For those of you without big red circles on your calendars, underlined frantically with the inscription "Matt's back today!", it should come as a shock to you to learn that I'll be back, ableit briefly, in England from Wednesday.
It's fair to say that I'm pretty excited about coming back, but also that I know I'm going to miss this place for a long time. How couldn't I? It's been home for a third of a year almost, and I've had the best experiences of my life here. I think it's safe to say I'll be back to Africa in the near(ish) future, I've spoken to enough travellers to get some idea of the size and beauty of the continent. I'd like to imagine that I'll be able to come back once I've got some medical training under my belt, so I can be a bit more useful.
And speaking of medicine, I've now taken blood twice! Oh yes, your veins are safe no more - as Terry Pratchett put it, Carpe Jugulum. I've also put a cannula in, first time successful - as long as you don't ask about the next three then I'll be happy, my beginner's luck didn't last long.
I was happy on Friday when I managed to finally finish the newsletter for the hospice, I would have felt bad if I just left them with a half-finished document they couldn't use. It just needs printing now, which should hopefully be soon enough for everything in there not to have gone hugely out of date. I might put it up as a pdf. for anyone to read if they want to know more about the place.
But, I'm running out of things to say. Which is alright, as my time here is running out too. I'll do a conclusion post once I get back and have had time to let the whole experience sink in. See you all soon!
PS. I'm looking forward to the clouds
Sunday, 15 July 2007
Sunday, 1 July 2007
Gotta catch 'em all!
Ha! It only took me three months, but I can now return home proud and say that I saw the 'Big 5' in Africa - lion, elephant, water buffalo, cheetah and rhino. The only one I was missing up until now was the horn head, and to be honest I'd given up on it, as they're not the sort of thing you see just wandering about, right?
Wrong!
On the way back from Cape Town, behind a chicken wire fence in a reserve what did Julie, ever vigilant Julie spot? No, not a rhino... TWO rhinocerouses (sp...), an adult and a wee baby, which was really great, and was the icing on an already diabetic-threatening cake. So, apart from one 'incident', which I will casually ignore now, the trip was fantastic, and the only problem is getting back to real life here in Gabs for a fortnight. First, I'm no longer driven around, so it's back on the combis, where incidentally, I'm still waiting thankfully for the previous record of 20 to be beaten. And secondly, of course whatever inklings of Setswana I managed to summon up had abandoned me, which led to much chiding at the Hospice until it was all forced back into me.
On the subject of which, I was really encouraged by the reception I got at HCH after nearly two weeks of absence, as some of the staff had thought I left for good like a rhino in the mist, and now that the Canadians are going, there's more work to be done.
As some of you may remember, when I first got here, I was given the project of newsletter, but that seems to have slipped by the wayide for some time now, due to a lack of computer availability, journalistic skills on my part, and the fact that if I leave it for more than a couple of weeks, whatever is written becomes out of date and nearly useless. But, I was asked to do it, and seeing as I don't have a cure for HIV/AIDS yet, I figure I should at least try and finish it before I leave. Hopefully, Talia, the last of the Canadians shoud inject some much-needed life into it.
And before I wrap this one up, let me just warn you guys - I struck it big down here recently, so no-one had better mess with me when I get back. That's right, I recently came into 100,000 Zimbabwean dollars, courtesy of Uncle Bob. Grand prize to the first person to convert that to real money!
Wrong!
On the way back from Cape Town, behind a chicken wire fence in a reserve what did Julie, ever vigilant Julie spot? No, not a rhino... TWO rhinocerouses (sp...), an adult and a wee baby, which was really great, and was the icing on an already diabetic-threatening cake. So, apart from one 'incident', which I will casually ignore now, the trip was fantastic, and the only problem is getting back to real life here in Gabs for a fortnight. First, I'm no longer driven around, so it's back on the combis, where incidentally, I'm still waiting thankfully for the previous record of 20 to be beaten. And secondly, of course whatever inklings of Setswana I managed to summon up had abandoned me, which led to much chiding at the Hospice until it was all forced back into me.
On the subject of which, I was really encouraged by the reception I got at HCH after nearly two weeks of absence, as some of the staff had thought I left for good like a rhino in the mist, and now that the Canadians are going, there's more work to be done.
As some of you may remember, when I first got here, I was given the project of newsletter, but that seems to have slipped by the wayide for some time now, due to a lack of computer availability, journalistic skills on my part, and the fact that if I leave it for more than a couple of weeks, whatever is written becomes out of date and nearly useless. But, I was asked to do it, and seeing as I don't have a cure for HIV/AIDS yet, I figure I should at least try and finish it before I leave. Hopefully, Talia, the last of the Canadians shoud inject some much-needed life into it.
And before I wrap this one up, let me just warn you guys - I struck it big down here recently, so no-one had better mess with me when I get back. That's right, I recently came into 100,000 Zimbabwean dollars, courtesy of Uncle Bob. Grand prize to the first person to convert that to real money!
Saturday, 23 June 2007
panda panda panda
Ok, I realise many of you were left in suspense by my last post and there has likely been much groaning and grinding of teeth in the seemingly eternal delay. Right.
Well, suffice to say that Chobe, Vic Falls and Zambia were great. Maybe during a quieter time, I'll pen some of my thoughts on the matter. But now, that's old news, and I'm in Cape Town, South Africa thanks to the very good and kind hospitality of Julie Hagen. We drove down on Monday and Tuesday, a mere 1400km and since then I've been officially 'on vacation'. Yes, I'm slowly ticking off as many tourist targets as possible. On Wednesday, it was the V&A waterfront, Thursday Cape Point and Boulders Beach (PENGUINS!), and yesterday the city centre, museums, knife wielding mugger, and Table Mountain. Today we went out to Hermanus in search of whales, but unfortunately they weren't near the coast and it was too windy to go out on a boat. Ah well!
