911 radio's

Comparatively (to South Africa) crime here is low. However as a visitor, or “north american” we are automatically seen as wealthy and therefore that you will be generous. I didn’t mention it before we left camp but will now. One of our temporary camp hands decided to target me for this reason. Often asking me for money and a jacket. Later to find out that he cleaned me out, he took quite a few items of clothing with him when he left. This was particularly upsetting as he lived with us for some time. And paid close attention to the items of clothing I wasn’t wearing in camp and therefore may not notice right away as missing. While I try not to be attached to things I still from time to time think about it, what he took (there is someone wearing a lovely Lu Lu lemon yoga top) and it burns my ass so much that as I make my way around town I am on the look out for my distinct items of clothing that might be on the back of a local walking around. What I would do if I saw it, I don’t know, probably nothing, but still I look.

Security is high here as it is in South Africa. All the homes are fenced in. We are staying in a beautiful home of a friend of Grahams which is on the river with the most beautiful fig tree in the back yard. Fenced in. The view to the river is lovely though obstructed by this electric fence. As I sit here and the goats roam munching on grass outside the fence to be shocked into horror every time they touch the fence in hilarity. I have come to quite like the goat. They are sweet little things, the babies especially adorable and one day will have a pet goat. I find this fenced in life claustrophobic and I don’t know that I’ve had a good nights sleep since we’ve been here.


























911 here isn’t what it is at home. Everyone has a “911” radio. It’s a walkie talkie type radio and is more of a neighborhood watch sort of thing. When I asked the number for the police no one seemed to know. Apparently most of the police don’t have cars, and when they get a call have to arrange a “ride” to the scene. Comforting. So these 911 radios are tuned in every night to your neighbors and should something go wrong everyone gathers to save and protect you. It is also a form of entertainment and conversation for the next day. Did you hear last nights 911 call....etc. In the first week we were here there was a 911 announcement that three criminals had escaped from prison (this not too surprising as a conversation earlier that day was of someone who had to pay a fine at the police station to see two criminals being held in a room by a mere broom stick across the door way) and to be on high alert that evening and until they were found and captured. Evidently these particular criminals were beating people quite brutally for cash and cell phones. Needless to say, even within this electric fence, high alarm system and locked doors I was on edge all night. And every night until the announcement came over the 911 radio that they had eventually caught said criminals. About a week after escape and re-capture, the escape part of the news made the local paper. The Ngami times, and a week after capture, it was only then in the paper.


Here is an example of the 911 radio in use the other night as we had some friends over for a Braai. (BBQ)

Following a dream

Departure 14:29 YYZ-DUL-JHB

I am sitting in the "Molson Canadian" lounge at Pearson International Airport.  I've been dropped off by one of my oldest and dearest friends with whom I spent my last night in Canada with.  I can't think of a better way to have done so, the days leading up had been hectic and full of laughs with the people I love the most and having them here today would have only made me sad to say goodbye and felt far too final for what it is.

It is with mixed emotions that I write this.  I wonder what the profound effects of time and distance from family, loved ones and civilization as I know it will be on my soul, my mind and my body.  I find myself increadibly at ease with all of this,  I've also placed an enormous amount of trust into the situation and the people I will be spending my year with.  I've asked almost no questions, as it just seems natural.  As if it is meant to be, as if this is simply what I am supposed to be doing. 

JHB Feb 27th

I trusted when they told me there would be someone at the airport to pick me up and there was.  After a 2 hour flight to washington, an hour layover and a 14 hour flight to Johannesburg I've arrived in Africa.  The flight was not bad at all.  I managed to score 2 empty seats next to me and was able to curl up in a ball and get some sleep.  I woke with only 4 hours left in the flight and it went by quickly.  It was in those hours that I had to fight back some tears and hide my ridiculous grin.  These two opposing emotions have been getting the best of me for some time now.   I've drempt about Africa my entire life.  I threw a stone in the pond  when I was very young and the ripples have found their way back to me.  I've arrived in Africa!!!!.  

The moment I got off the place I felt my winter dry Canadian skin absorb with great glee the warm air.   From my head to my toes, if it's possible for these parts of my body to also smile they were.  Every pore in my body was smiling. 

In Jo-burg  I will spend the night with Graham's cousin Martin and his wife Di, and their beautiful year old daughter Anna, an absolute sweetheart with blond hair and blue eyes. They've opened their doors to me in typical south african style, with open arms, smiling eyes and a glass of white wine.  Divine.

As my airport lift drove up to Martin and Di's house, one cannot help but notice the wall around the house, topped with an electirc fence protecting the house and it's occupants.  As is all the homes around.  Alarms everywhere.  We ate dinner outside, however we are unable to set foot on the lawn after dark, there is a seperate alarm system for that area.  Then when we all go to bed half the house is completely closed off and the alarms set as well.  It is how it is here in Jo'Burg.  It's not so much the crimes as it is the way in which they are committed.   Homes don't just get robbed, they get robbed and the people in it killed, for a couch, a T.V or a cell phone.   Because of this it is your responsibility to protect yourself, your family and your home. You couldn't and certainly would not go for a walk around the block at night.  It is so forign to me, but a way of life for those that live here.

I am off for now, tomorrow will fly to my new home. I am giddy with anticipation!!!!