The Big City and SWAZILAND

Last Tuesday held two major activities that evoked to very polar emotions - we headed to Jo-burg central to visit the Apartheid Museum and attend the South African broadway/theater version of the Lion King. There really isn't a whole lot I can say about the museum - something you definitely have to experience for yourself...but I did walk away with a little better understanding of the history leading up to apartheid, the events that occurred during the times, and also what has happened since the establishment of a democratic state in 1994. There is still a LONG way to come, but only time will tell. To put a positive spin on a rather depressing afternoon, Katy, Jean, and I went to the Montecasino Theater to see the South African adaptation of "The Lion King." Umm....A-MAZING!! Seriously, I was covered in goosebumps and on the verge of happy tears midway through the first act of "Pride Rock." The COSTUMES + the sets + the MUSIC + the dancing (with many local tribal influence) + Rafiki's VOICE + a 99% South African cast = UNREAL EXPERIENCE. I could watch it another 2034899275081459817234091847 times in a row! Because I was in South Africa, with Katy, in the land that was the original inspiration for the creation of the movie, because I can SEE how perfect each set design is in comparison to the real landscape of this country, and because the people that were in the play LIVE in this amazing land, and because the "actors" were more so LIVING their surroundings, not just acting in them... for these reasons, it was the BEST it could be!! Though the experience might be a bit different, the vision behind it is always there, SO GO SEE IT!

Wednesday was a great lounge day - ran some errands, dined a bit, and watched Hairspray in the cheap ticket movie theater in Hatfield - pretty cute film but wasn't even fair to compare to the previous night. Thursday we headed to Jean's village in Badplaas...the kombi ride in and of itself was an experience - within 4 hours, we headed east of Pretoria with ourselves and 13 of our closest friends/ new buddies/complete strangers. Ahh kombis - not even really sure I am spelling that correctly, but hey, these other 10 national languages are a bit difficult for me. Side note: wouldn't even say I am fluent in English...some of these people come up to me speaking English and spouting these HUGE words, their meanings completely unknown to me. Moving on, we finally got to her village, and visited Jean's resort (resort about 1 mile's walk away from her go-go's house, but that she frequents so often that all staff members know her by sight and address her by first name, as she also does). Staying in Jean's home was the first TINY glimpse I had into what living situations must be like for Katy, Jean, other volunteers, and the people who live here their whole lives. For this glimpse, I am honored, most thankful, and very appreciative for everything we have.

SWAZILAND

Friday afternoon, Jean and I headed to Mbabane, Swaziland with a few other PCVs to see a concert event called Bush Fire! Thank you guys for the invitation because it was a BLAST! Friday was the chill day - had a meal in the shopping area, caught up on necessary errands, and then hung out at the hostel all night long. One of the volunteers made an amazing curry dish that eventually became our breakfast and lunch for the next two days. Sat on the floor around a big table, placed the one dish of curry in the center, and then proceeded to feast with torn pieces of loaf bread...AWESOME - it was a lovely meal and there were quite a few laughs shared among the group! Good fun! I came prepared to camp out, as there were many people coming to stay at the hostel for the festival, but luck was on our side - got the opportunity to stay in an extra bed, which was a welcome relief!

Saturday was concert day! Jean and I took a walk to the top of the hill behind the hostel, which provided these amazing 360 views of the Mbabane landscape - and it was soooo different, as there were forestry areas, farmlands, villages, a business district, a marketplace, and green hills as far as the eye could see. Two things I love about hiking and getting to views like these: 1. You can create your own map, see where you have come from, look to where you are going, review where you have visited, get a better idea of the people, the land, and its "structure," see where water sources are, what is growing where....you can tell SO MUCH! and 2. You get a better perspective and understanding of how SMALL we are - stupid annoyances that occur throughout a day, disagreements, menial worries...they do not matter! And as I say that we are small, and that some things we place such attention on aren't really that important, do not interpret it to mean that small is synonymous with insignificance. What we DO is SOOOOOO important!! So, my recommendation, go climb or drive to a place with a view and ENJOY IT!!! I am done with my rant now, and needless to say, we had a great time taking in the views, thinking, and getting lost on the way back.

The concert was held outdoors in two main locations - an open lawn area and an amphitheatre-style venue where the smaller acts performed. We got the grounds at around one which happened to be just in time for the DRUM CIRCLE!! Nothing is more fun than beating on a drum, laughing, and watching all others around you do the same thing! We played for about an hour before the group leading had to call it quits for the next group to come on. A-MAZING. Really fun to just look around and see people from all over - different nationalities/races/viewpoints all enjoying the same thing...still a firm believer that in any situation, music is a common ground. After that, the party moved to the main lawn, where the remaining 4 bands played on the bigger stage. There were three or four traditional Swazi elders playing their handmade instruments that we had the opportunity to see - very interesting... I heard lots of pain, suffering, and hardship in their voice when they sang, but unfortunately, I have no idea what words were actually being sang. And THEN, a group of Swazi men and women performed traditional chants, songs, and dances, including the one and only Swazi KICK! This kick is A-MAZING - there is something about it that is so enchanting and powerful and sooooo entertaining. They kick up but the emphasis is bringing the leg as forcefully and as quickly as you can back to the ground. So whereas our emphasis on kicks as we know in the States are more about the upward motion, the primary focus on the Swazi kick is the downward. When the girls perform it, they also focus on bringing the kicked leg as high as possible before propelling it back down to the earth. AH - just AMAZING!

The next band that played I can't even remember...in the best possible way. They played music that had a sort of salsa-rumba-Latino feel and groove to it, so I spent the entire set dancing with a BEAUTIFUL girl about 12-years old who was up there busting a move as well. We just mimicked what each other was doing....she nearly gave me a hernia with all the moves she was busting out, buuut I tried my best to hang with her and she acknowledged my efforts by calling me "sister." I will take that any day of the week. SOOO MUCH FUN to just learn THROUGH someone...one of the few moments of my life where I really didn't care and it just felt like me, my friend, and her two little brothers just dancing the night away. UNFORGETTABLE! Next up...FRESHLY GROUND!!! GREAT BAND from Cape Town that just gave an amazingly energetic and entertaining performance....an experience rather. Great tunes, great messages, beautiful band members (who occasionally busted out choreographed steps when there was an instrumental solo), dancing all around, great VIBE and absolutely one of the best moments of the night. LOVE IT ALL!! We danced the rest of the night away after an encore performance from Freshly Ground to a local DJ and spun more tunes into the late night. We all headed back the next day after a GREAT weekend. Thank you to all that were a part of it and a special thank you to Jean and the gang who extended me the invitation!