But, I don't think that this list format is doing anyone any favours, particularly the sights themselves. So I'll give a brief rundown of each-
Victoria and Alfred waterfront - good weather helped here, and I even saw a seal. The two oceans aquarium was good as well. There is also a regular ferry out to Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned, but the prison is undergoing refurbishment at the moment (odd, I know...), so I gave that a miss.
Boulders Beach - home to the Cape penguins, formerly known as Jackass penguins beacause of their braying, though I think that was rather mean. They were really nice, if a bit smelly.
Cape Point - apparently the point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, though there is some debate about that. Some great views as you walk down it and see less and less land and more and more and more sea far below you. Slightly less popular but maybe more interesting was the cape of good hope, the most south-westerly point of Africa. I had to wait in line behind a load of Japanese tourists, but I got a cool photo of that (thanks Julie!). Oh, and as if all that wasn't memorable enough, a baboon leapt into the car, ripped open a bag to get at the bananas inside, and proceeded to peel and eat them on the front passenger seat. I had to swipe it with my bag to convince it to leave, after it started going after my sunscreen (yellow bottle - not a baboon-proof idea).
City centre - I didn't have much time here, so I tried to do as much as possible. I went to the castle, where I saw people dressing up and firing dinky cannons. I went to the National Gallery where there were exhibitions on local art relating to Apartheid, and the museum where I got to see whale skeletons, rock art and a planetarium.
Knife wielding mugger - wow, I've enjoyed making you all wait for this story, though I'm grateful it isn't more dramatic. Long story short, two guys stop me in the street, ask for money. I give R10, walk away. Same two guys follow me down busy street, chatting. Then they stop me again, ask for more. I give R10. One guy pulls out knife, and tells me not to *$!" with him, upon which request, I hand over R300 and politely ask to be left alone. I proceed to nearest cafe, and stop shaking gradually and realise what a bargain it was to not risk being stabbed. Also, pretty happy I kept my camera and phone, both of which are greatly more valuable and important to me. Although if asked to choose, my casio or my life, I'm sure some rapid re-evaluation would take place.
Right, I think that's more than enough drama for now kiddies, off to bed!
edit: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2627&l=6bc04&id=505324220
Well, suffice to say that Chobe, Vic Falls and Zambia were great. Maybe during a quieter time, I'll pen some of my thoughts on the matter. But now, that's old news, and I'm in Cape Town, South Africa thanks to the very good and kind hospitality of Julie Hagen. We drove down on Monday and Tuesday, a mere 1400km and since then I've been officially 'on vacation'. Yes, I'm slowly ticking off as many tourist targets as possible. On Wednesday, it was the V&A waterfront, Thursday Cape Point and Boulders Beach (PENGUINS!), and yesterday the city centre, museums, knife wielding mugger, and Table Mountain. Today we went out to Hermanus in search of whales, but unfortunately they weren't near the coast and it was too windy to go out on a boat. Ah well!
But, I don't think that this list format is doing anyone any favours, particularly the sights themselves. So I'll give a brief rundown of each-
Victoria and Alfred waterfront - good weather helped here, and I even saw a seal. The two oceans aquarium was good as well. There is also a regular ferry out to Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned, but the prison is undergoing refurbishment at the moment (odd, I know...), so I gave that a miss.
Boulders Beach - home to the Cape penguins, formerly known as Jackass penguins beacause of their braying, though I think that was rather mean. They were really nice, if a bit smelly.
Cape Point - apparently the point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, though there is some debate about that. Some great views as you walk down it and see less and less land and more and more and more sea far below you. Slightly less popular but maybe more interesting was the cape of good hope, the most south-westerly point of Africa. I had to wait in line behind a load of Japanese tourists, but I got a cool photo of that (thanks Julie!). Oh, and as if all that wasn't memorable enough, a baboon leapt into the car, ripped open a bag to get at the bananas inside, and proceeded to peel and eat them on the front passenger seat. I had to swipe it with my bag to convince it to leave, after it started going after my sunscreen (yellow bottle - not a baboon-proof idea).
City centre - I didn't have much time here, so I tried to do as much as possible. I went to the castle, where I saw people dressing up and firing dinky cannons. I went to the National Gallery where there were exhibitions on local art relating to Apartheid, and the museum where I got to see whale skeletons, rock art and a planetarium.
Knife wielding mugger - wow, I've enjoyed making you all wait for this story, though I'm grateful it isn't more dramatic. Long story short, two guys stop me in the street, ask for money. I give R10, walk away. Same two guys follow me down busy street, chatting. Then they stop me again, ask for more. I give R10. One guy pulls out knife, and tells me not to *$!" with him, upon which request, I hand over R300 and politely ask to be left alone. I proceed to nearest cafe, and stop shaking gradually and realise what a bargain it was to not risk being stabbed. Also, pretty happy I kept my camera and phone, both of which are greatly more valuable and important to me. Although if asked to choose, my casio or my life, I'm sure some rapid re-evaluation would take place.
Right, I think that's more than enough drama for now kiddies, off to bed!
edit: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2627&l=6bc04&id=505324220
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
I know the question on all of your minds - did he, didn't he?
He did!
Oh yes, I bunji jumped from Victoria Falls this Sunday, and I'm happy to report that my retinas seem to have remained intact, even after the incredibly rickety 6 hour bus journey to Francistown. It was the highlight of a great weekend, where on the same day, we camped out under the african sky in the bush, saw a lion, got soaked at Victoria Falls and added considerably to our passports. I took 300 photos this weekend, though admittedly maybe 150 of them are the same things from minutely different angles, but I think that should be a measure of the weekend. It takes far too long for me to upload lots of them however, so I'm just going to put a few select ones up for the time being.
