Fri Jan 28th _ “The Cape Town Adventure”

Before leaving Canada I was told I must visit Cape Town before coming back. Sarah and Lise had already visited twice and were urging me to go. An opportunity arose last week Wednesday when a friend of Clemens and Kate, “Uncle Brian”, was driving up. With my bags packed, we left Mthatha for a two-day journey to Cape Town. After 9 hours of driving we stopped in Mussel Bay. The receptionist took a liking to us and hence, we were able to get a discounted price of a hotel room overlooking the Indian Ocean. Early the next morning we headed out for a 4-hour drive to Cape Town.

We entered the city driving off a mountain on looking scores of structures outlining the coastline. The clouds above us looked as if they were resting their head on the mountains.

When we got to the central business area, Uncle Brian and I parted ways. I thanked him for the enjoyable journey. He was spending his holidays with his wife, kids and in-laws on the other end of Cape Town. On my own I started searching for a cheap place to stay. After 3-4 places, I finally found a clean backpackers place on Long street. The plan was to stay there until Saturday morning, because Keenan (childhood friend) was coming to Cape Town.

After not having much sleep, I decided to have an early night. However, when I hit the bed I kept feeling as if something was biting me. I got up, turned on the lights, removed the sheets and found that the whole bed was infested with bugs. With no manager in sight, I was on a search for accommodation at 11pm. Roaming the streets at night is not a good option in any part of South Africa (earlier in the evening I had been chased by someone trying to take my food). Facing this dilemma I resorted to spending the night in a hotel across the street. Unfortunately, the cost for one night cut my budget by 2/3.

I got up early the next morning because I had a ticket to Robben Island, the historical site of political prisoners who fought against Apartheid (and the place which held Nelson Mandela for 19 years). I got to see the Quarry in which the inmates were forced to chop rocks from dusk to dawn. I stood in the cell the length of three steps. The tour inside the prison was led by a former political prisoner who shared stories on how the colour of your skin determined the amount of food you would receive. He also spoke about prisoners receiving letters with only the introduction and salutation shown, because the message would be blocked out. When I asked him how he remained positive during his time, he told me of the special bond among the prisoners. Each found strength in one another.

After leaving the Island, I resorted to finding accommodation. Feeling frustrated and a lack of budget, I decided to leave Cape Town. It was then that I received a phone call from Derrick, who I had met during the Cooperative conference back in September. The day before, I had called him to set up a time to catch up over coffee. After explaining my situation, he told me to come immediately to his home. Now here was the challenge: Derrick lives in a township.

Seeing no other solution, I hopped on a 45-minute train ride to meet Derrick at the station. While on the train, I tried to remain cool and not out of place. The biggest worries was that in my bag contained my laptop, passport and what remaining funds I had. After offering silent prayers throughout the ride, I arrived safe and secure. Derrick and his wife Nora, have the biggest heart. They were already hosting another family and really had no place to put me. My night in the township is to add as another “African experience”. I can admit, I felt nervous, because foreigners are not most welcomed in these environments.

The next morning Keenan arrived with his mother and sister, of whom I reunited with after 11 years. I parted Derrick and Nora, along with their 8-month baby, expressing deep gratitude for helping me out. Riding in the car with Keenan, I explained to him what had happened and told him I would have to leave Cape Town because I couldn’t afford to stay longer. Keenan and his mom were staying at his sister’s flat and there was simply no room to place me. The plan then was to head to his sister’s flat and try to find cheap accommodation. When we got there, Keenan’s mom told the landlord my situation. He then offered me a room to stay as long as I wished, for free.

With this stress out of the way, I got to enjoy Cape Town. I went up to Table Mountain, overlooking the city at sunset. I went out with Keenan and his family, and caught up with stories long forgotten. Lastly, I visited beaches, which leave you regretting every moment you walk away.

I’ve always been one for adventure. This story tops the charts.

Jan 14th _ “Aibo, Shame”

Another one bites the dust.

