Monday, December 22, 2008

Hostelling in Capetown

I'm back from inner Cape Town after hostelling it up there on Long Street for a few nights. Many muffins, a couple pints, a few nights in a hostel, one garden visited, and a jaunt on public transport to round out the trip's stories. (And, of course, Hillsong's church twice on Sunday.)

I'll attempt to post photos later.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Walking with the penguins




Yesterday Carolyn and I walked with the penguins. It was fairly awesome! We started out at the camp/centre, hiked down to the beach, and scouted around for the penguins. The penguins like to hide in the rocks like little mafia men.

We spent a fair bit of time down by the penguins and took the touristy route back up. A couple hours later, tea sipping at home with some great photos to share. Enjoy!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

December

My first South African birthday has come and gone. A very great and chilled out day.

The job hunt is still on!

I'm taking off for Long Street, Cape Town the 17th. That means away from the net for a bit during that time.

Right, going to actually "work" now! Cheers all.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Was my radio on?


Realising you might be a camp staffer:


  • While in the toilet you think "Is my radio on?"

  • Laundry becomes a four letter word--other staff may lend you clean t-shirts and trousers, but it ends there!

  • You have a water bottle. That you actually use and threaten harm to anyone who takes it.

  • Bear, baboon, scorpion, and teenagers run when they see you coming.

  • Zoolander may have a look, but you use THE look daily.

  • Fish fingers seem like normal breakfast food. And what's wrong with burgers three days running?!

  • Speaking of which, you have a camp wardrobe and a skinny wardrobe.

  • The army has nothing on your acronym skills. As in, The PD is looking for the APD to meet him/her in the KDA so they can deal with a PDA case. And it all makes sense!

Rocklands is looking for camp staff! If you want to be part of the cool group visit www.rocklandscentre.co.za and hit the volunteer tab for an application.

Nuclear bunker/carpetball table

If you been following Paddy's blog, you'll have noticed a wee thing he refers to as the nuclear bunker. This would be South Africa's first carpetball table, right here at Rocklands Centre! It's probably the most sturdy carpetball table ever built--unless you know of a metal table somewhere...
I've noticed that Paddy fails to mention the copious amount of glue used to join the carpet and wood. Shaun and Paddy really seemed to like this stage of the table making. Hmmmm. Then we all had gourmet sandwiches and coffee!
Come back here to see the finished product!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Rocklands on the Cuting Edge

We are going to be the first South African, perhaps even African, campsite to have a carpetball table! I am soooo excited! Stay tuned for photos and spare-words as Paddy and Shaun attempt to put the thing in the upstairs games room. That's right. Upstairs--hee hee!

Cupcake inspiration

I saw these 'cupcakes' (fairy cakes to our Brit friends) while on holiday. The tasty treats are actually wool felt and glass seed beads. So cool!


Thought I'd post a photo here to remind myself that there are super creative people in the world. If you want to see more creative stuff, check out Paddy's blog and see what he's able to do with permanent markers and paint!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Attacking Baboon

No, we did not attack the baboon--as the title might suggest. Shaun got a wee bit to close to the babies, and a baboon came after him. Threw him to the ground and otherwise stated his claim.

So, my family need not worry about me being killed, maimed, or injured by: bad water, stabbings, muggings, theft, rape, murder, outrageous tourist prices. I just have to worry about staying out of the baboons' way and all should go well with me!

Considering that the baboons freak me out, I don't envision me trying to lure them into my cabino with giant fruit platters...

Amy Carmichal never had to deal with baboons.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Democrat in the House

Right. So Paddy actually beat me to the televison set this morning--6.30 am--and we both waited in breathless anticipation (although Paddy may have just been there because he couldn't sleep) to see who won the US presidential race. Obama! Then I made coffee and went to work. Still, it's nice to know America may one day very soon be safe for all people again (not just the Republicans).

And, we have muchos personas internacion here for an SU conference. It is really nice to hear all the different languages! Shame that I didn't keep up with my high school Spanish...

