought we were doing some great work and that many were doing very well, showing in their improved test scores, typically smiling faces, and attentiveness in class. At first, I thought it was a personal thing, that they did like me or my teaching style. But, after reading through their group letter to the principal and upon further discussion with the learners, I found out that it was simply because they have a hard time understanding me. I speak in a different accent than what they’re used to, and I don’t translate any of my lesson into Setswana, which is very tempting to do by educators to ensure they understand the lesson. I also have high expectations for them, expecting them to do homework on time and take their education seriously and become responsible for their own learning. My personal opinion is that, not only did they not understand me, but also, they just didn’t like how much I made them work for their education. But, I could see improvement in their test scores that they were learning. Overall, I do understand and sympathize with these learners—I can see how challenging it would be to have a new teacher with a new accent, with new teaching methods, and new expectations. Children are very adaptable and flexible, yet they need structure and consistency in teaching, and to have 10 years of one style be disrupted all of a sudden can be a bit of an educational culture shock for them. So, in the end, I relinquished my class and handed back the chalk to the original teacher. However, I am still going to maintain involvement in the class informally in and outside of class. This was upon the request of the educator and principal. I’m happy to know, at least, that it wasn’t due to my teaching method or that I wasn’t performing adequately. After speaking with some of the learners a few days later, I found out that the request to switch teachers came from only some of the learners (the ones that were having a difficult time understanding me). It turns out many had no problem and actually enjoyed me teaching their class, but they had to appease the rest of those that were struggling. Completely understandable. I will miss teaching them, but am glad that I had the opportunity to have them as my learners.</p> <p>So far, not much good news…</p> <p><strong>Six</strong>—I gathered my things and headed to my grade 5 Technology class. We were learning about Energy Sources, so that day, we were outside discovering the joy of wind energy by flying a kite. The kite found it’s way to a tree and got tangled up on a tall branch. While I was busy with the string, some boys scurried up the tree with hopes of getting to the troublesome branch. Turns out that this particular branch is safe for no more than one boy at a time because two boys climbed out onto the branch and it was the crack and thud that caught my attention to look up. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PhKcZd0I/AAAAAAAAA4M/j9qTETlhncQ/s1600-h/image%5B29%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PlcJBw0I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/At5hBPwwWc8/image_thumb%5B23%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="206" height="244" /></a> The branch had broken from the trunk and sent two boys falling 10 feet to the ground on top of the fallen branch. They luckily were ok, judging by their laughter on the ground. A few minutes later, I was informed that a little girl went inside the classroom and was crying. Figuring it was because she didn’t get a turn to fly the kite, I went in to investigate. I found the girl sitting in a chair crying and holding her back. It was the daughter of the principal from the school from where I just come. She told me she had gotten hit by the branch when it came down. She wanted to go to the clinic across the street (we don’t have a nurse at our school), so when she got there, they called her father, the principal. Oh boy, the American just had a meeting with him about resigning from one of his classes, then his daughter gets hurt in his class an hour afterward. Geez, how bad could that look, right? Your boss’s daughter gets hurt under your supervision. Wow. To make matters worse, they can’t find anything wrong, but she’s still in pain, so they send her to the local hospital…in an ambulance, no less. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PnP-toMI/AAAAAAAAA4U/LVeD7UO14mo/s1600-h/image%5B42%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PpSSIiGI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/qWWnR8eW3P8/image_thumb%5B34%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="149" height="93" /></a> A bit extreme in hindsight, but at the time, I was just getting information bit by bit. Turns out there’s nothing wrong, thank goodness, not even any bruising, but just a shocked and frightened young girl in a scary situation.</p> <p>Let’s recap so far: in pain, nauseous, thorn in foot, no pianos or quicksand, obnoxious teenagers, lost my class, learners fell out of tree, and boss’s daughter goes to the hospital. And this is all before noon.</p> <p>The one good thing of the day: I finally get my wish—computers that were stored in the secondary school finally get transported to the primary school where I can begin to set up the primary school’s computer lab. As much as I should count my blessings, I couldn’t quite get it to brighten my day. Any other day, I’d be overjoyed and it’d make my day. But not today, unfortunately. I’m just thinking that this bit of good news helped to not make me completely lose it.</p> <p>But I was close, so I decided to just go home before anything else happened. On my way home, I decided to stop by a friend’s house to share my day, vent, then hopefully laugh about it.</p> <p><strong>Seven</strong>—on the way home from her house, along the path which I had walked many, many times before, I passed by a house with two decent-sized dogs (*dogs pictured not actual dogs, but just as terrifying). <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2PwCi6P6I/AAAAAAAAA4c/st9nfg-UDfM/s1600-h/image%5B69%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ_qjE_CBK1oU81PdRS9f531m4247xuA54IWdh1kQh6bPVHuSClywPC_hFmnogWoQEj3vg820Du-WLuHeaXfzatOqXfTd4NJ-b9TPA3xjtxke863QpN5OFyir1ojdLq4KoithPlnVDZWb/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="196" /></a>Dogs here usually bark and defend their territory up to the fenced-in yard. That’s about it. These dogs saw me, started barking, then came running toward toward the fence. I figured they’d stop at the fence like most dogs do. However, by the time I had realized they had more in mind than just verbally harassing me, they had already jumped through the fence and one latched on to my ankle. And not in any playful manner either.   <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2P9Wghd6I/AAAAAAAAA4k/5-HrZoaUXlM/s1600-h/image%5B70%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2QDDTCtbI/AAAAAAAAA4o/I2wV4zTvKtY/image_thumb%5B58%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="216" height="244" /></a>That bite sent me running—running faster than I had ever run before. There were two of them, so I didn’t think it was a good idea to turn around and defend myself. I probably ran close to half a soccer field in length through beach-like sand and in sandals, staying just inches ahead of them, with them literally nipping at my ankles. They eventually stopped, and I gave myself a few extra meters of safe distance before I slowed down. I got home to view the damage on my ankles. Only a few scrapes but they drew enough blood to make me worry about rabies. It could have been worse I suppose.</p> <p>The owner saw me get chased through the window of her house and came to see how I was. She apologized and I asked her if she knew if the dogs were sick. She said she didn’t know, and they lived on the edge of the village, near the forest, so I didn’t make any assumptions that they were rabies-free.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2QV0aRIVI/AAAAAAAAA4s/7lUjXfcIECc/image%5B80%5D.png?imgmax=800"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S-2Qfjvjm4I/AAAAAAAAA4w/VNqFl0U7M7M/image_thumb%5B66%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> To someone else, I’m sure it looked hilarious to see the American booking it down the path with a look of pure terror plastered on his face. And in hindsight, it was a funny story to tell since I wasn’t mauled by dogs. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Luckily, that’s the end of my not-so-lucky St. Patty’s Day. As my Peace Corps supervisor mentioned to me after telling her the story, let’s hope this was the worst day of my service, and that it can only get better from here. Fingers crossed. ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well </em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-57651041756713119142010-04-20T22:38:00.006+02:002010-06-07T20:04:05.862+02:00The Story of Longtom, the Dragon<p>Before I begin, I want to give you a final tally of the funds many of you helped me raise for our event: <strong>$1355.00!!! </strong></p> <p>Ok, on with the post…</p> <p>Amongst the chaos and rehabilitation of getting back into the swing of things for the second quarter—fall term—after such a great and eventful few days away in Mpumalanga, I finally have some time to follow up from my previous blog—this time, with lots of pictures!</p> <p>I have to forewarn those who may be reading this feed on Facebook or other non-image friendly site: this won’t make much sense if you don’t have the pretty pictures to follow along with. It’s like a children’s book, so grab a knee to sit on and enjoy the story!</p> <p>Once upon a time, a young man named Matson ventured out from his quiet village in South Africa to join others in a quest to conquer the legendary evil dragon the locals call <em>Longtom</em>, which rests nestled far in the mystic hills and valleys of the fabled Land of Sabie, Mpumalanga.</p> <p>…Alright, I think we’ve had enough of that… but actually, in the rest of this story, there is fire, enchanted forests, an Old Man of the Mountain, tree spirits, magic waterfalls, a fountain of youth, and a rainbow. So, use your imagination and this could make for an entertaining story after all. (And who knows, you may even be able to spot an elf if you’re lucky.)</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84JypoRaTI/AAAAAAAAAvs/9_ypF7DInl8/s1600-h/P1120061%20%28240x180%29.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84J2AEBnyI/AAAAAAAAAvw/eeZhR5dlrlE/P1120061%20%28240x180%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120061 (240x180)" alt="P1120061 (240x180)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84J2AEBnyI/AAAAAAAAAvw/eeZhR5dlrlE/P1120061%20%28240x180%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" align="left" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a></p> <p>Here is a photo of my friendly and exhausted PCV friends, Ryan, Dave, and Haley, sitting in a minibus taxi in Nelspruit, waiting to complete the last leg of our respective journeys from each of our villages to Sabie, Mpumalanga. My particular trip (one way) cost me a 1/4 of my monthly stipend (about $75), 12 hours in a minibus taxi (like the one pictured, or in worse condition) and an overnight in Pretoria. Ryan had it even worse. That’s what we get for choosing to live so far away. (Oh, wait, we didn’t choose. That’s right.) But no matter what, it was really nice to get out and see more of the country, no matter what the cost.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84J5GjHfmI/AAAAAAAAAv0/NHyBCm2ZJ2Y/s1600-h/P1120072%20%28240x180%29%5B6%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84J8jHMoAI/AAAAAAAAAv4/SHGhh2_1OgY/P1120072%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120072 (240x180)" alt="P1120072 (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84J8jHMoAI/AAAAAAAAAv4/SHGhh2_1OgY/P1120072%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="right" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a>At the Sabie Backpackers the night before the big race, we had a wonderful BYOSpaghetti and attempted to have a Pasta Sauce Cook-off. Pasta sauce, we did make; however, the cook-off was more in a state of “off.” Nevertheless, we had a great time socializing as you can see in these pictures.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84J_mAeHxI/AAAAAAAAAv8/lNaBKNOBmik/s1600-h/P1120071%20%28180x240%29%5B20%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KDRP0tAI/AAAAAAAAAwA/tHgFK1c7GAw/P1120071%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B20%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120071 (180x240)" alt="P1120071 (180x240)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KDRP0tAI/AAAAAAAAAwA/tHgFK1c7GAw/P1120071%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B20%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="left" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KLcPQeFI/AAAAAAAAAwE/KHJfEJl6PD8/s1600-h/P1120077%20%28240x180%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KO67IJDI/AAAAAAAAAwI/4MzkE2_iCI4/P1120077%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120077 (240x180)" alt="P1120077 (240x180)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KO67IJDI/AAAAAAAAAwI/4MzkE2_iCI4/P1120077%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="right" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>A 4am wake up the morning of the race. We gathered at the racer’s registration spot, then all the half-marathoners boarded a bus to transport us to our starting spot. There were more people running this marathon than I anticipated—about 1500 finishers.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KRhPeQ9I/AAAAAAAAAwM/lW_297_Uj48/s1600-h/P1120081%20%28240x180%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLoUE0RAamd1y9ZWatsUPnD3G2o-bnWMh04S-Beg8Ttt0OrkM3bnIU6rWCfyy2VySD56by4nP7yY-kd4A7wBeHy5HKiKle05rkTp-hW-JdykmKQfRzGQOjRSzxC3Jl6Ww-NDCMbMdu9pP/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120081 (240x180)" alt="P1120081 (240x180)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLoUE0RAamd1y9ZWatsUPnD3G2o-bnWMh04S-Beg8Ttt0OrkM3bnIU6rWCfyy2VySD56by4nP7yY-kd4A7wBeHy5HKiKle05rkTp-hW-JdykmKQfRzGQOjRSzxC3Jl6Ww-NDCMbMdu9pP/?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a></p> <p>Below are the two female 56K runners—intense runners.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KXU17IeI/AAAAAAAAAwU/7G-_B-prnIQ/s1600-h/P1120084%20%28180x240%29.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Ka0jWnOI/AAAAAAAAAwY/7z2dCXLJRro/P1120084%20%28180x240%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120084 (180x240)" alt="P1120084 (180x240)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Ka0jWnOI/AAAAAAAAAwY/7z2dCXLJRro/P1120084%20%28180x240%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a></p> <p>Near the starting line for the half-marathon, in the Drakensburg mountains, it was very cloudy early in the morning. </p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KdSUm3uI/AAAAAAAAAwc/t2U5bJ6WEAg/s1600-h/P1120087240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KgdxcKfI/AAAAAAAAAwg/fs0M8mibyZM/P1120087240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120087 (240x180)" alt="P1120087 (240x180)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KgdxcKfI/AAAAAAAAAwg/fs0M8mibyZM/P1120087240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fvNdKo6rSAq6TfA4evKkxf9ppd1ViCKB9YXJfIJMf3hw3RGuJ2TXhjM3SYpzIXQHMNKQTRLtaLjqLVt2-l1milldUPueJtvo9lJqtc1zBH9kbEzxmHc0d0YUUlEVFpS41AEAf4fc7SZx/s1600-h/P1120088240x1807.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Kln2etPI/AAAAAAAAAwo/2gd0tA46Nto/P1120088240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120088 (240x180)" alt="P1120088 (240x180)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Kln2etPI/AAAAAAAAAwo/2gd0tA46Nto/P1120088240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>As we were ascending, the clouds were spectacular as we’d rise above them with the sun coming out in the horizon. Unfortunately, I had no clear shot of the view, so here’s a photo-dramatization using stand-in (photos). (<em>Please note: the names of all clouds, mountains, trees, and locations were changed to protect the identity of those involved. Thank you for your consideration.)