Merry Christmas

BLOG  10.

YEAH !!!   WOW  !!!! and HURRAH !!!!  

I have a permit to stay in Swaziland until 6^th December 2015.      I am due to leave here on 14^th Sept 2015 as that is the end of my 2 year assignment.  So I am well covered.  The Permit was approved on 6^th and I collected it on 12^th   and it ONLY took 3.5 hours in the immigration dept. most of that time was standing in lines waiting for my turn to pay the E2400.  It has taken me 4.5 pages in my journal to record the story.  I just wish I could have videoed it.  You wouldn’t believe it.

 I have now been out of the country and into South Africa twice and passed the border control point where I was introduced to special treatment for foreigners.  All was calm and peaceful on these 2 occasions.

It feels so much better, being legally present in a foreign country.

Now I need to think about the past fortnight and what has happened and where I have been etc.

Let’s start about the time publishing the last blog,,   on the following Monday 9/12  I drove Daran’s ‘Bakkie’ to work.  A Bakkie is anything that may resemble a ute !!  if it can transport huge loads all tied on with thin cord it’s a bakkie.   Daran has a Nissan dual cab, therefore limited ute space.  Anyway I didn’t have much to bring into town.  It was such a different experience to drive the 150kms to work in such a big vehicle.  My little GSV was left at home so that Mr Shongwe, Penny’s friend, the bush mechanic, could do a service on it.

We had a pretty good and productive day of sewing and then it was time for me to head to Mananga college,  I was on the road, very muddy and pleased to have this big vehicle until -  to my horror realised that I had left the keys to the house in MY GSV – now 150kms away.   After many calls to get hold of the maintenance crew – they did manage to find a key for me to one of my doors.  PHEW !!!  I didn’t want to drive back to Mbabane just to collect a key. 

It was raining Monday and Tuesday, I worked again on Tuesday with the ladies.  It rained again Tuesday night.  Then on Wednesday morning, it was still overcast, but thankfully no sign of rain. I started to pack all that was left in my house.  My bed went to Nomsa’s house temporarily until Bongiwe has access to her house in Mhlume.  I will be staying at her house on Monday and Tuesday nights when I am back at work in January.  Hence I need the bed with linen and a fan.

Nomsa had arranged for one of the men in our complex to assist to load the fridge onto the bakkie and then us girls loaded and ‘secured’ all the rest.  Bookcase, tables, chairs, storage boxes and all the kitchen stuff.   We stopped about 3 times to resecure the load as it kept moving while we were on the gravel/dirt/mud roads for 14 kms. 

I now have ‘stuff’ stored in many rooms of the Rehmeyer’s house and before they return I will need to sort it out and try to get it all in one location.

The following day I got my permit, almost a full day exercise and later I had dinner with one of the volunteers, Isabel, who lives in Ezulwini.   Isabel is leaving us at the end of February and hopefully taking up a paid job in another country in Africa, Burundi.  Her last interview is at the end of January.  Fingers crossed for her.

I like her unit and where it is located and have let the landlady know that I am interested to move in after Isabel leaves.   Ezulwini  - the word in Swazi means Heaven.     How cool to live in heaven for 18 months of my stay here.  Ezulwini is an area that I have sort of looked at longingly as I drive between Mbabane and Mananga.  My first 3 nights in Swaziland were spent there at Timbali lodge.

It is the centre of art and craft, hospitality and tourism and seems like just the perfect place to be.  The unit is at the back of the BEST shopping centre in Swaziland and has a cinema. ‘The Gables’. Adjacent to the shopping precinct is a huge building under construction for the US Embassy.  It is surrounded with screens, privacy and security.   I will need to go past it to get to my unit.  I feel that it will be a very secure location.  The unit is at the end of a house, using the same secure gated entrance then drive to the left for my entry.  Isabel tells me it is a lovely place to live.  Penny was upset when I had to tell her of my change, which I had expected, but this time I need to be where I am the most comfortable, at ease and the bonus is it is my choice.

I can stay on at the Rehmeyer’s until I move and will occupy the underneath room and now that the dogs are my friends, I can come and go without being considered breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Bear, the scary dog, eats from my hand now and loves carrot.

A very important event for all of Africa, but mostly South Africa was the passing of Nelson Mandela.  I have kept some newspaper cuttings from here as some of the stories really touched me.  I sort of felt privileged to be here at this time.  I think the entire country lives in the hope that his legacy will be upheld although the current President seems to be very different to Nelson. 

It has been so perfect for me to have SKYPE access and to have experienced a few conversations with familiar faces and voices over the last week or so.   Thanks to all who have been available to chat with me so far and for all others, let’s do it soon.   I have 3 weeks left of this luxury.