Monday, October 27, 2008

1,687 miles later

1,687 miles of African travel and I come to startling realisations:
  • I have a VERY Swedish-American accent--able to make toast into three syllables

  • I like elephants nuzzling my hand as I feed them

  • Caves are not all that scary--or so I kept telling myself

  • There is a reason no one rides ostriches anymore!



  • Roast veg, wine, and a seaside cabin are the stuff of beautiful dreams


  • Small people are ideal for backseat travel

Thanks so much to the Hardies for allowing me to crash their holiday!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Living in a Car

Baboons in the kitchen, school waiting for very late transport, another group arriving, thirsty as the desert, bags to pack for holiday, phones ringing. I love those calming days at camp.

The backseat of the Hardie car will be more home for the next 10 days. I'm off on the Garden Route with my boss and her husband manana (tomorrow). Maybe I'll be missed. Maybe my chocolate chip cookies will be missed more! Along with normal vaca packing comes the stress of African packing--string tops, jumpers, medical kit, passport, coffee plunger, kitchen sink. Sure, you're thinking it's all to much, but who knows when I might need a screwdriver, and yes, I am taking that coffee plunger. Paddy will just have to suffer with instant coffee while I'm away!

We are planning to cruise the open road and bed down in a few hostels along the way. I have to say, the Hardie clan seems very cool and laid back about the whole thing--they probably packed tie-dyed shirts for the trip and I'll see the uber-cool side of the big J.H.!!

You can chat with me the 27 of Oct. Until then, wish me luck with the elephants, greenery, and backseat of the car.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Nod to the Americans

Paddy and I, with a little help from Siya, stocked the tuckshop with thousands of rands worth of sweets. Have to say, the shop doesn't look half bad!


And a nod to all the Americans, we have that elusive Mountain Dew. Only took months to find, but I pushed aside other shopping trollies (and a few shoppers in the way) and secured the Dew in honour of camp staffers everywhere who survive their hard summers by drinking the yellow nectar of the Dew goddess! Here's to you! (P.S. The Dew is made in Namibia. Odd!)

Sunday, October 12, 2008

All Alone

Paddy and I are here--alone. It's really kind of cool. We're adults. This is our job. It makes sense that we have some responsibility in the job. So, when those temptations came to host the largest baklava party this side of Capetown has ever seen, we resisted, and sent all the pastries away, away, away! If our bosses came back to find crumbs all over the camp, how would they ever trust us again?!



Also, I helped to release a venomous snake! Yeah! It sat around in the camp office greeting the campers with its forked tongue for a couple days. We also put a hairy baboon spider in its home to help make the snake feel sociable (and less anorexic). But both survived the glass tank and where released a safe distance from camp where they can live out their days free of random campers banging on the glass.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Sugar Dragon

For one of the only times in ten years of camping I stepped in and overrode the teachers--the camp I was hosting was that interesting! It was a coloured group of pre-teens from 'B' and I took away their sugar, tea, coffee, coke, and limited them to one sweet from the camp store. They were not happy! I didn't realize that sugar is a HUGE part of their culture; a couple of the teachers looked murderous. I also threatened to cut their power if our staff was awoken by their screams again in the middle of the night!

So, five days (and two broken windows) after the kids arrived, we finally had a lovely group of rested campers, slightly confused (but pleased) teachers, my sanity, and all the kids smiling at me when they left. And, our staff slept. Yeah!!!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Being Stupid






Aside from my lovely new colour, read below, I am also hosting a teen group this week. The kids are from a poorer area of Capetown and are really energetic, love the tuckshop, and are freaked out by the puff adder we caught on camp. The teacher gave them a strict lecture, all in Afrikaans, last night after dinner; so of course I understood very little, except for my name, which I heard, then had seventy kids swing their gazes to stare at me intently. I must learn Afrikaans! Thus far, this group from 'B' have broken two windows; and the week is young. Please, no first aid, that's all I ask!

Also, had class today. No drama. Much gazing out the window because it looked so nice outside! (I do actually pay attention in class, don't worry; I'm a Hane--we over-achieve in everything!) There's only a few more classes left before the final and in-class presentations. Hmm. What to write my paper on? So many options...




