Durban life

Lots of Indian influence here...
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Electricity Theft

I just saw this on the way to the airport.

I was watching the news one night and Eskom (the South African electrical company) report I think it was a R625 million (Rands which is about $73,500,000 USD) loss due to electricity theft.

http://www.venn.co.za/index.php?cost-reduction-article&articleid=26

That figure could be waaay off but it's hard to believe now people even get access to these lines in the first place. A friend once showed me a demonstration of how people will go up to the line and cut and re-route the line, which I think could obviously be incredibly dangerous.

But found it interesting to see this sign. At least they are making efforts to not lose some serious revenue here and keep people safe. However, this is somethere you would never see back home.
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Snow in SA

Snow World for the 1st time in South Africa!! Haha...want to come visit Boston/NYC in the dead of winter after 2 ft of snow? And, then you have to dig your car out of that...might not seem as enjoyable ;) hah

I actually can really enjoy digging my car from the winter tundra of a huge snow storm. Especially, when all these dudes take pity on this small little girl, just cracks me up to think they believe I'm completely incapable of doing that task of shoveling.

This thing was funny to see in the mall and all the kids probably seeing snow for the first time in their lives.



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Waiting for the bus in Kimberley

Haha I love looking at what people pack here to take on a looooong bus ride.

Their HUGGGGE "tupper" of goodies, usually some chicken, pap, and veg.

Their 1-liter of Fanta, Twizza, or Stoney.

Maybe a beer or two, three, oooor four.

Their screaming babies.

A pillow and a big blanket to cuddle up in.

And of course their luggage.


A ride down to Cape Town usually entails a 12 hour ride on a bus, however, made much more easy since will pick you up in the evening and you sleep over night and waking in the early early morning in the central bus station in the CBD (Central Business District) of Cape Town.

And going those 12 hours or 650+ miles (1050 km), you just pay the equivalent of about $50 (depending on which bus line you take).

My favorite part of the trip is running into each Ultra Shell reststop and stocking up on chocolate, cookies, or locally-made biltong.

I LOVE BILTONG!! It's what we call "jerky" back home, but it's maybe the best thing to snack on in South Africa. You've got to try ostrich, chicken, beef, and kudu. I'm addicted.

But maybe ya'll need to just make this trip yourself ;) can't wait to see the ocean!! And SWIM!

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My 1st Traditional Dress

It's only been 18 months...

But just got my 1st traditional dress in from our local Sotho (from Lesotho)dressmaker! Love it! I was told I need to now get married in it :/ OR just go to a wedding in it....not so sure the marriage, but it is quite fabulous :)

If you get married here in South Africa in what we'd think as a traditional wedding dress, which is WHITE, they call that here "white wedding."

How do I look?


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End of School, Term 4

The end of the term has been very slow...

Yesterday only 3 of my 39 second graders came to school.

Today we've been drawing allll morning I think I have a star artist :) This is Tsholofelo.
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