Since being in town I have made contact with people of interest to the ladies and their sewing, like the Swazi arm of Fair Trade and a group called Gone Rural and hopefully that will lead to others.  I have been told of organisations that may be worth contacting and of course there is a zip manufacturer in Matsapha, near Manzini.  I am on the lookout for what sort of craft there is here, especially in the area of easy sewing that would suit my group.  I may be traveling around a bit early January for this purpose.  There is some interesting time ahead for me and the girls.  I would like them to accompany me to some locations so they can also see what others are making and creating to get them inspired from external sources to really strive to reach their goal of financial independence.

On Tuesday 17^th the sewing ladies of Section 19 and their teacher had a Christmas lunch.   It was unlike any other Christmas lunch I have ever experienced. Without actually being there and experiencing the atmosphere and hearing and seeing all that happened it will be hard for you, the reader to fully grasp it.  I will give it my best shot to give you the feel of it, because it was so special.

I left Mbabane at 8.00am and the entire top of the mountain was in thick cloud.   The road out of town, major highways / 4 lane, was treacherous and very scary.  Most vehicles travelled slowly and with their hazard lights on until we got done low enough that we were out of the cloud area.   As I got closer to the lowveld it was becoming clear, blue skies and a promise of a good day.  I first went to Tambankulu to have my nails done – pretty colour to match my outfit.   I was wearing black and white African print skirt with a hot pink t-shirt and matching cotton scarf.  I now have hot pink nails.

I arrived at Section 19 at 12.00 which was pre-arranged.  Most of the ladies were there on the sewing veranda and were all aghast as I drove in.  It took me a while to work out why.  They had never seen me dressed any other way than for work and no makeup.   I noticed that the veranda and surrounding area had been cleaned very well, but there was no preparation of the foods we were to eat – it was all on the table!!  I did wonder what time we would eat.

I unloaded my car.   Christmas cake, 4 large bottles of soft drink, a bag of oranges, apples and bananas.    On the table there was 3 chickens, killed, plucked, beheaded and be footed, although these walky, talky parts were in the same container.  Jane seemed to be in charge and commenced to clean the chickens thoroughly in water that looked very clean.  I didn’t dare where it came from.  The chickens were put on the board and Jane and Rose started to cut into cooking size pieces, maybe not as keenly jointed as we may do, but similar.   Any thicker parts that may require more cooking time were cut /scored for this purpose.  I was invited to cut up the last of the 3 chickens.  They were testing me to see if I could be a Swazi woman. While this was being done Nonhlanhle and Khunyisile sat on the edge peeling the tiniest cloves of garlic until they had about ¾ of cup.   They handed this over to Khumbuzile who put them onto an enamel plate, sprinkled with salt and then crushed with the bottom of a glass jar to blend into a paste.    Who needs the kitchen whizz???

All the chicken pieces were covered with the garlic paste and set aside for a while.   Mean-time, Nonhlanhle had the braai going (the open pit smouldering wood – with a heavy wire grate over it).

A huge bowl of lettuce, tomatoes, onions and capsicum were then washed thoroughly and inspected closely.   Once done I was asked to break up the lettuce into bite size pieces and put into a bowl while 2 others then sliced all the tomato.  I was also given the onions to cut !!!!   another test.

Once all these ingredients were ready, Jane asked me to mix them together. There was as much tomato as there was lettuce.  Everything was salted as it was washed and no dressing used, just the juice from the tomato.  It was actually a delicious salad.  Who needs oil, vinegar etc.??

The chickens went around the corner to the braai and the salad was covered with a large plastic bag. 

Time is marching on – it’s now about 1.45pm.   nothing was going to happen until the food was cooked and I noticed that there were signs of hunger and it was not just me. 

I suggested that we have a cold drink and a piece of cake while we wait.  Brilliant idea. No cups !!!!   Of course I didn’t think to bring something to drink from.  Someone produced a pile of empty 500ml drinking bottles that were thoroughly washed and we decanted from the 2 litre bottles into smaller ones.  Brilliant!   I cut cake and little bodies seemed to appear from nowhere.  I made sure all the ladies had a piece of cake, generous size and then I went for a walk around the complex with a plate of smaller pieces and gave every child a piece of cake with really thick fondant icing -  a good sugar  hit for all.  There were a few other adults there as well so they all got a piece. 

I had bought all the ladies a scarf like mine and all different colours.  I got them to choose their own colours and that seemed to be the best thing to do, because had I chosen it would have been a different picture entirely.   They were all worn immediately and many photos taken with lots of laughs and nonsense.

Without a drop of alcohol the party mood was in full swing and the atmosphere was so friendly and warm and fabulous.  I kept checking on the cooks to make sure they were not feeling left out. 

It happened about 2.45pm  the food eventually came off the braai and was delivered to the table. 