I turned over last night to snuggle into fresh duvet covers, only to experience the dull pain of a colourful sunburn--thanks to the awesome power of the South African sun! I suppose this is what happens when working on the pool's paving all day with merely a vest on (and shorts, don't get to excited!). You probably know the story: a gentle ting; a slight reddening of the skin; a major colouring of the skin; a pain so severe I re-think my vow to never have children, because surely a sunburn pain is the worst pain ever! Yes, Americans are naive--seriously, I am now in the southern hemisphere--did I not learn anything from that painful experience in Goa, India?

Paddy thinks the red could fade to a lovely brown, which is great, except for the interesting tan lines that make it seem as though I am now wearing a white vest with coloured arms--not a good look when wearing dinner dresses--which isn't all that bad, actually, because I seldom wear dinner dresses, what with most of my life spent in jeans and hiking boots.

Okay, now I must go look energetic and alive for this group. Wonder what a short person's caffeine limit is???

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Day Off

Saturday--day off! Woke up a bit early and hit the beach for some cool breezes and solitude. No tourists, which freaked me out a bit; nary a camera, sticky toddler, or picnic hamper on the whole stretch of sand. Headed back up the road when the wind got a bit chilly.

Then, hiked around town for a bit and discovered that all the tourists were buying African beads and coffee. Town's not quite elbow-to-elbow yet, but I can see it happening soon. I was able to pop my earphones in and stroll around to the tunes of vintage MJ, that's Michael Jackson for all of you music snobs!

Now, with a slightly sun-kissed face, I am about to host dinner for Vyan, as Nathan face-planted like a South African Tony Hawk and is at this very moment about to cost the Easom family a pretty penny due to a skilled dentist!

Dinner!!! Must jet!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Whale Farts

Yes, I know putting the 'f' word in the subject is just wrong, but it makes sense. Last night, about 8pm, the whales in the bay were quite loud. I thought they might have been nipping into the sea cabbage. Still, it's amazing to be reading in bed and hearing whales--I mean, whales for crying out loud! Very cool!

This morning the water was very still and not a whale to be seen. Perhaps I'll see more whales later this afternoon...

Monday, September 29, 2008

Prada-aaaah

The best discovery EVER! Jimmy Choo, Pringle, Philosophy, Sun Goddess, etc. are at the V & A Waterfront mall in Capetown! Yes, I know it's very wrong for a Christian to be materialistic, and I shall never be able to afford strappy Choo sandals that turn toes blue, but oh, the joys of such toe mincers practically right in my very own backyard. I wonder if this is how the Dutch felt when they discovered Capetown; but then there was no Burberry then, so the Dutch were probably a bit more excited by things like clean water and acres of fruit trees. Those lovely Dutch people--with their lovely shoes. Hmmmm--clogs--could be summer's must have fashion item!

P.S. Actually, my favourite purchase of the day was a steaming HOT mug of soy cappacino from Gloria Jean's coffee shop. $1.50 US dollars to satisfy this milk-allergic poor American. Yes! And hiking around the mall was fab, as it was 'peeing it down' outside!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Alien in the Shed



While cleaning out the Adventure Centre storage room an alien was discovered. I have included a photo as proof of this invasion.

After scraping off layers of dust and random bits of wood, pipes, and old mattresses, the bad boy was hauled out to the drive and noises where heard inside--the aliens trying to phone home?


I also had a really good chance to use my fashion background and created the ultimate inner-tube ensamble perfect for sight-seeing, or glam it up with a pair of heels for those evening parties around camp. Contact me for a price quote if you want me to design an outfit for you...

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Those Housemates

Ah, the joys of communal living. Last night members of the house stayed awake late; I figure they were ringing their best mates in Israel or Dubai or Hong Kong, hence the very late hour (s) on the phone. Which means this morning I banged fridge doors, cupboard doors, my mug, the kettle, nearly everything I came in contact with. I was like a one-person percussion symphony. My sleep deprived brain didn't even register all of this noise until I left the house for morning meeting; by then I figured all my housemates were awake anyway--lush water sounds from the shower proved this--so perhaps no apology is needed. I may just steal the phone and tuck it in my underwear drawer and claim those rascally baboons stole it, which is very possible as we're convinced they already own watches.