So, after a 12 hour bus journey from Gaborone to Livingstone in Zambia with 12 Canadians and 2 Americans, we arrived at Jollyboy's lodge. From there, Chove National Park overnight, where the elephant population outnumbers the human. Back to the lodge in the morning and from there to Vic Falls - quite rightly one of the 7 wonders of the world.
I'll write more later, but for now...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2380&l=f9466&id=505324220
He did!
Oh yes, I bunji jumped from Victoria Falls this Sunday, and I'm happy to report that my retinas seem to have remained intact, even after the incredibly rickety 6 hour bus journey to Francistown. It was the highlight of a great weekend, where on the same day, we camped out under the african sky in the bush, saw a lion, got soaked at Victoria Falls and added considerably to our passports. I took 300 photos this weekend, though admittedly maybe 150 of them are the same things from minutely different angles, but I think that should be a measure of the weekend. It takes far too long for me to upload lots of them however, so I'm just going to put a few select ones up for the time being.
So, after a 12 hour bus journey from Gaborone to Livingstone in Zambia with 12 Canadians and 2 Americans, we arrived at Jollyboy's lodge. From there, Chove National Park overnight, where the elephant population outnumbers the human. Back to the lodge in the morning and from there to Vic Falls - quite rightly one of the 7 wonders of the world.
I'll write more later, but for now...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2380&l=f9466&id=505324220
Thursday, 7 June 2007
I've noticed a slight dip in my output as of late, and as such this is an effort to remedy that situation. Go - Filler!
Right, tonight I'll be departing on an overnight bus to Livingstone in Zambia, with 14 other people. We'll be staying in a backpackers lodge that has been recommended to me by a few people, and from there we'll be heading out on a safari to Chobe, where we'll be camping on Saturday night, and from there going back to Livingstone in the morning after our third game drive. (pause for breath). And on arriving, we'll be bundled into a bus to look around Victoria Falls, where I will have to make that decision which has plagued man for generations - to bungi or not to bungi? If it was as simple as that, I would be over in a heartbeat. But! Thanks to some of my friends, two words have become lodged in my head - detatched retinas. So now I've got an excuse not to do it, but if it was really a likely problem, then there's no way as many people would do it as they do. So... at the moment I'm leaning towards it (though not too far forwards that I lose my balance).
I should be back Monday evening, and I'll be sure to take plenty of photos!
Right, tonight I'll be departing on an overnight bus to Livingstone in Zambia, with 14 other people. We'll be staying in a backpackers lodge that has been recommended to me by a few people, and from there we'll be heading out on a safari to Chobe, where we'll be camping on Saturday night, and from there going back to Livingstone in the morning after our third game drive. (pause for breath). And on arriving, we'll be bundled into a bus to look around Victoria Falls, where I will have to make that decision which has plagued man for generations - to bungi or not to bungi? If it was as simple as that, I would be over in a heartbeat. But! Thanks to some of my friends, two words have become lodged in my head - detatched retinas. So now I've got an excuse not to do it, but if it was really a likely problem, then there's no way as many people would do it as they do. So... at the moment I'm leaning towards it (though not too far forwards that I lose my balance).
I should be back Monday evening, and I'll be sure to take plenty of photos!
Monday, 4 June 2007
Rain, rain go away
I was at the pre-school today, doing some hard labour for the playground, and afterwards went in to play with the kids. They sang the classic "Rain rain go away", which struck me as pretty funny considering that this country is in a drought. Yes, little Johnny might want to play, but your dam is less than half full...
I was lucky enough to be invited away for the weekend with some friends at the hospital, so we went to Tau (lion) lodge in Madikwe, a reserve in the north of South Africa. It was really good, and I am trying to upload photos even now, but if it doesn't work then I'll try from another computer later in the week. It was a very different Africa that I saw in that 5 star lodge (one night was more than a month's budget...), and one that I think most of us want to see when we come over on holiday. But, it is a very different place to what most Africans live with. For example, I think half of these guys have never seen a lion, yet we have it on our 'must see' list. Don't get me wrong, I loved my time there, not having to worry about food (fridge still broken), getting shown everything in great comfort, but I am also enjoying my time in the real world, with friends and a routine.
Oh, we saw two of the Big 5, a lioness and elephants. We even got to eat ostrich on Saturday, which I would highly recommend - a very lean meat, more like beef than chicken.
Next weekend I should be going up to Chobe, a destination I've really been looking forwards to. I thought I had a travel plan, but all of a sudden (i.e. this morning), the guys I was planning on going with have said that their organisation has arranged something similar for them, but that I am still welcome to come along. I'll go for sure, I just don't know exactly when, where or how much it will be. Ah well, everything will work out in the end!
And it is now just a fortnight until I go to Cape Town, so I'm getting very excited!
For photos, try http://picasaweb.google.com/mattman.d/UntitledAlbum
I was lucky enough to be invited away for the weekend with some friends at the hospital, so we went to Tau (lion) lodge in Madikwe, a reserve in the north of South Africa. It was really good, and I am trying to upload photos even now, but if it doesn't work then I'll try from another computer later in the week. It was a very different Africa that I saw in that 5 star lodge (one night was more than a month's budget...), and one that I think most of us want to see when we come over on holiday. But, it is a very different place to what most Africans live with. For example, I think half of these guys have never seen a lion, yet we have it on our 'must see' list. Don't get me wrong, I loved my time there, not having to worry about food (fridge still broken), getting shown everything in great comfort, but I am also enjoying my time in the real world, with friends and a routine.
