Friday, February 18, 2011
Postcards from South Africa: 02.09.11
After our time at the Apartheid Museum our brains were very full and we needed some time to decompress. Thank God for GPS as we were able to drive straight to "Wandies," a famous African restaurant in the heart of the historic township of Soweto. When we walked in we assumed we would order off a menu, but no, Wandies is all about go big or go home. The waiter kindly guided us around the corner and showed us the 'all you can eat' buffet full of South African specialties such as pap (special corn mash) and delicious meats including mutton and the famous sausage called Boerewors. The food was delicious. You will notice that the walls are covered in people's business cards from all over the world. Many famous people have dined here including the Clintons and Evander Holyfield.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Postcards from South Africa: 02.08.11
Just another quick peak at the Apartheid Museum. The entry is striking, with very tall cement pillars, one for each pillar of the constitution. We took a photo of each pillar, but with our slow internet connection it'd likely take me the rest of the week to get them all uploaded here. Regardless, you can read about the pillars, below.
Postcards from South Africa: 02.07.11
Happy, happy birthday to my dear husband, best friend and advocate: Drew Jacobson Strait! We enjoyed a relaxing day, begun with espresso and pastries at our favorite cafe (Drew says they have better espresso even that Peet's... can you believe it?) and ended the day with a Braai put on by our hosts.
Here is a shot of Drew with his advisor, Professor Geyrt Stein. They are posing with Drew's favorite birthday cake, the traditional "Debbie Strait Ice Cream Pie."
Enough candles, you think?
Here is a shot of Drew with his advisor, Professor Geyrt Stein. They are posing with Drew's favorite birthday cake, the traditional "Debbie Strait Ice Cream Pie."
Enough candles, you think?
Postcards from South Africa: 02.05.11 & 02.06.11
More specifically, Postcards from Johannesburg. Drew and I rented our host's car for the weekend of his birthday to drive to Johannesburg and its nearby township, Soweto. We visited the Apartheid Museum, which took about 3-4 hours to tour, and we felt so honored to have the experience to absorb this country's history in that intimate and artistic environment. After that, we drove to the township (Soweto) where Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived (Tutu still calls that same house home when in Joburg). Believe it or not, they lived just a few houses apart--on the same street. I'm pretty sure that this is the only place in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize winners lived on the same street! We ate at a very famous black African restaurant in the township (a "shebeen") named Wandie's, and then ventured over to tour Mandela's former house and to walk by the high school where many say that the anti-Apartheid movement really began: Orlando West High School. It was here that students began protesting being educated in Afrikaans, as it was such a road block to their learning (learning to read in a foreign language you do not yet speak? no thank you!!). We ended the day by driving through Johannesburg, right into the downtown area.
Our experience was so very rich, I feel it would sound trite to try to explain much here. I've had a fascination with South Africa's history since 1999, when I wrote my first college paper on Apartheid and Mandela, but I never dreamed I would actually have the chance to see the sites I had studied first hand.
We are very, very, very very blessed to be doing this and this weekend we were moved to tears by what we learned about South Africa's history. What is most moving to us is how peaceful the transition was, and the how far the country has come in just a short time (Apartheid officially ended in 1994). There is much that we U.S. Americans can learn from South Africa.
Of course, we took a lot of photos this weekend and it is hard to choose just a few, so we are calling this "Apartheid Museum & Soweto Week" (plus perhaps a wee bit of Drew's birthday). Enjoy!
02.05.11 -- The entry to the Apartheid Museum. The tickets are randomly printed with white or blacks/coloreds, and you are required to enter through your respective category's door. I was black and Drew was white -- and as you might anticipate, we had very different experiences!
02.06.11 -- A rock carving by tribal Africans during the early days of colonialism. All of the art displayed depicted the early European settlers as gun-toting.
Our experience was so very rich, I feel it would sound trite to try to explain much here. I've had a fascination with South Africa's history since 1999, when I wrote my first college paper on Apartheid and Mandela, but I never dreamed I would actually have the chance to see the sites I had studied first hand.
We are very, very, very very blessed to be doing this and this weekend we were moved to tears by what we learned about South Africa's history. What is most moving to us is how peaceful the transition was, and the how far the country has come in just a short time (Apartheid officially ended in 1994). There is much that we U.S. Americans can learn from South Africa.
Of course, we took a lot of photos this weekend and it is hard to choose just a few, so we are calling this "Apartheid Museum & Soweto Week" (plus perhaps a wee bit of Drew's birthday). Enjoy!
02.05.11 -- The entry to the Apartheid Museum. The tickets are randomly printed with white or blacks/coloreds, and you are required to enter through your respective category's door. I was black and Drew was white -- and as you might anticipate, we had very different experiences!
02.06.11 -- A rock carving by tribal Africans during the early days of colonialism. All of the art displayed depicted the early European settlers as gun-toting.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Postcards from South Africa: 02.03.11 & 02.04.11
The 3rd and 4th of February are dedicated to one of my favorite topics: animals!
If you look carefully, you'll see round little nests with holes underneath. These nests house the brightest of yellow birds. The male builds the nest, spending days to complete just one. When he has finished, the female comes to inspect. From what we've learned, the first and second nests are rarely up to snuff. In this case, the female demolishes the nest, flies away and the male must begin anew.
This kitty didn't blink an eye when we rattled the Coca Cola machine (Coke Light! Or Coke made with real sugar...! How can we resist?). I reaaaally wanted to pet her but Drew warned me that it might not be a good idea (though stray animals aren't common--South Africans love their pets).
If you look carefully, you'll see round little nests with holes underneath. These nests house the brightest of yellow birds. The male builds the nest, spending days to complete just one. When he has finished, the female comes to inspect. From what we've learned, the first and second nests are rarely up to snuff. In this case, the female demolishes the nest, flies away and the male must begin anew.
This kitty didn't blink an eye when we rattled the Coca Cola machine (Coke Light! Or Coke made with real sugar...! How can we resist?). I reaaaally wanted to pet her but Drew warned me that it might not be a good idea (though stray animals aren't common--South Africans love their pets).
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!).
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!
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.
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.
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.
Monday, January 31, 2011
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!
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???
...I should admit that I first became familiar with Ladysmith Black Mambazo through a teenage film featuring Lindsey Lohann. Name that film???
Saturday, January 29, 2011
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.
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.
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