Speaking of baboons, they visited again yesterday. Paddy and Vyan chased them army stealth style. Let's hope the hippies bent on saving fragile baboon emotions don't realize how much we chase the hairy beasts!

Censor

I shall be much more careful about the political nature of my blogs due to the changing political climate here in South Africa. Hope this doesn't alarm any of my family who might now wonder why my wee political heart is turning to mediocre mush. It's called "deportation" and "prison".

Peeing it down

Peeing it down, as in "Hey mate, it's peeing it down out there" is a great phrase I learned in Scotland and describes the weather today. I'm so glad I went to the village library yesterday and collected a stack of books not less than a foot high as I shall now be reading it up on the living room sofa wrapped in my tartan duvet with the space-heater pumping out warmth. One soy-latte down the gullet already this morning--could explain my rather chipper outlook on this rainy day--and I foresee one or two more before the day is dark.

On very much the plus side, we still have electricity! Perhaps I should make pancakes, like the delicious ones Paddy cooked up for all of us yesterday. Ahhhh. Drizzling fresh orange juice over warm pancakes may be just the thing for this rainy afternoon. Or, I might just finish "Mr. Darcy's Diary", another product of the rainy Britian. So much to do, only one day off!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Digging

I am digging today. Yeah! There is an awesome breeze coming off the sea and the sun is shining and I am sweating (a sure sign that calories are burning) and all is well with the world. And, I get to make something cool--a fence. Actually, it'll be a pump-house for the pool and a fence to guard part of the lappa (firepit) area.

So far, I dug two, nearly three, holes, sawed through a few thick branches and used the loppers on other bits of vegetation. Also, Shaun and I wrestled a shrub out of the ground. The wrestling involved me pulling with all my might and shouting while nearly sitting on the ground.

Pickaxes, spades, and saws are involved. It does not get any better than this. Unless there was a staple gun, but that would be another post...

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Down with the Man

Seems as though the ANC is changing presidents faster than I change heels; one minute your up, the next you're a discarded kitten-heel shoved under the bed to collect the dusts of your political sins. You have to feel bad for Mbeki; he probably thought all this hand shaking with Zim would cast him as a modern-day St. Peter. I guess the ANC wants another rock quite badly and Mbeki will be leaving soon.

Being American, my brain doesn't yet grasp the suddeness of it all. And, I ask questions like: Will the government collapse? Will there be riots in the streets? Most important--Will the airports be affected, thus altering my fly-out plans and leaving me stranded in an African country where I only speak English, have the wrong colour skin, and am AMERICAN for crying out loud?!! (Yes, the 9/11 terror propoganda team did a number on us Americans!!)

I'm sure the country will remain beautiful, the government a bit akward as suits African politics, and the people as freindly as ever.

The New Guy

Sooo. I may need to work on my cross-cultural communication. In fairness, my new housemate's first language is Xhosa and mine is English, he is a he, and we are from two very different countries. I'm sure he's tired of me looking quizzical and asking,"What? Sorry, I didn't catch that." I am quickly turning into a typical American--speaking louder and slower. Argh.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Whale Hunter


I went with the Easom clan into the great den of civilisation today (aka Fish Hoek); on the way back we stopped at the beach and viewed the whales. Yes, whales! Snakes of tourists' cars crawl along the beach drive, stopping, starting, scooting, with all of us craning our necks to see the great black whales emerege.

Never have I seen such long cameras, even at media events. You'd think the whales are celebrities!

Alas, the great baboon troop was also whale-watching at the beach, so I think I'll skip a jog down that way this afternoon. Perhaps some badminton tonight instead...

Friday, September 19, 2008

Spice



Thought I'd spice up the ol' blog and send some photos your way. This is Nathan meeting a seal. He even fed a seal on the pier later in the afternoon!
And this wean lives next door. We went to see the president (Mbeki) in Simons Town and hit the beach while he delivered a speech. She has a little sister that also came on the president/beach visit.
Stay tuned for more photos!

