Aubuxeni! Mi njhani? (Hello! How are you?) ~ Xitsonga
Well, it’s been about a month’s time since I arrived in South Africa and so far I love it. I certainly miss home and a few things back in the states: my family, my great friends, Emma Lou & Sly, Starbies, the trail (&the esplanade with puggy!!), Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, baseball, the beach, Words with Friends and Philly cheese steaks. On the flip side, there are quite a few things I have grown to love in SA: my fellow Peace Corps Trainees, my host family, our kittens (Bontle – “beautiful” in Setswana – will be coming with me to post in September :) ), magwinya, learning Xitsonga, working with the schools, “Rhythm City,” and my weekly dose of chocolate. I have even grown accustomed to my daily wake up call from the roosters and my bucket baths.
To summarize the past few weeks…
Staging occurred in D.C. on the 6th and from there we began our journey, our very long journey to South Africa. After a 16-hour flight full of sleep, stories, movies (please see “Just Go With It” if you haven’t!) and laughs we arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday night, July 8th around 9pm. Have you ever noticed that on really long flights they treat you like infants? Think about it – they feed you, dim the lights so you go to sleep, wake you, feed you, and so the cycle continues. From the airport our group was transported to Rustenburg, SA. We were greeted by our LCF’s (Language & Cultural Facilitators) singing and welcoming us in true SA style. We spent four days in Rustenburg at a college campus. This time served as our orientation to Peace Corps and to SA. During our time at Rustenburg we were introduced to four languages: Setswana, Sepedi, Tsivenda, and Xitsonga (I am studying Xitsonga which I love – it’s a beautiful and a very poetic language); we learned more about SA culture/history; and we were educated on Peace Corps policies and health/safety policies. We even learned some SA songs, "Shosholoza" being our group's favorite! Rustenburg was a great transition period, and also a great time for our group to bond. Telephone Pictionary, Phase Ten, and Catch Phrase were among the games we played during our time here. We also formed our own SA24 running group (yes Mom & Dad, I’m running with other people so you don’t have to worry :) ). On our first run, three of the girls from the neighboring village joined us. It was really very neat, and it was the first time I realized that I was actually in SA! I can’t forget to mention our tea time in Rustenburg; I now understand why people love tea. I think all schools/jobs should incorporate mandatory tea times into the work day. Everybody would be much happier, not to mention more effective.
On Wednesday, July 13th we traveled to our host families’ houses; we will be staying with them until swearing in (September 8th). I was very nervous to meet my family, but also very excited. My host family is absolutely wonderful! I live with my host mother, my host father, my younger host sister, and my Gogo (grandmother). They have welcomed me into their home with open arms, and I feel like a part of the family; they truly embody the idea of “ubuntu” that is so ingrained into the SA culture. On a few occasions they have told me to stay with them for 2 years and at site for 2 months (rather than the reverse). I have even been invited to my host brother’s wedding in November. They have given me the name “Mpho,” meaning “a gift” in Setswana. They have started teaching me how to cook which is great since I will be cooking for myself come September. I am especially hopeful to learn how to make magwinya before leaving; these are “fat cakes” and are like doughnuts/funnel cake – delicious!! The other night I made cookies for my host family. Although they were “no bake cookies,” they were cookies nonetheless and turned out to be quite tasty if I do say so myself. In addition to teaching me how to cook, my host family has taught me to do my laundry, by hand! Although the first time was a bit of a struggle, I have caught on.
In addition to spending time with my host family, we are continuing with our training. The days are definitely long, but helpful and fun. I love my cluster/language group and I have a great language teacher. Although we usually go on wild tangents (we talk about timbuti - goats - for the most part), we are definitely making progress and picking up Xitsonga. We took a written exam this morning, and will be having our LPI (Language Proficiency Interview) on Monday. This will definitely tell us how we are progressing! During our training days we usually have two sessions of language, a few sessions of cultural learning, and some sessions led by current SA PCV’s. The PCV's are especially helpful, sharing their experiences, teaching ideas and practices with us. We have also been working at some of the local schools, shadowing teachers and learning how the SA school system works in comparison to the US school system. This week we were lucky enough to teach our own lessons. On Monday we taught a 5th grade math class, covering 2D shapes & 3D objects. On Thursday we taught a 6th grade English class on adverbs. It was so great teaching, and I was reminded of how much I love teaching and being in front of the classroom. The students are very excited to have us there; they are trying to teach us their dances and they love giving high fives.
Last weekend we went to Pretoria as a group. It was wonderful to see everyone! Since Peace Corps divided us into 3 clusters, we don’t get to see each other every day; on the days we do get together as a group, we are very excited. We went to Pretoria to see the Voortrekker Monument. It was very enlightening to learn more about SA history. Following our tour at the monument, we went to a huge mall in Pretoria. While there I purchased a cheap phone and indulged in a cheeseburger – it was delicious!!
Tomorrow our group has been invited to a wedding in the village. We are all really looking forward to it! I'll be sure to post details later.
Sala Kahle! (Stay well)
Love and miss you all,
Meg :)
Your puggy line made me cry! Expect a letter in a week or so! Thinking of you always.
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