</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KoEpGDUI/AAAAAAAAAws/xOsAY9RZk3Q/s1600-h/sun-9632%20%28240x180%29%5B6%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KrOHq5mI/AAAAAAAAAww/w5rQ3rOj9zE/sun-9632%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="sun-9632 (240x180)" alt="sun-9632 (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KrOHq5mI/AAAAAAAAAww/w5rQ3rOj9zE/sun-9632%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Kt02Nb0I/AAAAAAAAAw0/Os7ET8-q-nQ/s1600-h/MountainSunriseClouds%20%28240x141%29%5B6%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KxWKv3hI/AAAAAAAAAw4/NNNHR-YQIIA/MountainSunriseClouds%20%28240x141%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="MountainSunriseClouds (240x141)" alt="MountainSunriseClouds (240x141)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84KxWKv3hI/AAAAAAAAAw4/NNNHR-YQIIA/MountainSunriseClouds%20%28240x141%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="145" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>So, back to the race… as the misty rain let up and we attempted to get used to the bone-chilling cold, we all gathered at the starting line. It was quite the scene at the front where a familiar tune of “Shosholoza,” a traditional South African folk song, was the warm-up song, accompanied by some impromptu traditional dances by the runners.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Kz99HOPI/AAAAAAAAAw8/mMpPd3CSpnQ/s1600-h/P1120089240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84K3B75UwI/AAAAAAAAAxA/2lXbyffs-k4/P1120089240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120089 (240x180)" alt="P1120089 (240x180)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84K3B75UwI/AAAAAAAAAxA/2lXbyffs-k4/P1120089240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84K6XiwqAI/AAAAAAAAAxE/NgMlNAIArgg/s1600-h/P1120090240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84K98VW_OI/AAAAAAAAAxI/m8g49lx3siE/P1120090240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120090 (240x180)" alt="P1120090 (240x180)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84K98VW_OI/AAAAAAAAAxI/m8g49lx3siE/P1120090240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>We know this guy. #252 of 754 in the 21.1k. I’m proud to say that at 2:00:22, it’s a record for me. Granted, I’ve never run this far in my life before. But regardless, I’m happy to have finished standing up!</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LAtykqII/AAAAAAAAAxM/v66bdEFTux8/s1600-h/P1120094%20%28180x240%29%5B1%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LD9Sm2DI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/37HZjpCL-3M/P1120094%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120094 (180x240)" alt="P1120094 (180x240)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LD9Sm2DI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/37HZjpCL-3M/P1120094%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a></p> <p>Below are the other two PCVs that ran the 56k. Again, intense.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LG1jCBUI/AAAAAAAAAxU/GcQAgY1J-6U/s1600-h/P1120095%20%28180x240%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-XP8SLuRtjKaoQIG6SjBOuzMj79Wquei2NqVumIqThpoEoevAMojK2LYnz6YSM0REsjirpHBSesBgkY7OOB9PJm5NdWtSbCg_RoOQ5jIGOgbPfEFtt7yMw6bRB6ZVCYut60CAcH98NwD/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120095 (180x240)" alt="P1120095 (180x240)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-XP8SLuRtjKaoQIG6SjBOuzMj79Wquei2NqVumIqThpoEoevAMojK2LYnz6YSM0REsjirpHBSesBgkY7OOB9PJm5NdWtSbCg_RoOQ5jIGOgbPfEFtt7yMw6bRB6ZVCYut60CAcH98NwD/?imgmax=800" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LNJt010I/AAAAAAAAAxc/hwtlxMga_mI/s1600-h/P1120096%20%28180x240%29%5B6%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LQj8xq_I/AAAAAAAAAxg/Je95IbLyGh8/P1120096%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120096 (180x240)" alt="P1120096 (180x240)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LQj8xq_I/AAAAAAAAAxg/Je95IbLyGh8/P1120096%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a> </p> <p>The two lady 56k-ers after the race; and a group of the PCV Longtom-ers.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LTOEkX2I/AAAAAAAAAxk/4OwKYDR2F0E/s1600-h/P1120098%20%28180x240%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LWSDUVYI/AAAAAAAAAxo/xc-WFde_b1o/P1120098%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120098 (180x240)" alt="P1120098 (180x240)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LWSDUVYI/AAAAAAAAAxo/xc-WFde_b1o/P1120098%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="left" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbCZF09by-fgD-46ElwafByWnQhXC9exsn9aS6gXlpPr-W91yovY3fKdXXlGKYaZpBUEivAGB3__FXEApVmGR28FqXfWsDGCa-7o9ozLZIaPzpp-rkfuy79tT4ajWIkJ3ypB0HvcUtnpH/s1600-h/P1120097%20(240x180)%5B1%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Lc8nAC0I/AAAAAAAAAxw/7ZBehyxB5Kk/P1120097%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120097 (240x180)" alt="P1120097 (240x180)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Lc8nAC0I/AAAAAAAAAxw/7ZBehyxB5Kk/P1120097%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>That night, we enjoyed some fire juggling.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LfX2eqMI/AAAAAAAAAx0/3Izk_Ohzxtc/s1600-h/P1120100%20%28180x240%29%5B1%5D.jpg"></a> How else to enjoy a successful day of running than by playing with fire! And look at them go!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LfX2eqMI/AAAAAAAAAx4/KgU3KAI_pm8/s1600-h/P1120100%20%28180x240%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LkIKaFXI/AAAAAAAAAx8/pTIOQdEJlGQ/P1120100%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120100 (180x240)" alt="P1120100 (180x240)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LkIKaFXI/AAAAAAAAAx8/pTIOQdEJlGQ/P1120100%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="left" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a></p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LmsG76WI/AAAAAAAAAyA/pZ72JduSOOo/s1600-h/P1120105180x2406.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LqH380mI/AAAAAAAAAyE/AZp7udtxmj4/P1120105180x240_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120105 (180x240)" alt="P1120105 (180x240)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LqH380mI/AAAAAAAAAyE/AZp7udtxmj4/P1120105180x240_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>After the Longtom Marathon and festivities, for the next couple of days, some of us partook in a hike through the Drakensburg mountains near Sabie. We hiked the Fanie Botha trails—a truly spectacular hike (that is, once we could follow the sorry excuse for trail signs). </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LsYwrfQI/AAAAAAAAAyI/FVEqkAzO7bs/s1600-h/P1120106240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LvtST0MI/AAAAAAAAAyM/5QVy5BhDGKI/P1120106240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120106 (240x180)" alt="P1120106 (240x180)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84LvtST0MI/AAAAAAAAAyM/5QVy5BhDGKI/P1120106240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>We hiked 40km total for two days, and had some incredible views to take in.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2I4DhL7RMHg-DHyiaqzrc8v9T_rm04YYBLF9HeChIbBxoAAhYDVv6eYMhaol-Eu7nb2HP71bAMV9Ko_KTCVIeaTYQz5VgWjFKJal5rOt9ny03Q4Mxc8w8IR0yTx0sTdM8ZAdBGhm_GzM/s1600-h/P1120126Stitch480x2017.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXV14wZhdWgkQDSMIF5aT_1GjSL-Oum0tIFccv1oGLofQbiucxGRq8kbxA7VN1xdfWr5Qes8KMaX4Xe695SnsJD1c3psMptRL0XoSqJLISocDnvqdz6c_ePQHSq555PJyyvPCp2Dv4n4x/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120126 Stitch (480x201)" alt="P1120126 Stitch (480x201)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXV14wZhdWgkQDSMIF5aT_1GjSL-Oum0tIFccv1oGLofQbiucxGRq8kbxA7VN1xdfWr5Qes8KMaX4Xe695SnsJD1c3psMptRL0XoSqJLISocDnvqdz6c_ePQHSq555PJyyvPCp2Dv4n4x/?imgmax=800" border="0" height="205" width="484" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84L-65EmLI/AAAAAAAAAyg/qX4JaWs6muA/s1600-h/P1120130%20%28240x180%29.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84MC0znMbI/AAAAAAAAAyk/fbEvkdAV1b4/P1120130%20%28240x180%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120130 (240x180)" alt="P1120130 (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84MC0znMbI/AAAAAAAAAyk/fbEvkdAV1b4/P1120130%20%28240x180%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" align="left" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a>On the early leg of our trip, we were quickly redirected by the caretaker of the hut we stayed in the first night. He was a God-send for running down the hill after us to tell us we were going the wrong way (no thanks to the signs).</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Below is a small sliver of the artificial forest (a timber plantation for paper—supposedly the largest artificial forest in the world). All the trees are in neat, orderly rows with the lower branches all trimmed off.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84MF785PtI/AAAAAAAAAyo/YWudiuccQ5g/s1600-h/P1120134Stitch480x2257.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84MLEOlXXI/AAAAAAAAAyw/Y-M1z7Wo2ms/P1120134Stitch480x225_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120134 Stitch (480x225)" alt="P1120134 Stitch (480x225)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84MLEOlXXI/AAAAAAAAAyw/Y-M1z7Wo2ms/P1120134Stitch480x225_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="229" width="484" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84MNhoc3ZI/AAAAAAAAAy0/wMgq7x4dvlA/s1600-h/P1120141%20%28180x240%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84MRCOG_UI/AAAAAAAAAy4/MaIkfKEG8jE/P1120141%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120141 (180x240)" alt="P1120141 (180x240)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84MRCOG_UI/AAAAAAAAAy4/MaIkfKEG8jE/P1120141%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="left" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84MTf9u14I/AAAAAAAAAy8/Yn5DsNNczIk/s1600-h/P1120144240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84MW8UzmdI/AAAAAAAAAzA/QmQEpSgbl2E/P1120144240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120144 (240x180)" alt="P1120144 (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84MW8UzmdI/AAAAAAAAAzA/QmQEpSgbl2E/P1120144240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Below is a common formation we saw in the hills. The shallow valleys between hillsides would roll along and all of a sudden drop off into this deep depression filled with large trees growing from it’s base in the canyon. It seems as though water or some pocket beneath just gave way and it all sunk in. It was strange to see a large tree growing out of a crevasse in an otherwise tree-less plain.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84MaF175DI/AAAAAAAAAzE/mVCaHrDvF0M/P1120148Stitch480x2567.jpg?imgmax=800"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84NH6faijI/AAAAAAAAAzI/VJAXi2wEZAs/P1120148Stitch480x256_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120148 Stitch (480x256)" alt="P1120148 Stitch (480x256)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84NH6faijI/AAAAAAAAAzI/VJAXi2wEZAs/P1120148Stitch480x256_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="260" width="484" /></a> </p> <p>The landscape and climate changed dramatically within just a few hours of hiking. We walked into pine forests, out into plains, then into fields, then back into a forest, which was this time, a very dense and wet forest. And this happened over and over again, changing temperatures from cold to hot to cold so quickly.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84NKj7-H7I/AAAAAAAAAzM/QACWAeh-DRs/s1600-h/P1120155240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84NOAdSt9I/AAAAAAAAAzQ/yDT5oGuIT0k/P1120155240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120155 (240x180)" alt="P1120155 (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84NOAdSt9I/AAAAAAAAAzQ/yDT5oGuIT0k/P1120155240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84NQreGjhI/AAAAAAAAAzU/ACWxdssjijQ/s1600-h/P1120179240x1806.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHfpr9CdA4ielutqR-a3O5QEyc8U183iFqxhJPM1sMyo_XlbE_Dg5uff_n3-O8fFECUty6AEMFLxIPavHb9B9YovtI1hJXUBeymd4xzQGgVuDuWyvxAw3KyOf0SelJwLP2k5nldDqJtCg/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120179 (240x180)" alt="P1120179 (240x180)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHfpr9CdA4ielutqR-a3O5QEyc8U183iFqxhJPM1sMyo_XlbE_Dg5uff_n3-O8fFECUty6AEMFLxIPavHb9B9YovtI1hJXUBeymd4xzQGgVuDuWyvxAw3KyOf0SelJwLP2k5nldDqJtCg/?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>Some very beautiful and unique looking flowers along the way. (Does anyone recognize these and can tell me the names?)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84NXnPXHLI/AAAAAAAAAzc/kAgiQ0keP4c/P1120182240x1806.jpg?imgmax=800"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Nh4HNZ6I/AAAAAAAAAzg/rM6miVgpBhk/P1120182240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120182 (240x180)" alt="P1120182 (240x180)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Nh4HNZ6I/AAAAAAAAAzg/rM6miVgpBhk/P1120182240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-ffMyZKYwOVUV3EYZEtjanMISm1wiRHuiRhoX1LNV1VmnaDzQwpr-rrIRh87aCd7IKV9rH163gAor87ysWCIOk9RHpmtgMHpaPlnuyN3hdQXVAKTybjBsk4WOhkZucb6Ic3ciyHTl6xn/s1600-h/P1120192180x2406.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Npn5xy3I/AAAAAAAAAzo/mkw6AnoV4c4/P1120192180x240_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120192 (180x240)" alt="P1120192 (180x240)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Npn5xy3I/AAAAAAAAAzo/mkw6AnoV4c4/P1120192180x240_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a> </p> <p>Here’s those rows in the timber plantation. Nice and orderly, but oddly disturbing to find hiking in “nature.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Nsx1tXjI/AAAAAAAAAzs/cdjMZGAQtww/s1600-h/P1120197%20%28240x180%29.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84NwZ5Rd3I/AAAAAAAAAzw/hXvIEl0g7XY/P1120197%20%28240x180%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120197 (240x180)" alt="P1120197 (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84NwZ5Rd3I/AAAAAAAAAzw/hXvIEl0g7XY/P1120197%20%28240x180%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a></p> <p>At the arrival of the Mac Mac Hut (hiding behind the trees), our second night’s stay. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Ny2BSVXI/AAAAAAAAAz0/_GUOjgVryFY/s1600-h/P1120210%20Stitch%20%28480x192%29%5B4%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84N3eybeCI/AAAAAAAAAz4/IbiiTLK_eDE/P1120210%20Stitch%20%28480x192%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120210 Stitch (480x192)" alt="P1120210 Stitch (480x192)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84N3eybeCI/AAAAAAAAAz4/IbiiTLK_eDE/P1120210%20Stitch%20%28480x192%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="196" width="484" /></a> A distant view of the Mac Mac Hut. Absolutely breathtaking views from here.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84N5t8FesI/AAAAAAAAAz8/9FfzzaazmK0/s1600-h/P1120223%20%28240x180%29%5B1%5D.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbV6Irnoom8Vdv94zV8aXY5NiUWqjepWwmW0mUcGnQE9OWF1Y2Kkn5aeCZbANudQZL15BIVxjKbo60hSKm0iyXH9JEMUPgUhA6-cxgSizkOEZcwBXddQxyKNe92hPMrXJmTQ6dlHwdYC4/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120223 (240x180)" alt="P1120223 (240x180)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbV6Irnoom8Vdv94zV8aXY5NiUWqjepWwmW0mUcGnQE9OWF1Y2Kkn5aeCZbANudQZL15BIVxjKbo60hSKm0iyXH9JEMUPgUhA6-cxgSizkOEZcwBXddQxyKNe92hPMrXJmTQ6dlHwdYC4/?