Oh, we saw two of the Big 5, a lioness and elephants. We even got to eat ostrich on Saturday, which I would highly recommend - a very lean meat, more like beef than chicken.
Next weekend I should be going up to Chobe, a destination I've really been looking forwards to. I thought I had a travel plan, but all of a sudden (i.e. this morning), the guys I was planning on going with have said that their organisation has arranged something similar for them, but that I am still welcome to come along. I'll go for sure, I just don't know exactly when, where or how much it will be. Ah well, everything will work out in the end!
And it is now just a fortnight until I go to Cape Town, so I'm getting very excited!
For photos, try http://picasaweb.google.com/mattman.d/UntitledAlbum
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Jipped
Right, my African Oddysey is more than half way through, and things are starting to happen.
- My fridge/freezer is broken, just as soon as I have managed to reach a level I can call 'well stocked', it dies on me. I miss the noise it made at night that could wake me up, at least then I knew it was working. The director at the Hospice has said she'll sort it, but until then I'm going to be living out of tins!
- It's got cold all of a sudden! Not fair, this is not what I signed up for... So I've got some warm clothes, but I think I'm going to cave in and get some more.
- Three new volunteers have arrived at the hospice from Canada, and they are settling in well. I'm going to try and see if any of them are interested in my trip to Chobe - I hope so, company is nice!
Last Sunday my kind Cape Town invitation provders weren't at church, so I'm hoping to catch them this week, to sort some details and double-confirm that it is really happening. Yay!
The hat hunt continues, undaunted by the weather!
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Deja vu
Ok, I’m writing this one at home again, so I can’t remember what I wrote about last time…
I don’t think I’ve mentioned it already, so here it goes – I spent a week in a local government-run hospital called Princess Marina Hospital, which was arranged for me by Dr Moffat and Dr Magdi, both of whom I’m very grateful towards. I spent the mornings doing a combination of sitting around; pretty sure I’d been forgotten about, and following the doctors on rounds throughout the Male Medical Ward. One of the precursors for my time there was that I should actually try to help out, rather than remaining a passive observer getting in the way. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much I could do for the first few days until I know my way around and how to perform various basic tasks. I’ve learned a lot of the basics I think, and now (I’ve arranged to work in the hospital 1.5 days a week), I’m starting to help by filling out forms, fetching things and talking to the patients.
Oh, on a brief aside, I’ve picked up a bit of Setswana, but unfortunately, it is mostly variations on ‘how are you?’, which, in a hospital leads to distinctly non-standard responses to which I can only smile and shrug.
In the afternoons, I often wandered over the Female Medical Ward, where there are quite a few American med students, who are here on six-week rotations. Happily, they don’t mind me tagging along, and I’ve seen lots of basic procedures and learned even more. Everyone at the hospital seems bent on getting me to begin taking blood – something that I’m obviously nervous about (80% of patients are HIV positive…), but I think it doesn’t look too hard, and I’ll have to do it eventually anyway. Personally, I’m hoping for a patient who is out of it (technical term there, look it up if you have to), as they often are, and is not likely to question my credentials closely!
The hospital makes a nice break from the hospice, where there isn’t much going on at the moment (still no new clients…), and all I can really do is lend my IT skills whenever they’re needed. One thing I’ve started looking forwards to is going to the Pre-school to help deliver lunch, as that place is always lively – it lifts my spirits. Ah, and while I remember – the stationary and notebooks from St. Gabriel’s were gladly received a few weeks ago.
I’m also starting to get very excited about an upcoming trip to Cape Town, which I was very kindly invited on by Julie and Dave from church, who live there normally. It’s going to be a 10 day trip, three of those spent driving, with the rest divided between the many tourist destinations – Table Mountain, Cape Point, Whale-watching, Robben Island, even the Cape Penguins! So excited, the end of June can’t come fast enough!
Before I leave (not an event looking too far off any more), there are three more things I want to do – Cape Town, the magazine (proving difficult), and Chobe, which I intend to start researching soon. The solitary adventure is looking more and more plausible.
Sorry about all the brackets (not!).
I don’t think I’ve mentioned it already, so here it goes – I spent a week in a local government-run hospital called Princess Marina Hospital, which was arranged for me by Dr Moffat and Dr Magdi, both of whom I’m very grateful towards. I spent the mornings doing a combination of sitting around; pretty sure I’d been forgotten about, and following the doctors on rounds throughout the Male Medical Ward. One of the precursors for my time there was that I should actually try to help out, rather than remaining a passive observer getting in the way. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much I could do for the first few days until I know my way around and how to perform various basic tasks. I’ve learned a lot of the basics I think, and now (I’ve arranged to work in the hospital 1.5 days a week), I’m starting to help by filling out forms, fetching things and talking to the patients.
Oh, on a brief aside, I’ve picked up a bit of Setswana, but unfortunately, it is mostly variations on ‘how are you?’, which, in a hospital leads to distinctly non-standard responses to which I can only smile and shrug.
In the afternoons, I often wandered over the Female Medical Ward, where there are quite a few American med students, who are here on six-week rotations. Happily, they don’t mind me tagging along, and I’ve seen lots of basic procedures and learned even more. Everyone at the hospital seems bent on getting me to begin taking blood – something that I’m obviously nervous about (80% of patients are HIV positive…), but I think it doesn’t look too hard, and I’ll have to do it eventually anyway. Personally, I’m hoping for a patient who is out of it (technical term there, look it up if you have to), as they often are, and is not likely to question my credentials closely!
The hospital makes a nice break from the hospice, where there isn’t much going on at the moment (still no new clients…), and all I can really do is lend my IT skills whenever they’re needed. One thing I’ve started looking forwards to is going to the Pre-school to help deliver lunch, as that place is always lively – it lifts my spirits. Ah, and while I remember – the stationary and notebooks from St. Gabriel’s were gladly received a few weeks ago.
