blog 2.

That first blog was all about the AVI experince and getting from Sydney airport to my dwelling place in the Mananga area.  So I want to give you a better picture of what I have experienced on the other hand. It’s all yard yakka / doom n gloom.

(I’m doing this blog entry as an attachment because internet is not connecting today,  I am told this happens frequently.  I’m learning to adapt to this style of living.)

In Joberg, we stayed at Courtyard Hotel on Oxford St in Rosebank, across the road is the Holiday Inn and the Mall  ‘The Zone’ that I mentioned in blog 1.

The Courtyard, like so many places and residences in the greater Joberg area, has a very high security fence all around and a security gate with a guard 24/7.  But put that aside, behind the walls and gates is a fabulous place with very friendly staff, especially Harold, who has been a waiter there for many years and has the smiliest face and everyone loves him.  The rooms were well appointed and decorated and clean, the breakfast was an amazing feast and there was a great outdoors area where Cheryl and I sat each morning.  We were there for 4 nights and only on our last night did we make use of the happy hour in the lounge for free drinks between 6 and 7.  I had a rum and coke while Cheryl knocked over a few cocktails and looked totally relaxed at the end of the night.

While in Joberg we were taken to Lilliesleaf.  This is also worth a google.  It was a farm where Nelson Mandela lived in seclusion under an assumed name for years during the time that he and others were planning to interrupt the government at the onset of apartheid.  The farm was called Lilliesleaf and it is now a museum dedicated to the purpose for which it was used back then.  The set up is amazing and very informative and well worth many hours to take it in.  Sadly our time there was limited. I found it very moving and at times wanted to just spend more time in quiet to ’be there’.  I will return before I leave Africa.

Another of our excursions was to Pretoria to meet the Australian High Commissioner – alas he was on leave so we had a brief meeting with his PA who gave us more material on personal safety and security.

A lot of the terrain in places I have seen so far, I could be forgiven for thinking I was still in Australia, especially the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of WA and some outback areas of  north Qld. There are trees and shrubs that are exactly the same. The biggest difference are the trees in Africa that have flat tops, you know the ones you always see in movies or books. 

On arrival in Swaziland what puzzled me the most was the constant haze that was everywhere.  I asked and no one could tell me why this is so.  I thought of Professor Sumner Miller  - he would be able to tell me.  In some locations it was smokey and others just hazy.  Where I was staying in both Ezulwini and Mbabane it was high country mostly lower temperatures than where I am now.

I first stayed in Ezulwini at the Timbali Lodge.   The rooms were like little cottages scattered through the property with gardens and makeshift gravel roads meandering here and there.  On entry there was always a guard at the entrance and the reception office.  Adjacent was a large round, high beautiful older style building with a thatched roof.  This is the restaurant and next to that a smaller building as a breakfast café. It was very comfortable to walk around and feel totally safe here. I had 3 nights there.  The bathroom of my room was as big as my current lounge room.

Ezulwini is the place I need to visit for art and craft places – I am told it is the place to go for the real Swazi craft treasures.   In preparation for my dwelling I was taken to the other ‘markets’ where some things are made by the sellers and others are cheaper imports from . . . . .  somewhere.  I bought some fabrics for curtains that look the part but are not authentic.

All my purchases were being kept at the home of our country coordinator and included:   a small bench top cooker -  a bit bigger than a granny oven – but still an oven/grill with two hot plates on top, all basic kitchen appliances and crockery, cutlery, glass ware, bedding and other linen.  All very basic.  AVI provided $1000 for this and it covered most but not all.  My dwelling is not furnished and has only one open storage place in the kitchen so I was in need of lots !!!!! 

As I mentioned in blog 1, I was moved into Mbabane on Saturday 21^st to a boarding house.  It was like an oasis in the desert for me and Penny was great company.  Penny’s place is a large house that she has converted to ‘her place’ in the middle, with a huge lounge, sitting, dining area (all original) and on the perimeters she has created 4 self contained, 1 bedroom flats that she rents out.  One of our volunteers is living there and the pool in inside his boundary, although it is for all guests.  John has almost taken total possession of it.  Most of Mbabane is built on hills and mountainous terrain and Penny’s place is very high.  The CBD is much lower and flatter !!.  again the vegetation was like being in north of OZ.

On Monday 23^rd I drove out to my dwelling place with my country coordinator and her husband (who had taken a day off work) and two vehicles loaded to the gunnels with my stuff.   Strange how life is hey ????  when I packed up in OZ I said I was not going to buy anything ever again and that included fabric. !!!   so here I am with 2 vehicles full of STUFF already.     One of the vehicles was a ute !!  called a bakky – pronounced bucky.  

While driving out I thought I was heading towards Kununurra or Wyndham.   The haze was not so bad out here on the low-veld.  No mountains here for me, except the Lombombo which seperates Swaziland from Mozambique.  

On the way to Simunye, the next town, we went through HLane Royal National Park.  I was on the look out for elephants and giraffes, but only saw a few impala, some monkeys and a wilder beast. Vegetation is very dry prior to the ‘wet’ season.

Google Simunye Country Club.  I am going to take out membership and treat myself to some weekends off.

From Simunye, heading north-ish we go through Tambankulu and turn a little to the west until the turn north again to Vuvulane.   The distance from Simunye to my dwelling is only 30 kms, but half on gravel / dirt roads through cane growing country.  From Simunye onwards, the cane appears and lends an appearance of coolness with its lush green growth and watering system.   Vuvulane is where the KuDvumisa office is located and my sewing room is closer to Tambankulu – I THINK !!!  I will clarify that when I eventually get to see it.  I will do my admin / internet stuff in the office and the real stuff with the women at ‘Section 19’.

We arrived at Mananga College after some twists and turns along the road  and unloaded the vehicles.  Two ladies came to greet us and one offered to help clean the house.  The offer was accepted  for obvious reasons and we said we would be back on Wednesday.

The trip back home was a different route to show me other things and places so we did a circuit back to Manzini.  (this is the largest populated town in Swazi and where the King has most of his residences / palaces etc.).

Jumping ahead now to Thursday and arriving at Mananga College again.

The college was a boarding school for an area in the north eastern corner and from across the borders into South Africa and Mozambique.  The school continues to exist but with only day students, the boarding school has been moved to Manzini.   Which leaves about 9 of these little cottages that may have been used for staff and are now rented out to cane workers and such.  One house is used for the headmaster of the school, the local pastor and of course me.  I am told it is very safe and clean and no crime.  The gate keepers are very friendly when they know who you are.   There are only 2 styles of house, a 2 bedroom and a 3 bedroom made from concrete blocks and render and all painted the same colour crème and green.  It is very liveable and now that we have cleaned up all is well.  I have a reasonable size yard with out boundaries, but have already put out a call for a gardener -  the going rate is about R100 per week = $12.00.  I have mango trees, avocado tree and a mulberry tree – unfortunately that one is sick and mulberries not good  -  shame  - I was considering going into production  of mulberry brandy !!!!!

Oh ! I think I have writers block now – or should that be blog !!!   this will keep you all going until no. 3 is released.

Just keep looking for more blogs without me sending you an email. I plan to do one at least weekly.  But no promises.  And one day they will include URL links and pictures.  But for now – just plain old words.

Cheers Georgie