Oh Sunday, Sunday.

Today is Sunday. I did my laundry. In lots of buckets. And while waiting for these items to dry while they blow in the smoke (I now realize that my clothes are drying on the line that is right beside where my host family is cooking outside today on the fire so my clothes will now smell like a campfire the next time I wear them - ahh, this is the life), I thought I would jot down a few of my deepest thoughts.


I am still on the verge of pulling my eyeballs out because I don’t understand 99% of the conversations that happen around me. Occasionally I can pick out words, “Bolela, tsebe, kereke, lapile, etc.” but the context and tone has me all confused with the many “aowa’s” and “ee’s” which just mean no and yes but sometimes bleed into other words. And then there are the “what what’s” which are thrown into conversation which just basically seem to be English slang words that are included as part of the common language/vocabulary. I have so much to learn. But, the good news. After a long and very difficult search (I literally started asking everyone that I would come into contact with that was remotely interested in my plea because I was so desperate to find someone to help me) I think I have found a language tutor. My host father’s niece introduced me to a recently graduated high school student that is going to come twice a week to help tutor me (cross your fingers she doesn’t back out)! It seems that teaching an American the language of Sepedi is not a fun job and therefore finding a tutor has been a difficult task. But, I have faith that my learning will progress quickly with my young teacher. And, if not, I will just give up.  Aowa!

In other news, I have somewhat adopted a dog. It is actually my neighbor’s dog but in a quest to make a new friend (I am the only one that doesn’t scare the dog or chase it away – they don’t really relate to the concept of keeping a dog as a pet here), I have landed myself a new pet. The dog now sleeps outside my door and lets me pet her (after quite a bit of coaxing). I wanted to name her “Bell” but after the request to translate the word bell into Sepedi (which was my original request to my host family) there has been some perplexion. They don’t know the Sepedi word for bell or maybe they just don’t know what I am asking which could definitely be the case (why would I want to have the dog as a pet and give it a name)? So, I may have to rethink her name or just keep calling her mpsa (which is dog).

At my organization I am learning about the work that is done on a day to day basis and although I feel that I am still in the observation stage (I won’t take on any projects for a while), it will be somewhere that I can contribute. I got to meet an great group of kids on Friday that was started by the previous voluteer (excellent work, Nick). He put together a program that helps teach them leadership skills. I am really excited about working more with this group.

Oh, and I also (accidentally) watched a chicken get slaughtered. It was the strangest thing. I was sitting outside my organization this week with the women (not understanding much that was being said but sitting there anyway as we were having a tea break) and all of a sudden one of the cooks grabs something from a large bucket and before I can look away I realize what is happening.  She has grabbed a chicken from the bucket and is taking her large knife and off comes the head in one swift maneuver. It was awful and fascinating at the same time. And then she just started working away and I couldn’t stop watching (well, I had to turn my head occasionally like I was watching a scary movie) but it was quite amazing.  This is a skill that I don't think I will master during my time here in South Africa.  But, wow. 

I am looking forward to getting the mail you will all be sending me soon so that when I head back to the post office (I have to take a taxi part of the way there and then walk not “too far but a little far” is the way to describe it here in South Africa) I have something to retrieve!  It is very disappointing to open an empty mailbox (that is my guilt trip to get you all to write)...much love to everyone.

Next post I will put up more pictures!