I’m also starting to get very excited about an upcoming trip to Cape Town, which I was very kindly invited on by Julie and Dave from church, who live there normally. It’s going to be a 10 day trip, three of those spent driving, with the rest divided between the many tourist destinations – Table Mountain, Cape Point, Whale-watching, Robben Island, even the Cape Penguins! So excited, the end of June can’t come fast enough!
Before I leave (not an event looking too far off any more), there are three more things I want to do – Cape Town, the magazine (proving difficult), and Chobe, which I intend to start researching soon. The solitary adventure is looking more and more plausible.
Sorry about all the brackets (not!).
Saturday, 5 May 2007
Whatever's pulling you isn't pulling me
Right, time for another piece of my life which may seem trivial to me now, but I hope you can all glean novelty from -
It's hot here, lots - big surprise, I know. But! Winter has officially arrived, and now I actually need a blanket at night (how I scoffed when I saw it on arrival...), and shorts are no longer the safest option in the early mornings. But, this cool burns away fairly quickly, so if you're not careful you'll be left looking foolish in a jumper under the african sun.
Thabo got back this wednesday, bringing news from home and even an encounter with my family. It's weird to think that he has seen them more recently than me, but I was pleased to hear that him and all the other youth from the cathedral enjoyed their time in England. All his talk of amazement at all of the grass, hills and people made me feel quite proud!
This week has been good, I've been at Princess Marina. the government funded local hospital shadowing doctors, trying to help, and gradually getting over some issues with basic procedures. There is a ever-changing community of med students from the states there, and it was good to spend time with them learning the basics. I suppose that would be the best sort of group to attach myslef to for travelling, but I'm also leaning towards a solo expedition, as I've met some others who are doing that sort of thing. It would be an adventure!
I went out for a change last night, had a nice meal and I even went to see Spiderman 3 on it's opening night! Africa is hard, I might not make it. . .
It's hot here, lots - big surprise, I know. But! Winter has officially arrived, and now I actually need a blanket at night (how I scoffed when I saw it on arrival...), and shorts are no longer the safest option in the early mornings. But, this cool burns away fairly quickly, so if you're not careful you'll be left looking foolish in a jumper under the african sun.
Thabo got back this wednesday, bringing news from home and even an encounter with my family. It's weird to think that he has seen them more recently than me, but I was pleased to hear that him and all the other youth from the cathedral enjoyed their time in England. All his talk of amazement at all of the grass, hills and people made me feel quite proud!
This week has been good, I've been at Princess Marina. the government funded local hospital shadowing doctors, trying to help, and gradually getting over some issues with basic procedures. There is a ever-changing community of med students from the states there, and it was good to spend time with them learning the basics. I suppose that would be the best sort of group to attach myslef to for travelling, but I'm also leaning towards a solo expedition, as I've met some others who are doing that sort of thing. It would be an adventure!
I went out for a change last night, had a nice meal and I even went to see Spiderman 3 on it's opening night! Africa is hard, I might not make it. . .
Wednesday, 25 April 2007
Negative
Right, I’m trying to write this episode, issue, entry, whatever at home in the guest cottage so I can just plug it in and post next time I’m available on the Internet. Which, despite my initial doubts, is occurring pretty regularly. I end up going to the café once or twice a week and relish in broadband Internet, and now I can use the dial up connection at the hospice whenever things are going slowly (i.e. most of the time). In fact, I think now is as good a time as any to elaborate –
‘I’m coming’ two words I’ve come to dread over here. More often than not they’re said in Setswana, but I have no idea how to spell it. So I’ll try – Kee-ate-la – It could be five minutes, it could be an hour, it could be that you’ll need a Gillette and some imagination to be recognised by the time the offending article shows up. I’ve mostly experienced this at the hospice – I’ll be told we’re leaving now; I drop everything and appear ready at the door. Then it turns out we need a driver (there is only one now, since we lost the global fund – and I’ve witnessed him perform an entire journey one-handed. The other wasn’t particularly busy, but still remained inert throughout…) so we wait. Then he arrives, and it turns out we need to bring a cheque, so we get that written, and then it turns out that the cheque needs signing, and of course none of the signatories are ever at the hospice, so we have to wait for them to arrive, or even send out our sole driver to find them. Then it’s teatime, and everyone downs tools and has a well-earned break. After all this, we eventually cram ourselves into the smallest vehicle available, and off we go.
This isn’t meant to be a rant though, as everybody in Botswana seems to work on these arrangements. You make an appointment, you really do have to phone up just before to remind them, and see if they are actually going to turn up. I think I’ve mentioned before that these guys are lazy, but it’s true! They often admit it themselves, I’ve seen a security guard who was dozing next to a metal detector, and staff in shops regularly look like you just woke them up. Example – on a game drive a couple of weeks ago, we arrived two hours before it was due to close, and we got in for free because they had counted the tills already! But that’ll do.
I’m still working on the newsletter, though quite slowly. I need to get the last contributions, present it in various formats to be criticised, decide who to send it to, and see if the management committee likes the idea. It’s not really something I can spend all day busy at, so I read up on HIV/AIDs, just to reassure myself that there’s no was I’ve got it, doing quite a bit of computer work, and learning to eat with my fingers.
I’m looking forwards to when the kids come back from their Easter holidays, which have lasted about a month now, as that’ll give me an excuse to go to the new pre-school and help them on one or two days a week. Also, I’m trying to arrange to spend some time in one of the local hospitals so I can gain some experience relative to my course.
