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 

 

The Largest Mall in the Southern Hemisphere

Hi all - 

 This past weekend I went to Gateway.  You guessed it, its a huge mall.  As malls go it was only so exciting to me, but to South Africans I think it is very exciting.  I did see some incredible things though and among them was a endless wave that you could surf on.  It was somewhat like a wave pool, but very shallow and the waves just kept coming and you could surf on them.  Next to that was a giant skate-park where kids and adults would come to skateboard.  It was pretty amazing.  Inside the mall was a huge rock climbing wall! it was incredible it had like four main surfaces you could climb up and then they all converged into a final very high part.  It was amazing! 

otherwise not much else super exciting has been happening,  I have been having interviews for my ISP and enjoying them quite a lot.  The newest cool thing I learned about was Woza Moya a Buddhist inspired Hiv/Aids fighting organization. So cool and very inspiring!

Love, 

Adina 

Crazy Weather

Today it was foggy, then sunny and warm. I made some phone calls for ISP then watched a movie.  there is not a lot to do all the time because people are only free for interviews at certain times and while I really should be writing up my notes etc. I rarely do.  

Anyway, then I went to eat with another girl who is staying at my hostel.  There are 3 kids here on a gap year type thing and it sometimes makes me pretty nostalgic.  Anyway as we began to pay it started to rain and within a minute it was pouring and then hailing.  So we ran home like three blocks and by the end we were soaked.  I was cold and so decided to jump into the pool.  there was no lighting or thunder, dont worry.  So I began a swimming in the rain party! Then it was sunny but still raining. after about half an hour the rain stopped the sun came even more out than it had been and our little party began to wind down. it was a great day and something that I will remember forever. 

then one of the hostel guys said - just typical Durban weather! 

OH MY!

anyway, thats my life here for now

Adina

The Final Stretch

we are in the final stretch with less than 30 days left in SA to go.  While I have been missing home it is crazy to think that I have to write such an extensive paper so soon.   Lets not linger on that stress - but instead i will share some ISP highlights

I have been interviewing some religious leaders to hear about their interfaith involvement.  

Yesterday I went to a church with a mostly Indian community and learned about their inter-denominational partnerships and had tea and cookies (actually quite south african - likely a british holdover ritual) with her.  This lovely reverend put me in touch with another rev in reserviour hills doing some pretty amazing work which is interestingly enough is inspired by a scientology program that happens back in the US.  

Also I went to a municipal AIDS committee task force meeting.  I was shocked and shaken by the bueracrcy displayed and also likely made a fool of myself in front of the mayor of durban, oh well - thats why we go abroad I think.  

overall it has been a great week, there was also a beach excursion and a visit with the other girls at the Windemere place they are living at.  

its a little slow somedays to find people to interview with you and today I am mostly waiting for people to get back to me but hopefully everything will keep shaping up nicely

love love 

Adina

Not Too Much To Report

Well, a full week in ISP accommodations has happened. It has been really wonderful, it turns out they braai (BBQ) at our hostel basically every other day, so we have been viewing the many types of South African meat.  

The weekend was fun, with our work completed we went to the reform shul for the 60th anniversary celebration and luncheon, YUMM, and then watched some movies.  

Sunday we walked to the Rugby stadium where there was a cute flea market that took place in an abandoned horse stables.  It also had some cute food stalls and strange theme stores - like a colour therapy one, that were very unique.  It was one of the more racially diverse places we have been.  That was cool!

Much love, 

Adina

Election Day and New Housing

Kim and I moved into our new accommodations at a cute hostel.  It is called Thekwini and we have a long term apartment there. We have also begun running everyday which is challenging but when I wake up sore the next day it is incredibly rewarding.  

The ISP proposals were returned and many people had to revise, including me.  While this was a bit discouraging I think mostly the 'trouble' with my project is that so little research has been done it is hard to predict what will be found and thus it is difficult to determine how much information I should try to discover to equal the amount of data needed to have a successful paper completed.  Amongst those who needed to reconsider some details of their project there is another girl who had been staying in our hostel and was intending to go to Capetown.  Her trip to Capetown was not approved so she will remain in Durban.  Since she had not planned housing and our apartment was bigger than expected, she has moved in with us.  

Yesterday, we all went to but a cookbook and Kim and I are going to make delicious meals together.  I am really hoping to learn to make pasta from scratch and maybe some other types of bread.  I also want to practice some of the recipes I learned from living with my host families.  

Finally, on to the election.  This morning I woke up to text messages that Obama had won! I was so excited! We were invited to the consulate to watch the late night US coverage in real time and I made it there in time to hear most of Obama's acceptance speech.  Most all the students on my trip were supporters and many of us were in tears when we addressed those beyond the shores of the US.  It was a fun experience and the new consul general of Durban was a really sweet woman.  The consulate has an extensive library open to the public and one of its major strengths is the volume of works about HIV/Aids.  This will really help many students with their ISPs.  We took pictures with a cardboard cutout of Obama and the consul general.  that was really fun and their photographers said they would send the pictures along.  The food was also delicious, as they hosted a delightful breakfast for those who attended.  while it was sad not to be at Wesleyan or in Chicago, it was a historic moment no matter where you were in the world.  Also it was so COOL to see how happy and excited the South African community (in general) seemed to be.  Hopefully their reaction is indicative of the rest of the world's feelings about the election.  

The major change this week is that now we are planning our own time and working at our own pace on projects.  We have a research paper due on friday, though I also have to meet with my ISP advisor so I am hoping to finish early.  But the extensive research for ISP is beginning and while it seems challenging I think it will be so FUN and also so rewarding.  

Thanks for tuning in 

Adina      

Last Homestay Weekend

This weekend was our last with a homestay family for those of us who will be living independently from now on. I had a wonderful time with my family.  We went to a 16th birthday party, which reminded me a lot of a bat mitzvah party.  we went to a hall and there were set tables with catered buffet style food.  Her parents gave toasts as did a good friend of hers and an older cousin.  Then, after the meal there was a dance party! It was really fun and the family tried to show me some traditional Indian dance moves.  

All week we had been watching Bollywood movies and during the dance party some of the movie songs played. I was really excited that I recognized them.  

The previous night, our much older -but still single - brother took us to a casino.  It was very similar to the US, I assume, I have only been to a casino in Atlantic City.  It was interesting to see who seemed to have money to gamble, and how popular gambling seemed even amongst populations I have been taught are very likely poorer.   

 On Sunday, I watched some Cricket (strange game) with Andres at another of our relatives' houses.  Then I went to a prayer said over a new place of business, it was really nice - we did libation type things to the deities, I wasn't sure if I should participate or not but everyone was kissing and greeting me like I was family so I just went along with what my sister did.  Afterwards there was a lot of food (AGAIN - I have never eaten so much under such pressure before in my life) but it was all delicious, so whatever.  Its hard to say no when you are a guest and the family wants to show you the best of a culture they really love.   

anyway, now we are preparing to move into our new ISP accomidations and I am excited although it is a little anxiety producing to be all on your own and have to produce such a significant body of work at the end of it.  Hopefully all will be great, also I have to meet with my advisor on friday which means finding my own way to Pietermaritzburg, also thats the day all these other papers are due, so I will just have to work ahead.  

missing you and much love

Adina