I must back track.   Ncamsile made a gravy!!!   In the 3 legged cast iron pot – it has a name – but I didn’t write it down – she put in the walky talky parts and the innards of the chickens with some onion, garlic, tomatoes and something with a bit of a kick and some water.  The pot went into the braai.  Jane had also prepared some ‘pap’.  That is mealie meal (made from Maize)  it is made like a porridge totally without flavour!.  Its just white stuff that fills you up.

Now all food is on the table.   We are all gathered around the table and I asked Jane to do the prayer.  These ladies are all Christian and prayer is normal practice to them.   A she was about to open her mouth a man came along and wanted to buy air time for his phone.  Jane left, and so did Nonhlanhle, not sure why.    I looked at the others and asked what now???   Ncamsile started to sing a Christmas song in SiSwati and they all joined in. They natural sing in beautiful harmony. It was fantastic to be with them.  Khumbuzile started another one that includes hand gestures and some dance type moves.  Well I could not do the words, but I could copy the hands and feet part.  It was fun and I created some laughs for them.  When Nonhlanhle and Jane returned, Jane did the last verse of this one in English for me.  It was such a treat to be in the company of these women and so happy and just all big smiles and happy faces, no one sad or miserable or bickering.  

After the singing Jane did her prayer -  she is training to be a pastor.  Jane spoke in SiSwati, but it was easy to get the thread of her prayer, a thanks for everything in front of us and beside us and for our teacher.   I noticed that a couple of the ladies had wet, red eyes.   I tried to respond but was a little choked and so I waited until I could speak.  We all hugged and then ate.    The chicken was FANTASTIC,   try it sometime…..     the salad delicious,  pap – filling and the gravy just perfect.   The ladies all had something on their plates from that pot other than just gravy.

All the food went somewhere -   there was only 8 of us and it was all eaten or a piece kept for a partner or a child.

We finished the drink and I cut up the last half of the cake. After we each had another I cut smaller pieces.  The children were watching from a distance and as soon as I walked to the edge of the veranda and called them I was surrounded by all these cute little faces.   They were so happy to have a second bite of the cherry so to speak and again I went for a walk to make sure that Sister got another piece.

Without a doubt, those few hours will be one of the most memorable moments of my time in Swaziland.  So many hugs and smiles and laughs and great food and the best company.  I was then able to do my little talk and thanked them for making the day one to remember for a life time and for them to be my Swazi family especially as I could not be with my own family. They have made me very proud of them all.

I left with tears and dropped Rose and Khumbuz at their stop.

Alas the roller coaster continues……   

Thursday I was to have a meeting with the AVI coordinator at 11.00am.   I left the house in plenty of time, drove about 500 meters and my car stopped !!!!  tried starting it and it would not stay running. I noticed a smell of petrol and so I abandoned that plan, rolled it back down the hill until I could get it off the road safely.  Walked back to get another vehicle from ‘our personal car yard’.  Took the bakkie to town for the meeting and shopping and in the meantime got Mr Shongwe to do his magic.  It was a fuel line and so it was replaced.

The meeting was OK nothing to report there, just had to fill in a form about my current situation with contacts etc. etc. etc.   AND I had to do it properly. . . . . .

Friday I went to Nelspruit with Penny.  She gets Mr Shongwe to drive if she goes long distance.  So it was a cruisy day for me.  The scenery was fabulous, beautiful green rolling hills and mountains behind mountains behind mountains.   Once we got into South Africa the roads were much better and the rural homes different shapes and more colours.  In some areas there were big farms with bananas, pineapples and a lot of citrus, apples and pear orchards.    It took about 2.5 hours from Mbabane travelling northerly along some very winding roads.

I wanted to go to Valencia.   It is a shop in Nelspruit, similar to spotlight, but much better quality.  Their fabrics are beautiful and so well displayed and many staff to assist you.  There is a separate room, huge, with all the sewing notions and accessories.   Down stairs is the home-wares and curtain section.   On the upper level there is a café that opens into the shop.  Great food and also some books for sale.   I was having a good browse and getting some ideas for our group and they announced that the store was closing at 12 and re-opening at 2.   HOW !!!   (that is Swazi for WHAT!)

Guess what I did?   YEP, I positioned myself in the café for 2 hours having found a book to purchase and start reading.  Another book from Alexander McColl Smith, title 44 Scotland Street.   I love this author – famous for the No1 Ladies Detective Agency series.  

At 2 there is another announcement that the store is reopened.  The owners are Muslim and the closure was for prayer.

My shopping was pretty quick as I had done all the choosing before lunch.  Penny didn’t return until well after 4 from her shopping expedition.  We then picked up KFC and headed for home.  Our return trip was in the opposite direction going through Pigs Peak, a northern part of Swaziland.  A very strange name -  but named after a Mr Pig and the area is the peak of the country’s mountains.   This took us past the Maguga dam.  It is pretty massive and most impressive as it was overflowing due to the amount of recent rains.  