I can’t really tell how long this is going to be, but I think I’ve said enough for now. Next time, how Matthew fared finding a travel buddy…
PS, there is a lizard in the room with me, hiding from the thunderstorm. He’s quite cute.
‘I’m coming’ two words I’ve come to dread over here. More often than not they’re said in Setswana, but I have no idea how to spell it. So I’ll try – Kee-ate-la – It could be five minutes, it could be an hour, it could be that you’ll need a Gillette and some imagination to be recognised by the time the offending article shows up. I’ve mostly experienced this at the hospice – I’ll be told we’re leaving now; I drop everything and appear ready at the door. Then it turns out we need a driver (there is only one now, since we lost the global fund – and I’ve witnessed him perform an entire journey one-handed. The other wasn’t particularly busy, but still remained inert throughout…) so we wait. Then he arrives, and it turns out we need to bring a cheque, so we get that written, and then it turns out that the cheque needs signing, and of course none of the signatories are ever at the hospice, so we have to wait for them to arrive, or even send out our sole driver to find them. Then it’s teatime, and everyone downs tools and has a well-earned break. After all this, we eventually cram ourselves into the smallest vehicle available, and off we go.
This isn’t meant to be a rant though, as everybody in Botswana seems to work on these arrangements. You make an appointment, you really do have to phone up just before to remind them, and see if they are actually going to turn up. I think I’ve mentioned before that these guys are lazy, but it’s true! They often admit it themselves, I’ve seen a security guard who was dozing next to a metal detector, and staff in shops regularly look like you just woke them up. Example – on a game drive a couple of weeks ago, we arrived two hours before it was due to close, and we got in for free because they had counted the tills already! But that’ll do.
I’m still working on the newsletter, though quite slowly. I need to get the last contributions, present it in various formats to be criticised, decide who to send it to, and see if the management committee likes the idea. It’s not really something I can spend all day busy at, so I read up on HIV/AIDs, just to reassure myself that there’s no was I’ve got it, doing quite a bit of computer work, and learning to eat with my fingers.
I’m looking forwards to when the kids come back from their Easter holidays, which have lasted about a month now, as that’ll give me an excuse to go to the new pre-school and help them on one or two days a week. Also, I’m trying to arrange to spend some time in one of the local hospitals so I can gain some experience relative to my course.
I can’t really tell how long this is going to be, but I think I’ve said enough for now. Next time, how Matthew fared finding a travel buddy…
PS, there is a lizard in the room with me, hiding from the thunderstorm. He’s quite cute.
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
Time on their hands
I've had an interesting week so far, I've been spending most of my time attached to the pre-school, which is currently preparing for a move to the new site whilst the OVC's (orphans and vulnerable children) are on holiday. So, on Monday we went with another volunteer from Flying Mission, Lillian, to the prison to find out prices for covering 20 matresses which were donated, asthey are a great source of cheap labour, in fact whilst we were there, lots of vans arrived with broken furniture for them to work on. Whilst in there, I couldn't help but find myself trying to attach crimes to faces. The legal system over here is odd, in that minor crimes are often taken to tribal courts, where the elders of that person's village hear the allegations and dish out a suitable punishment, usually flogging or something similar. Oh, and they have the death penalty over here, so I'm going to be extra careful!
At the moment I'm trying to find out where to go if I want to book a stay in a nature reserve, the one I've got my heart set on particularly is Chobe way up north, where there are hundreds of thouasands of wild elephants, hippos, crocs, cheetah and all sorts, and it is also a good base to go to Victoria Falls from for a day trip, and I think it would be a shame not to go when I'm so close to one of the seven natural wonders of the world! Also, I get to say 'Zimbabwe? Oh yes, I've been there. Nice place' That alone might be worth the p2000 (200 pounds) I'm budgeting for it. I mean, when will I get the chance to do it again? I'm looking at camping with a Batswana friend of mine, but she needs to see if she can raise the funds. If not, it will be a great pity, but I will try and find another overseas volunteer or anyone to keep me entertained on the 12 hour bus journey. I'll let you know how that gets on,
Oh, and I've changed the settings on this blog to allow anyone to comment, so please do if there is anything you'd like to know. More pictures, um, eventually. Not much really photogenic going on at the moment...
At the moment I'm trying to find out where to go if I want to book a stay in a nature reserve, the one I've got my heart set on particularly is Chobe way up north, where there are hundreds of thouasands of wild elephants, hippos, crocs, cheetah and all sorts, and it is also a good base to go to Victoria Falls from for a day trip, and I think it would be a shame not to go when I'm so close to one of the seven natural wonders of the world! Also, I get to say 'Zimbabwe? Oh yes, I've been there. Nice place' That alone might be worth the p2000 (200 pounds) I'm budgeting for it. I mean, when will I get the chance to do it again? I'm looking at camping with a Batswana friend of mine, but she needs to see if she can raise the funds. If not, it will be a great pity, but I will try and find another overseas volunteer or anyone to keep me entertained on the 12 hour bus journey. I'll let you know how that gets on,
Oh, and I've changed the settings on this blog to allow anyone to comment, so please do if there is anything you'd like to know. More pictures, um, eventually. Not much really photogenic going on at the moment...
Thursday, 12 April 2007
What I did in my Summer Holidays
Some of you have asked what I do at the hospice, and what it's like (honestly!). So here you go, but on your own heads be it -
I get up at 6 oclock, lie in bed trying to work out a faster way of getting out so I can spend more time in bed, get up at about 620, then eat breakfast whilst trying not to short out the house (I did that yesterday, slight panic after plugging in a kettle and having all the lights go out, but I sorted it, tech-savvy bloke that I am!)
Then it's off to morning eucharist, as I live next to the cathedral, and find it a good way to start the day. Then I set off to a Kombi stop and cram into a vehilce meant for 12 people with up to 17 others off to work.
