I was woken this morning at 5:10am to roaring thunder and lightning. When I first opened my eyes I was confused as to what jolted me awake. The noise was constant and reminded me of several fighter jets flying directly above my head. The lightning lit up my room as if it were the middle of day and a torrential downpour hit the windows like golf balls hitting a metal roof. Unrelenting and unforgiving, the storm lasted hours and needless to say, I'm exhausted. In Limpopo I had not seen rain since last March. Here in Mpumalanga, it rains nonstop and the storms are mesmerizing in their own state of chaos. I was lying there thinking about the people living in informal settlements, wondering how their small homes stay upright. I wonder if I can work on getting these informal settlements changed into RDP housing, (similar to low income housing in the States) and how long something like that takes. Unfortunately, many who live in these settlements are non SA citizens and are here illegally. Not a hurdle easily overcomeIt's amazing to feel such a difference here compared to my village. The mountains encompass the towns here (see photos above of White River and Sabie) and driving around during the day is so relaxing, despite the poverty hidden among the forests. I have to think of things I haven't had to in the past 10 months. For instance, last weekend, I went for a walk along a main road towards the mountains. That Monday I was with my coworker who then told me not to walk there. "Why not?" I ask. "Because all the prostitutes walk this road. You'll get picked up. It doesn't matter that you're white." Well! And as we drove along to some farming schools, he proceeded to point out several women along the road who are waiting for "business." The last thing I need is to be in the paper labeled as the newest item on the block!
Everyone talks about Obama here. They love him, and being a huge supporter, I'm happy to talk about it with folks. It's on every channel, every news station and in all the local papers here. People get down on their knees and praise him. It's really worth seeing. I believe he is more loved here than in America, if that is possible. I find it to be a blessing as I've missed so much of the elections: seeing it here from their standpoint allows me to participate in the election from a unique standpoint: I am able to be both there and here at the same time.
