Weekday Things

Since its been a while I’ve split this into two posts- but if you just want to know about the elephants just skip this one!

I’ve been in South Africa for four weeks now. A routine is starting to come together of usually morning classes, walking into town to do whatever errand I need to do, and sometimes to have lunch with someone and in the evening either doing work or going back out for a drink or ice-cream or whatever.

Thursday Alice and I met with Jane Bradshaw, the woman in charge of the Amasango School, the place where we will be volunteering. I was incredibly impressed by her. I know what liberals aren’t always received happily here but you could tell Jane was the real thing. The kind of person you can’t believe can possibly be able to do what she’s doing, but you’re so glad she does. The kind of woman who started this branch of the Amasango school pretty much on her own and has been running it ever since, dealing with stories of homelessness, drug addiction and teenage pregnancy. Who no matter what she does often sees kids immediately drop out when they go back to mainstream school. But who still couldn’t help choking up when talking about her worry for one of her volunteers who had gotten very sick that day and had to be hospitalized. She cheered up after talking about it though, and after a piece of the Madhatter’s carrot cake, and Alice and I arranged a time to go down to the school next week just to see the place and figure out where we would best fit.

Thursday night a group of us went to the Old Gaol for open mic night. As the name suggests the Old Gaol was converted from a jail- its now a backpackers lodge and bar. Through two big double doors there is a large front room with tables and to the side a smaller room with couches and the bar. A side door in the large room leads to the large stone courtyard. The wind rustled between the stone and I looked up and there were stars coming out behind the clouds. Its was still early, Nouria planned to sing and wasn’t sure when to come, so there was no crowd yet. Just a group sitting around a hookah and a few others leaning over guitars. The only light was the few lit lamps on the set up stage and the cigarettes hanging from most people’s mouths. Stairs up the side of the courtyard led to a balcony in front of a row of cells that have been converted into little bedrooms. Some of the students from the Netherlands are staying in them and one of the students, Milou, let us see her cell. It was much nicer than you would imagine, with a large bed and bright orange walls. Not much in the way of windows though… I sadly forgot my camera but I am definitely going back some time and taking some pictures.