Wednesday night my wallet was stolen. Since I was going to meet my landlord I went to withdraw money to pay my rent for this month and next for Mthatha. After withdrawing, Clemens and I headed into the grocery store down the street. Seeing how bulky the wallet was, we thought it might be better to leave it in the glove compartment instead of attracting attention.

After 5 minutes of shopping we came back to discover the car had been broken into and the wallet gone, along with my visa, bank card and drivers licence.

Normally I don’t carry the wallet around (for obvious reasons). One lapse in precaution made me another victim of South African crime.

Swapping mugging stories with my South African counterparts, I can consider myself very lucky that I left it inside and not walked with it.

After closer examination, we discovered an attempt was made to steal Clemens’ car as something was lodged in the ignition.

But nonetheless, I’m good.

Still, it’s a tough one to swallow.

Jan 11th _ "Compliments!"

Hello again everyone! It's been a while since my last post. Let me start by offering a South African greeting, "Compliments! Compliments!" or in other words, "Happy New Year!".

The Christmas Holidays were most memorable. My folks were visiting family in France and I was fortunate to show up and surprise them! Experiencing another new country and being with my family again provided a renewed spirit for 2011.

Before this trip, I was playing Santa Clause for Without Walls children's Christmas party. As a gift to the NGO, the Aviation Centre in East London flew Santa Clause and his Elf (played by Lynn's son-in-law) in a helicopter to Millner Estate where we were received by a cheering community. Each child's gift was provided specifically according to their wish list. For each gift handed out, I received a tight hug and a captivating smile. For majority of these children, it will be the only gift they will get. Lynn and the Without Walls team provided a special Christmas miracle for this community and I was very honoured to be a part of it.

Work has kick started with Clemens and I conducting market research in Mthatha with local Bed and Breakfasts (motels). Based on research, we hope to connect the cooperatives whose business is soap making with these BnBs.

Checking the calendar, one can see my time in Africa is starting to wind down. With less than eight weeks left, there is much more I have to see and do.

While I have your attention, I just wanted to thank those who sent me a message for the holidays. It was most appreciated!

"Twas the night before Christmas" (Elves at work)

"Santa's Sleigh"

Dec 18th _ “11 years later”

First day in Grade 7 I sat at a table with some friends who I met the previous year. Class was soon to begin when a kid walked into the room. Not knowing anyone, he sat at our table. Clutching his lunch kit closely and not moving an inch, I challenged the kid:

“Yo. What’s your name?”

“Keenan”, he replied.

“Your new eh. Where you’re from?”

“I just moved here… from South Africa”.

As the year would play out, Keenan and I became very good friends. Our families got to meet one another. He told me things were much different in South Africa. I told him I had only known of Africa and had no clue what a “South Africa” was. We looked out for each other, especially when it came to dealing with the rough environment of Camilla Public School. At the end of grade 7, Keenan had to move. I tried finding him via email, but couldn’t locate him. However, we did find each other on Facebook years ago, but we never spoke once.

Before leaving for South Africa, I announced on Facebook of the upcoming adventure. Keenan aptly responded sending his contact information. After getting settled, I phoned him up. At the time, he was on the road and said he would get back to me. Two months had gone by but still no word from Keenan. Finding it strange, I didn’t bother giving him a shout.

One night out at a club with some friends, I saw this guy who looked like Keenan walk by. I gave him a nudge and Keenan recognized me immediately. He said his phone broke and he was trying desperately to find me, but I had closed my Facebook account.

Since then, my weeks of December have been catching up with Keenan, sharing stores of playing hockey, fights we got into and of course, middle school crushes. Plus playing the game, “whatever happened to…”. He tells me how funny it is that in the whole of South Africa, I was placed in a small suburb where he lives.

Living in a place so far away from home, it’s nice to have a piece of your past in the present.

Dec 16th _ “Ballerz of the world UNITE”

Since University, I have always tried to organize a basketball game among friends. This tradition continued with UNICEF, Humber College and now, South Africa. With a colleague from Ikhwezi HIV/Aids Centre and Zimbabwean students, 3 on 3 basketball was run at a nearby court. For the occasion, Sarah and Lise created a trophy deemed, “Lord Stanley’s Bottle of Triumph”.

