Postcards from South Africa: 02.02.11

There are many wonderful things about South African culture, but one of my favorites thus far (other than the words "shame, man" and "ja") is the general consciousness about electricity and water usage. For example, we quickly noticed that lights are not turned on during the day in homes. This may not seem like a big deal but it was very hard to get used to not automatically flipping on light switches when walking into rooms!

Enter the photo, below. The outlets in our flat can be turned off and on, minimizing "phantom electricity" use (which occurs when appliances are plugged in but not in use). During our initial tour, our hosts pointed out that we should make sure to use this feature (in addition to turning off water while sudsing up in the shower... brr!).

Postcards from South Africa: 02.01.11

Happy February! My dear Drew's birth month, and a month that I am sure will hold many adventures.

Giddyup!

Postcards from South Africa: 01.31.11

Last Sunday we rode bikes through the city to the Parliament, or "Union," building. This is the building where Mandela was inaugurated and where the president and other national government officials work. The grounds are breathtakingly beautiful--consisting of perfectly manicured gardens, walking trails and tiers that overlook downtown Pretoria.

We enjoyed some special time in conversation and prayer on the lawn and returned home refreshed (and very, very sweaty!). It was the perfect way to recharge for another work week.

Postcards from South Africa: 01.30.11

More of U of P's historic campus! Featuring the original library (there is a huge modern library elsewhere on campus) and the "Faculty of Arts & Lettres" (English, perhaps?? Not sure!).

University of Pretoria houses 70,000 students and all the undergrads arrived on campus to start their school year this week. Drew thoroughly enjoyed walking through a game of frisbee played by college kids in nothing more than makeshift togas this afternoon.

Postcards from South Africa: 01.29.11

Daily postcard... from Drew! Featuring his department on U of P's campus.

So far I am really enjoying the University of Pretoria. The campus is beautiful, the faculty is stellar (and hilarious!), and the library has a great collection.  A large part of the library is being renovated through a Carnegie Foundation Grant for African Library Development.  The new space is specifically for graduate students and includes our own coffee shop. The renovation will be finished next month and I look forward to spending time drinking delicious South African espresso in this new section of the library (FYI -- there are 3 other coffee shops on campus so I am quite happy!).

The students in the theology department are mostly South African (or from Southern African countries) with several German, Dutch and South Koreans who have, like me, recognized the unbelievable value of studying in South Africa. Not only is tuition incredibly low compared to the UK/American schools, but the quality of scholarship is awesome. I am presenting my research proposal to the NT department tomorrow.

The culture of the school is also fascinating. Since apartheid ended, black students were finally able to attend college. Consequently, significant racial reconciliation had to take place. It is a beautiful image to see the future of Africa on a college campus, and their hipster culture cracks me up!

Ladysmith Black Mambazo: NPR link

For those of you who have a few spare minutes, I came across a recent NPR music interview featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a famed a capella group that sings in Zulu (one of the primary languages native to black South Africa).



...I should admit that I first became familiar with Ladysmith Black Mambazo through a teenage film featuring Lindsey Lohann. Name that film???

Postcards from South Africa: 01.28.11

We spent our first night on the town out last night. After biking around Drew's campus we wheeled on over to Hatfield, a nearby trendy neighborhood full of shopping, restaurants and pubs. The square was packed!! Our entire night out cost less than $10.

Postcards from South Africa: 01.26 & 27.11

Back to our work week, 'tis true! But still remembering the freedom of the farm.


My current reading list. I finished Slow Man last night (thanks to Eric O. for introducing me to Coetzee). Though those Matlab books are at the bottom of the pile that is not reflective of their priority -- right at the top of the list! I try to read once a day, usually during my lunch break out on the patio. Delight!

Postcards from South Africa: 01.25.11

So the 25th was Tuesday but we actually returned Monday and were back to work. Type, type, type! Most of that typing for me was accomplished in this little room, which serves as our kitchen/dining area and living room. We're okay with that combo given our "all-in-one" studio life in Chicago!