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8550q3XhIoETCj7obri4ZhI4Y-iM3P2SZ3xvyjfX8KlCOcFyxh4ri-3EKso1396IBSeHVVVKexpMxBVt3QXlaVvd6VzJfkrQ_R1H3SekzkwpcfTcTsmkYwA8TIRRcEIw20kehcqoczwg9/s1600-h/P1120240240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OCYsIhOI/AAAAAAAAA0I/iMfaM6MU7Js/P1120240240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120240 (240x180)" alt="P1120240 (240x180)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OCYsIhOI/AAAAAAAAA0I/iMfaM6MU7Js/P1120240240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OFmqyw_I/AAAAAAAAA0M/JlBJ3umgSa0/s1600-h/P1120224%20%28240x180%29%5B4%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OJT57IDI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/X8KpTj__2Yc/P1120224%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120224 (240x180)" alt="P1120224 (240x180)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OJT57IDI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/X8KpTj__2Yc/P1120224%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="left" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a>These were the trail markers we were supposed to follow. Evidently, these white “footprints” marked the direction, yet the feet didn’t always point in the right direction. Many times it led us up <em>very</em> steep hills with no indication of where to pick the trail back up.</p> <p> </p> <p><br /></p> <p> </p> <p><br /></p> <p> </p> <p>A view from the Mac Mac Hut at dawn.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OSOQHnFI/AAAAAAAAA0c/3Za3CGECEGk/s1600-h/P1120261%20Stitch%20%28screen%291%20%28480x179%29.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OV6LmB6I/AAAAAAAAA0g/CHyuSa7CF8Q/P1120261%20Stitch%20%28screen%291%20%28480x179%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120261 Stitch (screen)1 (480x179)" alt="P1120261 Stitch (screen)1 (480x179)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OV6LmB6I/AAAAAAAAA0g/CHyuSa7CF8Q/P1120261%20Stitch%20%28screen%291%20%28480x179%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="183" width="484" /></a></p> <p>We were convinced that the figure just off to the left of center was the Man on the Mountain. He watched over us and we made sure he didn’t move by the next morning. He didn’t, thankfully. That would have been scary.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OYnXh1hI/AAAAAAAAA0k/tbXcnB90UCc/s1600-h/P1120266%20%28240x180%29.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OcE2DgKI/AAAAAAAAA0o/uCY7qXNYDVU/P1120266%20%28240x180%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120266 (240x180)" alt="P1120266 (240x180)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OcE2DgKI/AAAAAAAAA0o/uCY7qXNYDVU/P1120266%20%28240x180%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a></p><br /><p>The start of hiking, day two of two…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OqJ2noFI/AAAAAAAAA1A/IK5JR6Y4R3Q/s1600-h/P1120284180x2406.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OtHxqLiI/AAAAAAAAA1I/8IH8Q_QRoGc/P1120284180x240_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120284 (180x240)" alt="P1120284 (180x240)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OtHxqLiI/AAAAAAAAA1I/8IH8Q_QRoGc/P1120284180x240_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84OvtfZu3I/AAAAAAAAA1M/lpiuJ2g1yMU/s1600-h/P1120285240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84O0EsNGWI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/qNo64I_TGKo/P1120285240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120285 (240x180)" alt="P1120285 (240x180)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84O0EsNGWI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/qNo64I_TGKo/P1120285240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84O3P19igI/AAAAAAAAA1U/AdJboGUhxU4/s1600-h/P1120287%20Stitch%20%28480x162%29.jpg"></a></p> <p><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84O6ob84bI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/B5xYmlIxWLQ/P1120287%20Stitch%20%28480x162%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120287 Stitch (480x162)" alt="P1120287 Stitch (480x162)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84O6ob84bI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/B5xYmlIxWLQ/P1120287%20Stitch%20%28480x162%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="166" width="484" /></p> <p> </p> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84O9g2YNKI/AAAAAAAAA1c/gdU3eLqLR54/s1600-h/P1120298%20%28180x240%29%5B1%5D.jpg"><br /></a></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PEYkIDaI/AAAAAAAAA1k/QOJtHuWgCN0/s1600-h/P1120299%20%28240x180%29%5B6%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PH2FMNvI/AAAAAAAAA1o/bIjWvajbSC8/P1120299%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120299 (240x180)" alt="P1120299 (240x180)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PH2FMNvI/AAAAAAAAA1o/bIjWvajbSC8/P1120299%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="left" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>And a train crossing sign? In the middle of the woods?</p> <p> </p> <p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>As aware as I am of where paper and 2x4s come from, I still can’t help but feel sad when I see the effects of logging. Maybe it was from watching FernGully as a child.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PLE27QfI/AAAAAAAAA1s/oHJ_Ab6KG-o/s1600-h/P1120302%20%28240x180%29.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PPKBX1wI/AAAAAAAAA1w/Dmeui_s1ReE/P1120302%20%28240x180%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120302 (240x180)" alt="P1120302 (240x180)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PPKBX1wI/AAAAAAAAA1w/Dmeui_s1ReE/P1120302%20%28240x180%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PR2SHYOI/AAAAAAAAA10/mwRFJRXFlvI/s1600-h/P1120310%20Stitch%20%28480x120%29.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PVqpTSCI/AAAAAAAAA14/IYPIMuzfo0g/P1120310%20Stitch%20%28480x120%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120310 Stitch (480x120)" alt="P1120310 Stitch (480x120)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PVqpTSCI/AAAAAAAAA14/IYPIMuzfo0g/P1120310%20Stitch%20%28480x120%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="124" width="484" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ_rLNMh66Bj2v95WZ8Cu3by9yqWl8t9Z-QJVurgODAKEWtZTZBzMRTAZtO4MJDUCaV-yUrmnJxsgw9pejWz7_A1qIgDQF0-1XrbLikqwxSK0NmTRHs8yZO8IWIA922q925jZAHUsJR1P/s1600-h/P1120314240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Pb0srmyI/AAAAAAAAA2A/IUinoMnjSGk/P1120314240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120314 (240x180)" alt="P1120314 (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Pb0srmyI/AAAAAAAAA2A/IUinoMnjSGk/P1120314240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Per7bjmI/AAAAAAAAA2E/HYI7ruMmOzk/s1600-h/P1120317240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PiVJTUdI/AAAAAAAAA2I/qqthsqrbvZM/P1120317240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120317 (240x180)" alt="P1120317 (240x180)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PiVJTUdI/AAAAAAAAA2I/qqthsqrbvZM/P1120317240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>Here’s another one of those canyons in the middle of a hill. This one is due to a waterfall—Mac Mac Falls.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PleXO1hI/AAAAAAAAA2M/zv2m_7Ru3FQ/s1600-h/P1120319%20Stitch%20%28480x189%29.jpg"></a> </p> <p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mvDPLKZyEOfyUOBxyYsSGKF4SkdD9N6UeqmqpHFDGpUbAYUab7F-GSsYqKLC3hm35Nuq4swN4sto54U6ThUBtNduliEREDDQSlnnz-uDAXlzWKPHoPO-A5AKeQkzIqVp8Uv1EMXVEjuq/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120319 Stitch (480x189)" alt="P1120319 Stitch (480x189)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mvDPLKZyEOfyUOBxyYsSGKF4SkdD9N6UeqmqpHFDGpUbAYUab7F-GSsYqKLC3hm35Nuq4swN4sto54U6ThUBtNduliEREDDQSlnnz-uDAXlzWKPHoPO-A5AKeQkzIqVp8Uv1EMXVEjuq/?imgmax=800" border="0" height="193" width="484" /></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PrztkKJI/AAAAAAAAA2U/HlohyOdFZ3A/s1600-h/P1120321%20Stitch%20%28480x177%29.jpg"><span style="color: rgb(149, 104, 57);"></span><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PvIX64BI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/VcT0e3SRdPo/P1120321%20Stitch%20%28480x177%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120321 Stitch (480x177)" alt="P1120321 Stitch (480x177)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84PvIX64BI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/VcT0e3SRdPo/P1120321%20Stitch%20%28480x177%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="181" width="484" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Pyd9e2wI/AAAAAAAAA2c/fm6SIRGlBu8/s1600-h/P1120325%20Stitch%20%28480x186%29.jpg"><span style="color: rgb(149, 104, 57);"></span><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84P2MGnMmI/AAAAAAAAA2g/qhxAMM4z7HM/P1120325%20Stitch%20%28480x186%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1120325 Stitch (480x186)" alt="P1120325 Stitch (480x186)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84P2MGnMmI/AAAAAAAAA2g/qhxAMM4z7HM/P1120325%20Stitch%20%28480x186%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="190" width="484" /></a></p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84P5HGR6TI/AAAAAAAAA2k/Y18VqLuqU5I/s1600-h/P1120332%20%28180x240%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84P8lAZe-I/AAAAAAAAA2o/37D02OhQ4YU/P1120332%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120332 (180x240)" alt="P1120332 (180x240)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84P8lAZe-I/AAAAAAAAA2o/37D02OhQ4YU/P1120332%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="left" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a></p> <p>This was a magnificent waterfall, totally taking me by surprise by it’s covert location.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84P_bbA3pI/AAAAAAAAA2s/AEUGnMv8IKk/s1600-h/P1120352%20%28180x240%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QDKO3emI/AAAAAAAAA2w/8qU3Z_QcuYg/P1120352%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120352 (180x240)" alt="P1120352 (180x240)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QDKO3emI/AAAAAAAAA2w/8qU3Z_QcuYg/P1120352%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="right" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QF0qdtkI/AAAAAAAAA20/4v7uuZriCS0/s1600-h/P1120360%20%28240x180%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QKKpfEMI/AAAAAAAAA24/oWA18d2QFC8/P1120360%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120360 (240x180)" alt="P1120360 (240x180)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QKKpfEMI/AAAAAAAAA24/oWA18d2QFC8/P1120360%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="left" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QMZZItII/AAAAAAAAA28/sscNvVjUZYs/s1600-h/P1120364%20%28180x240%29.jpg"><br /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Mac Mac Pools, a little fountain of youth. Well, quite literally—there were a lot of youth swimming in it. A great little oasis with crisp cool water and spectacular views.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QSqiwhpI/AAAAAAAAA3E/XpvH7GL1_mI/s1600-h/P1120369%20%28240x180%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QWLu4qzI/AAAAAAAAA3I/zpIZlMKwx4g/P1120369%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120369 (240x180)" alt="P1120369 (240x180)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QWLu4qzI/AAAAAAAAA3I/zpIZlMKwx4g/P1120369%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QYhziTaI/AAAAAAAAA3M/n7UOZbM1P18/s1600-h/P1120371240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QcY6dOYI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/tWa9yodzIHg/P1120371240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120371 (240x180)" alt="P1120371 (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QcY6dOYI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/tWa9yodzIHg/P1120371240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QfuXnmXI/AAAAAAAAA3U/HJ-EVVhBVRo/s1600-h/P1120373240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QigEe1vI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/wFaxoAwoqHE/P1120373240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120373 (240x180)" alt="P1120373 (240x180)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QigEe1vI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/wFaxoAwoqHE/P1120373240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QlHlQQpI/AAAAAAAAA3c/P_YXDEG1Sv8/s1600-h/P1120379240x1806.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QoyA8aRI/AAAAAAAAA3g/gi9RX3xZ_Ms/P1120379240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1120379 (240x180)" alt="P1120379 (240x180)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QoyA8aRI/AAAAAAAAA3g/gi9RX3xZ_Ms/P1120379240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84Qrv6vyOI/AAAAAAAAA3k/i8ANXLNyKZA/s1600-h/P1120387%20%28180x240%29%5B1%5D.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QuWx4UcI/AAAAAAAAA3o/loxQyD9lTdE/P1120387%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1120387 (180x240)" alt="P1120387 (180x240)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S84QuWx4UcI/AAAAAAAAA3o/loxQyD9lTdE/P1120387%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="left" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a> And finally, a great way to be greeted back in my village when I returned.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>And they all lived happily ever after. ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p>Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-53177275281727067442010-04-11T13:55:00.000+02:002010-04-11T13:55:00.768+02:00Staffroom Stories – Comic Relief<p>I came across this comic in my school’s staffroom. It comes from the <em>Educators’ Voice</em> from March 2008. I hope this can give you a rough idea of how some of the educators feel regarding South Africa’s struggle with righting the education system. There are many good, progressive ideologies in place, but implementation is a major challenge, especially in the rural areas. Please be aware that this published comic is the sole view of the author, not a commentary of mine, and definitely not necessarily of the Peace Corps. I just found it thought-provoking (click the image to enlarge). ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S7h_NR-yP0I/AAAAAAAAAvM/kkwta7bAZZY/s1600-h/P11200476.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1120047" border="0" alt="P1120047" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S7h_TJt9y8I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/vZ3i-Djh_fo/P1120047_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="644" /></a></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-90814018672320482892010-04-04T15:54:00.001+02:002010-04-04T15:54:35.115+02:00a HUGE thank you<p>What an incredible race! Last Saturday, March 27th, a few dozen PCVs joined thousands of other entrants in the Xtrata Longtom Half (21.1km) and Ultra (56km!) Marathons that traversed the Drakensberg mountains and valleys near Sabie, Mpumalanga. For this event, the PCVs raised money for the KLM Foundation and <em>beat</em> the total funds raised from last year!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S7iZzURdFNI/AAAAAAAAAvU/bHvDOPyDpac/s1600-h/P1120089%20%28240x180%29%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1120089 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1120089 (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S7iZ3foXZPI/AAAAAAAAAvY/fvqDZCWC3oo/P1120089%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S7iZ8E-RdwI/AAAAAAAAAvc/s3R06b6E2dk/s1600-h/P1120090%20%28240x180%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1120090 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1120090 (240x180)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S7iZ_WKuvPI/AAAAAAAAAvg/0ri0nDQ4MfU/P1120090%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Believe it or not, a few dozen PCVs—with the support of friends and families back in the States—raised over $16,000 this year that will go directly to the KLM Foundation to give disadvantaged learners a chance to go to a superior school.</p> <p><strong>HATS OFF TO THE 20 OF YOU WHO DONATED! Your donations gave this PCV the top position for most funds raised this year! $1,250.00! Unbelievable, truly.</strong></p> <p>That being said, I want to sincerely thank all of you and share my genuine gratitude to those who donated. Also, a huge thank you to all of you who weren’t able to support this year, but still supported our run and this cause in your hearts and minds.