Geek

I may be a geek. Google's website optimizer is giving me thrilling goosebumps up and down my typing fingers. My brain dances with the choices--oh, the joy of other geeks assembled! Website optimizer. Come on, how can those two words not make you smile?!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Name Badge

I had a thought this morning as I stuck my name badge to my brown hoodie. What if we all wore more than just our names on our name badges? If your's said your name and words about you: angry, sad, joyful, shy. If my badge said more than my name, then we could chat; we would having more than enough information for a conversation.

Last night a guest was acting as some guests do. And I thought, surely this guest needs to come with a warning label, grumpy, must always be right, unhumble. If we all came with honest labels about ourselves would we be more kind and understanding--knowing our faults are in the open just like everyone else? Would we hide less and care more?

That was my thought this morning. It may make sense, or, due to the fact I'm still not fully awake, this utopian thought could just come across as pure drivel. My name badge could read 'Darla, some times rambles.'

Friday, September 12, 2008

$653 to Costa Rica

True, I thought Costa Rica is an island near Puerto Rico, which means I should be banned from even thinking of travelling there, but now I know it's an uber-enviromentally aware country in South America. And it sounds lovely... It'll only take me $653 USD to get there (not that I counted, of course) but at the rate my great job hunt is going, that means Costa Rica may see my fish-white face sometime in 2010.

Therefore, no more stalling. I have two years in which to remember my high school Spanish. Because if not Costa Rica, I hear Spain is very nice this time of year!! Ole!

Hunky Enrico?

Is my family posh? I mean, since when do my siblings just randomly take off for exotic countries like Costa Rica. I can barely spell !Hola! and they're going to be tangoing their way through streets of Spanish and mazes of hunky Latin men.

I refuse to be even a tad bit jealous--I bet my sisters don't even know how to Salsa. Hah. They shall be spun off the Costa Rican dance floor; I shall have to go perform an emergency rescue, aided by a handsome Latin hunk; and all of us, including Enrico, will return to the States tanned and swathed in cute white summer dresses that flatter our new-found Latin curves.

Must brush up on my Spanish...and Salsa...and chat up lines for Latin men...
So much to do!!!!

Slippery hunt

So, hunting for the perfect job is a bit like finding your Easter basket--you find everyone else's, but your's is nowhere to be seen. It's a bit like that with me and the late-great-job-hunt. The perfect job for me is out there, just beyond my gaze...

Perhaps I am to picky: warm weather, decent pay, wonderful people. (Sounds a bit like here, alas, the South African government won't let me stay here forever!) Thus continues the hunt.

Now, if only I knew what to do for vacation?!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Yelling (in my head) at the professor

Much, much yelling in my head! I left class with a headache that only instant coffee cured. All because American Christian dogma has reached South African shores and flourishes under the warm sun. Two years of British manners kept me from leaping to my feet, grabbing the nearest Bible, and thumping the man on his head as he paced in front of the class, the thumping thus possibly scewing the plaid shirt tucked neatly into his khaki trousers.

But no, I refrained, and may I earn an extra soy-latte in heaven for sitting on my hands and sucking through my teeth. I very much hope that my brothers are not off somewhere wearing plaid and impregnating barefoot women. Oy!

(That's what I was thinking in my head today...)

Monday, September 8, 2008

Seeing the President and Hydrophobia

I saw the back of President Mbeki's head! It's true. He came to wee Simons Town to see the navy and hung around for speeches and a parade. God bless South Africa's lack of security detail, as that slight laspe in personal safety meant that I got to be about one metre from the president of a whole country! Ah, my little political heart is beating rapidly...

And, it gets better. I went on a boat! Yes, a real live boat that took me out to sea. I saw the lounging seals of Seal Island as they basked and baked in the delicious sun. My hydrophobia stayed in full-swing through most of the sloshy journey, but years of spinning on ice have given me a super trained brain and I was able to focus on an object to ward off seasickness that attempted to pirate the food from my stomach.

Yes, the last week has been grand indeed! Tomorrow...A class at BI. Hmmm. But I'll let you know how that goes.