Stanley

The past couple of weeks have been my favorite at work. Everything at PATA is in a crazy mode now with the forum coming up. All of the big things need to get purchased, reserved, and booked so that we can attend to the little details. We have almost purchased all of the plane tickets for the 20 clinic teams from the 10 Southern African countries and Nigeria. The hotel is reserved, which I get to stay in for the duration of the forum (so excited). The academic program is almost complete with our guest speakers set to fly in from all over the world.

One of the main projects I have been working on is now almost complete: the 100-200 page proceedings book from last year’s forum that I transcribed and developed. My name gets a place of importance in the credits since I pretty much did the entire thing by myself, despite having not attended that forum last November. I even wrote the introduction thanking everyone for making the forum such a success (which was semi-difficult since I wasn’t there).

We hosted a local forum in Swaziland this past week, and are having one in Tanzania and two in Malawi over the next two weeks. After that everything will calm down and we will only have basic things to get done before our big week is here with no more local forums until February.

The wind this past week has been stronger than ever. Everything shakes and rattles and blows around. I almost got blown over walking home from the bus station. Our sliding door was open a bit and somehow the wind blew the painting off the wall and sucked our blinds partway outside.  It definitely is a challenge trying to get anywhere when the wind behaves like that. We went up to the sauna and the sauna door (which is all inside) wouldn’t stay closed because of the wind pressure on the windows and gushing around through invisible cracks somewhere.

This weekend I got locked inside my apartment.  We have nicknamed our door “Stanley” because it constantly opens and even closes by itself, particularly if the sliding door is open.  The door mechanism isn’t strong enough to keep it in place unless the door is locked. We get really annoyed with “Stanley” and have to keep our door locked almost at all times to prevent it just opening up when no one is in the living room. We had it locked and Lisa came over to hang out. We tried to unlock the door to let her in and couldn’t. The lock wouldn’t turn. We slid the key under the door and had Lisa unlock it from the other side which worked.  Thus Saturday night we had to get a locksmith out and get our keys changed. Last time, about a month ago, I got locked out of my apartment when the door broke so when you turned the key it unlocked but the door still wouldn’t turn to open.  Then I was trapped outside for a couple hours until they could break in.

Sunday I went to get something out of the bathroom and realized that the ceiling was leaking, walls crying and the floor soaked.  We called Connect who got plumbers out to see what the problem was, since clearly something was happening on the floors above us.  Apparently a valve burst in a room on the 9^th floor directly above my room (I live on the 6^th). That room was completely flooded throughout the entire apartment. The water damage went all the way down to the ground floor. It was worse because I was the first one to call in the problem since no one was home on the 9^th, 8^th, or 7^th floors. Our apartment had two inches of water in all the bathrooms and the hallway carpet was soaked despite us putting down roughly 15 towels. The water kept creeping in for several hours. Finally it was contained and the vacuum/drier guys came to suck up the water out of our carpet and bathrooms. The carpet was just grossly damp and now is almost dry. 

Thankfully the weather was not very good this weekend, with wind, clouds, and rain so it wasn’t that big of a deal that I was trapped mostly inside dealing with all of the situations.  We have the “emergency” number in our phone that calls one of the volunteer placement coordinators. I have never had to call this number, but I did twice this weekend so at least I know now that the number works.

I am leaving tonight on my great Southern African adventure through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa.  I am not sure what internet access I will have, but regardless I won’t be posting on my blog until after I get back on November 5.  I should have some awesome pictures!

Pinotage on Tap

I COMPLETELY forgot to mention that last week I semi almost-ish got hit by a car/walked into a moving car.  It was bound to happen as cars do not really follow the “robots” (i.e. traffic lights and signals) when on the road.  I have had quite a few near misses where Vivian pulls me back before I manage to get myself hit. The good news is the cars aren’t going that fast on the roads I walk on (I don’t walk the N2 or M3), so it hopefully wouldn’t be as severe if I actually got hit. However, Vivian has returned to the UK and is no longer around for my personal safety.  What happened was it was raining out so I had my bright green hood up which impedes my peripheral vision.  I was crossing a side street outside work that intersects Main Road which is a popular thoroughfare.  The side street goes up maybe 500 meters than has a gate so cars hardly ever turn left (remember cars drive on the left side of the road). I looked but thought all of the cars were going straight so I could cross the empty side street since they had a red light (so I had a green walk). Well the car was turning left and their passenger side mirror hit my arm. If I were one step ahead, the car would have hit me. It definitely startled me since I was right there and the car could clearly see me, but I lived and I am hoping that does not happen ever again.

