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Published: February 24th 2006
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Soccer Boy, Student, and President (Yesterday)
Us with some of our kids in costume. The kids from left to right are Sukhumzi, Zolani, and Simphiwe. And yes, I can say their names. It's been a busy two days and no longer as melancholy. As a caveat -this will probably be longer than usual because I have two days to cover
Yesterday was a first day of filming. While our CPT make-up/wardrobe did a lot of work for us, there was still a lot of little things for us to find. So we split up and it kinda felt like a mission -we had to get all these things and had no idea what we were doing. But of course Nichole and I did the damn thing -and our lazy selves decided to hire a taxi while we went around time. The higlight of our trip revolved around two things -the indoor mall with our three favorite spots: Woolworth's (Target/K-mart), Pic-n-Pay (food), and Click's (Long's) and the Chinaman store (their terminology, not mine). I thought that the Asian guy in there would have a South African accent -but it was just like accent back home...lol. Anyways, during our mission we ended up talking to a lot of different people -Afrikaneers, blacks, and Indians and they all had different things to say about each other.
James House was chaotic today because of the
Babalwe and Amelia (Yesterday)
Here are our two lovely ladies playing divas! Don't they look lovely?? filming. The kids were loving the make-up and costumes and it was hard to get everything done in an organized fashion -much to the frustration of Nichole and myself. LOL. But we let it go. Everyone looked great and were so happy. Just in case you are an avid follower of my blog, we didn't get shoes for everyone -but no one held it against us. I think one of the best things about today for me was just realizing that we've formed relationships with these kids. Different kids have responded to each of us differently -but I'm just glad people are forming connections. Just to note, our SA volunteers are a-rght, they just get on my nerves a little bit all for different reasons. LOL. But you know me.
We also got to go into their township today. It's known as Mandela's Park. We went to check out the hall where we will be hosting the screening on Monday. It was interesting driving into the township -yes there are shanties, but also proper houses, and stores. It was of course different, but also very familiary. It had the same sense of collective community that Philippines had. People were
A Cute Couple (Yesterday)
Ok, ok. They are not together. But still...here's Xolelani and Lisa. out chilling and music was playing. Driving up there Nichole had seen Xolelani and waved and by the time we arrived at the hall -also known was the Green Container, some of our kids were there. So we checked out the hall and spent a some time just talking to our kids and palying with new ones. Me and a group of 2-4 year old boys spent a lot of time giving each other hi-fives. They were so cute because they would run up to me and stick their cute little hands out. While we were talking to our own boys -Nichole and I both got asked to be people's girlfriends. But its funny because its not a big thing here -that whole question of inappropriate touch or discussions. As a sidenote, even my own sense of touch has changed here. When you hug, a kiss (peck, not suck) on the neck is quite common. At first I was weirded out because usually that's reserved for someone you are intimate with -but not so here. Anyways, back to the township. The cutest thing is that some little kid was playing with a red toy convertible -the kind little kids can
Harry Potter (Yesterday)
This is Anele -he wanted his character name to be Harry Potter. His character is also well versed in martial arts. And yes, that is an H on his forehead which stands for Harry. LOL. sit in and move around in. Xolelani, who barely says anything to me, turns to me and announces that he will take me to America in this car. How adorable is that!
Today was another happy day. We are all tired because its the end, but we did it. I can't believe it was the last day working day with them. Thing went relatively smoothly -it was hella hot today though. I also was an extra in the grand finale, which is the first movie I've been willing to be part of. That shows you how much I love it here.
I was talking to the three divas today -Lindelwa aka Karabo, Babalwe aka Cheriden, and Amelia aka Charity about their lives and their boyfriends. It was cute how they confided in me because at first they did not want to say anything. They also talked about living in the township and how it sucks when it rains because the water gets into the shacks and how there are a lot of gangs and drugs. Babalwe gets up at 6:00 AM so that she can wash her cousin and her sister's baby. And we talked about going to
Us Americans!
LOL. Did I mention that people thing Nichole is colored. And I'm either Chinese or Japanese -no one has ever heard of the Philippines. I'm bringing a map of the Philippines to the premiere on Monday. the university a little too.
After Movie Team today, we went to dinner with Xolani (our contact) and Tole and Vukile (his two assistants who are really the James House version of Nichole and I). Nichole is Tole because they are both loud. LOL. Just kidding Nichole (and yes, Nichole reads my blog). Anyways it was just fish and chips. The fish was either hake or snoek (bangus). I did not come all the way to South Africa to eat bangus. The hake was suuuupppppeeerr good. And Xolelani said just lovely things. Early when we were driving (I sat as a passenger where the driver usually sits) he had asked Nichole and I what the the biggest difference between them and Americans. And I said it was their immediate oppenness and genuineness. I mean not that people back home aren't capable of this -but they were so themselves immediately where was we tend to front and hold back until we are sure they can be trusted. I asked Xolani the same question and he just said that he liked how we came in there and just were ourselves also -without feeling pity for their living conditions. He said that
Waiting with the Ipod!
The boys just kicking it waiting for their next scene. The guy in the glasses in Senele -one of my favorites because he is so patient. Today he thanked both Nichole for being so sweet. these are the lives of these kids and they live it. And ya that sounds so hella obvious but it was such a beautiful thing to say. He also said that he hates it when people come and spend a few days and take a few pictures and talk to a few people and go home right a book which constitutes knowledge.
Can you tell I love it here? Hope you all are well. I miss everyone. Sorry this was soooo long.
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