Home - The US

So I arrived today (straight to Wesleyan University) safe and sound. I will be in Chicago on the 19th of December.  My American cell phone is reactivated for those who want to talk to me.  

Hope you enjoyed this blog, I liked to write on it.  

Signing off,

Adina 

Mosque

Today, those of us who wanted, went to a giant Muslim Mosque.  It was a really interesting experience with a beautiful washing station at the entrance with a pond that had fish where the water would drain into.  It led into a high ceiling building with two levels that both held worshippers five times a day, everyday according to our guide - who was a originally a canadian and a baptist minister - interesting.  it was really interesting!

Then Kim and I went to the Bat Center, no there were no bats there.  It is an art cooperative where artists are given places to work and maybe supplies and this center sells their work.  We met some really wonderful artists, one who teaches the others in classes.  And Kim talked on the phone to the artist whose work she was buying, which was really cool.  it was a fun day - a lot of shopping, which was hard but also necessary when you are soon coming home.  

then I tanned in the sun, just thought I would add that to spite those of you in the cold. 

Love 

Adina 

ISP Awesomeness

Today I did my last interview with Ela Gandhi.  She offered to have me come and talk with her after I emailed her some of my questions.  She was so inspiring, not at all assuming.  She lived in a small condo with an incredible view of durban and most of the coastline - WOW!  She talked theoretically about interfaith and what makes it challenging etc. It was so wonderful, having that experience alone made the ISP process more much more survivable.  It was incredible! 

Love!

ISP and Ushaka

After a beautiful, sunny saturday where my plans of a boat ride with Sarah fell through, I worked on ISPP for most the day.  While I had thought I would start later than that, I had some much to say and consider, it mostly poured out of me (that was a weird analogy-thing, maybe I should be a life-long researcher or academic thing)  anyway, it was a long day broken up only by a swim in the pool and then dinner out with my apartment at Mo Noodles which was delicious.  Then I brushed up on my pool playing skills while drinking some, it was so FUN! The guys at our hostel told me I had to chill after my long day of writing and they were so right!  

On Sunday, as a reward and as part of a plan we had already made, we (sarah and I) went to Ushaka Marine World.  There was a combo ticket discount, so we got into the water park and the aquarium for half price.  It was a really windy day though so we did not get into our bathing suits at all.  Instead we saw sharks that they were attempting to feed, stingrays getting fed - so cool! - by a diver, and a dolphin show.  As well as all sorts of other cool sea creatures and things that were really poisonous.  Like poison dart frogs and a black mamba snake - that was awesome! Then in the evening to thank one of our staff, Langa, we had him over for dinner.  We made a pretty successful lasagna and had salad and yummy cookies for dessert.  Mostly we talked about the program and our feelings about going home.  It was so fun!!

Today, I am just working on my ISP and its edits.  It is an long, tedious process, but I am feeling really good about my progress!! Yea!   

  

Thanksgiving

Here in South Africa, there is very little Thanksgiving celebrating but our academic director Vanessa hosts dinner at her beautiful house every year.  Her husband is American and so it is a nice thing for him to make us feel more at home.  It would certainly be weird not to have any celebration at all.  

anyway, for the food everyone made different things from their families.  I made my mom's stuffing for Rosh Hashanah (not so thanksgiving, but something I missed too) and it was really fun.  There were four turkeys and a ton of mashed potatoes.  

Vanessa has two adorable children, a cat, a dog, and a great pool.  There was swimming and TV watching - all around fun.  It was really nice and I really appreciated her having all of us over.  

Now begins the final week of ISP.  I have to write up all the pages and I was feeling overwhelmed but after meeting with John I think I am in a good place.  

Its unbelievable how fast these last three weeks have gone by, in exactly two weeks I will be boarding a plane to go back to the US.  But not before a trip to Cape Town, I decided 'what the hell, I might not be back for a long time' so I am going to go with about 5 other girls.  

See you soon, 

 Much love!

Random Things

So I have a few things to report.  First of all, I have hurt me knee perhaps from all the running I had been doing with Kim.  So I am now taking more cabs and finding them somewhat frustrating although today I knew where I was the whole time and navigated home without a cab, just a regular minibus taxi (much cheaper). 

A few other things, I went to Diakonia, an council of churches somewhat involved in interfaith and me with them.  It was super interesting to see their organization work and talk to them about it.  I also stayed for their monday morning prayer meeting that opens every work week.  

While I was there a few things were told to me that I realize I have heard a lot but had forgotten to share on this little blog.  First, I have been wearing a red string and a multi-colored string on my wrist since the summer. I put them on with my IFYI campers and have kept them ever since.  The red string is similar to a Hindu tradition where they tie a string around the wrist of someone after doing certain prayers or as a show of protection.  A relative might tie it around your wrist to show you are family and will be protected by your family.  I have been asked if I was Hindu numerous times here, an odd experience for me, but a really cool one. 

The other string has faded and with only a quick glance at it, it might appear to be leather.  This is what one of the women I interviewed said.  African Traditional communities often tie leather straps around the wrist, though I am not totally sure why - maybe healing?

The most interesting and cool part of this is that when I am in South Africa people assume things about me based on these items that in the US (at least amongst my friends) would likely just be assumed to be friendship bracelets.  cultural signifiers change so much in different countries.  

Also today I learned about a muslim scholar, Gulen, I am going to continue looking up info about him, but if you are interested thats my homework for the day. 

xox

 Adina

Adventures

This week has had many adventures including, of course, ISP interviews.  These are always interesting and informative.  I enjoy seeing how differently the people I am interviewing live and work from my host families.  Beyond the interviews and attempting to read or write for ISP, there have been some goodbyes are our hostel.  Long-time chillers have left and with them so will some of the partying, but the saying good has continued for like 3 days now.  It is sad to see these guys go but always excited to see who will come next.  The return of some old friends (we met there before) was great this week.  Beyond hostel happenings and ISP interviews, there are other adventures as well.  

Yesterday, it was beautiful outside and since Kim did not have to go to the hospital for her ISP, we hung out by the pool all day.  While there was talk of going to the beach, this came to no avail.  Later we watched Paris, Je Taime (spelling?)

Today, I woke up early and went hoping to have one of the guys at our hostel teach me to surf with equipment from the surf shop where he works, but when we arrived there at 7am, there were no good waves to speak of.  Oh well, try again another day. Since, my other roommate Sarah had come with me, we went on an adventure walking through downtown.  We went to the Friday morning beadmarket - much busier around 930am than 11am.  And continued exploring Florida rd, the busy street off which we live.  This time we went to a beautiful art gallery and also to a Church.  The church attempted to convert us and the lady there told me I was going to tell, at least she was concerned with my future.  

It has been a good week although I am never sure that I will gather enough info for a successful ISP, but I guess if need be I can write about what hampered me from doing that.   

Much love 

Adina