Blogs from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Africa - page 10

Hello! *Caution this blog contains some sensitive topics I think this is a record, a new blog two weeks in a row! I had a full weekend and I am looking forward to a full week. While I didn’t have much time to sleep this weekend it was probably one of the best I have had here so I wanted to get some photos up right away. I will be adding more photos to this blog as I get them from friends but here is a start. I started my weekend on Friday with a Rotary lunch and then hurrying home to bake and frost 4 dozen cupcakes for the hospital Christmas party. A couple of my friends came over that night and ended up doing my hair and makeup before we went out with friends. ... read more

Hello everyone! Phew! All I am doing right now is taking a deep breath! As I have told many of you September was a very challenging month for me, to say the least. I am not exactly sure how I thought I could work part time, write a proposal, and finish my courses all at the same time! I also was dealing with some health issues which added stress. They say the only way to really know a country is to spend time in its hospitals and prisons, I guess I partially know South Africa and I am in no hurry to meet the other half! I am feeling really well now and I am enjoying a low stress October! My thesis has changed again, but I am really excited about my latest topic. My proposal ... read more

The Variety Show was on Friday 12th and was fantastic!! I'm so proud of those kids! Maryna filmed it for us and is going to send me the DVD so I can show you all :). I was however verrrrry disappointed with the staff (though you can't expect much better from them) as only four teachers turned up, and only 2 stayed til the end except for me, Samy, Kory and Jan. AND stupid lazy librarian Kenny Mafuleka - I had an argument with him the other week coz he started hitting kids in my class, and now he's giving me the silent treatment! He's running a cultural dance group and I wanted the girls to dance at the beginning of the show, which they were really excited about, but the stupid selfish childish man forbid ... read more

Hey these are just some fun differences that I have come across here in South Africa. Ill continue to add words as I hear them! SA words - American English Braai - bbq Just now - in a minute Now Now - right now Bakkie - truck Loo - toilet Jumper - sweatshirt Jersey - sweater Biscuit - cookie Crisps - chips Robots - traffic lights Berg - Mountain Cool drink/fizzy drink - soda Howzit - how are you? Bolocks - useless/stupid Lekker - cool Mealie - corn Sarmie - sandwich Takkies - sneakers Lift - elevator Boot - trunk of the car Flat - apartment School/matic - high school Varsity - University ... read more

Yesterday, I set foot on my seventh continent, Africa! So now I can check that off my bucket list. We arrived late to Richard's Bay because the overnight crossing from south of Madagasgar to the east coast of Africa was our roughest sea yet. We bounced around like an airplane in turbulence all night long. The creaking and groaning of the ship was almost scary, as if it would break apart. Drawers opened and closed in our cabin and our water pitcher slid right off the table, miracuously landing upright so the carpeting didn't get too wet. Richard's Bay is an extremely busy port. They export a huge amount of coal as well as aluminum (which they and the Brits spell and pronounce "aluminium" weirdly enough), sugar cane, wood and paper products. We were the only ... read more