Postcards from South Africa: 01.24.11

Sunday morning we woke up completely beat. I was still in the throes of jet lag and both of us had been working 'round the clock (well, other than plenty of Saturday's tea times!). We opted out of church to spend the morning having church together, followed by a long (and eventually hot) walk out in the fields.

The cows are very, very friendly. Extremely friendly. Okay, a little bit too friendly. The minute they saw us enter their section of the field a whole herd came rambling toward us. It was honestly kind of freaky to see them coming at us like that--and with such confidence!--so we hopped the gate when they got too close for comfort.

See the progression below!





Yee-haw.

Postcards from South Africa: 01.23.11

Postcards from the farm.

(1) Road from the nearest town to the farm (it's been unusually rainy).
(2) View from the front porch.
(3) Sulia's rose garden.
(4) View from a morning walk.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

We are told that this area is the armpit of South Africa -- that there's not much in this region that is of beauty. Well, we beg to differ. Pretty fabulous armpit, right?

Postcards from South Africa: 01.22.11

Amazingness alert, amazingness alert! We were invited to visit the home of an Afrikaner farming family waaay out in the middle of the African plains -- hours from anything. This family is close friends with our roommate, Dierk, and welcomed us with open arms (fresh roses in our farmhouse bedroom, a Rooibos tea break every few hours and wonderful food). The next few postcards will feature images from our weekend with them.

A few fun facts:
1. Their house was built in 1902 by adventurous Afrikaner farmers. It is made of mud covered in plaster. The home smells earthy inside but the mud material keeps it very cool during the hot summer days.

2. They are primarily cattle and crop farmers (corn, sorghum, soy) and own 1000 cattle. They describe all their animals (farm dogs, cattle, sheep, etc.) as born again Christians and read scripture to them -- especially Psalms -- on a regular basis. We have never before known people who cherish their animals this much!

3. Sunday brought dramatic thunder storms to the farm. Drew went out on an evening jeep ride into the riverous mud roads and describes this adventure as a very memorable experience.

4. "Braai" is the South African term for BBQ -- and let me tell you, they know how to Braai! The farmers' family came over to welcome us our first night on the farm and brought out the wheelbarrows and other Braai equipment, all full of charcoal and covered with grates. They loaded them up with fresh meat from the farm and Drew made them proud with his carniverous appetite.

I'll get us started here with two photos from the Braai. (1) Drew holding his new little buddy ("Freek" -- pronounced "Free-ek") and sitting with Dierk, our flatmate. (2) The Braai, warming up for the meat. EAT UP!

(1) (Forgive the funny coloring; this photo was taken in the dark so I had to play around with it for it to be somewhat decent! Remember, I'm no photographer...)


(2)

Postcards from South Africa: 01.21.11

For you curious souls, a little photo of our living quarters!



Introducing, the bedroom and study (bedroom at night, study during the day). One of us usually uses the desk in here (or kicks back on the bed with a book) while the other sets up shop at the kitchen table. The second bedroom is currently in use by our flatmate, a dear friend from Germany who is also just beginning his PhD in Drew's New Testament Studies program. When he moves out we will turn that room into the formal office.

Postcards from South Africa: 01.20.11

Biker Dad, this one's for you! Look closely. Her jacket reads "Lady Riders of South Africa."



She was riding just behind a flatbed truck full of chickens. Lady Rider, watch out!

Postcards from South Africa: Day 1

Today, being my first full day in Pretoria, I was pleased to have accomplished two major goals--jet lagged and all. (1) Get connected with the outside world. Enter our new cell phone. At 198 Rand (you do the math--it's 7.25 Rand to the US Dollar) the price couldn't be beat. Strange thing was that we found the phone in a Forever21-esque clothing store, in the back corner... who would've thought... and (2) locate, purchase and consume Rooibos tea. I purchased the brand I recognized from my dear South African friend Nicky's cupboards back in Chicago and it has exceeded my expectations.

Other achievements of lesser mention include joining a gym (and working out with Rugby players featuring legs the size of tree trunks), visiting "the largest mall in Africa" and not getting hit by a car (driving on the "wrong" side of the road).