The more we played, the more spectators watching, joined in. One of the participants pulled up his car next to the court to blast sweet reggae tunes. It was good times running “pick and rolls” and “dropping dimes” to the sound of “Mr. Boombastic!”.

At the end of it all, a resolution was made: Basketball every Sunday in the New Year.

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On another note, Sarah and Lise have left today for a road trip to Lesotho and Capetown. Last night we had a Christmas/Send off dinner. With the help of the ladies, I prepared what was close to Chicken Biriyani. Although the resemblance was off, the taste was much more closer.

(pictures to be posted soon. I am having trouble uploading at the moment).

Dec 10th _ “So this is Christmas”

Checking the date I was surprised to see we were 10 days into December. Without the “luxury” of snow, Mariah Carey’s overplayed “All I want for Christmas” and Rudolph the Reindeer’s special on tv, it is hard to realize we are in the “Christmas season”.

Only a few stores have decorations. The houses around me are without - probably at the fear the ornaments will be stolen.

Yet given the influence of Christianity in this province you can bet almost every family will be attending a Nativity play. Most have already begun their vacations as things ultimately slow down in December.

Reflecting on the season, Christmas has always been a special one. As a young child I was excited to see what Santa Clause brought me. Every year I would write him a letter and leave out the cookies and milk. As I grew a little older I started to compare his written letter, with the handwriting of my mother. Suffice to say I was heartbroken when I discovered “Ma could write as good as Santa”.

But Christmas Day is always the ultimate. For a long time, it was just my sister, my mom and the troublemaker. I would make sure to wake up before anyone. We had three couches in our living room of which I dedicated each persons setting for placing the gifts. When my Stepdad joined the family, he squatted on my mother’s dedicated couch. For me, I always enjoyed finding the gift unique to the receiver and feeling their reaction as they opened it on Christmas Day.

Two of my favourite memories, is the Christmas my family from the States came. It had also been just a few years since my cousins from Guyana moved to Canada. After going to midnight mass, all the cousins returned to our apartment to tell ghost stories in the living room. Afterwards, although personal, we shared stories of who got into trouble at school and the consequences – note the narrator always claimed to never be the victim! That night we set a new tradition. Whoever fell asleep first was subjected to getting toothpaste smeared all over their face with the guys getting their nails painted. And last year, Ige and his family joined us for a wonderful Christmas Day. Together, we “ate Christmas” and watched my Uncle’s wedding in Guyana, which took place well over two decades ago.

Although I am away from home, I am very fortunate to experience a new kind of Christmas. This year I get to play Santa Clause for Without Walls children’s Christmas party. To be a part of this and see the joy on a child’s face, will make even my Christmas, extra special.

Nov 23rd _ “Townships”

Under Apartheid rule any non-white persons were forced to live in settlements located outside towns or cities. Deemed “Townships” these areas became a place to essentially dump Blacks and Coloureds (those of mixed ancestry). Services provided were nothing more than a shack to sleep, a little running water and a place to cook. Whites abused this large amount of labour by paying the workers next to nothing.

Living in a township is a very difficult life. Most inhabitants are into drug trafficking, which is then followed by consuming. In such a poor community, human life becomes quite cheap. People are killed over having a few dollars (Rand) in their pocket. It can be expected children will not finish school based on the reason that their parents cannot afford it or the children do not have the motivation or support to continue. Although people are now free to move around, many remain in the townships simply because they cannot afford otherwise.

Big King of Ikhwezi Wellness Centre for HIV/Aids organized a trip to Duncan Village and Mdantsane (the second largest Township in South Africa). Under the auspices of community outreach workers of the Haven Wellness Centre, I was able to visit clients who are suffering from HIV/Aids. While walking through the community in Duncan Village, I noticed a sign, which read: “Trespassers will be shot after hours”.

Leaving the township you cannot help but feel that its inhabitants are the forgotten people of South Africa. But hope comes in the image of the Wellness Centres. Their workers march into these sites each day with the purpose of helping those living in destitution.