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S7iaCdV8JGI/AAAAAAAAAvk/OP3bAGbBNqM/s1600-h/P1120094%20%28180x240%29%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1120094 (180x240)" border="0" alt="P1120094 (180x240)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S7iaFXtVAWI/AAAAAAAAAvo/8-sGSFOh0zc/P1120094%20%28180x240%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> I am proud to say that I completed my first half-marathon! Before Saturday, the farthest I ever ran was 8km (5mi) and that was <em>years</em> ago. So, Saturday I beat my record distance by 2.5 times the length! Even up until the gun went off, I was planning on running 5km, then walking 1km, and so on. But, after that first 5km marker, I realized I had to keep going, if not for me, then for all of you, who worked so hard for the money you donated. So, I figured I could keep going for all of you and run for $625/hr. Not a bad figure to run to, right??</p> <p>I’ll post more pictures later this week of my adventures at the Longtom Marathon as well as my beautiful but exhausting 40km, 2-day hike through the Fanie Botha trails in the mountains around Sabie.</p> <p>Happy Easter! ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-80735647076556791922010-03-24T19:20:00.001+02:002010-03-24T19:20:04.430+02:00This is It: The Final Sprint!<p>Hey Friends, Family, and Foreigners!</p> <p>The race is almost here! Once again, I am truly in awe at your generosity and support of this charity Longtom Marathon!</p> <p> </p> <p>I leave for Mpumalanga on Thursday to prepare for the race. I’m hydrating, stretching, carb-loading, and of course, praying! (I’ve never ran 21k in my life. Why not start now??)</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>The current total that you’ve helped me raise for the <a href="http://www.klm-foundation.org/" target="_blank">KLM Foundation</a> is still $1,155.00</strong> (no other donations were made last week). That must mean that you all dug WAY deep to the bottoms of your pockets and purses, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.</p> <p> </p> <p>There are only two days left, and if you are one of those that likes to be one of the last contributing donations to just put us over the top, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>The Final Challenge : $1,500. That’s $345.00 to raise in two days’ time. </strong>Can we do it? With your help we can!</p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p>Please consider donating if you haven’t already. It’s not too late! <a href="https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=20511" target="_blank">Click Here to Donate!</a></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>This is equivalent to the last leg of the race—the big push! Let’s sprint it out and finish strong! For the learners of South Africa. </strong>◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-57463051616618476152010-03-15T06:26:00.001+02:002010-03-15T06:26:24.632+02:00Fantastic Fundraising Feat!<p align="center"><a href="http://www.klm-foundation.org/" target="_blank"><strong><font size="5">~DONATE!~</font></strong></a></p> <p>I am astounded—absolutely amazed at your generosity!</p> <p>Believe it or not, but in the <strong>last week, another $390 were raised (in seven days!)</strong></p> <p><strong>That brings the fundraising grand total to $1,155.00!</strong></p> <p>I cannot believe it, myself. <em>Thank you all so much for digging deep!</em></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S522sEbmAtI/AAAAAAAAAuw/G66IEVCgwHg/s1600-h/P1110027240x1809.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110027 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110027 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S522vGTmxWI/AAAAAAAAAu0/Rq9TgsIjTgA/P1110027240x180_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>I received an update on the KLM overall fundraising: turns out with your help,  we’re closing the gap between last year’s total of $13,000 but still far from 2008’s total of $21,000.</p> <p align="left"><strong>We all know the biggest push in marathoning (fundraising or running) comes just before the finish line. That finish line is right around the corner, less than 2 weeks away! So please, if you have been considering giving <em>something</em>, please consider giving now.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.klm-foundation.org/" target="_blank"><strong><font size="5">~DONATE!~</font></strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S522xpQ1SPI/AAAAAAAAAu4/jCRV2YCbZP8/s1600-h/P1100874240x18011.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1100874 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1100874 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S52203v2XpI/AAAAAAAAAu8/wGsURjn7wJ8/P1100874240x180_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>It’s another Monday morning for many of you—if you’re looking for a way to avoid having to make that morning communal coffee for you and your coworkers, look busy (as well as give an incredible gift of education to a disadvantaged child) by hopping online <a href="http://www.klm-foundation.org/" target="_blank"><strong>here to donate!</strong></a> If they ask you to make the coffee, you can say, “Sorry, I’m busy giving education to a child in South Africa.” They’ll probably go make the coffee.</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.klm-foundation.org/" target="_blank"><strong><font size="5">~DONATE!~</font></strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>To read more on the KLM Foundation:</strong> <a title="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2010/02/peace-corps-volunteer-fundraising.html" href="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2010/02/peace-corps-volunteer-fundraising.html">http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2010/02/peace-corps-volunteer-fundraising.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5223609HMI/AAAAAAAAAvA/01OLwwBEyJI/s1600-h/P1090809240x180240x1809.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1090809 (240x180) (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1090809 (240x180) (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5227IZnubI/AAAAAAAAAvE/VdK0P0pCerg/P1090809240x180240x180_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center">◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-71207542503118888302010-03-10T07:38:00.001+02:002010-03-10T07:38:52.517+02:00Animal House<p>Hello there and welcome to another installment of my weblog. Today I’d like to share with you all things that go bump in the night…and day. A lighter side of my blog.</p> <p>So, for those readers that don’t particularly like bugs and creepy-crawlies or pictures of such, this is your warning for the content ahead. Don’t say I didn’t tell you, so….let’s begin!</p> <p>We’ll start off pretty cute and cuddly. What’s so harmless about a baby chick?<a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1090770240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1090770240x180_thumb4" border="0" alt="P1090770240x180_thumb4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cvamJX-dI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/eerhAVEHDCs/P1090770240x180_thumb43%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a> Nothing. Absolutely harmless. It’s the momma you gotta watch out for. See her eyeing the camera down? Evil, pure evil.<a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1090780240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1090780240x180_thumb5" border="0" alt="P1090780240x180_thumb5" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cvc9aSKxI/AAAAAAAAAtU/JkqYb7nN-IE/P1090780240x180_thumb53%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a> That’s all the warning she usually gives me before she freaks out and attacks me. Yeah, she confronts you with no reservations, cussing you out! Even if I’m just trying to squeeze by, she goes berserk. I’ve had my run-ins with Momma and she doesn’t take kindly to me. If no chicks are around, she’s no threat. However, once they’re hatched…boy, watch out. I’ve actually been charged by her a few times (not kidding!) …wings flailing, running and screaming…(that was me, not Momma). I’d say I was the bigger chicken.</p> <p>Next in line is my pal, the rooster. When I first arrived, it was very obvious that he was very apprehensive of me. For the first few weeks of me moving in, many times I’d be sitting outside; I’d see him peak his head around the corner, then just stare at me, checking me out and eyeing me down. I swear he saw my soul. I’ve never had a bird check me out that intensely. But that’s all over now.</p> <p>These days, we have a love-hate relationship:</p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1100039240x18027.jpg"><font color="#473624"></font><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1100039240x1802_thumb5" border="0" alt="P1100039240x1802_thumb5" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cvfqaTGxI/AAAAAAAAAtY/L4Bujb5Qm7s/P1100039240x1802_thumb53%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a>he loves to cockadoodle-doo, and I hate it.</p> <p>In all honesty, I actually do have great admiration for him (I know, he’s just a bird, but still…): he is able to crow (actual verb is <em>crow</em>, not cockadoodle-doo like I thought) at roughly the same time every morning…without a Timex! It’s uncanny. Nearly 5 o’clock in the morning, every morning—<em><u>every</u></em> morning—rain or shine, he’s up and ready to wake me up, too. I have no idea how he does it, because the sun’s not even out yet. I think he must be counting or cheating somehow.</p> <p>And I gotta give this guy even more props: he defends his hens and his turf to the extreme. I’ve never seen so much determination. I got to witness a cock-fight between him and the neighboring cock at the Mongwaketse residence (my host family’s surname). Guess who won. Yeah, Mongwaketses: 1, neighboring challenger: 0. Get outta here, cock. Get off our property.</p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1090707240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1090707240x180_thumb4" border="0" alt="P1090707240x180_thumb4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cvirNpnLI/AAAAAAAAAtc/8etAjK8UmcM/P1090707240x180_thumb43%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a> <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1090708240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1090708240x180_thumb4" border="0" alt="P1090708240x180_thumb4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cvlMru3jI/AAAAAAAAAtg/oPkdXnsnbM8/P1090708240x180_thumb43%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>He’s also pretty generous, too. When searching for food in the yard, if he finds something, instead of hoarding it to himself, he immediately clucks in a certain tone and all the hens come running, he backs away and points with his beak what he found. Chivalry is not dead.</p> <p>(Please note: I do not spend my days observing roosters. But, they are pretty impressive. I don’t have a name for the rooster yet—any good names to offer?)</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1100066240x18012.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1100066240x180_thumb8" border="0" alt="P1100066240x180_thumb8" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cvn3IMFpI/AAAAAAAAAtk/3aSUheh_o_E/P1100066240x180_thumb83%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1100066240x1807.jpg"></a></p> <p align="left">Goat-farts are funny.</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>Seriously, they are one of the funniest sounds I’ve ever heard in my life. I can’t help but burst out laughing like an immature, 12-year old boy that just heard a whoopee-cushion go off. When I walk down the road and hear a goat-fart, I lose it. They brighten my day.<a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1100678180x2406.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1100678180x240_thumb4" border="0" alt="P1100678180x240_thumb4" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cvp7iYwxI/AAAAAAAAAto/HYfcbqEALbo/P1100678180x240_thumb43%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="240" /></a></p> <p align="right">Donkeys are everywhere. And their crude behaviour is almost as funny as goat farting, but not quite. When they bray, they stick their jaw out and expose their teeth like idiots. Then, they chase after some other donkey with their face posed like that—not menacing at all, just freakin’ hilarious.</p> <p align="right">I haven’t been able to take a donkey seriously yet.</p> <p align="right"><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1100680240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1100680240x180_thumb5" border="0" alt="P1100680240x180_thumb5" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cvsUu99CI/AAAAAAAAAts/0A4bWCxGaY4/P1100680240x180_thumb53%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="240" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>This little guy is pretty funny looking, too. Like someone decided to make a life-sized stuffed-animal.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1100257240x1808.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1100257240x180_thumb6" border="0" alt="P1100257240x180_thumb6" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cvu92nLeI/AAAAAAAAAtw/R0Qi6SBs6fs/P1100257240x180_thumb63%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a></p> <p align="right">This <em>khudu</em> (Setswana for <em>tortoise</em>) became my hissing, peeing friend after my neighbors found him on the road and said I should take him back. I tried to keep him in our fenced in yard, but I found out the next day that tortoises can dig. He no longer lives in the yard.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1100188240x18011.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1100188240x180_thumb9" border="0" alt="P1100188240x180_thumb9" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cvxc-dDzI/AAAAAAAAAt0/Lv37ClDR-Tg/P1100188240x180_thumb93%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="left">Ahh! Lion!</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">No, we don’t all have lions living in our back yards or as pets. This one was just very well trained. He can hold a pose for…well, forever. You never have to walk him either.</p> <p align="left">This is my family’s newest lion. His name is <em>Takeaway</em> and as a puppy, was extremely disproportionate. He’s grown out of his awkwardness now. (For reference, <em>takeaway</em> is the South African term for “carry-out.” His brother’s name is <em>Mealie Meal</em>, a South African corn meal brand.)</p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1110516240x1808.jpg"><font color="#29303b"></font><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1110516240x180_thumb6" border="0" alt="P1110516240x180_thumb6" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cvzvoTwDI/AAAAAAAAAt4/ggZw3QU_M4Q/P1110516240x180_thumb63%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a> </p> <p>OK, on to the creepy crawlies…again, the weak of heart and strong of grossedoutness should turn away now and stop reading.</p> <p> </p> <p>This one you’ve already seen/read about in the previous vacation blog. My elementary learners actually just found another scorpion (<em>pepe</em>) the other day on the school grounds and were taking turns killing it. How nice.</p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1090652240x1805.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1090652240x180_thumb3" border="0" alt="P1090652240x180_thumb3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cv2XBZCUI/AAAAAAAAAt8/UQ4cD_9QRdA/P1090652240x180_thumb33%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a></p> <p>Dung Beetles: what a weird concept—a beetle that needs to roll a piece of dung for hours on end, upside-down at that! How do they know where they are going!?</p> <p> <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/MrDungBeetle240x1805.