Culture as it is done best

I just have to start by saying that on my way into town this monring I saw 10-15 giraffe grazing the trees by the road with the lovely mountains in the background. And then as we turned onto the dirt road, the door of the car actually flew open becuase of the intense potholes and what not! Amazing really. Sometimes, I feel like I live in a warped world. But I laugh because it really is hysterical. The baboons have babies all over the place now so they are really cute too! It's so nice, and makes coming to town adventuresome.
Last night I was staring at my cubboard of food, still having not been able to go grocery shopping (I will today) and ate rice krispies dipped in peanut butter. It was actually quite good. A neighbor down the street has an adorable little puppy named Molly that is my new friend. She comes over adn hangs out in my home all the time. And she's so stinkin cute. It's helped my festering desire to find a pet. i'm just terrified of how they are treated, both in my presence and away. So, i think Molly will suffice for now. She really is cute. I've taken some picts so when I can upload them in Polokwane, you'll see her. She kind of looks like a tiny Harley! She chases the chickens and goats.

Last weekend was full of festive culture. I went to my first traditional South African Wedding! It was just really amazing. The woman is Venda and the man is Sepedi, so all the old gogo's were dressed in their traditional outfits and sang and danced. They taught me four dances. It was strange though because there was a problem with the dress itself. So the wedding which was meant to begin at 10am actually didn't start until 4:30pm. It was fun all the same because they had music and dancing. I love it becuase weddings are all about coming together and having fun. For a culture without much "fun" they definitely know how to throw a traditional party. It was hours of dancing and music. I went with my cousins who were so gorgeous all dressed up. When the wedding actually started, we had to get into the kumbi's (taxi's) which the drivers and most men were just smashed wasted. They caravaned everyone to the church in the village and were honking, blasted music and purpously swerved all over the road. I actually felt afraid because they wanted to do donuts in the road as well. It was out of control. I sat up front with three girls piled on my lap. Taxi's are meant to hold 12-15 people. I'm quite sure we had at least 30 piled into the mini bus. The driver turns to me and says, "Don't worry Lethabo, I don't drink beer. I do this!" as he holds up his bottle of vodka. I'm just thinking, shit, shit shit!!! So, after a harrowing drive we arrived at the church which because it was so late in the day, the ceremony itself was very short. It was nice. Nobody here smiles for pictures though, so it's strange. But I think it's cultural because in all photos I've ever seen, nobody smiles for it. But afterwards, when they were doing traditional dances and songs, they were laughing and happy. During the ceremony, a very drunk dude continued to yell and push his way thorugh the crowd to the front while they were saying their vows. I thought for sure the bride would collapse.. first her dress is wrong, then the wedding is delayed five hours, now this drunk asshole is interrupting her cherished service. But nobody paid any mind and my cousing Maggie said that it's normal. People think nothing of it! Alright.
Afterwards, we went back to the home where everyone was singing and dancing and just really letting loose. But as the sun goes down, it's time for me to go home. So, we left shortly after, but I had to get back into that damn taxi with that drunk driver again. However, it was the only option because I was in another village and would have had to walk through forest to get home. NO thanks!
So, then the following Sunday, my host father invited me to his church. They are Dutch Reform and it was up north near the border in a village called Pax which I'd not been to. They had a really lovely service and a huge father's day celebration with cake and custard and a really awesome meal. I met some interesting women who talked a lot about how they believe the condoms here distributed for free from the clinics have worms in them and that's why nobody uses them. Insane, right. Then, as the men were in a meeting, I spoke with a bunch of 13 year olds from that village. As soon as I told them my name, they gasped and said they knew of me. They'd heard about me through their friends in Lovelife. I was shocked. Over an hour away from my village, some kids knew me! A perfect example of how everyone knows your business and there is no privacy. But it was cute. Then, they all wanted to show me what they know of HIV. So, even a fun day at church still involves elements of work. There is no such thing as a day off when you live in a village. But it was nice to do something with my dad here. He's so quiet and likes to keep to himself but with me, he is becoming quite the chatter bug. It's nice.

As my three months of orientation come to an end, I reflect back on all I've done so far, and all I feel I've not done. It is challenging to come from a world that is fast, advanced and resourceful. Being a busy body, working jobs that rush you, push you and, sometimes break you, it's difficult to suddenly adjust to a world that moves slowly, worrying about nothing and valuing the person more than the time. Accomplishment comes in small doses and sometimes when I move too quickly here (or too slowly) I forget to think that accomplishment here encompasses small matters, sometimes leaving no tangible mark. I've started an HIV support group, after school programs, had soccer balls donated, a grant of $10,000.00 approved and am in the beginnings of creating a community garden for the orphans and HIV patients. Though it sounds like a lot, they are in itself, long projects and requires dedicated hard work. Making the meetings happen takes time and having to hand write proposals or ideas is a struggle when I am used to computers. I struggle in feeling that I have the ideas and support, but become inpatient in waiting for that key person to call back, or attend the meeting or simply show up to work.
On the other hand, I've attended weddings, community events, slaughtered a chicken, been dressed in Venda tradition, learned songs and dance and how to cook South African food. I've accomplished doing laundry in two hours rather than four and can run through a large group of cows without hesitating. I have learned to shut my door at all times to avoid dust covering my room and I even have figured out the best time to go to the pit toilet. And I survived being bit by a spider four times right on my ass!
So, as I reflect over three months, I realize a lot is happening and a lot is changing. Though the efforts that once took a very short time to accomplish, now take weeks, or months, to do, I am learning the value in slowing down, greeting others and realizing, if it doesn't get done today, there's always next month!!! Or next year. And that is the brilliant nature of South Africa in it's greatest moments.