The highlight of this work week was somehow managing to miss my bus not just one day, but almost again the second day.  On Thursday we had to stop at multiple places and run errands on the way to the bus station, which somehow got us far behind schedule.  We walked up to the main terminal and realized our bus had left us which was sad. Instead we went to a different pick up point to wait for any bus that was taking Main Road as that would drop us off near our work locations. It fortunately only made me 10 minutes late to work, which everyone thought was really funny.

Friday we got to the bus station at 7:37 (which the bus usually leaves at 7:40). Walking by the other buses, the security guard looks at us and said, “You guys are going to miss your bus again.”  Somehow he recognizes me and knows what bus I take every morning.  This probably is because I am in my bright green raincoat, and not many Americans nor white people take the bus. I am a definite minority and must stand out more than I think if this guy knows me.  Then our bus promptly pulled away from the curb as we stood 20 feet back on our way towards it. This time instead of walking to the stop and catching a random bus, we ran. The three of us sprinted across the Grand Parade and parking lot back to the stop, breathing hard and beating our bus there by 10 seconds since it had to go around the block to head down Darling Street.  We flagged it down all sweaty and climbed in.  Somehow in my first four months I never missed the bus once, but then it happened twice in one week. I am resolved to leave earlier for the bus now so it doesn’t happen again.

Orlando Bloom is in town filming the movie Zulu with Forest Whitaker.  He has been spotted in several locations across town, including his wife and child on the Sea Point promenade.  I am not 100% sure, but outside my apartment building at the Kimberly Hotel movie lights and props were set up three days in row for filming. Maybe they were filming something else, but I choose to believe it was for Orlando, although I have yet to see him and probably won’t.

This weekend was a huge let down as I fell ill.  Friday at work I could feel myself starting to not feel that great, but I made it through the workday. By Saturday morning I had a painful cough and a fever.  I had already paid for a wine festival called Pinotage on Tap so I attempted to rally and make it to the event.  Pinotage on Tap was very cool, and I wish I could have participated more. It was about an hour outside of Cape Town near Wellington in the Cape Winelands at the Diemersfonetin Wine and Country Estate.  The festival had many perks, but was popular since it was unlimited Pinotage on Tap. There were 8 wine barrels set up over the grounds for easy access to wine whenever your cup fell empty. One had white wine and the rest were red. Unfortunately I only managed to drink half a glass in the four hours we were there since I felt so awful.  We got sandwiches for lunch in a bag upon arrival as well as 3 meal coupons to use throughout the day for curry, lasagna, salads, and other meal options. A room was filled with a long table covered in strawberries and marshmallows with chocolate fountains for dipping them in.  A band was playing live music for dancing.  The grounds were gorgeous, with ponds, and gardens, and vines, and estate houses.  The sun was shining, with no clouds in the sky. 

For 90% of this event I just laid on our picnic blanket soaking up the sun and trying to not cough my lungs out.  The good news was another girl (due to a hangover) felt awful and was also sprawled on the ground with me.  Many people who walked by looked at the two of us and asked what we were drinking because they wanted some. It was kind of amusing. By the end of the event I had actually got a tan (my one plus for the day) and everyone at the event was covered in spilled wine and chocolate. It was so funny to look around and see the disaster that was everyone who had been enjoying unlimited wine on tap.  I had wine spilled on my face and hair while I was sleeping, our picnic blanket had quite a few mishaps on it, and the best part was no one cared.

Saturday was also used to raise awareness for the African Penguins.  Apparently 80% of them have died in the past 10 years and conservation efforts are in place to try to preserve these creatures. 

By the time we got back Saturday I was exhausted. I used the sauna to hopefully sweat out my poisons and went to bed.  Sunday I didn’t even leave the apartment. Today I am feeling so much better and am hoping my cough goes away completely as the fever is gone.  On the bright side, at least it was this weekend and not next week when I leave on my vacation!

One of the wine barrels. All the workers had "Pot crew" on their t-shirts.

We did take group pictures where I look semi-normal and not ill, but I they are not on my camera, nor have they been uploaded to Facebook yet.

Sea Kayaking

This weekend my baby sister turned 19!  She is so old.  I miss you, Beth!

Adding to the classic margarita Wednesday (which hit its fourth week!), we now participate in Diva Mondays.  Divas is an Italian restaurant just around the corner from our apartment complex. On Mondays groups of four or more get a free bottle of wine with their meal. It is the perfect start to the week, eating our Italian food and having a glass of wine. Their chocolate brownie for desert is delicious. Margarita Wednesday had over 15 participants this week, which made it very hectic when trying to pay the check since it comes as one giant bill that we have to sort out. We had failed to make a reservation at one of the new places we want to try, which means we ended up at Mexicana on Long Street. It is the only place we can just show up at and get seats since it won’t be crowded. Also the only movie in their collection is Nacho Libre, so we watched that multiple times once again.