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="MrDungBeetle240x180_thumb3" border="0" alt="MrDungBeetle240x180_thumb3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cv4jWT_gI/AAAAAAAAAuA/lNT7-LJ7uS0/MrDungBeetle240x180_thumb33%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a> </p> <p>What a strange looking bug. It looks like it should be in a sci-fi movie or something. I wish I had spikes coming out of my back like that. No one would mess with me… It kinda reminds me of Beetle Juice in that one scene where Michael Keaton gets all spiky. This one was sitting on my front door screen today.</p> <p></p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1110822240x1805.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1110822240x180_thumb3" border="0" alt="P1110822240x180_thumb3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cv7HtPzVI/AAAAAAAAAuE/LLkBlyIhtPc/P1110822240x180_thumb33%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a></p> <p>Black mamba…spectacular. But, I just thank God that I have 12x optical zoom. I didn’t feel like getting much closer. I didn’t think we’d be good friends. Just a hunch. </p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1100692240x18011.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1100692240x180_thumb9" border="0" alt="P1100692240x180_thumb9" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cv_rmRa8I/AAAAAAAAAuI/mKsvgwG5xLg/P1100692240x180_thumb93%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/Solifugae4240x1803.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Solifugae4240x180_thumb2" border="0" alt="Solifugae4240x180_thumb2" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cwCj3_RHI/AAAAAAAAAuM/Zg2_31mPA18/Solifugae4240x180_thumb23%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a></p> <p>This one will take some explaining… </p> <p>This is called a Solifugae, or Sun Scorpion or Sun Spider. </p> <p>The story starts before I ever met the likes of this beast. When I first arrived, I found two small solifugae that went zipping through my house a few weeks before. I was fascinated with them, so I grabbed the can of bug spray (called DOOM, here--it seriously does damage. It could kill a small mammal) and went after them. I killed them and kept them. I don’t know why, maybe I wanted to practice taxidermy or something weird like that, I don’t know. But really, any unknown <em>African</em> insect is pretty cool. </p> <p>So for weeks I was believing the ones I found were big insects...but none compared to this one I found, pictured here. This one was as big as the palm of my hand!!</p> <p>I was outside at night, chit-chatting with my host brother, Tebogo. I saw something running by the wall and thought it was a mouse. Once we realized what it was, my host brother stunned it by stepping on it. We thought it was dead. I took it into my house and…(somewhat embarrassed to say), I started photographing it like it was a runway model (how else would I have gotten these photos?); then it started twitching. It came back from the dead. I sprayed it with Doom. It still twitched, even more this time. Then, it's beak-like claw-teeth started moving and pinching. I Doom-ed it again. It started moving it's legs. That's when I Doom-ed it yet again. It wouldn't die!!!</p> <p> <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/Solifugae1240x1801.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Solifugae1240x180_thumb" border="0" alt="Solifugae1240x180_thumb" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cwE5A6jiI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/goHTyat9yq0/Solifugae1240x180_thumb3%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a> <br />I finally got done taking pictures and covered it with a bowl and sprayed some Doom under it to leave it for the morning. It was dead when I woke up. But, believe it or not, it still wouldn't give up that easily...it had one more trick up it’s sleeve.</p> <p> <br />I thought this giant insect was pretty fascinating, so I mounted it like wild game on the wall (I know that sounds extremely weird, but I have to explain that I live alone and everything I do is a good, normal idea by majority vote). I thought I was pretty cool for having defeated a monster-insect. Let me just tell you now that it didn't go without a fight, even after death. I was told these things are harmless, which I found is <i>mostly</i> true. This is how the final battle went down between man and beast:</p> <p>The next night, I decided to watch a movie. My prize was mounted on the nearby wall. (Mistake #1.) Earlier that day, the window was left open for ventilation, letting some flies inside. (Mistake #2). To get the full effect of the movie, I turned off the lights. (Mistake #3.) All was going well in the movie, when I heard, then felt, a buzzing around me. I hate flies. I mean, I <i>really</i> hate flies. I always imagine they can sense when I'm most aggravated and that's when they dive-bomb me like a kamikaze pilot or land on the back of my neck, tickling me in a very flirtatious way. (I don’t like being flirted with by a fly.) After about 15 minutes of clenching my teeth out of irritation, I got upset. (Mistake #4.) In the darkness, I swatted at the fly with my hands waving violently like a madman--stupid and pointless, I know. (Mistake #5.) At one moment, when I thought I had him located on the wall, I whipped my hand against the wall as hard as I could--SPLAT! Nope; I didn't get the fly, but it did go <i>splat</i>. I got something else instead...Had I been paying just a little bit of attention to my surroundings, I would have remembered my prize mounted on the wall. (Final mistake…) <br />Not only was it a mess on the wall and on my hand, but I found out through experience that these solifugae have tiny thistle-like hairs that stick up all over their body. AND, I also discovered that these remain irritating even after the creature is dead.</p> <p>So, for the rest of the night, I watched my movie with the lights <em>on</em> while carefully plucking out tiny, thistle-like hairs from the palm of my hand, which was now sore from both the impact with the wall and the irritating hairs that buried themselves into my epidermis. </p> <p>I threw the solifugae outside and a chicken ate it.</p> <p>It won the battle, but I won the war; that stupid bug is no more. The End.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1110736240x1801.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1110736240x180_thumb" border="0" alt="P1110736240x180_thumb" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cwHbFz6VI/AAAAAAAAAuU/1CIVtzRgQM0/P1110736240x180_thumb3%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a>I had the joy of waking up a few times with small, individual, mystery blisters (I'm now up to 7 over a few nights). If you’ve ever experienced the same, then you've been visited by the Blister Fairy!</p> <p>This harmless-looking, flying bug came in small numbers back in the end of January. Now they’re here in masses, buzzing around the back yard in the green brush all day. At night, they like to come inside and visit me. They are busy whispering sweet nothings into my ear and trying to tuck me into bed.</p> <p>Also known as the Blister Beetle, these little pests secrete a liquid that causes a chemical burn on your skin. Totally harmless, but really freakin' annoying.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1110834240x1809.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1110834240x180_thumb7" border="0" alt="P1110834240x180_thumb7" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cwLtjpThI/AAAAAAAAAuY/WfVmzwbizqk/P1110834240x180_thumb73%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a>Since they only like me when I'm sleeping, I never knew what they looked like. They're a flying insect about an inch long at most, and have a skinny body with a red neck and usually a red head. <br /></p> <p> </p> <p> <br />So, all of you in South Africa, join me in the fight against blister beetle terror: get out your can o' Doom and have at it. I know I will--they're a pain in my skin.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1110843240x18010.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1110843240x180_thumb8" border="0" alt="P1110843240x180_thumb8" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cwOTUxEaI/AAAAAAAAAuc/ptpUyCyhzTM/P1110843240x180_thumb83%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a>These aren’t insects, below, but probably one of the most despised plants I’ve ever encountered. These are small thorn-pods that fall off the bushes growing in my back yard (on the path to the pit toilet). Whenever I walk to the toilet, I end up tracking dozens of them back into my house under my shoes. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1110836240x18012.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1110836240x180_thumb10" border="0" alt="P1110836240x180_thumb10" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7tbeMQP_eYIpnE_77PbBL4NCWuKG3GDwohkM2hDw-P8jIOwAbcnc6WsBvh2mU99mok0cR3EqsOjA4wyUugjTGzAs7xlcQUQT9QFPSf8HnAxQHSvrHiiS4vcB13ZHipnoeL9V0uHbuvnE/?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a>They then sit and wait in my carpet or on my cement floor until morning when I’m nice and groggy as I roll out of bed. Almost daily, I stand up directly on one of these in the morning and it feels like you are putting full pressure on a miniature tack under your foot! And the barbs are irritating even after you pluck it out. What a way to wake up. Who needs coffee?</p> <p>   <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1110846240x18021.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1110846240x180_thumb19" border="0" alt="P1110846240x180_thumb19" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cwTMTRWMI/AAAAAAAAAuk/v9ExEcNSE0Q/P1110846240x180_thumb193%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a> </p> <p>This was a pretty neat looking moth. I affectionately named him Mr. Confetti.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Final story for this post…</p> <p>As I was getting some eggs out of the carton for my Sunday morning pancakes, I reached for them on the floor under my cooking table (we can keep our eggs unrefrigerated out here, don’t worry, they last); I saw this scorpion sneak away, inches from my fingers and run under my mini-fridge! Haha, WOAH! freaked the heck outta me! So, I did what any stupid person does and went after it to catch it (alive!). I did, however, arm myself by taking off my sandals (they call them slops here, and yes, I was wearing sandals when initially confronted by the scorpion) and put on my leather shoes in case he decided to make a run for my toes in a moment of panic (most people go for the toes when panicking, so I’ve heard). I thought to spray under the fridge a few times with some Doom to try to coax him out. He didn't want to show. So, adrenaline kicking in, I tore away the fridge, armed with a glass jar and two big size-12 shoes on my feet... just in case :) I found him cowering in the corner, which made it really easy to put the glass jar over him. <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1110855240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1110855240x180_thumb5" border="0" alt="P1110855240x180_thumb5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cwWFaoi6I/AAAAAAAAAuo/yEV9HgArg3s/P1110855240x180_thumb53%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a>Then, I flipped the jar over and then I had a jar of scorpion. He got really upset when I put him in there. tail striking the jar and everything. But he was still a bit dazed and confused by the bug spray. In the end, I was outside of the jar and he was inside. So, I won.</p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matson/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles5E7AEA9/P1110867240x1808.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1110867240x180_thumb6" border="0" alt="P1110867240x180_thumb6" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5cwZKOSAeI/AAAAAAAAAus/v2P5Mgk7Xxo/P1110867240x180_thumb63%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a></p> <p>  </p> <p>PETA’s going to come after me, I swear. ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-24665499772198003182010-03-08T09:39:00.001+02:002010-03-08T09:39:30.363+02:00Weekly Goal Achieved!<p><strong>Ke a lo leboga thata! (Thank you all!)</strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5SphDERNTI/AAAAAAAAAsk/etJU6ZvCEZ0/s1600-h/P1100774%20%28480x360%29%20%282%29%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="P1100774 (480x360) (2)" border="0" alt="P1100774 (480x360) (2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5SplTp1I2I/AAAAAAAAAso/XcchDJioixE/P1100774%20%28480x360%29%20%282%29_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a></p> <p align="left">Thank you, thank you, thank you! <strong>We not only met the $500 weekly goal, but blew right past it!</strong> This morning, I was given the most recent update: $765 to date! It’s so amazing to see such generosity! So, sincerely, I thank each and every one of you that has helped so far. You can imagine how your donations directly impacts the academic life of a young child. Maybe your donation will buy their uniform; maybe it will buy books and school supplies, or maybe it will be for school fees.</p> <p align="left">I’m happily at a loss for words--I don’t know what to say other than <em>let’s keep going!</em></p> <p>It looks like I miscalculated the potential of giving! In one week, you helped raise $460 alone! That’s absolutely incredible!</p> <p><strong>This week, let’s go straight for $1050! That’s only $285 to raise by the end of this weekend.</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5Spn4ve_NI/AAAAAAAAAss/5yXHL7s-d0Y/s1600-h/P1090461240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1090461 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1090461 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S5SprF4JrsI/AAAAAAAAAsw/FeLizilJn20/P1090461240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></strong></p> <p>The reason for the continued push? This year, KLM fundraising is still shy of their average contributions by a few thousand dollars. They’ve really asked us to pull out all the stops so that the benefiting school children can continue to get the quality education they deserve! It’s all for them.</p> <p>Again, here are those links…</p> <p><strong>To DONATE online:</strong> <a title="http://www.klm-foundation.org/" href="http://www.klm-foundation.org/">http://www.klm-foundation.org/</a></p> <p><strong>To read more on the KLM Foundation:</strong> <a title="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2010/02/peace-corps-volunteer-fundraising.html" href="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2010/02/peace-corps-volunteer-fundraising.html">http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2010/02/peace-corps-volunteer-fundraising.html</a></p> <p>If you’re on the fence or possibly considering it, please think about contributing whatever is <em>affordable</em> to you—any amount helps!. ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-58636001007478322892010-03-01T15:07:00.001+02:002010-03-01T15:07:49.888+02:00A Few Minutes, A Few Dollars<p>I first want to say <strong>Thank You!!</strong> to all of those who’ve taken a few minutes and a few dollars to contribute to the annual KLM Foundation Longtom Marathon—to help raise money to send disadvantaged children to a superior secondary school, allowing them an opportunity for education they may not have had without your help!</p> <p>March is now here, meaning at the end of this month I will be running with several dozen other Peace Corps Volunteers for this cause (that’s only 4 weeks away!).</p> <p><strong>I’m at $305.00 so far—my goal by March 27th is $1050.00! (</strong>That’s $50 to raise per km for my 21km half-marathon.)</p> <p><strong>My goal for the end of this week is $500.00! Can you help me get there!?</strong></p> <p>For those saying they’d like to give and will get around to it, please check it off your to-do list today! It’s a Monday and I’m sure many of you are at work, looking for any excuse not to get to those TPS reports that should have been done Friday.</p> <p>If so, please follow this <a href="http://www.klm-foundation.org/">link</a> and spend a few minutes and a few dollars toward this great cause!