There aren't many clients at the hospice at the moment, as it recently lost a major source of funding and had to lose some staff. But, the new director, Una, is getting this sorted by putting administration in place to make everybosdy accountable. The clients are picked up from their homes and brought to the hospice for about 9, and they stay until about 3. I'm there from about 8 till 4. Most of these clients are going to be discharged soon, as they have been with the hospice for a long time, and are suitably independent to have regained their lives. There are people out there who need the hospice more than them, I went out with the nurses for the past couple of days to the poorest district of the city, and saw that.
There is a pre-school attached to the hospice, where orphans and vulnerable children of clients who have been and passed on are looked after during the day. At the moment, they can only come in 2 days a week because of a lack of space at the hospice, but they will be movng to a new site at the beginnning of May where there should be room for all of them 4 days a week, so I'm going to try and spend maybe one or two days a week there as well.
I've been given a project to try during my time here, which is to try and restart a newsletter which the hospice used to have. My main problem with this is finding things to write about (which I'm working on by making sure everone knows about it), and how to make sure it can be continued when I go in 13 short weeks (which I'm working on by creating an easy template to follow).
That's about it, one thing I've noticed, which I was told to look out for, is just how lazy the Batswana can be, though it might be something to do with the heat. It is well recognised that Zimbabweans are hard workers, as they are often illegal and need any money they can get.
That should be enough for now, any more questions please ask, otherwise it should be normal service again in a few days time!
I get up at 6 oclock, lie in bed trying to work out a faster way of getting out so I can spend more time in bed, get up at about 620, then eat breakfast whilst trying not to short out the house (I did that yesterday, slight panic after plugging in a kettle and having all the lights go out, but I sorted it, tech-savvy bloke that I am!)
Then it's off to morning eucharist, as I live next to the cathedral, and find it a good way to start the day. Then I set off to a Kombi stop and cram into a vehilce meant for 12 people with up to 17 others off to work.
There aren't many clients at the hospice at the moment, as it recently lost a major source of funding and had to lose some staff. But, the new director, Una, is getting this sorted by putting administration in place to make everybosdy accountable. The clients are picked up from their homes and brought to the hospice for about 9, and they stay until about 3. I'm there from about 8 till 4. Most of these clients are going to be discharged soon, as they have been with the hospice for a long time, and are suitably independent to have regained their lives. There are people out there who need the hospice more than them, I went out with the nurses for the past couple of days to the poorest district of the city, and saw that.
There is a pre-school attached to the hospice, where orphans and vulnerable children of clients who have been and passed on are looked after during the day. At the moment, they can only come in 2 days a week because of a lack of space at the hospice, but they will be movng to a new site at the beginnning of May where there should be room for all of them 4 days a week, so I'm going to try and spend maybe one or two days a week there as well.
I've been given a project to try during my time here, which is to try and restart a newsletter which the hospice used to have. My main problem with this is finding things to write about (which I'm working on by making sure everone knows about it), and how to make sure it can be continued when I go in 13 short weeks (which I'm working on by creating an easy template to follow).
That's about it, one thing I've noticed, which I was told to look out for, is just how lazy the Batswana can be, though it might be something to do with the heat. It is well recognised that Zimbabweans are hard workers, as they are often illegal and need any money they can get.
That should be enough for now, any more questions please ask, otherwise it should be normal service again in a few days time!
Saturday, 7 April 2007
1/8th!
Yesterday was odd, as it was Good Friday it was a holiday, so I didn't have to go to work. Instead, I went to a 3 hour service at the cathedral, which was pretty good if, well, long.
Ok, so I have limited time on the internet, what have I just done with a significant portion of it? Read comics and made a fool of myself by lolling in an internet cafe. Where, by the way, I'm sure people read over my shoulder. Yes - you!
I had a brief moment of panic this morning when I went to use an ATM for the first time, and when I got two receipts, the first one I read said I had withdrawn P400 of my P480, when I had only taken p200 out of what should be a lot more. I broke out in a sweat (ok, I continued sweating), and started wondering how anyone could drain my account like that. Then, I looked at the other one, and it said withdrawn p200. So I was confused... but thankfully I looked at them again once I got here, and worked out that they were for different times, so fingers crossed the first one I got had been left by someone before me.
So, you can all breathe again, Matthew is in the black and still a natural born worrier.
The last bunch of photos I got were from the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, which is bigger than the first place, but of course that means more places for the animals to hide, so we didn't get to see any of their giraffes or zebra, but they arranged for the hefflelumps to have their lunch next to us, which was good, if not quite as wild as they should have been. But, if Iwant that, I'm probably going to have to go away for a weekend or something to another part of the country, rather than spending all my time in this city. So I just need to start planning and budgeting, and find me some company!
I'm off to go for another Braai (bbq), where I suppose I'll do my best to endure some more fillet steaks...
Ok, so I have limited time on the internet, what have I just done with a significant portion of it? Read comics and made a fool of myself by lolling in an internet cafe. Where, by the way, I'm sure people read over my shoulder. Yes - you!
I had a brief moment of panic this morning when I went to use an ATM for the first time, and when I got two receipts, the first one I read said I had withdrawn P400 of my P480, when I had only taken p200 out of what should be a lot more. I broke out in a sweat (ok, I continued sweating), and started wondering how anyone could drain my account like that. Then, I looked at the other one, and it said withdrawn p200. So I was confused... but thankfully I looked at them again once I got here, and worked out that they were for different times, so fingers crossed the first one I got had been left by someone before me.
So, you can all breathe again, Matthew is in the black and still a natural born worrier.