I meet new people on a daily basis here in Cape Town. Without fail they ask me where I am from, I reply Nebraska, and they tell me I am the first person they have met from Nebraska. I am no longer amused by this. Afterward I hear about the time they went to New York or Miami when they visited the States.

Saturday we got up bright and early to take the train to Simon’s town.  This was my first train experience and it was not difficult at all.  We bought the first class tickets (metro-plus car) and settled in for the one hour ride to the end of the train line.  The view is pretty spectacular; at the beginning you can see Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak from all sides as we curve around the mountain ranges.  Then towards the end the train goes right on the coast of False Bay with views out into the Atlantic Ocean before we got off at Simon’s town.

After a quick walk, we met up with the sea kayaking guide who helped us set out into the water. I partnered with Caroline.  We paddled around the harbor and the military base to Boulder’s Beach. On our journey, seals were swimming next to us and splashing around.  They were probably my favorite part.  Then we kept paddling up to all of the African Penguins!  They were scattered about on the beach and would come swimming in the water past us.  There little heads would pop up for air all at the same time before going back under and continuing their swim.  

Kayaking back was much harder since the wind wasn't helping us.  As we turned around the harbor the waves were splashing, and it felt like we were barely even moving.  After the two hours at sea, we were starving and had lunch on the water before catching the return train home.  All eight of us fell asleep on the train ride and were exhausted after our day.  The sun finally came out nice and strong once we were back so I took advantage of our gorgeous rooftop view and pool area.

Sunday, we all went to Mzoli’s for lunch. I hadn't been there since June, but it was the same as before. We ordered our giant bucket of meat and enjoyed the loud music in Gugulethu. 

This morning on the bus to work, a weird thing happened. About half way to my stop, we had to get off the bus and get back on a different one.  Then our original bus just kept on driving; it wasn't broken or anything.  I am not at all sure why this was necessary, but I still made it to the office on time and nothing else came of it.

Full Moon Hike

I went and got my Yellow Fever vaccine on Tuesday, as well as anti-malaria tablets!  I am medically ready now for my African adventure that is only three weeks away.  I am counting down the days.

I moved in with Caroline this week.  I now share a room with her and an apartment with Liz and Devan.  It is very exciting to have a change of accommodation after living in the same apartment for the past four months.  The view is pretty much the same, however.  We see the neighboring apartment and if you look directly right, you see parliament and signal hill.  At least I have the amazing rooftop pool and braai area to get an incredible view of the city.

Saturday I attended a rugby match between the DHL Western Province and the MTN Golden Lions at Newlands Stadium.  It was cold, misting, and the stadium was not very crowded. This definitely subdued the crowd and made the atmosphere less exciting.  There were more Western Province fans around.  They were all carrying the same sign, but it was in Afrikaans so I have no idea what it said. I am assuming it was positive. 

The game opened with some very sub-par cheerleaders attempting to perform a routine.  They were never in sync, and it was pretty funny the entire time.  Every time they danced they ripped off an article of clothing (pants one time and skirts the next) so they were in their spandex only.  Also before the game started some men brought a couch out and set it behind the goal area where it remained for the duration of the game.  I think two reporters or officials had the privilege of sitting there.

The Lions won 22-9 over the WP.  By the end of the match we were sitting in the front row and had a very nice view.  Of course my rugby knowledge is very limited after my one experience back in June, so I had a hard time following parts of the game.

Vivian, my co-intern, left Sunday to go back to the UK.  It was sad to see her leave after spending the past four months working with her. We had a celebratory dinner Saturday night, out at Hudson’s Burger Joint.  I had never been before, but my burger was quite delicious.

Sunday was the full moon, and I finally embarked upon the sunset/moonrise hike that is popular in Cape Town.  We began our hike about 1 hour before the sunset up Lion’s Head.  Tons of people were out on the path, most with headlamps for the way down and wine to drink.  Unfortunately we did not pack any wine and did not get to drink while watching the sky.

At the top the sun was still above the horizon line on the Atlantic Ocean.  Clouds had formed beneath and made an incredible mystical scene.  It was so pretty and impressive to watch.  The pictures do not do it justice.  The clouds kept swirling up and engulfing Table Mountain completely before fading back and doing it all over again.

We started the hike down before the sun had fully set because we did not have headlamps to see the path down once it got completely dark.  Part of the way down, a girl noticed my red Husker sweater and told me that her parents were at the Wisconsin game Saturday.  It definitely made me smile to have a fellow football fan in Cape Town, even if it only was for a brief moment in passing.  Who would have thought I would meet a Husker hiking Lion’s Head?!?!  The path curves 360 degrees around the mountain.  After climbing most of the way down, we reached the moon side.  The clouds had blown away revealing the incredible full moon hanging in the sky over the city lights.  Cape Town looked so impressive and twinkly.