</p> <p>If you want to know more about what this is, please see my previous blog posting <a href="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2010/02/peace-corps-volunteer-fundraising.html">here</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>A BIG THANK YOU AGAIN to all those who’ve already contributed!</strong></p> <p>(PS: There should be another blog that I posted called <a href="http://matsoninsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2010/03/animal-house.html">Animal House</a>. However, an email didn’t go out for some reason. Technical Difficulties…) ◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-17105181476981180202010-02-23T21:24:00.001+02:002010-02-23T21:24:56.194+02:00An Ending and a Beginning<p>I was meaning to post a few light-humored words about the wild creatures that go bump in the night, but instead, I feel I have to interject with a quick and very heartening story that happened today.</p> <p>Today, I was visited by my advisor from the PC, Lydia Webber. She made it out to my village to just check in and see how everyone was adjusting (myself as well as those I work and live with here in my village). Standard procedure for all new PCVs.</p> <p>During her visit, she got a chance to speak with some co-workers of mine, one-on-one. I was Lydia’s last one-on-one. While we were chatting about life in my village (I really wish I could disclose the name of my village, but cannot on a public site for security reasons…), she mentioned to me something that someone else had just told her. She recounted a story of me that happened a few weeks ago.</p> <p>A few weeks ago, I attended a funeral for the aunt of a friend of mine. The whole community came (they come to every funeral to show their support and condolences). A typical funeral takes place on a Saturday morning (early morning), which starts at the family’s house, then the walking procession takes us to the cemetery for the burial. All of this starts around 5am and usually ends around 9 or 10 in the morning. At the burial, when it’s time to bury the casket, all of the adult men, dressed in their best suits and shoes, take turns shoveling the dirt back into the grave. It takes quite some time, even with three or four shovels and several men rotating when they tire. All this time, the women and standing men passionately sing song after song until the men are finished shoveling the last of the dirt. I had always watched this happen, being one of the standing men, humming along to the tunes I started becoming familiar with from the several funerals I had been to (I think the count is around 15-20 as a guess so far). This time, something felt different, and I lined up; when the opportunity arose, I stepped into the dirt pile and started shoveling.</p> <p>After the funeral was over, the day went by and eventually the weeks did, too. I didn’t think much of it, really, since no one had approached me about it. Today, what this person told Lydia is that <em>that</em> particular moment was the turning point in my relationship with my village, where I showed the community that I accepted them and was a part of their community, and that they, too, accepted me into their community. I was told that<em> that</em> was the moment of my new relationship with the people I live with--picking up a shovel and participating with my hands and body to bury a fellow community member.</p> <p>It wasn’t the morning greetings in the street on my walk to school. It wasn’t the tea that I made for guests to my house. It wasn’t my ability to speak Setswana. It was something that I thoughtlessly stepped into because it just seemed like the <em>right</em> moment. That’s pretty incredible to me. And very  humbling. I just wanted to share that with you. <font size="3">◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></font></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-21806095694639620542010-02-12T12:30:00.001+02:002010-02-12T12:30:53.934+02:00A Peace Corps Volunteer Fundraising Marathon – Please Help Our Cause!<p> </p> <p>Hello family, friends, and those random passers-by on the Interweb!</p> <p>This coming March 27th, 2010, I will be joining dozens of other Peace Corps Volunteers in the eastern province of Mpumalanga (in South Africa) for the <strong>6th annual Longtom Marathon/Half-marathon </strong>hosted by the <strong>KLM Foundation </strong>(<a href="http://www.KLM-foundation.org">www.KLM-foundation.org</a>), founded by two former Peace Corps Volunteers.</p> <p>  </p> <p><strong>And I’m asking for <em>your</em> help! </strong>Please consider the impact of a simple contribution! A small amount of US Dollars can go <em>very</em> far in the education of a child here in South Africa.</p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>What It’s All About:</strong></p> <p>The <a href="www.klm-foundation.org">KLM Foundation</a> is a scholarship and leadership development program that provides superior secondary education for young girls and boys from previously disadvantaged, rural communities in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. KLM was created to redress the impact of apartheid on South Africa’s educational system.</p> <p>Last year, the KLM foundation raised about $15,000 through this event, and we are hoping to exceed that this year. One of the great things about donating to this particular cause is that I can assure you that your donation is going directly to fund the education of a deserving child.</p> <p>For more information, please see the <a href="www.KLM-foundation.org">KLM Website</a> or the KLM newsletter (at the bottom of this blog).</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Why Me?</strong></p> <p>I am currently training for the half-marathon here in my village. I am running for three reasons:</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UtBCZHPTI/AAAAAAAAAms/qiPeXCd-7UM/s1600-h/MatsonPreschoolers240x18014.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Matson&Preschoolers (240x180)" border="0" alt="Matson&Preschoolers (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UtEm3ZxkI/AAAAAAAAAmw/umYwrdU6b58/MatsonPreschoolers240x180_thumb12.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left">1) To show my support and acknowledge that children from disadvantaged areas still have just as much potential and just as much right to further their education and make a difference in this world. </p> <p align="left">Empowering children from a rural community to succeed and then come back to empower future generations is an incredible thing. I’ve seen it happen in my village.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UtHcpUWAI/AAAAAAAAAm0/Qn95gzfiuEQ/s1600-h/P1100056240x1804.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1100056 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1100056 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UtKkW445I/AAAAAAAAAm4/7bWoJ2AmlHc/P1100056240x180_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left">2) To get your support, too! Please help with any donation you feel comfortable making!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UtNf2hofI/AAAAAAAAAm8/f5p_fAx6Td8/s1600-h/P1100377240x1808.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1100377 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1100377 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UtQXM_fCI/AAAAAAAAAnA/mQRe0HqQzK0/P1100377240x180_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>3) To stay in shape! And, promote healthy lifestyles through running and exercise in my village. I’ve got a great team of elementary, middle, and high school kids training with me every day at 5pm for 1-2 hours!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Why You?</strong></p> <p>Please think of a reason to take 5 minutes to contribute.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How to Donate:</strong></p> <p>There are two ways to donate. You can donate <strong>any amount</strong> (it can be $100 or even just $5). Any amount helps!</p> <ul> <li><strong><u>Online:</u> </strong>visit <a href="http://www.klm-foundation.org"><strong>www.klm-foundation.org</strong></a><strong> </strong>and click the photo where it says <strong>Donate</strong>. This will bring you to a <strong><em>secure</em></strong> http connection. Then, be sure to include my name (Matson Contardo) in the Longtom Marathon field. </li> </ul> <p>or</p> <p><strong><u></u></strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><u>Check:</u></strong> Make out a check to: <i><strong>Kgwale Le Mollo (US)</strong></i> </li> </ul> <p>Put a post-it note saying the donation is in your name with the check. </p> <p>Mail it to: </p> <p align="center"><strong>KLM Foundation (US)</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>c/o Bowen Hsu</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>461 So. Bonita Avenue</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Pasadena, CA 91107</strong></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5">~THANK YOU!!!!~</font> </strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UtSzfW0sI/AAAAAAAAAnE/t6uC4-jvEpE/s1600-h/P1100070240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1100070 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1100070 (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UtV0JIxDI/AAAAAAAAAnI/-KDiiBtkE7s/P1100070240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UtYppfj4I/AAAAAAAAAnM/E3WnKnGjc-A/s1600-h/P1090700240x180240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1090700 (240x180) (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1090700 (240x180) (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UtbRI-lHI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/K5koF6J2-Cg/P1090700240x180240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UteDeNDfI/AAAAAAAAAnU/8xUszEX4tbs/s1600-h/P1100369240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1100369 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1100369 (240x180)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UthdcjeWI/AAAAAAAAAnY/VsDPYnH4ICY/P1100369240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3Utk-aAugI/AAAAAAAAAnc/YZEpKy_royE/s1600-h/P1100356240x1808.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1100356 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1100356 (240x180)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UtoICfrvI/AAAAAAAAAng/skLceJfxxL8/P1100356240x180_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>KLM Website:</strong></p> <p>Check out <a href="http://www.KLM-foundation.org">www.KLM-foundation.org</a> (great website with a lot of information)</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>KLM Holiday 2009 Newsletter:</strong></p> <p>(I realize it’s a bit small and difficult to read, but this blog editor does not allow me to post PDFs. You can try clicking on the photo below to open a larger version or email me and I will send you the original PDF, which is much easier to read.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3UtrZrH-tI/AAAAAAAAAnk/kFcfzfbTO_E/s1600-h/Holiday_Flyer_2009_FINAL25Nov097.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Holiday_Flyer_2009,_FINAL (25Nov09)" border="0" alt="Holiday_Flyer_2009,_FINAL (25Nov09)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S3Ut1tQfElI/AAAAAAAAAno/RM_3H6YF7x0/Holiday_Flyer_2009_FINAL25Nov09_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="1337" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Thank you, again.◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-49750378521398504402010-01-17T17:59:00.001+02:002010-01-17T17:59:18.600+02:00First Day of School<p>January 13th marked the first day of school for the learners in my village. I woke up that morning excited because it was <em>my</em> first day, too. But this time, I would be on the other side of the desk.</p> <p>The first day is always exciting—new books, new friends, new stories to tell. As a new educator, mine was no different. I was very excited to get to know my two new classes. I am teaching Grade 5 Technology (about 45 learners) and Grade 10 Physical Science (19 learners) for the coming year. My first day and first week were better than I could have imagined!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S1Mzw-NVPDI/AAAAAAAAAmk/NQW71QN8fRs/s1600-h/P1110574240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110574 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110574 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S1Mz0YRBn6I/AAAAAAAAAmo/swcInELbCf8/P1110574240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Of course, as is tradition in many American families, there always has to be a First Day of School photo. (Mom, you can add this to my other first days of school.)</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The learners in Grade 5 on the first day were rather quiet for me. They followed directions, but I could tell they seemed hesitant of their new teacher, whether it was my accent, my speaking English, the color of my skin, or just that I was new (maybe a combination). Whatever it was, they’d bashfully smile and giggle at my requests and not much more, but after some coaxing and gestures, they got to working on their in-class assignments. I was anticipating such a reaction, so I brought my world maps with me just in case of a reluctant class. After asking a few volunteers to help hold the map (master map holders!) and others to come to the front and guess where America was, I got a blaze of hands flailing in the air and grasping for attention just so that Mr. T (me) would call on them to come to the board and have a swing at pointing out America on the map. And with some help, we found it! Way over across the ocean, even! Who would have thought that someone could travel that far—and how long!? 18 hours in an airplane!? Woooowwww…</p> <p>I wish I could say Grade 10 was prepared to have class with me, but alas, they were busy getting books and supplies for all their classes. So, our first official class was postponed until Friday. When we did finally have class, they were right there, following along with me! They raised their hands with questions and answers; they interrupted me if they didn’t understand something I said (which I encouraged any time they couldn’t understand my accent); they started working on their first homework assignment I gave to them; and after class, there were some learners who approached me with more clarification questions! It was a dream-class come true for me. Now, these things I mentioned may seem a little basic in some of your minds, but let me mention that for many reasons, this is a good sign for the first week: first off, I’ve observed as well as test-taught a class or two since being here and noticed the lack of participation by the learners overall; and secondly, I am not a professional teacher by any means, so I’m starting from the basics and taking it one step at a time; and thirdly, I’m new to them as an educator, so I can’t expect us to all walk into the same classroom and have the same expectations right away. But, we’re getting to know each other and this is a very good start. Now, I’m not trying to count my chickens before they hatch, but I can’t help but be cautiously optimistic about our year together.</p> <p>Friday’s class with Grade 5 was just as productive and fun—for all of us! The learners came prepared for the lesson and had a fun review on safety using our whole body (we all stand up, point to each body part and speak together): <em>head</em>—think about safety; <em>ears</em>—listen to instructions; <em>eyes</em>—watch out for dangerous situations; <em>mouth</em>—tell someone if you see something dangerous; <em>hands</em>—watch where you put your hands when you work; <em>tools</em> (hold onto your pencil or a ruler)—keep tools clean and organized; and <em>feet</em> (this one makes everyone laugh: everyone grabs their foot)—walk carefully when you are working! We even drew our own picture of a person to go along with it; as a class, we decided to name him “Boy.” Safety first—it’s a lesson we don’t want to learn the hard way!