Kosi Bay

This past weekend I went up to Kosi Bay with fellow Volunteer Safi and visiting Canadian Eric. Kosi Bay is located way up in northern Kwa-Zulu Natal – at one point we were about 5km away from the SA – Mozambique border. Much of the area is a nature reserve/park that features miles of unspoiled beaches and dunes, birdlife, fish and coral reefs.

We stayed at a bush lodge that was barely accessible without a 4 wheel drive vehicile. This is due to there being no paved roads on the miles of sand flats between the shore and the “highway”. The roads consisted of fine sand which was pretty deep in some places, causing our rented Nissan sedan to become stuck on the way to and from the lodge. Imagine driving in a giant sandbox.

New Neighbors

I was sitting in the “lounge” (South African for living room) of my new place when I looked out the window and saw a long skinny tail disappear over the wall of the neighbor’s property. Further investigation revealed the presence of four Vervet monkeys, whose curious faces appeared from seemingly out of nowhere when I made noise inside.

Luckily I was able to close the door to my flat before any of those cheeky little varmits managed to make their way inside. Vervet monkeys are to South Africa what raccoons to are back home. Except for being nocturnal and traveling solo, behaviour-wise they’re pretty similar. But in the areas of trash-digging, mess-making, nuisance-causing, food-stealing, disease-aquiring, rabies-carrying they are spot on. But multiply the damage and annoyance caused by one coon by 6 or 4 – which seems to be the average population of Vervet monkey troops on these parts. Not really the ideal houseguests.

The monkey novelty really does not wear off even though I’ve seen them around the neighborhood a bunch of times since I moved into the FLG back in October. I still had to stop and stare at the monkeys that were sitting on my porch. The funny thing about monkeys is that for a short period of time they will be just as fascinated with you as you are with them and stare back.

After the troop’s visit I’m a little nervous about leaving my door open, even with the bars closed, since they could wiggle through there without any problem. I did wonder why they chose to hang around my porch for as long as they did until I remembered the cooking oil I’d thrown in the bushes the night before.

Note to Self: Find better disposal method for unwanted cooking oil to avoid possible monkey attack and resulting rabies infection.

Just another way to die in South Africa.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I’ve moved my home and my office both in one week. I’m still in SA in Durban though. The actual distance of both moves was very small however this does not mean that moving still didnt suck – at least a little bit.

I am officially no longer a resident of The FLG (see post of the same name for more info), which makes me happy and a little sad at the same time. The nasty food and creepy-weirdo residents I will not miss, but saying goodbye to my two little old lady friends was not very pleasant.

My new place is only two blocks down the road from The FLG, so I will still be in the same neighborhood. The place is what’s referred to as either a “Garden Cottage” or “Granny Flat” (not granny shack, dad). The typical Granny Flat is a small building, or cottage, that sits on the property of a larger house but is a completely separate structure often located in that house’s garden. My flat is sort of like a one bedroom, but on the small side. I have a kitchen, living room, bedroom and closet/bathroom area. There’s also AC and heat! I slept there for the first night last night.

At work our offices are in two separate buildings beside a church. One building used to be the pastor’s house, where my office was located on the second floor, since October when I arrived. I shared with Precious which was fun because she is always chatting and gossiping, and also happens to be my best friend at work. Now I have been relocated to the other building where our offices occupy the basement floor of the church hall – dubbed “The Dungeon” by the my fellow staff members.

The Dungeon is newly renovated and I have an office all to myself, but its kind of weird down here. There is a big glass window in my office that looks out onto the open plan section where two of my co-workers sit. The window is nice because it helps me feel like I’m not sitting in a giant box, but its kind of the same size and shape as a display case window in a museum so I do feel like I’m on exhibition. “homo sapien northamericanus, female.” I’ve considered making myself a sign.

There are two other windows just below the ceiling that are level with the ground outside – The Dungeon being previously a basement and all. Nozuko found the location of these windows somewhat disturbing, since if they are open they are likely to provide a convienent entry point for any snakes that might be lurking in the bushes.

I moved into The Dungeon earlier today. For awhile I didnt have any keys and wound up being locked in for the better part of an hour while everyone went to lunch. Leave it to The Dungeon to live up to its name.

Coming Soon to a North American City Near You

That’s right everybody – for a limited time only I am coming back. So if anyone wants to hang out plan on being either in Harrisburg, PA or Toronto (definitely the more exciting option) on any of the following days:

Harrisburg: July 26 – August 12

Toronto: August 12-19

In Toronto I’m attending the International AIDS Conference from the 12-18, but I’m only presenting my poster on one of the days for like 2 hours. So most of the rest of the time I dont really HAVE to be there. Although I figure there will be some stuff that I do want to see/hear.

Hmmm let’s see what am I most looking forward to having….

1.) Mexican Food

2.) Mom’s Potato Salad

As part of a real American cookout, which although similar to a South African Braai, usually features a few menu selections in addition to MEAT.

3.) Pancakes with Maple Sryup

As part of otherwise grease-filled and unhealthy diner breakfast.

4.) Real Pizza

There are pizza places here but they suck and can barely pass for pizza. SA Pizza sadly enough even makes Antoon’s look good which before coming here I didnt think would be possible.

5.) American Ice Cream

Ben and Jerry’s, Hershey’s, 31 Flavors – any will do!

4.) Miller Lite

This is sad, I know. Just pretend it says Yuengling.

5.) Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

Why wasnt I fatter when I lived in America?