The last bunch of photos I got were from the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, which is bigger than the first place, but of course that means more places for the animals to hide, so we didn't get to see any of their giraffes or zebra, but they arranged for the hefflelumps to have their lunch next to us, which was good, if not quite as wild as they should have been. But, if Iwant that, I'm probably going to have to go away for a weekend or something to another part of the country, rather than spending all my time in this city. So I just need to start planning and budgeting, and find me some company!
I'm off to go for another Braai (bbq), where I suppose I'll do my best to endure some more fillet steaks...
Wednesday, 4 April 2007
I'm going to be incredibly lazy, and give a link to my first batch of photos -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1574&l=72b3f&id=505324220
Some are from the Gaborone game reserve, some are from Mokolodi game reserve, some are from the hospice and the rest are just random.
More later, though I think I've been pretty good to you all (all = fewer people than I could count on 2 hands probably) today.
Laters,
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1574&l=72b3f&id=505324220
Some are from the Gaborone game reserve, some are from Mokolodi game reserve, some are from the hospice and the rest are just random.
More later, though I think I've been pretty good to you all (all = fewer people than I could count on 2 hands probably) today.
Laters,
Monday, 2 April 2007
Teaser
Ok, I've been abandoned here now, the dean and Anna left for their respective destinations this weekend, and although I haven't really known them for long, it still feels wierd without them. Still, I'm thriving with the help of the Millers, a great family from Newcastle here on a holiday over Easter - we went to see some more expats on sunday for lunch, then ended up going on a game drive with Julie to a local reserve, not more than 5 minutes drive from the city, but completely wild bush, full of interesting life - ostrich, zebra, warthog, monkey and more. So I hear you cry, you must have got some great photos! Yes I did. Can we see, you ask? No I say - I am technologically challenged and it might not be until next time that I manage to put them up here. But rest assured, they do exist! I am actually in Africa, contrary to what must be becoming popular belief!
Today has been pretty hot, so I'm starting to learn to stick to the shade, rather than expose myself to the inferno.
I think that's it for today, I'll start working on the photo situation. See you again on... Wednesday maybe?
Today has been pretty hot, so I'm starting to learn to stick to the shade, rather than expose myself to the inferno.
I think that's it for today, I'll start working on the photo situation. See you again on... Wednesday maybe?
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Dastardly
As in, double drat.
I had a great entry going there, when my idle foot brushed the socket and I was left staring at a blank screen. Honestly!
I can't write much, going out soon tonight with Nick (the Dean, who convinced me to come) and Anna (an American volunteer who's been showing me around). Main news - it rained today, which eveyone was pleased about as the rainy season is closing and there hasn't been much yet. Of course I knew it would because I did some washing last night and left it out on the line. Sure enough, the heavens opened. I should have told them about this trick earlier!
Hospice has been good the last few days, and I've got to try some of the local food at lunch - ground porridge sort of thing called 'pap' and some very chewy lumps of beef. I think I could turn veggie if it wasn't for the fillet steaks they have here for cheap. You see, the batswana like their meat on the bone, so us expats swoop in and enjoy the leftovers!
I'll be back later in the week, hopefully with some photos and even music (all will be explained...)
Tune in later!
I had a great entry going there, when my idle foot brushed the socket and I was left staring at a blank screen. Honestly!
I can't write much, going out soon tonight with Nick (the Dean, who convinced me to come) and Anna (an American volunteer who's been showing me around). Main news - it rained today, which eveyone was pleased about as the rainy season is closing and there hasn't been much yet. Of course I knew it would because I did some washing last night and left it out on the line. Sure enough, the heavens opened. I should have told them about this trick earlier!
Hospice has been good the last few days, and I've got to try some of the local food at lunch - ground porridge sort of thing called 'pap' and some very chewy lumps of beef. I think I could turn veggie if it wasn't for the fillet steaks they have here for cheap. You see, the batswana like their meat on the bone, so us expats swoop in and enjoy the leftovers!
I'll be back later in the week, hopefully with some photos and even music (all will be explained...)
Tune in later!
Monday, 26 March 2007
It begins...
Well, that got off to a good start - I arrived at Heathrow on Thursday night, when i was told that my flight to Johannesburg was overbooked, and that I might have to wait overnight. But, fortune smiled on me, and I was put in business class instead, mixing it up with my betters!
I arrived in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana on Friday morning, and I was met by Nick, the vicar who convinced me to come.
I'll post more later this week, but I'll give my first impressions now -
I've got a few photos to post, so I'll do that later in the week. Today I'll be visiting the hospice for the first time, so i'm pretty nervous as I'm not sure what to expect. Should be ok though!
Oh, today it's cool, barely 20 degrees with some greatly appreciated clouds. This is not the norm, I have been assured!
I arrived in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana on Friday morning, and I was met by Nick, the vicar who convinced me to come.
I'll post more later this week, but I'll give my first impressions now -
- Everything is sandy, as this country is technically like 80% desert
- There is a very obvious rich/poor divide here, more on that later
- I stand out quite a bit, with my milk-bottle complexion!
- Everyone seems friendly, especially those who I met at church yesterday
- I can't type
I've got a few photos to post, so I'll do that later in the week. Today I'll be visiting the hospice for the first time, so i'm pretty nervous as I'm not sure what to expect. Should be ok though!
Oh, today it's cool, barely 20 degrees with some greatly appreciated clouds. This is not the norm, I have been assured!
Thursday, 8 March 2007
Talking to a brick wall
Right, I'm going to Botswana in exactly two weeks where I'll be doing some voluntary work in the holy cross hospice. I'm not too excited yet, but I think as I get closer I'll get less nervous as I actually start to prepare! Seeing as I'm in a hurry at the moment, and there won't be anyone to read this at the moment, I'll leave it at that.
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