</p> <p>So, I guess I should explain why they call me Mr. T. Back in September when I first arrived to my village, I was given my Setswana name, Thuto (“2-toh”), by the community. <em>Thuto</em> means ‘education’ in Setswana—rather fitting, don’t you think? Since then, it’s grown on me to be almost as close as my real American name. I am Thuto to everyone here. I also took on my host family’s surname, Mongwaketse. I love the name, what it means and the fact that the community gave it to me. There are a few variations that I’ve come to respond to: Thutas, Thuta, Mr. T, Mr. Thuto, Mr. Mongwaketse, and whatever else someone wants to call me. Nna ke Thuto Mongwaketse (I am Thuto Mongwaketse). So, that’s the story behind Mr. T.</p> <p>My final thought: the one worry that I had coming into this as a new educator, which intimidated me to no end about teaching, was the assessments and how to go about being fair and give an appropriate workload to the learners. However, in just a few short days, my fears have quickly dwindled, now seeing that all assessments and workload recommendations are given from above. The National Curriculum Standard (NCS) through the National Dept. of Education has everything set up through their guidelines so that everything is standardized down to the very basic level. I now feel at ease with a big weight lifted off my shoulder—someone already took care of the hard part and left the fun part for me: being in class with the kids.</p> <p>This is going to be a good year. <font size="3">◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></font></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-8081953859174121032010-01-14T08:46:00.001+02:002010-01-14T08:46:05.107+02:00A Vacation Like No Other<p>What happened in three weeks felt like three months, but what happened will stay with me for a lifetime.</p> <p>But first, a very happy holiday season to all of you! I hope everyone’s celebrations were safe and festive! Mine here in South Africa were as diverse as the country itself. South Africa showed me the many ways life is appreciated and the holidays, enjoyed. Here are my adventures in pictures…</p> <p>My holiday stories start off with a visit from my friend, Liz Doane, who was just ending her semester-long escapade through eastern and southern Africa. She arrived on the 15th of December and spent a week in my village and was given the Setswana name, Olorato, which means <em>God</em> <em>loves</em>. </p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S0661XRmBnI/AAAAAAAAAh8/VB4e5W8CTVo/s1600-h/P1110081240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110081 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110081 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S0664dncdQI/AAAAAAAAAiA/LxtfhdMMm-0/P1110081240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Liz and the kids playing ball. They loved her and took to her right away!</p> <p>  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S0666-keA1I/AAAAAAAAAiE/BnsC9lB1h_s/s1600-h/PA180088240x1809.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="PA180088 (240x180)" border="0" alt="PA180088 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S066-zoAN3I/AAAAAAAAAiI/_zyOUNLsKLU/PA180088240x180_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right">We hunted all afternoon in the forest for just the right mini-Christmas tree. We ended up finding the perfect one right in my backyard.  We decorated it with red and green sewing string and donned it with paper ornaments stuck on with sticky-tack.</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">At this point, I’d love to share Liz’s first chicken-butchering experience, with visual evidence for those that doubt. However, due to the graphic content of the photographs, I must refrain from posting them on this public site in fear of PETA advocates complaining about cruelty to animals. But, you can probably get the gist of it…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067BKWwJQI/AAAAAAAAAiM/DFe5wdT_C8w/s1600-h/P1110104240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110104 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110104 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067EroXbsI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/xrNTpJjQbHY/P1110104240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="right">We were visited by several <em>friends</em> one night at my house…</p> <p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeCHul8xKANlyONPXB1e9MRG89eo_szqHB6KDxtqTAScNSkgLT8XEqlXj3TogQQDhuR30j8Dy4JaUxsj2D9jyVR4G61iAeBV2rQCksoBwhRCHL1qMbxRnJ0uFsEsGRXtqbQxwSVK75djv/s1600-h/P1110097240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110097 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110097 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067MNrAmuI/AAAAAAAAAic/nuBdYOo8BO0/P1110097240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067RUez3SI/AAAAAAAAAig/VCi8DbyfFMs/s1600-h/P111010412.jpg"></a></p> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067RUez3SI/AAAAAAAAAik/i0c0xrueLzo/s1600-h/P111010411.jpg"></a></p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">I swear, Liz must have brought them with her because in one night, we saw two scorpions, a snake, and a skunk—all in our yard.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067Y9e97dI/AAAAAAAAAis/1TrcjM5-dyQ/s1600-h/P1110111240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110111 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110111 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067bYA_L8I/AAAAAAAAAiw/Gb0bnF-q6H8/P1110111240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="right">Liz and I were baking extraordinaires! Well, Liz more than me, evidently…</p> <p align="right">(Warning, banana advocates: bananas <em>were</em> hurt during the making of this bread.)</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067eLc7JlI/AAAAAAAAAi0/aNMaPzVcIUs/s1600-h/P1110121240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110121 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110121 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067ho1WUQI/AAAAAAAAAi4/uG2jb4mKjuk/P1110121240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We hosted a braai (BBQ/party) for some of our friends in the village. Reasons to celebrate?? Liz coming, me leaving, the festive holiday season, my golden birthday, and just because!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDR1dBjRWNX1NGEjEa25obeVTC0Qw3I1x7Lotz-iGhtBx3j90OHax9aXX2vZEDgxjuayKD2FknAieb5xK-T31voKQ7Xn-AapNQ3V2pW6w5Gon4q8XDxzB14uEHx_PkyMY91v3Rlh6Bazp/s1600-h/PA180087240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="PA180087 (240x180)" border="0" alt="PA180087 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067oQRnOvI/AAAAAAAAAjA/NG-owk68Plc/PA180087240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right">But, of course, I had to be oblivious to my friends’ preparations and find out the hard way about their impromptu <em>birthday christening</em>. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067q6AjMjI/AAAAAAAAAjE/O1ygo7brw88/s1600-h/P1110130240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110130 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110130 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067tmNqPGI/AAAAAAAAAjI/7JVas9MwXmc/P1110130240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Playing games into the wee hours of the night!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067wfmSYoI/AAAAAAAAAjM/cewPesqkTls/s1600-h/P1110138240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110138 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110138 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067zIFkFSI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/yJ-DRKCn5Fw/P1110138240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>It got <em>extremely</em> hot one day, so Liz and I decided to have a “pool” party in the yard. We gathered zinc basins and filled them with water. We put on our suits and jumped in! Fried chicken, chocolate, sangria, and music. It was heaven on earth.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S0671vWjWSI/AAAAAAAAAjU/zQ-Q2HXRT2Q/s1600-h/P1110181240x1805.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1110181 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110181 (240x180)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S0674gsixrI/AAAAAAAAAjY/cfIMCocEzlo/P1110181240x180_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GlUkj6SP-Mgx1ZSAIx1nI_PPfxnr1MOVdLpTxY0bhSWzJ5nplBj4rYXbfBeSr6RG3O7qhrDkgSEwLwE04Po5pmE8rqNHWAx3yzt8ibc60gI_IyupEOOWnNwS8cJ7i2j1LbONbfZMVGLq/s1600-h/P1110187240x1805.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1110187 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110187 (240x180)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S067-Cs8xdI/AAAAAAAAAjg/YbziM1vPbvc/P1110187240x180_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068AivQAAI/AAAAAAAAAjk/rT0RubNzyy4/s1600-h/P1110189240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110189 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110189 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068Duln81I/AAAAAAAAAjo/_EdD6T_1ze8/P1110189240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> We even made homemade pizzas! They were amazing—I’m not even going to be modest. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068F4y2ELI/AAAAAAAAAjs/k2pD3vylzXM/s1600-h/P1110196240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110196 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110196 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068I2mJXWI/AAAAAAAAAjw/ng5OG88BPjM/P1110196240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> After Liz and I finished our village adventures, we headed together in the taxis to Pretoria on the 22nd of December. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068Lb8JK9I/AAAAAAAAAj0/JV5Qw4XPTmA/s1600-h/P1110211240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110211 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110211 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068Olo7S3I/AAAAAAAAAj4/F0wvX2u4SYI/P1110211240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right">  We had our one last evening of partying for a last hoorah before Liz had to get her flight back to the States. We met some incredible people that night who offered to bring Liz to the airport. (Yet another example of amazing South African generosity!) </p> <p>I then met up with my friend and fellow PCV, Gabi, who joined me to go stay with my old host family from when we were training outside of Pretoria. We spent Christmas with them and family. It was one of the most incredible ways I’ve spent Christmas and my birthday. Of course, nothing can replace spending Christmas with my true family, but if I were to spend it anywhere else, this was a great place to be! The most enjoyable part of celebrating Christmas and my golden birthday with them was the emphasis on just spending time with family and enjoying meals together. There was no holiday stress or hurried preparation of guests, or worries about gifts—there <em>were</em> no gifts to be exchanged! And it was great! We just focused on being with each other. I didn’t even bury my face behind the lens the whole day. Instead, how did I decide to celebrate my birthday? I napped outside under a tree. I always wanted a summer birthday, so I was taking full advantage of the incredible weather. What a memorable day. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068RPzDYFI/AAAAAAAAAj8/ETDu9juA8sQ/s1600-h/P1110230240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110230 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110230 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068To2XdPI/AAAAAAAAAkA/f3mJ4Dw2bd4/P1110230240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>The day after Christmas, Gabi and I took off to Durban by bus, but not before a freak hail storm and flash floods ripped through Jo’burg. There was so much hail that it gathered together and looked like snow. I got my white Christmas in summer in the end!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEht4YdUH5gedMzEqSRWXE6PzpwaLcg1rxeZNl0K8pgQNhrlszHvde-rgxYQOsVv3V_a8Q62SsLgfybkLM1VA9m0bU8J8rivjicivg44yc_ZkBPpyewU0zGVhuCOFk3f1cLlbqyBkkH4Hm/s1600-h/P1110243240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110243 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110243 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068ZcNYnoI/AAAAAAAAAkI/QMHhzFa4ejY/P1110243240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> In Durban, we were picked up by a friend of a friend, Jackie, who took Gabi and I in for the entire week! She’s an absolute saint. Thank you, Jackie, for your unbelievable hospitality!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068b3Rc9hI/AAAAAAAAAkM/Dg25A0JnzQg/s1600-h/P1110250240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110250 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110250 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068eZo-HiI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/2GOhfAXJ5JU/P1110250240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="right">We had a true Durban curry dinner at Jackie’s friend’s house. What an incredible meal and even better company!</p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068go7DDUI/AAAAAAAAAkU/V8K4ypXQiNo/s1600-h/P1110239240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110239 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110239 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068jU97ryI/AAAAAAAAAkY/B_iGpGzCjVE/P1110239240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>This is Durban in the summer—cloudy, muggy, and rainy. But still a blast!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068m_q9kCI/AAAAAAAAAkc/5UFz8JYqhjg/s1600-h/P1110288240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110288 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110288 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068qt_nzyI/AAAAAAAAAkg/YmdJ2Mh_6dU/P1110288240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="right">We went to Mitchell Park Zoo (admission was only R5=$0.66!) and the most surprising part was that they had raccoons on display. I did some rodent education to some curious South African spectators. I found out our raccoons are like their monkeys—cute but big troublemakers!</p> <p>   <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068tkTINDI/AAAAAAAAAkk/Wi0K-UJQCT4/s1600-h/P1110360240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110360 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110360 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068xSNF0LI/AAAAAAAAAko/8MMJun8I_lM/P1110360240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>     <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S0681tXqZ6I/AAAAAAAAAks/DWDa5zAfkQY/s1600-h/P1110392240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110392 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110392 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S0684cB16-I/AAAAAAAAAkw/jo1SNqQR4do/P1110392240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>       </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>At the botanical gardens…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S0687ElgCaI/AAAAAAAAAk0/VjJyU0e_wq4/s1600-h/P1110395240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110395 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110395 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S068-dVW6LI/AAAAAAAAAk4/rrjGNmc7S2E/P1110395240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S069BItvrJI/AAAAAAAAAk8/fw_gcRVyJoA/s1600-h/P1110394240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110394 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110394 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S069ErtuuLI/AAAAAAAAAlA/r9q-KpZeU7w/P1110394240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S069IXMNNdI/AAAAAAAAAlE/y5TqpJLkLpc/s1600-h/P1110400240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110400 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110400 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S069MKiYMvI/AAAAAAAAAlI/bTzAnLHuP4g/P1110400240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Traditional Zulu dancers performing for a crowd. Truly an incredible dance—much different from the traditional Setswana dancing I’ve grown familiar with in my area of South Africa.