I got back home about 7.30pm and was then contacted by friends of the Rehmeyers, whom I had met, with an invitation to go to Kruger National Game Park with them next day. !!!

Oh Boy !!!   This is a bit too much fun – will I cope?

We left @ 6.00am and returned @ 9.00pm

There was 8 of us in a people mover type of vehicle – fortunately.  There was Mum and Dad and 3 of their 4 offspring, one of them was accompanied by her partner and 2 yr old child.

Our journey took us through Pigs Peak going in the opposite direction, and because it was daylight we stopped at the dam then drove across the wall road.   

Arrived at Mlalane Gate of the Kruger Park just after 8.00am

The buildings are mostly concrete brick rendered and with thatched rooves.  It all looks African!!

Because of recent rainfall – it is rainy season, everything was very green and lush.  As we drove through the many roads and tracks, it was difficult to spot animals because of the thickness of the vegetation and there is an abundance of food for all animals and they don’t have to travel far to feed.  I know this because I was told by the occupants of the vehicle.   Thought I would add that explanation – I’m no expert YET !

There was one person either side of the vehicle with binoculars to do the spotting.   We hadn’t gone far when we saw 2 Giraffe.   When you see them in their own place they look so much different and of course it is the whole experience of actually seeing them without a cage and the knowledge of them being  ‘at home’. They tell me the park is fenced and monitored.  The park is about 400 miles long and almost 100 wide at the widest part.   That’s like a station property in the north of Australia.   

I enjoyed the experience of seeing for the first time so many of the African animals and birds in their own place.  I have taken photos of all I could get and have realised that my camera does not have the zoom power I thought it did.  Allyson’s camera was just perfect and so she has promised to share her photos with me.   I saw many elephants in family groups, some just eating, walking and some playing in muddy water.  Saw two littlies playing around the elders’ legs.  They probably weigh 4 times what I do and ever so much cuter !!!

Only one complaint -  not one big cat was out for viewing on this day.     Well it just means a return visit or 4.!!!

There are many gate entrances to the park to accommodate the huge distance it spans and giving people access from many geographic locations.  All gates have some form of accommodation and recreation facilities.   The roads and tracks are in excellent condition and they all link up somewhere and there are numerous signs, so with the park map you cannot get lost.  Of course you not allowed out of the vehicle unless you are at a gate facility.  There are park vehicles always taking people on tours and so if you have a problem you will be found.  All of the gate facilities have natural water courses that are for animals and they have viewing facilities. 

They tell me it is best to be there either at dawn or dusk for the water activities of the animals.  My next trip will be an overnighter so I get both of these times in while there.  The accommodation is reasonably priced.  A 2 person round hut is about R400 per night – that is about $40.

Anyone care to join me??????

I just loved having the opportunity to visit the park with others – for the first visit.  I am happy to return myself if there are no takers!

When I got home I was greeted by my two furry friends, one who is now unwell.  Very hot to touch and not eating.   Great!!!

I had to call the vet to him on Monday as he was getting worse.   Diagnosis was tick bite fever.   Pretty bad.    It’s now Christmas day and thankfully, he is much better, although the vet was prepared to come by earlier today.  He has started eating again so she went about her Christmas day a planned.

Yes it is Christmas day.

When you read this it won’t be . . . . . .  however I do wish you all a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.

I hope you are able to enjoy every minute of your time with family and friends and cherish the occasion and be loving and gracious to each other.  It is so humbling being here in my situation and to have the opportunity to really think about what is important in life.

I miss you all and I love each and every one of you.   I think of you all constantly and even when I’m driving in game parks – how I would love to share these moments with you. But all I can do is put it in print and then (hopefully) with pictures.

I did have invitations to join several people for the day, for lunch, or for whatever.  I declined all.   I had such a wonderful day with my sewing ladies, and I am taking that as MY Christmas day.    I would dearly love to be ‘home’ with my Sonny and Miss Alice and family and  friends and familiar places, but I cannot.  So I have made myself comfortable for the day, looking after the dogs and doing some chores that the maid is no longer able to do.   The maid is Annah and she has been with the family for about 8 years now.  She is a delightful, round, happy and smiley person and I have taught her to knit.   Fortunately there is not much work to be done with only me in the house and so I make sure that she rests and does knitting and has a quick nanna nap.  I think Annah is in her 50’s and she has some form of cancer, but she cannot get accepted for surgery as she does not have the money to pay upfront.  So she is waiting for the Swazi Govt. to do a deal with the South African health service.

We all just look after her as best we can.

So my message for Christmas is –

Take care of each other, love and cherish every moment, be happy with what you have and give up wanting what you have not.

Be kind and comforting to yourself so you can be kind and comforting to others.

I send love and hugs with this message to all who read it.

Georgie xxxx

p.s.  I found another Santa tea pot for my new collection.  I’ve given up collecting fabrics and such.