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S069O2NyXLI/AAAAAAAAAlM/lxLq7_zkelc/s1600-h/P1110402240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110402 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110402 (240x180)" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOZIPZQWR76SYggetySKl1OShc4uLGid3h5juZdvr_bIEv9eex9p7iVGZVdjZv-5uz1L0spfeaEQ0QsyIOs318jYMFIkFaXhhnwa6cGKkGbUu9OgJpbxCyBuuYnwHzErAUn9E0kKdpvk0/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right">My first <em>bunny</em> <em>chow</em>—curry and mutton in a hollowed out loaf of bread. Delicious! </p> <p>  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S069VAoU1_I/AAAAAAAAAlU/Na2rgrY0QWc/s1600-h/P1110424240x1806.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110424 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110424 (240x180)" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S069YIN5-5I/AAAAAAAAAlY/79mKqhUfvxQ/P1110424240x180_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Liz’s friend, Kyle, his friend, Ruth, Gabi, and I took a harbor tour around Durban. So many great people and so many great things to do in the city!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S069as7GKAI/AAAAAAAAAlc/QjL1p2Peqi8/s1600-h/P1110453240x1807.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1110453 (240x180)" border="0" alt="P1110453 (240x180)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S069dk3D-sI/AAAAAAAAAlg/6BurJyTILXQ/P1110453240x180_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Kyle pointed out to me that these shipping cranes in the harbor look like giant metal giraffes coming to drink.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S069gKYV_OI/AAAAAAAAAlk/v8vnSoRLnbk/s1600-h/P1110405Stitch1500x1378.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1110405 Stitch 1 (500x137)" border="0" alt="P1110405 Stitch 1 (500x137)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S069jRUq18I/AAAAAAAAAlo/ii74l84no6Y/P1110405Stitch1500x137_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="141" /></a>  Durban panoramas from Currie Road lookout.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvt4RPiaFOacEJxHzdVLjMq6B8neHphRUyYoBgM6Gbi3Vf0_urIZYZTg8AIUoZHKDiMQVubRuzFeSIo9BkLqvgeMzggUULmQ6EoVvfmGkRL_KLYtq4eI-x0UET4pEn4dvV-_T6RdtvqJd/s1600-h/P1110465Stitch500x1377.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P1110465 Stitch (500x137)" border="0" alt="P1110465 Stitch (500x137)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/S069ozkoibI/AAAAAAAAAlw/iH8jdYv7N1Q/P1110465Stitch500x137_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="141" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>And now, I’ll share with you the other side of my holidays…</p> <p>The first section of this blog, alone, will lead you to believe that this vacation was just like any other vacation, full of good times with an easy-living, care-free lifestyle. To some extent, it was. However, there was a whole other side to my experience in Durban and Pretoria and I’d like to share that here because I feel it is extremely important to point out.</p> <p>Unlike any other vacation I’ve ever  taken, this one was truly a learning experience and an unforgettable one at that, which I’ll explain. I find it somewhat ironic how vacations are usually thought of as an escape from reality, and this one was everything but that. It slapped me in the face with cold, hard reality.</p> <p>The reality of this “vacation” first became evident when I experienced a slight, but noticeable, amount of culture shock coming into the “developed” part of South Africa. For three months, I had been living a “simple” life where I fetched my own water, bathed without plumbing, and used one foot of gravity for water pressure. I lived daily with bugs and other creatures that go bump in the night (not a problem at all!). I constantly heard the sound of roosters and farm animals, and rarely the sound of traffic. But in Durban, everything changed. I was given a shower with water pressure like non-other (even in the States); I had the luxury of a full kitchen at my disposal with a grocery store nearby; coffee shops, restaurants, clubs, movie theaters, a swimming pool, paved roads and sidewalks, an ice-skating rink, giant shopping mall, etc…and I had basically every other “luxury” that any “developed” region would consider standard. In many ways, I felt like I was back in America.</p> <p>Upon getting over my culture shock, I quickly adapted to this new life in Durban for the week. I soaked it all in for all it was worth. But in the back of my mind, I truly missed my village and couldn’t wait to get back home to it. Strange, but true.</p> <p>The conversations I had with the people I had met were as diverse as the country itself. I shared my experiences in the village with my newly befriended Durbanites and Pretorians. Some were pleased with the Peace Corps’ mission and my work in the village, some were empathetically weary for me living the way I was, but most had never experienced being in a rural village. Now, here, I believe it is important to explain clearly that I mean absolutely <em>no</em> disrespect to anyone who relates to these people I speak of. I don’t, by any means, mean to preach, but rather, I want to share honestly how I felt about the separation I noticed between these two worlds that share the same flag. Many times it was hard to have a conversation and explain myself clearly about my perceptions of village life because I felt misunderstood or that I simply couldn’t convince someone of how truly amazing and life-changing my experiences in my village have been. I was often met with skepticism. Many times since arriving in South Africa, I’ve been given opportunities like these to share my experiences and give a new perception of rural South Africa with those that a curious appetite for life outside of their known world. And I usually appreciate the conversations because it gives me a chance to be a “representative” of the village (sort of) and try to dispel any misconceptions of village life. They are truly teachable moments! However, I don’t know if it was just the sheer quantity of these conversations happening on a daily basis, the intensity of them, or the fact that it was happening while I was supposed to be on “vacation.” But either way, it started catching up to me and really affecting me internally and I started to see a new South Africa. It allowed me to take a step back and see even more than what was right in front of me in my small, sleepy village, and start to see what South African urbanites see.</p> <p>It was when I got to the taxi rank in Pretoria heading back home that I had time to think and let it all hit me. I had a seven-hour taxi ride home and during the entire trip, I couldn’t get my mind off of what I had experienced, nor could I wrap my mind around it.</p> <p>Now, having time to think, pray, and talk about it, I understand just a little better what happened on my vacation. My vacation was not just a vacation like I thought it would be—it had become so much more. It was indeed a life-changing experience.</p> <p>When I first got the news that I was going to South Africa, I was excited to know that it had metropolitan areas within hours of where I’d be living. It made me excited because I thought it would be easy for my family and friends to come visit. I now appreciate being in South Africa for a totally different reason. Allow me to explain: if I had been in a “deep, rural, African village” somewhere in the bush, I would have spent two years there and gotten used to my new lifestyle and surroundings, only to experience the culture shock Peace Corps cautions us about when we integrate back into American life at the end of two years; it would be then that I would become truly sympathetic to the situation I just came out of. Being in South Africa, however, our situation is unique: we, as South African Peace Corps <strike>Volunteers</strike> Villagers, have so many opportunities to travel to these "developed” cities and be constantly reminded of the huge separation (both, economically and socially) between these two worlds. Having said this, I can now come back to my village with a new understanding that I couldn’t have gotten, had I not come back from a “developed” city and experienced what I did…and what’s more, I can now come back to the village, refueled and ready to continue to do something about it. Seeing and experiencing this inequality is extremely motivating on a personal level, now, more than ever: it’s not about just any two, non-specific demographics of people. One is a life I used to be a part of; the other is the life I now live with a family that’s taken me in as their own; I feel inseparable with both communities, and that’s the hardest part to explain. It’s not fair and it’s not OK. These people—my friends and new family—deserve to be given just as many opportunities. Whoever said <em>life isn’t fair</em> is speaking the truth, but that doesn’t negate the fact that life <em>should</em> be fair and we, as human beings, shouldn’t turn a blind eye to our neighbors or stop caring anytime soon.</p> <p>Too, I realize that the next time I go back to these cities, I will have to be mentally prepared and ready to have more conversations and more teachable moments to those willing to listen—to listen not only with their ears, but with their empathetic (and I hope someday, sympathetic) hearts. I appreciate South Africa so much more for the diversity, and where it is in its journey in becoming a true Rainbow Nation.</p> <p>Quoting my friend and fellow PCV, Dave, who’s words brought me peace of mind to this toiling juncture in my service, “<em>I know it’s not a good feeling, but it’s heartening that you feel it. Your service is already more meaningful because of it.” </em>(Thanks for your words, Dave.)</p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401056105621128013.post-78668022828762777372009-11-12T23:24:00.001+02:002009-11-12T23:24:23.039+02:00The World Is Flat<p align="left"><font size="3">I</font>t’s true. The world <em>is </em>flat.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/Svx8jyFIEbI/AAAAAAAAAhI/cJ-VmAjHrzA/s1600-h/Bona-Bona%20Sunset%20%28240x180%29.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/Svx8moJ7zEI/AAAAAAAAAhM/thWnU2I2zHs/Bona-Bona%20Sunset%20%28240x180%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>This is undeniably true and I will give two reasons for believing as such:</p> <p>1) The world has an edge; I fell off the face of the Earth, at least for as much as many of you all were concerned. True, I <em>did </em>make some late-night phone calls, write a few emails, and even sneak on Facebook at time or two. But, for the most part, this blog remained untouched for a good part of four months. This isn’t to say that I didn’t want to share my experiences with you all through the World Wide Interwebs—definitely not true; I most certainly did (and still do). It isn’t to say that I didn’t want to share the photos of what I’ve seen through my lens—also not true; I’ll post as many photos as my bandwidth (and subsequently, my pocketbook) allows. I guess it’s simply that here in South Africa, life’s been one incredible experience followed by another with only a few slow moments to rest in between. I won’t try to explain what these “incredible experiences” are like in this blog posting—it would take days writing non-stop to give you a true picture of what I mean. Even so, I don’t think I could ever write enough or take enough photos to achieve what I want to share about how normal, yet—at the same time—completely unique, my daily life is. We’ve got two years for that and I’ve got a long and growing list titled <em>Things to Blog About</em> of things jotted down that I can’t wait to share with you.</p> <p>(I want to interject here to explain what I meant before when I wrote “slow moments.” I don’t mean “boring ones,” not in the least. The evenings slow down and I often find myself enjoying a cup of rooibos tea outside in front of the house as the sun sets with my host mother, MmaTebo, or with neighbor elders that are passing by and stop to chat, all of which I value more and more as time goes on; it gives me a chance to appreciate the peace that life can bring once I slow down.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/Svx8pCWlQDI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/5nRK27X2WiY/s1600-h/Bona-Bona%20Windmill%20%28240x180%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/Svx8sPWyniI/AAAAAAAAAhU/wy8BLusi8Oo/Bona-Bona%20Windmill%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>2) The world here is flat in the most literal meaning possible. My village in the western part of North West Province is a dusty, rocky stretch of shrubs and sand, dotted with trees here and there, but flat as the eye can see. There isn’t a hill in sight. Granted, the landscape isn’t the most spectacular, nor is it something I write home about, but it has it’s noticeable benefits, which have become more and more apparent as I’ve looked for them. The most obvious are the sunsets and sunrises. If you’ve ever traveled to the flat parts of Utah or other similar areas in the southwest and noticed the skies, you'll hopefully agree that the skies can explode with color and spectacular cloud shapes with nothing obstructing the view.  I’ve seen more beautiful sunsets sitting outside my house than I can count. I’ve had to put away my camera because if I didn’t, I’d become obsessed.  Other reasons I’ve learned to love the flatness of my village is the ease of getting from point A to point B on foot with relative ease. Since we’re not allowed to operate a motorized vehicle in the Peace Corps, I go basically everywhere on foot, and the occasional donkey cart (yes, there are a lot of them—more carts than cars). I am so very thankful there are no hills to battle with. Add a hill or two to the dry heat we’re experiencing (high 90’s this week) and I’m not sure if I’d survive. I’ve got friends who deal with hills in their villages and it doesn’t sound fun. Yet another reason to appreciate this landscape: we get terrific thunderstorms that start on the horizon with some absolutely spectacular  shows of lightning, followed by a cool stiff wind which feels great after the heat. Finally, the flat expanses remind me of home on the plains of Minnesota—not quite as green, but still comforting to be able to see all your surroundings.</p> <p>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/Svx8u0fT01I/AAAAAAAAAhY/hYCLZ42PSic/s1600-h/P1090341%20%28240x180%29%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/Svx8x-fqTxI/AAAAAAAAAhc/Ch6Or7WARU4/P1090341%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/Svx80iSwIrI/AAAAAAAAAhg/iT0LUmR4PDY/s1600-h/Soccer%20at%20Sunset%20%28240x180%29%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/Svx83PtZcnI/AAAAAAAAAhk/x8mUrY3046I/Soccer%20at%20Sunset%20%28240x180%29_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>More than anything else that I want to share with you now, I will explain this: living here in a sleepy, dusty village in rural North West Province is truly an enriching experience, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. I look forward to the opportunity during the next two years to share what I can with you of my life in South Africa through words and pictures, and to give you a glimpse of the obvious and maybe not-so-obvious dichotomies of daily life in the village, which I’m learning about every day.◊ <em>Salang Sentle—Stay Well</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/Svx86Gu5HgI/AAAAAAAAAho/ASjtmdeUPAo/s1600-h/P1090002b%20%28480x281%29%5B17%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-EfQP_rz4XY/Svx89lmxN5I/AAAAAAAAAhs/4-1m0PyhhJU/P1090002b%20%28480x281%29_thumb%5B15%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="284" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9idN8L0NyZQOtj7Nvk3K9b2ioa0nA0t-0dRpQYZtc9qCy-RpTn7m1icIA34wl9N04ui6r6IW9TIHMzcpO6N9JwkRGA1DADPkaYjQ8ZqISol3on8x0BXjhUceKep8Ik3kY2w-hBU2maJm/s1600-h/P1090002b%20(480x281)%5B13%5D.jpg"> </a></p> Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00555911598727672011noreply@blogger.com2